Guitar: 1972 Gretsch Chet Atkins Nashville 7660

Owned and played by Kerry Livgren of Kansas until Sept. 21st, 2002
I had purchased the guitar and have owned it since that time.
We both only used the guitar for studio recordings.

A rare opportunity to own a piece of Kansas history: a 1972 Gretsch 7660 Chet Atkins Nashville hollow-body electric personally owned and used by songwriter/guitarist Kerry Livgren. This guitar was used on Kansas’ album Somewhere To Elsewhere and is offered with original Certificate of Authenticity and period photos of Kerry with the instrument.

Key Features and Specification

•           Make and Model: Gretsch 7660 Chet Atkins Nashville
•           Year: 1972
•           Body: Maple hollow-body double cutaway
•           Neck: Maple with ebony fretboard, 22 frets, 24.5" scale
•           Pickups: Dual Filter'Tron humbuckers (Gretsch stock configuration)
•           Hardware: Tremolo tailpiece; tuners preserved (bridge was replaced)
•           Finish: Original factory finish (vintage amber red, consistent with 1970s Chet Atkins models)
•           Playability: Setup for stage and studio use; plays smoothly across the neck with clear articulation and the classic Gretsch chiming midrange and warm low end

 Provenance and Documentation

•           Ownership: Previously owned and regularly used by Kerry Livgren, credited on Kansas’ Somewhere To Elsewhere.
•           Certificate of Authenticity: Original COA issued at time of sale accompanies the guitar.
•           Photographic Evidence: Multiple period photos showing Kerry Livgren with this exact instrument; photos included with sale.
•           Provenance Summary: Clear chain of custody from Kerry Livgren’s estate/collection to current seller; documentation available for serious buyers.

Condition
•           Cosmetic: Very good vintage condition with expected period-appropriate wear and honest finish checking; surface scratches on back, no major structural damage. A few seated tuners have slight lifting on front side of headstock which doesn't affect playing or tuning.
•           Neck and Frets: Straight neck, fret wear consistent with playing since refret; truss rod fully functional.
•           Electronics: Pickups, pots, and switches tested and fully functional; wiring intact and original where documented.
•           Case: Includes original vintage hardshell case fully functional and intact with no rips or tears
•           All original components except bridge, and nut. Includes truss rod cover replacement and original truss rod cover.
•           Refret was done in 2023 by Raritan Bay Music  

What’s Included
•           Original Certificate of Authenticity (COA) (does not include frame, will ship separately)
•           Photograph of Kerry Livgren with the guitar
•           Guitar (as described) and original hardshell case
•           A short provenance letter summarizing transfer history
•           Original warranty card and quality control checklist from Gretsch
•           Original Gretsch Truss Rod Wrench
•           Gretsch Leather Guitar Strap

Listening and Use Notes
•           Delivers the classic Gretsch clarity and string separation that cuts through dense arrangements, making it suitable for recording and stage performance. The Filter'Tron character is present with a warm low-mid and singing top end ideal for solos and arpeggiated parts heard on Somewhere To Elsewhere.

Shipping
•           Shipping: Professional insured shipping continental USA only, local pickup and inspection welcome by appointment.

 Serial #: 9-2006
Body size: lower bout: 16" Wide – 2.5 ‘ thick. Scale length: 24 1/2" joined at the 18th fret

Materials:
Top & Back Wood: 3 ply maple
Sides Wood: 7 Ply Maple
Neck Wood: 3 Ply Maple
Fingerboard: Ebony
Truss Rod: Adjustable Truss Rod with Gear Box
Binding: Black & White Binding on Fingerboard & Headpiece
Ebonized Headpiece: Inlaid
Neo-Classic Fingerboard Inlays
Frets: German Silver Frets

Body: 2 Ply Black & White Binding
Sound Holes: Open
Bridge: Upgraded tuno-matic roller bridge (2002)
Finish: Red Amber Finish – Hand Polished

Hardware:
24 Karat – Gold Plated & Chrome Metal Parts
Enclosed Gear Guitar Machines
Adjustamatic Bridge w/ Individual String Saddle Adjustments (upgraded 2002)
Adjustable – Double Filtertron Pickup w/ Standby Switch
Gretsch Bibsby Vibrato & Tailpiece
Leather Shoulder Strap (aftermarket Gretsch)
Amber Red Finish – Hand Polished

Case: Original Gretsch Deluxe #6241 hard-shell case with plush lining.

History: 1 previous owner since 1972 until 9-2002. (Kerry Livgren – Kansas Band)

Brand: Gretsch
Model: Nashville 7660
Condition: Excellent - Excellent
Serial Number: 9-2006
Top Wood: 3 Ply Maple
Back: 3 Ply Maple
Sides Wood: 7 Ply Maple
Lower Bout Width: 16"
Neck Wood: 3 Ply Maple
Neck Profile: Unknown
Fingerboard: Ebony
Scale Length: 24.5"
Frets: 22
Nut: Unknown
Inlays: Neo Classic Fingerboard Inlays
Tuners: Original Enclosed Gear
Bridge: Upgraded tuno-matic roller bridge (2002)
Tailpiece: Original Grestch/Bigsby Vibrato & Tailpiece
Pickguard: Original Gretsch
Pickups: Adjustable – Double Filtertron Pickup w/ Standby Switch
Finish: Amber Red Finish – Hand Polished
Case: Original Hard Shell Case -#6421 Deluxe Thick Plush Lined
Weight: Unknown
Year: 1972
Made: In United States
Color Family: Amber Red Finish
Body Shape: Archtop
Right / Left Handed: Right Handed
Number of Strings: 6-String
Model Family: Gretsch Nashville 7660
Series: Brooklyn or Arkansas

Extra’s:
Truss rod wrench
Original paperwork

Notes:
One of the guitars that got this makeover was the Atkins Hollow Body, which in ’67 was renamed the Chet Atkins Nashville 6120. In ’72, its model number became 7660. The number is stamped into the back of the head, a practice that ended not long after, in favor of decals. Except for the use of the Burns gear box, this model is very similar to its predecessor. It was probably built in Booneville, although some or all of its components could have been made in Brooklyn and finished in Arkansas.

With a 21/2″ depth, this guitar is a medium-body hollow body. The pickups are Filter ‘Trons, though they have HiLo ‘Tron covers. The electronics are typically Gretsch byzantine. One knob is a master Volume, while the other two are volume controls for each pickup. One mini-toggle is a standby offering on/off/on (go figure!?), while the other is a three-way tone toggle engaging three different capacitors. Like most Gretsch hollowbodies, this has the internal “sound post” joining the top and back under the pickups to decrease feedback.  As long as you’re happy with the switching system, this is a swell rockabilly guitar.