Billingshurst, United Kingdom
About this listing
Gretsch Streamliner 6191, Rare Natural Flame Maple 1955Excellent Near Mint Condition.A Collectors dream given its rarity and immaculate condition.Just a few minor marks and very small amount of player wear to the rear and 1st 5 fretsPots: 1955 week 16Serial Number 1779144mm at NutWeight 2.75kgOriginal Gretsch Banner Case in good condition .. center latch brokenGlorious Naturally aged Flame Maple Top, Back and SidesBrazillian Rosewood FingerboardDe Armond PickupMelita BridgeExtravagant Rarity of the "Natural" (6191) Blonde FinishGretsch only used high-grade, premium woods for their blonde finishes because the clear lacquer offered nowhere to hide structural flaws, grain mismatches, or knots. Finding a 1955 specimen with deeply figured "Flame" or "Quilted" maple is rare indeed.The Golden Era of the Brooklyn FactorySerial number 17791 places this guitar firmly in the "Golden Era" of Gretsch production (the pre-Baldwin era, built at the 60 Broadway factory in Brooklyn, New York). Pots from this specific batch consistently date to the 16th week of 1955. Guitars from this exact timeframe were entirely handmade by master craftsmen before production line scaling took over later in the decade. The Streamliner shares identical body construction, dimensions, and parallel bracing patterns with the legendary 6120 Chet Atkins hollowbody. It features the expansive 17-inch wide, 3 ⅜-inch deep body.Because it shares the same internal acoustics as the astronomical-value 6120, many mid-century Streamliners were tragically gutted or "converted" into replica 6120s over the years. An unmodified, survivor-grade 6191 is increasingly scarce.Highly Coveted Golden-Era HardwareThis 1955 model is equipped with a specific arrangement of hardware that represents the absolute peak of Gretsch's mid-fifties design:DeArmond Dynasonic Pickup: The single neck-position Dynasonic single-coil pickup provides a remarkably bold, snappy, and bubbly tone that vintage purists actively chase. Melita "Synchro-Sonic" Bridge: It features the upscale, highly engineered Melita bridge, allowing for precise individual intonation of each string—a premium luxury component for 1955.Early Western Era Accents: Features the iconic "Hump Block" fingerboard inlays and the internal white rectangle label from the mid-50s batch.The 1955 Gretsch Streamliner 6191 is a vintage, hollow-body archtop electric guitar featuring a figured flame maple body and classic mid-50s craftsmanship.Key Specifications & FeaturesBody Type: Single-cutaway hollow body constructed with maple top, back, and sides showcasing striking natural maple flame vintage finishNeck Material: Maple set-neck. Fingerboard: Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with traditional period inlay work.Electronics: A single and original vintage DeArmond single-coil pickup and simplified control layout on the lower treble bout. Original Melita BridgeHardware: Chrome-plated original "G-cutout" trapeze tailpiece.Vintage ContextDuring 1955, the Gretsch Streamliner line (encompassing models 6189, 6190, and the 6191) shared structural philosophy and aesthetic elements with early historic models like the 6120. Finding pieces with highly figured, natural flame maple makes examples from 1955 particularly collectible among vintage archtop enthusiasts.Guitar SpecificationsModel: Gretsch Streamliner 6191Year of Manufacture: 1955 (sequential numbering matching mid-1955 production, close to serial 17791 which dates to week 16 of 1955)Body Style: Hollowbody / single-pickup configuration (similar construction to the early Chet Atkins 6120)Finish: Natural Flame MapleNeck: Maple neck with a medium-round or comfortable "C" profileFingerboard: RosewoodPickups: Original DeArmond Dynasonic single-coil pickupBridge: Melita "Synchrosonic" bridgeHardware: Nickel / chrome
Price£5,000
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