Well, its official... Tom Doyle is finally ready to come out with and re-release to the world, The Early 6120 Black Sealed Top Proto that was made famous when Chet Atkins played it on "Dark Eyes". This guitar was the precursor for all things to come in the future with the relationship of Chet and Gretsch... its THE guitar that started it all! This amazing and very historical piece was of course owned and used by Chet Atkins, and worked on/experimented by the genius - Ray Butts... then was given to famous sound engineer, Bill Porter. Some years later the guitar became part of the legendary "Chinery Collection", and was displayed for quite some time at the Smithsonian. Tom was the special luthier and curator of Scott Chinery's Collection, and Scott knew that Tom had always admired the instrument. So one day, in a grand gesture of his appreciation, Scott generously bestowed this essential guitar to Tom as a gift. In an ironic twist of fate Scott Chinery passed away, all to early about a week later.

This guitar is the very essence and the embryo of all things to come as far as Chet Atkins and Gretsch... There would be no 6120, there would be no Country Gentleman, no George Harrison Model, no Brian Setzer, etc, etc... Gibson had Les Paul, and Gretsch had Chet Atkins - This guitar was the beginning of it all for Gretsch and Chet. So you can see that this is way more than just a guitar... its a piece of history!

Joe Carducci, Gretsch Guitar's Senior Product Manager came to inspect and evaluate The Original Chet Atkins 6120 Prototype Black Sealed Top with Gold F Holes at Tom Doyle's Custom Guitar Shop. He called it "The Holy Grail" as far as all things Gretsch guitars are concerned... and he and Gretsch have decided to make a reproduction of the guitar to offer in their upcoming Chet Atkins Professional Collection... how great is that?

LES PAUL'S LUTHIER/GUITAR TECH/ENGINEER FOR 45 YEARS - While Les Paul was certainly more than a genius in his quest for his ultimate sound,  tone, and understanding of music and the instruments that it took to get there, for over four decades he relied constantly on Tom Doyle to make his guitars whole again after he chopped them to pieces in has mad pursuit of that sound in his head. Most people automatically assume that because there is a famous guitar with his name on it, that Les was a guitar builder, tech, bench man, etc., and knew how to build, repair and refurbish guitars. That just simply was not the case... he relied on Tom for that. Tom and Les worked on countless projects over the 40+ years together and Tom is nothing less than a walking/talking encyclopedia about all things Les Paul, Gibson, build specs, musical history, and knows more about guitars of all kinds than anyone you will ever encounter alive today.

Tom Doyle is a Master Luthier and virtuoso guitarist who will teach you to understand the language of your guitar - even how to build one from scratch. Your playing will improve by leaps and bounds because you'll know how to adjust your guitar to your style. Tom has fifty years of experience working with no less then the best in the music business. Now you can meet Tom Doyle in person and learn guitar building and repair from the best... Learn what your guitar has to say!

Tom Doyle's Master
Luthier School of Design

Every Second Saturday

Tom Plays & Speaks on
The "Thank You Les" DVD

Featuring such Greats as Keith Richards, Steve Miller, Billy Gibbons, Slash, José Feliciano and many more!