Chet Atkins' was widely known for his endorsement of Gretsch guitars, however, by the late 1970s the relationship was starting to turn. Chet had the idea of a nylon-stringed electric, but Gretsch were not interested, so in 1979 they parted company. Gibson, of course, were only too keen to get involved, and a couple years later the Chet Atkins Classic Electric was born.

The CE is electrified by a Gibson Hex piezo pickup in the bridge position and can be controlled by a battery-powered pre-amp system that allows players to get a more balanced tone. The single cutaway body sports a Solid Spruce top and acoustically-chambered mahogany back. The mahogany neck sports a 25.5” scale and features 19 frets with the neck meeting the body at the 12th. The body is 2” deep with an ornately designed soundhole rosette.

This particle guitar has remained in good condition. We gave it a set up so that this guitarist ready to be played again. All its parts are original to this guitar. It ships in its original case.