
( Brand: Guitar ), ( Part Type: Guitar String )
The SST-12 Chet Atkins Signature Model Gibson guitar is a masterpiece that pays homage to the "Country Gentleman" himself, Chet Atkins. This instrument, a semi-hollowbody electric guitar, is a favorite among players who appreciate the blend of rich, resonant acoustic-like tones with the flexibility of electric amplification. With its storied history and classic design, the SST-12 is an investment in both sound and legacy.
The body of the SST-12 is crafted from maple laminate, which offers a durable and affordable alternative to solid wood construction. Its semihollow design features a solid maple center block, preventing unwanted feedback while allowing for vibrant and lively acoustic resonance. The maple neck, also a standard feature in Chet Atkins Signature Models, provides a comfortable playing experience with a satin finish and a classic 12-inch radius.
The SST-12 guitar features a beautiful bound ebony fingerboard, inlaid with pearl block markers, which add an elegant touch while providing easy reference points for Locating frets. The bound headstock bears the iconic Gibson logo and the distinctive "Chet Atkins Signature" mark.
This guitar is equipped with a pair of Gibson 57 Classic humbucker pickups, providing a perfect balance of clear and warm tonality. Additionally, the SST-12 includes a Tune-o-matic bridge and a tailpiece with stopbar tailpiece adjustment screws, ensuring optimal string stability and smooth intonation.
Another notable feature of the SST-12 is its dual-action truss rod, which offers both relief and adjustment for the neck bow, contributing to the overall structural stability and string setup ease. The anodized aluminum ABR-1 bridge and Stopbar tailpiece add a touch of modern functionality while maintaining the vintage aesthetic.
Completing the package, the SST-12 comes with a hardshell case, offering superior protection for the instrument during transportation and storage. Suited for various music genres, this guitar perfectly embodies the refined craftsmanship and timeless style that fans of Chet Atkins and Gibson have admired for decades. Whether you're playing country ballads, jazz standards, or top 40 hits, the SST-12 Chet Atkins Signature Model delivers a versatile and captivating tone that will elevate and inspire any performance.
1. Authentic Chet Atkins Design: The SST-12 is inspired by the unique and iconic design used by Chet Atkins, a renowned American country music guitarist, making it an attractive choice for players who admire his style and sound.
2. Quality Construction: This guitar is made with high-quality materials, including a solid mahogany body and a maple neck, ensuring excellent durability and superior tonal qualities.
3. Versatile Tone: The SST-12 features a unique 12-string Charliox Tune-o-Matic bridge and Double Locking Tune-o-Matic tailpiece. This results in a versatile tone, which can cater to various musical genres, including country, pop, and rock.
4. Fine Craftsmanship: Gibson's reputation for fine craftsmanship and attention to detail is reflected in the production of the SST-12, ensuring a beautiful appearance and a comfortable playing experience.
5. Distinctive Sound: The 12-string configuration of the SST-12 provides a rich, full-bodied sound, making it ideal for players who want to produce careers and harmonics that are not easily achievable with a standard 6-string guitar.
Cons:1. Size and Weight: The SST-12 is a large and heavy guitar due to its 12-string configuration and solid mahogany body, making it less portable and more difficult to travel with compared to a standard 6-string guitar.
2. Higher Price Point: Gibson guitars are known for their premium craftsmanship and materials, which translates into a higher price point. The SST-12, being a specialized model, is priced even higher than the average Gibson guitar.
3. Fret Access: The body shape and 12-string design of the SST-12 can make accessing certain frets more challenging, potentially leading to difficulty in playing complex solos or intricate parts.
4. Complex Setup and Maintenance: Due to the unique design and 12-string configuration of the SST-12, setting it up and maintaining it might present additional challenges and costs compared to a standard 6-string guitar.
Conclusion:The SST-12 Chet Atkins Gibson guitar offers several advantages, particularly its authentic design, superior construction, versatile tonal qualities, fine craftsmanship, and distinctive sound. However, it also has some drawbacks, including its large size, heavy weight, high price point, complex setup and maintenance, and challenging fret access.
Recommendation:The SST-12 Chet Atkins Gibson guitar is an excellent investment for professional musicians, collectors, and serious hobbyists who are in search of a unique instrument with professional-grade components, a rich, full-bodied sound, and a commitment to authentic Chet Atkins design. However, it may not be the best option for beginners or casual players due to its larger size, higher cost, and the inherent challenges associated with its 12-string configuration. Consider your playing style, musical genre, and budget before making the decision to purchase the SST-12. If you are unsure, you might want to try one out at a local music shop or rent it for a period to determine if it's the right fit for you.
This Guitar is a bit dustier as you can see in the pictures,it has a couple indentations behind the bridge and a couple lite scratches on the top bout and don't show up in the pictures.
Ins that puts it at 1989 model. Multi bound top,2 volume,one tone controls,cup in sound hole. Gibson chet atkins sst 12 string model similar to 6 string mahogany spruce body,preamps circuit control single transducer pickup,ebony in color.
Shipping 55. The Guitar plays and sounds great,the strings are old and needs a new set,it comes with a gibson USA case in nice condition.