Electric Guitar Review

They called it the Atkins Axe, in reference to the illustrious Chet Atkins––the man who literally put Gretsch on the map––but originals are nearly impossible to find these days since the instrument was only in production for a few short years during the mid-70s.

While the Gretsch Axe was a bit of a failure in its day (the guitar was apparently an unsuccessful attempt at drawing the hard rock market to Gretsch,) it definitely has a certain collector’s appeal today.

To that end, New York’s incomparable Music Zoo has once again teamed up with Gretsch, this time commissioning a strictly limited run of the fabled “Axe”––available exclusively through the Zoo.

With a seriously fat lower bout, “dice-like” fretboard inalys, and a gorgeous walnut-stained maple top, this thing just screams funky retro.

Officially dubbed the G7685 Gretsch AXE, the guitar features an arched laminated maple top, laminated mahogany back and sides, 3-piece maple neck (24.6“ scale length,” and ebony-stained rosewood fretboard with 22 frets (plus zero fret,) binding all around, and that groovy silver plexi pickguard to boot.

Electronics include dual humbuckers, dual individual Volume & Tone controls, and traditional 3-way pickup switching, while hardware boasts a set of Deluxe chrome-plated die cast tuners, wrap-around tailpiece, and an adjustable truss rod.

For an exclusive Limited Edition piece, the Gretsch Axe is selling for a surprisingly reasonable $1799. Check out the Music Zoo for more info.