Gretsch G6128t-ClFG Cliff Gallup signature Duo Jet
Gretsch scratches a lifelonG itch for rockabilly devotees with the first ever reissue of the duo Jet loved by one of the pioneers of rock Guitar...
FeW would argue that the most well-known Gretsch G6128T Duo Jet is the customised 1957 example George Harrison played in the early days of The Beatles. However, for many Gretsch aficionados the definitive sound of a Jet in action was captured by Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps. The guitarist on iconic Vincent 45s like Be-Bop-A-Lula and Race With The Devil was Cliff Gallup, a massive influence on the likes of Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Stray Cat Brian Setzer.
The first thing you’ll notice about Gretsch’s new G6128T-CLFG Cliff Gallup Signature Duo Jet is that it comes in a shaped tweed case that’s deeper than the outfit supplied with regular Jets, to accommodate the fixed vibrato arm.
The fixed arm B3 Bigsby is just the start of the period-correct spec list. Cliff Gallup played a 1954 Duo Jet featuring a chambered mahogany back capped with a sheet of laminated maple. Like the new Vintage Select models, the Gallup’s body is cut to the full two inch vintage depth as opposed to the 1.75” spec featured on many Professional Series Jets. The flawless glass-like finish is a nitrocellulose lacquer, natural on all the mahogany bits, and jet black on top.
The G6128T-CLFG’s set mahogany neck has a vintage ‘U’ profile that’s nowhere near as chubby as we expected. The rosewood fingerboard features ’54 style ‘big block’ inlays and 22 frets. Given the original guitar’s year of manufacture the Gallup has a pair of single coil DynaSonic pickups, each routed through a dedicated volume, a master volume, master tone and a three-way pickup switch.
The usual bright and punchy Duo Jet tone is tempered slightly by those flatwound strings. The result is a pinch of added jazzy warmth that recalls the sound Cliff used to get through his old Standel 25L15 speaker. The wound G string is a struggle to bend but it actually helps nail a classic 50s vibe. Some will see it as a nuisance, but he couldn’t get enough of it. And yes, the fixed arm Bigsby gets in the way at times but it all adds to the charm – Cliff liked the arm’s position and would manipulate it with his little finger.
Aside from the fact that the Cliff Gallup is a fantastic guitar, it’s heartwarming to see Gretsch pay tribute to such an influential, yet still relatively unknown musician. It would have been cool to see some Cliff-centric case candy to mark the importance of the man and his guitar but the fact this Jet exists at all makes us very happy.
If you’re familiar with the great man’s legacy you’ll find his tone in this guitar, something Cliff Gallup disciples and rockabilly pickers have been trying to nail for a lifetime. If that’s you, give this brilliant guitar a squeeze. It’ll be your baby. And we don’t mean maybe.