Gear article
Gretsch Nashville Hollow Body with String-Thru Bigsby Ebony Fingerboard
The Gretsch Nashville Hollow Body is a premium hollowbody electric guitar featuring a 16-inch maple body and FT-67 Filter’Tron pickups. Finished in Midnight Sapphire, this model integrates classic aesthetics with contemporary performance upgrades such as a string-thru Bigsby tailpiece and rolled ebony fingerboard edges.

Construction and Design
The Gretsch Nashville Hollow Body is constructed with a 16-inch wide, 2.5-inch deep maple body, designed to provide the resonance typical of a full-sized hollowbody while remaining comfortable for the player. The internal architecture features Gretsch's Arc-Tone bracing, which is engineered to enhance structural integrity and promote a rich, deep resonance.
The neck is crafted from maple with a standard U-shaped profile, intended to offer a substantial but manageable grip. The fingerboard is made of high-quality ebony, featuring a 12-inch radius and 22 frets. A notable ergonomic addition is the use of rolled fingerboard edges, which facilitates a smoother transition for the hand and reduces friction during play.
Electronics and Tonal Control
This model is equipped with a pair of FT-67 Filter’Tron pickups, designed to capture a powerful and clear sound that bridges the gap between single-coil transparency and humbucker warmth. These pickups are voiced to maintain clarity even when used with higher gain settings.
The guitar features a comprehensive control layout including: * Master Volume with Treble Bleed Circuit: This ensures that high-end frequencies are preserved even when the volume is turned down. * Individual Volume Controls: Separate pots for the bridge and neck pickups allow for precise blending. * Master No-Load Tone Control: When set to maximum, this pot is removed from the circuit to provide maximum brightness and output.

Hardware and Vibrato
A defining feature of this Nashville model is the String-Thru Bigsby tailpiece. Unlike traditional Bigsby units that require the string to be wrapped around a pin, the string-thru design allows strings to pass directly through the bar. This modification significantly simplifies the restringing process and improves the reliability of the vibrato action.
The hardware is finished in nickel, complementing the Midnight Sapphire aesthetic, and the bridge is typically paired with a secured base to ensure stable intonation during aggressive use of the vibrato arm.
Market Position and Alternatives
Positioned within the premium hollowbody market at approximately £2599, this guitar competes with other high-end traditional designs. Its primary competitors include the Gibson ES-335 and ES-345 series, though these often feature semi-hollow construction with a solid centre block, whereas the Gretsch maintains a fully hollow design. For players seeking a smaller chassis, the Gibson ES-339 offers a similar dual-humbucker configuration in a more compact format. The Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-355 and 1962 ES-335 Reissue serve as alternatives for those seeking vintage-spec semi-hollow tones, though they lack the specific Filter’Tron character and string-thru hardware found on this Nashville model.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary body material of this Gretsch Nashville?
- The body is constructed from maple, featuring a 16-inch width and a 2.5-inch depth for a traditional hollowbody resonance.
- What type of pickups are installed in this model?
- The guitar is equipped with FT-67 Filter’Tron pickups, which are designed to deliver a powerful, clear sound with classic Gretsch character.
- How does the string-thru Bigsby differ from a standard Bigsby?
- The string-thru design allows the strings to pass directly through the tailpiece bar rather than hooking onto pins, making string changes faster and more reliable.
- What is 'Arc-Tone' bracing?
- Arc-Tone bracing is an internal structural design used by Gretsch to enhance the resonance and depth of the hollow maple body.
- What are the benefits of the rolled fingerboard edges?
- Rolled edges provide a broken-in feel right out of the box, making the ebony fingerboard more comfortable for the player's hand during movement.
- What does the 'no-load' tone control do?
- The no-load tone control removes itself from the circuit when turned to 10, preventing any signal loss and providing maximum brightness.
- Is a treble bleed circuit included?
- Yes, the master volume includes a treble bleed circuit to maintain high-end clarity even when the volume is rolled back.
- What is the fingerboard radius of this guitar?
- The guitar features a 12-inch radius ebony fingerboard, which is a standard middle-ground suitable for both chordal work and lead playing.
- What is the neck profile of the Gretsch Nashville?
- It features a standard U-shaped maple neck, providing a comfortable and sturdy feel for most playing styles.
- What colour is this specific model?
- This specific model is finished in Midnight Sapphire, a deep blue hue that complements the nickel hardware.
- How does this guitar compare to a Gibson ES-335?
- While both are iconic, the Nashville is a true hollowbody with Filter’Tron pickups, whereas the ES-335 is a semi-hollowbody with a centre block and traditional PAF-style humbuckers.
- What is the typical price range for this model?
- This Gretsch Nashville model typically retails for approximately £2599 in the United Kingdom.
