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Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville
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Playability
72
Sound
68
Build
73
Value
56
Score
71
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Playability
75
Sound
73
Build
82
Value
67
Score
77
FIND IT ON:
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Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 vs G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 over G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville

Neck Profile
Eddie Cochran vs Standard U
Great if you like to hang your thumb over the fretboard
Pickups
SP90 vs SS
Bright tone with vintage-style jazzy tone
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville over G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120

Release Year
2022 vs 2010
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Neck Profile
Standard U vs Eddie Cochran
Comfortable neck with more grip
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Brass
Resistant, good tuning stability and rich tone
Volume Knobs
3 vs 2
More volume control
Pickups
SS vs SP90
Beautiful cleans
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
67 vs 56
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 vs G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville

Neck Pickup
Gretsch Lindy Fralin Dog Ear Single-Coil vs Gretsch DynaSonic
Different Neck Pickup
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Brass vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 vs G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville

Bridge Pickup
Gretsch DynaSonic
Same Bridge Pickup
Body Wood
Maple
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Hollowbody
Warm tone, lighter and acoustic sound
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Bigsby Tremolo
Intense vibrato with a solid arm
Scale Length
24.6'' (624.8mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Arched Laminated Maple
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
Vintage vs Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville is probably the better product overall with its final score of 77 compared to the Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120's 71 score, although not by a lot.

The Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 in every aspect.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2010 Professional Collection series
  • Eddie Cochran Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.6"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Arched Laminated Maple top
  • Laminated Maple body
  • 2-Piece Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gretsch DynaSonic (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Bigsby B6CBVF Vibrato Tailpiece bridge
  • Eddie Cochran Set neck
  • 22 Vintage frets
  • Grover V98 Sta-Tite Open-Back tuners
  • Weight around 7.1lbs (3.2kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2022 Professional Collection series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.6"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Arched Laminated Maple top
  • Laminated Maple body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gretsch DynaSonic (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gretsch DynaSonic (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Bigsby B6GP String-Thru bridge
  • Standard U Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Woods Used in the Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120

Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

Woods Used in the Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 has an SP90 configuration while the Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville has SS pickups.

The single-coil pickup at the bridge will give you a really bright sound with low output, while the neck pickup brings slightly more output with a warmer tone. This is thanks to the P90-style tone, which is often used for blues and classic rock.

On the other hand, SS is the classic Telecaster configuration. It's used mainly for playing clean or with low-gain distortion, and it's very popular for the country genre because of their brightness. It doesn't give you as much versatility as a Strat SSS configuration, but you might like the cleaner look of a guitar body with fewer pickups.

Pickups Quality

Both come with some of the top pickups on the market. You can't go wrong with either of them. You'll probably never need a pickup upgrade.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 and Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 and Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120
Pickups 100
Sustain 55
Versatility 51
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 68
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville
Pickups 100
Sustain 60
Versatility 58
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 73

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 compares to the Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Japan.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 has a Brass nut. Guitarists used to love brass nuts due to the bright tone and good sustain they help achieve. However, now they use Bone more often since it can also produce a bright tone and longer sustain, but it's also oily, which helps to keep the guitar in tune.

On the other hand, the Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville comes with a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

Winner: Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Bigsby Tremolo. Bigsby tremolos are built differently than regular tremolos. They have a stiffer arm, which is something a lot of people like because the arm won't wiggle around a lot. On the other hand, this type of tremolo is more complicated to restring and it might not be as newbie-friendly as other simpler tremolos.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

The Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120
Quality of materials 60
Features 60
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 73
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville
Quality of materials 70
Features 80
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 82

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42.9mm (1.688'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 and Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 24.6".

This is a vintage-style scale length that's relatively short when compared to modern standards. A short scale makes the string tension lower, which makes the strings feel looser. This makes it easier to bend the strings, but it also makes fret buzz more likely if the action is set too low.

The shorter length also means a shorter separation of the frets. It also makes the overall tone sound warmer since the harmonics and overtones will have less space to breathe.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 Neck Profile
Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120's neck profile
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville Neck Profile
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 has a V type of neck. This neck shape was more common during Fender's early years. Some people like it because they use their thumb over the edge of the fretboard to press the lower strings. It's rather thicker than most modern necks, so it's not usually used for playing fast solos.

The Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville, on the other hand, has a U neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

Fretboard Radius

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 Fingerboard Radius
Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120's Fingerboard radius
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville Fingerboard Radius
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor large hands .

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 Frets Size
Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120's Frets Size
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville Frets Size
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville's Frets Size

The Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville has Medium Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120's Vintage frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 90
Solo Playability 50
Playability 72
Gretsch G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 75

Specs Side-by-Side

Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 vs G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville
General Gretsch G6120 Eddie Cochran Signature 6120 G6120TG-DS Players Edition Nashville
Brand: Gretsch Gretsch
Year: 2010 2022
Configuration: SP90 SS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Japan
Series: Professional Collection Professional Collection
Colors: Orange Orange
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Hollowbody Hollowbody
Body Material: Laminated Maple Laminated Maple
Bridge: Bigsby B6CBVF Vibrato Tailpiece Bigsby B6GP String-Thru
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Grover V98 Sta-Tite Open-Back Gotoh Locking
Fretboard: Rosewood Ebony
Neck Material: 2-Piece Maple Maple
Decoration: Western Block Inlay Position Markers of Cactus, Steerheads & Fences Pearloid Hump Block
Scale Size: 24.6" 24.6"
Shape: Eddie Cochran Standard U
Frets: 22 Vintage Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 12"
Nut: Brass Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Gretsch DynaSonic (Single Coil / Passive) Gretsch DynaSonic (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Gretsch Lindy Fralin Dog Ear Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) Gretsch DynaSonic (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Speed
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 3
Tone Controls: 1 1