Gretsch Syncromatic Model 6021 Town & Country Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1956), made in Brooklyn, NY, sounds like a GRAND PIANO!  natural top, sunburst back and sides finish, spruce top, laminated maple back and sides, laminated maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, no case. 

This large jumbo flat top Model 6021 was one of the more unusual Gretsch designs of the 1940s and '50s, a fairly unique creation if not something the company is particularly remembered for. The first iteration was introduced just before WWII as the Synchromatic Model 125, with versions produced up into the late 1950s in limited numbers. By the time this one was made in 1956 it was listed as the model 6021 Town & Country, presumably indicating its intended suitability for both urban and rural musical stylings! Starting in 1954 Gretsch produced a flashy Western-styled version of the model as the 6022 Rancher, and that guitar is far better remembered as a Gretsch classic, although structurally the two are the same.

This 6021 was built in 1956, in the first batch with the distinctive hump block fretboard inlay that became a Gretsch trademark. The arched back and sides are laminated maple, the top is spruce. The 3-piece maple neck is fairly slim with a bound rosewood fingerboard. The natural-finish top and sunburst back are four-ply bound, with a double-bound soundhole rim. That vaguely triangular soundhole and large adjustable bridge are the most distinctive features, both shared with the better known Rancher. The headstock is oddly plain, with just an inlaid Gretsch T-roof logo and the small "bullet" truss rod cover.

1956 was the last year this model was listed, although stragglers may have been finished out and sold through the end of the decade. The 6021 is not a subtle guitar; it is big and fairly heavily built, responding best to a vigorous strum! These were intended for rhythm instruments in combos (urban or rural, apparently!) and do work well in that role. This is certainly a striking instrument visually, and sonically while it will not convert anyone attached to their '50's Martin it does offer a fairly powerful midrangey rhythm kick and would also record well in this role. Gretsch expert Ed Ball estimates no more than 350 of these were made, so they are fairly rare.

Overall length is 43 3/8 in. (110.2 cm.), 17 1/8 in. (43.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/4 in. (641 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).

This rare Gretsch flat top is a bit scruffy overall, showing general wear as can be seen on the pics, but it remains a good player! The finish has wear, dings, dents and scrapes overall and some worn-away areas as to been on the pictures, but this simply adds to the mojo! of course the guitar was refretted and the tuners were swapped with the more accurate grovers. Some of the binding has been reglued.The bridge is not lifting, which is another common issue with these.

The instrument plays well with a fairly low action, easily adjustable in either direction. This Brooklyn-made jumbo flat top is one of Gretsch's more eccentric creations, not everyone's idea of a great acoustic flat top but with a cool factor that spans the 66years since its creation.