Vintage Gretsch 6079 Van Eps
The 6079 Van Eps guitar was named after famed guitar player George Van Eps, and Gretsch did everything they could to capture his unique way of playing in this guitar. Van Eps pioneered the seven-string guitar, and he actually played a custom-built instrument until 1968, when he and Gretsch joined forces to create the 6079 Van Eps, the very first mass produced seven-string guitar. 
The finished guitar is very high-end. It features a 17 inch body made in a single cutaway hollowbody style. It features an ebony fretboard and a very unique 4+3 setup on the headstock. The pickups were 14-pole FilterTrons, but instead of the standard bar-bladed SuperTrons, these were custom made. The FilterTron covers and seven-string tailpiece were also custom created for this guitar. Each Van Eps guitar featured a special gold plaque declaring it a Van Eps Model as well.
In addition to the seven-string 6079 Van Eps, a six-string model was also made. It was very rare, however, and it’s very hard to find today. In fact, the 6079 seven-string model can be difficult to find as well since it was only produced for three years. In 1972, Gretsch changed the design of the guitar to what is now known as the 7580. Today, the Van Eps has become quite popular once again as more and more players are becoming interested in seven-string guitars.
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment