First introduced in 1987 as a collaboration between Gibson and the "Country Gentleman" himself, the Chet Atkins SST was designed with a singular, revolutionary purpose: to provide pristine, true acoustic tone at stadium-level volumes completely free of feedback. This 2001 example, finished in original high-gloss Ebony Black, is a masterful live performance tool that has been loved, played, and stands ready for its next stage chapter.
Unlike traditional acoustic-electrics, this version of the SST features a completely solid-faced, chambered Mahogany body topped with a solid Spruce cap. By removing the traditional soundhole entirely, Gibson eliminated the physical cavity that causes feedback howl at high volumes. This gives the player the familiar comfort, sleek profile, and fast playability of an electric guitar. Complete with an elegant belly contour and the signature gold Chet Atkins script directly on the upper bout.
The magic inside, is an active transducer pickup system paired with a discrete, rim-mounted preamp featuring volume, bass, and treble controls. The Mahogany neck is carved to a fast, comfortable profile and is capped with a premium Ebony fingerboard sporting mother-of-pearl star inlays. Gold hardware, star bridge inlays, and an iconic gold Chet Atkins signature on the truss rod cover complete the high-end aesthetic.
As you can see from the photos, this 2001 model is a true players' guitar with plenty of honest, rock-and-roll character. The gloss black finish shows a fair amount of play wear, including surface scratching, pick marks, and minor dings around the body edges, all giving it a wonderful, broken-in vintage vibe. There are no structural issues or cracks, the gold hardware retains a nice luster, and the frets have plenty of life left in them.
This guitar has been given a full service by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 2 year warranty.
