Gretsch G6131

Overview

The Gretsch G6131 is a single-cutaway solid-body electric guitar in the Gretsch Jet family. Originally introduced as the Jet Firebird in 1955, the model has appeared in numerous variants over the decades and is most strongly associated today with the late Malcolm Young of AC/DC, whose stripped-down 1963 G6131 became one of the most photographed rhythm guitars in rock. Modern production includes signature reissues that closely follow Young’s modifications.

Origin & History

Gretsch introduced the Jet line in the mid-1950s as a competitor to the Gibson Les Paul. The Jet Firebird featured a chambered mahogany body with a maple top finished in a transparent red, twin DeArmond pickups, and a Bigsby vibrato. The model designation later became G6131 in Gretsch’s modern catalogue. Malcolm Young acquired a 1963 Jet Firebird in the early 1970s, removed the neck pickup and middle pickup mounting, and used the resulting one-pickup, two-knob configuration on virtually every AC/DC recording. Gretsch released the G6131T-MY signature in his honour.

How It’s Played

The Jet plays as a substantial chambered solid-body — slightly heavier than a Les Paul Special but lighter than a Les Paul Standard, with a comparable scale length. The original twin DeArmond pickups deliver a brighter, more articulate voice than humbucking equivalents, while the FilterTron-equipped reissues offer a thicker, more familiar Gretsch tone. The Bigsby vibrato is standard on most variants. Young’s stripped configuration removed everything not strictly needed for rhythm work, leaving a single bridge pickup and a master volume.

Cultural Significance

Young’s 1963 Jet became one of rock’s most recognisable rhythm guitars, defining the chord voicings and tone of much of AC/DC’s catalogue. The signature reissues — produced in several specifications across the 2010s — have made the configuration accessible to working players. Beyond the AC/DC association, the G6131 line documents Gretsch’s continuing development of its solid-body lineage from the 1950s into the modern era.

Related Instruments

• Gretsch 6128 – Duo Jet sibling
• Gretsch 6120 – flagship hollow-body
• Gretsch White Falcon – flagship hollow-body
• Gretsch Jupiter Thunderbird – another player-driven Gretsch reissue
• Gibson Les Paul Standard – the original Jet’s competitor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the G6131 the same as the Jet Firebird?
The G6131 is the modern catalogue designation for instruments in the Jet Firebird lineage.

Why does Malcolm Young’s guitar have only one pickup?
He removed the others; he used only the bridge pickup for AC/DC’s rhythm work.

Is the signature model still available?
Yes — Gretsch’s G6131T-MY Malcolm Young signature is part of the current lineup.