Electric guitar
Maker
Gibson USA
Maker
Gibson
Date1990
Place MadeNashville, Tennessee, United States, North America
ModelChet Atkins CE
Serial No.92070302
SignedLocated in sound hole: Chet Atkins / Gibson in cursive style.Located Underneath sound hole (treble side): CAMDEN / JARRELL / HOWELL / ____ / NASHVILLE / TN. This writing is located on a sign that is part of the painting.
MarkingsCustom painted on top by Mark Camden with a scene of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee
DescriptionThe Chet Atkins/Camden Series by Gibson began with the introduction of the Chet Atkins CE and CEC in 1982. The CE (classical electric) was produced with a "chambered" body that allowed players to have the sound of an acoustic classical guitar without the feedback and lack of sustain that were problems with amplified acoustic instruments.
Born in Luttrell, Tennesse, Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924-June 30, 2001) was a guitarist and producer who began his career in country, but in the fifty years of his career transcended popular genres to influence artists with a wide variety of musical styles. Albums of his music have been released every year since 1952, winning fourteen Grammy awards. Atkins also worked with Gretsch on the development of guitars before his relationship with Gibson.
NMM 6764 was painted by Mark Camden with the scene of a guitarist gazing upon Ryman Auditorium, with his back to the viewer. Ryman, built in 1892, was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, which was founded in 1943. The Grand Ole Opry moved to a new location in 1974, but its old home, restored in 1994, is still the focus of veneration and nostalgia for country music fans remembering its golden age as the Mecca of the Nashville music scene.
DimensionsHeight: 39.5" (1150 mm)
Body Width: 23 5/8" (360 mm)
Fingerboard Length: 17" (617 mm)
Vibrating String Length: 35.5" (824 mm)
ProvenancePreviously owned by Paul Craft, Nashville, Tennessee. Purchased from Gruhn Guitars, Nashvillve, Tennessee.
Published ReferencesKingsbury, Paul, ed. The Encyclopedia of Country Music. (Oxford University Press, New York), pages 20-21, 117.
“Wall Street Journal focuses attention on Music Museum,” Arts Alive South Dakota Vol. 10, Issue 2 (Winter 2008), p. 7.
Credit LineBoard of Trustees, 1999
Object number06764
On View
Not on view
