View source for Gibson Chet Atkins SST

{{Infobox guitar model
|title           = Gibson Chet Atkins SST
|image           = Gibson Chet Atkins SST.jpg
|image_size     = 180
|caption         = Gibson Chet Atkins SST in ebony color
|manufacturer    = [[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]]
|period          = 1987–2006
|bodytype        = 
|necktype        = 
|scale           = 
|woodbody        = [[Mahogany]]
|woodneck        = 
|woodfingerboard = 
|bridge          = 
|pickups         = 
|colors          = Natural, ebony, white, burgundy, cherry 
}}
The '''Gibson Chet Atkins SST''' was a [[solid body]] [[semi-acoustic guitar|acoustic-electric]] designed by the musician [[Chet Atkins]] and manufactured and marketed by [[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]]. The steel-string model was introduced in 1987 and was discontinued in 2006.<ref>{{Google books|Bo4TQqP9lPkC|The Ultimate Guitar Sourcebook|page=71}}</ref> The [[classical electric guitar|Chet Atkins CE]] was the original nylon string version of 1982 and possibly the first of its kind.

== Design==
The SST was a design that combined Gibson's [[steel-string acoustic guitar|steel-string acoustic]] and [[electric guitar]] technology.<ref name=master>[https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/wiki/index.php/Gibson_Chet_Atkins_Sst_Review Gibson Chet Atkins Sst Review] on Guitar Masterclass</ref>

The guitar had a solid [[spruce]] or [[cedrus|cedar]] top and a [[mahogany]] body. Unlike most acoustic-electrics, the SST had no resonating chamber or [[soundhole]]. The acoustic sound came from a bridge mounted transducer manufactured by L.R. Baggs for Gibson with a proprietary active pre-amp. The SST had controls for volume as well as boost and cut for both treble and bass signals.

The SST was offered in five finishes:  natural, ebony, white, burgundy and cherry sunburst. It had [[nacre|mother of pearl]] inlays on the [[fretboard]], [[headstock]], and [[bridge (instrument)|bridge]] and features gold plated hardware. Early models had an ornate headstock and a fake sound hole with the knobs mounted on the front of the guitar. Later models had star inlays and a [[Gibson Les Paul|Les Paul]] style headstock. It also sports Chet Atkins's signature above the fretboard.

==Popular use==
The SST quickly became popular among rock and country players because high volume levels could be reached without any feedback, whereas most traditional acoustic electrics will emit moderate to high levels of feedback when they come near amplifiers, speakers or microphones. This ability made the SST suitable acoustic guitar for live music.

==Notable SST Players==
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Chet Atkins]]
* [[Waylon Jennings]]
* [[Crowder (musician)|David Crowder]]
* [[Keziah Jones]]
* [[Lindsey Buckingham]]
* [[Johnny Marr]]
* [[Emerson Hart]]
* [[Patricia Kelly]]
* [[Mark Knopfler]]
* [[Tonino Baliardo]]
* [[Dave Matthews]]
* [[Jorma Kaukonen]]
* [[Keller Williams]]
* [[John Bell (rock musician)|John Bell]]
* [[David Gilmour]]
* [[Steve Earle]]
* [[Raine Maida]]
* [[Sammy Patrick]]
* [[Emmylou Harris]]
* [[Clint Black]]
* [[Joe Diffie]]
* [[Travis Tritt]]
* [[Zakk Wylde]]
* [[Janick Gers]]
* [[Moraes Moreira]]
* [[Charlie Daniels|Robert Smith]]
* [[Joaquín Sabina]]
* [[Charlie Daniels]]
* [[Erin McKeown]]
* [[Flemming Lyse]]
* [[John Rzeznik]]

{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://epiphonewiki.com/index.php/Chet_Atkins Related article on Epiphone Wiki]

{{Gibson Guitar Corporation}}

[[Category:Gibson acoustic guitars|Chet Atkins]]
[[Category:Gibson electric guitars|Chet Atkins]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1987]]
[[Category:1987 in music]]
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