Elvis: Up Close – 1964 Gretsch Country Gentleman Guitar

Graceland has released a new episode of its exclusive video series, Elvis: Up Close, offering fans a closer look at a guitar tied to one of the most pivotal moments in Elvis’ career. This episode spotlights a 1964 Gretsch Country Gentleman guitar, purchased by Elvis on July 9, 1969, just days before his return to live performance in Las Vegas. The guitar features a warm wood finish, hollow-body design, and gold hardware, with a Bigsby tailpiece and a headstock marked “The Chet Atkins Country Gentleman.” Elvis brought this guitar with him to Las Vegas for rehearsals ahead of his opening at the International Hotel, where it made its stage debut on July 31, 1969. It was later seen again in 1970 when MGM filmed Elvis: That’s the Way It Is, capturing Elvis during this defining return to live performance. Footage from this era is now featured in Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, which brings newly discovered material from Elvis’ Las Vegas years to audiences worldwide. Fans can watch the film, then visit Graceland’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert exhibit to see the Gretsch Country Gentleman guitar on display alongside other artifacts featured in the movie.