* Brian bought this guitar for $100 in the late 1970s after seeing an ad in Long Island, NY's "Buy Lines" publication. It did not come with the original case and was in pieces when Brian first saw it.

* Eddie Cochran was the inspiration for the purchase.

* This Gretsch 6120 was used on every Stray Cats recording from 1980 until 1992.

* The "skull & crossbones" and "black cat" decals that adorned this guitar during the Stray Cats early days were purchased in 1979 at Sequa's 5 & 10, the "pin-up" decals were bought at Ed's Lawnmower Repair Shop, both in Long Island, NY.

* The original pickguard (scratch plate) was missing when Brian bought the guitar. Vice President of AMPEG (and close friend) Jess Oliver helped Brian create the dark colored guard that he had on the guitar until mid 1981 when he found an original "sign post" plate to replace it.

* Brian dropped the guitar after throwing it into the air at the end of a 1990 Stray Cats' concert in Tokyo, Japan. The 6120 hit the stage with such force that the neck separated from the body. The frets flew off the neck and looked like "glass shattering on a hard surface" according to Brian. The neck landed in the front row and had to be retreived from a fan who thought he'd got hold of the ultimate souvenir.

* In 1996 this guitar (along with several others) was stolen in Washington, DC after a Brian Setzer Orchestra show. Thankfully, it was recovered, but not before it was out of Brian's hands for almost 2 years.

* The last time this guitar saw live action was on July 5, 2003 at the Hootenanny Festival in Southern California. Click here for pix.

* The famed "Stray Cat 6120" is now retired and living in Palm Springs, CA.