Chet Atkins

Chet Atkins was called Mr. Guitar for a reason. The Tennessee fingerpicker co-designed the Gretsch 6120 and Country Gentleman — two of the most important hollowbody guitars in rock and country history — and his relationship with Gretsch defined both the instrument and the genre it helped create. His thumbpicked technique, which he developed from Merle Travis, influenced everyone from Mark Knopfler to Tommy Emmanuel to Brian Setzer. Atkins won 14 Grammys, produced hundreds of records in Nashville, and is credited with creating the smooth Nashville Sound. He was one of the few artists whose signature on a guitar model actually reflected the instrument he played.