After taking lessons for 6 months, on a Sears Silvertone archtop acoustic, that had about a 1/2 inch action, my Dad bought me a slightly used '63 Gretsch 6119 "Tennessean" and a Univox amp. I was so inspired, that within a year I was asked to join a well known local band. We gigged every weekend for 4 years at least twice a week. I still have the guitar.