For Sale - The Guitar Collection from the Estate of Little Jimmy Dickens.

Little Jimmy Dickens began his musical career as a teenager in the late 1930’s under the pseudonym, Jimmy the Kid. He was hired at a radio station in Saginaw Michigan that was owned by another well-known Country artist, Roy Acuff. Acuff introduced him to his people at Columbia Records and due to his short stature began using the name LIttle Jimmy Dickens.

In 1950 his band included some amazing studio players such as Jabbo Arrington, Grady Martin, Bob Moore and Thumbs Carlile. It was Dickens who discovered Marty Robbins during his bands tour.

Though Dickens had many Country hits, he scored his first number one hit on the Country chart and on the Pop chart with his 1965 novelty song, “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.”

Jimmy and family with Gay guitar

Jimmy was well known for his flashy “Nudie” suits and guitars that looked too big for him.

I can recall a story he once told about a tour bus that pulled up in front of his Nashville home. He was mowing his grass when several tourists asked him if he liked working for Mr. Dickens. He replied, “Heck yeah. He’s a swell guy.”

Memorial for Jimmy Dickens

Dickens was hospitalized after suffering a stroke in late 2014 after his last Grand Ol’ Opry appearance. Several weeks later in January of 2015 he passed away at age 94.

I just received word that the guitar collection from the Estate of LIttle Jimmy Dickens in on display and for sale at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville.



This collection features many instruments that Dickens used through the early part of his career and includes a guitar presented to him by George Jones, which is autographed by Jones.

There is also a custom guitar built by luthier Glen Morgan out of wood that was once a pine fence which stood in the back of Dickens’ property. Additionally there is a Rich & Taylor Jumbo model that includes a red sparkle hard shell case with “Jimmy Dickens” hand painted on top of the case.

Mr. George Gruhn states that he feels honored to help find new homes for these wonderful instruments. The asking prices are very reasonable.

Incidentally all photos used for this article are from Gruhn Guitars. If you are interested the phone number is 615-256-2033.

This 1982 Martin D-41, the top is autographed by George Jones comes with letter from Dickens stating that the guitar was presented to him by George Jones on September 21, 2006. Guitar comes with a hard case. Priced at $15,000.00

The next is a 2001 Martin Grand Ole Opry. This is number #158 of 160. It comes with the original hard case. Priced at $5,000.00 2009

This Martin D-16 Ryman model NM, peghead veneer, fingerboard inlays and pickguard made from original Ryman pews. It is a limited edition #40, It, comes with letter from Jimmy stating that it was a gift to him from Brad Paisley on his 90th birthday, It too comes with a hard case. Priced at.$5,000.00

This 1942 Martin 00-18 is in very good condition. It has extensive playing wear but is structurally solid. It has a replacement bridge and tuners, neck professionally reset. This guitar has great provenance as it was Jimmy Dickens' first good quality instrument and used extensively during the early part of his career. Priced at $15,000.00 and comes with a hard case.

This gorgeous 1986 Gibson J-200 90th Anniversary is in very good condition. It comes with rhinestone studded strap embroidered with "Tater". It also comes with a hard case and is priced at $15,000.00.

Jimmy Dickens' 1964 Gibson B-25-12 is in very good condition and comes with letter from Dickens stating that he purchased it from Benny Birchfield - Jean Shepard's husband, Priced at only $6,000.00 with a hard case.

The next is a 1940 Gibson J-100 neck that has its dimensions cut down. The peghead veneer has been replaced, as was thepickguard, and bridge,This guitar has been refinished,  Little Jimmy Dickens, used this instrument extensively throughout his career. It comes with letter from Dickens stating that guitar was remodeled by luthier Bill Merritt in the 1970s, It also comes with a hard case and is priced at $15,000.00.

This beautiful 1994 Rich & Taylor 17" Jumbo is in excellent EXC (minor lacquer checking), custom built by Rich and Taylor for Mac Yasuda to be presented to Little Jimmy Dickens. It has a spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard with tree of life pearl engraved inlay, pearl inlay pickguard featuring eagle and Jimmy Dickens' name, white binding on fingerboard and body, gold sparkle trim on all body edges, red sparkle HC with "Jimmy Dickens" hand painted on top. It comes with a hard case and is priced at.$20,000.00.

This First Act autographed acoustic comes with a top that has been autographed by Jimmy Dickens, Patty Loveless, Jimmy C. Newman, Porter Wagoner, John Anderson, Jeanie Seely, Bill Anderson, Barbara Mandrell, Connie Smith, Jeannie Pruett, Jim Ed Brown, Billy Walker, Jack Greene, John Conlee, Vince Gill, Big Al Downing, Patty Loveless, Buddy Jewell, and Ricky Skaggs. It comes with a hard case and is priced at.$1,500.00.

The next is a 2012 Glen Morgan Custom Little Jimmy Dickens Model that is in very, very good condition. It has some minor lacquer checking, Ii has a 17-3/4" body width and comes with a hard case. It is priced as only $3,500.00.

This guitar is a 2012 Glen Morgan Custom 'Tater' Little Jimmy Dickens 001 and is excellent condition. Itcomes with letter of authenticity from Dickens and Morgan stating that it was manufactured from the pine fence which stood for years in the back of Jimmy's property. The guitar comes with a padded gig bag and is priced at $3,500.00.

The one of a kind is a 1980 Danny Ferrington Custom that is in very good condition. It was damages from 2010 Nashville flood and restored by luthier Danny Ferrington.,The provenance of this guitar is based on the fact that it was presented to Jimmy by Waylon Jennings. The guitars top is engraved in pearl inlay that reads "JIMMY, You're a Hell of a Man -WAYLON". It is priced at $20,000.00.

This 1923 Gibson L-3 is in good condition. It was repaired from water damage casued from the Nashville flood of 2010, It comes with a modern Gibson hard case and is priced at $3,500.00.

The final offering is a 1970 Lotus electric that is in very good condition. It features leather tooling on the top and sides that were created by the Yarbrough Saddlery of Las Cruces, NM and it comes with letter from Dickens stating that it was owned by his brother Dewey, This instrument comes with a hard case and is priced at $2,500.00