You guys must have seen this on eBay in the last 2 weeks, haven't you? I only didn't make a topic because I didn't want to attract attention. I can't believe you dudes didn't bid on this!
Anyways, I'll keep this as short as possible. I've been watching this guitar for two weeks on eBay. Basically it's a 1938 Gretsch Synchromatic Prototype, that Gretsch built just before the Synchromatic line came out (in 1939) to test various features. This was master built, maple back and sides, spruce top, and Brazilian rosewood fretboard. The headstock inlay alone is worth the price of admission for me.
The current owner (well, the last owner) bought the guitar last year from the original owner for $2,500, but had to sell it. The original owner bought it many many years ago, and still had the original hard shell case, and the original strap (in pics below). He also has pictures of himself using it over the last ~70 years, which I think is darn cool.
Well the hell with it, lets get to pictures!
In the top 5 prettiest guitars I've ever laid my eyes on.
Now in the top 3 guitars I've ever laid my eyes on.
The original Gretsch case. See that yellow thing? That's the strap. That's right, in the 1930's, men used ropes as straps. That's manly.
Beautiful.
Beautiful.
Some little damage and checking, but look at the tailpiece. See that logo, stamped out as if it's stitched? Completely and utterly gorgeous.
So f-ing beautiful!
Look at the burst on this thing. To say it's "pretty" is an understatement, at least in my eyes. I don't remember seeing - ever - a prettier burst or prettier grain. This is like Les Paul Honeyburst, squared - at least to me. The flash does no justice, but just wait until I get my own pics.
Needs a good cleaning, and not a great picture, but that's a pretty neck. At least I think so!
Alright that's it. I'm going to go celebrate - 2 weeks of anguish and selling everything is over! In the end, it cost me a lot, but this is a lifetime guitar. And to think, this is the one guitar Fred Gretsch built 70 years ago, that's mind-blowing.
Wait, think about that. I'll wait. Fred Gretsch built this guitar, 70 years ago, and didn't build a single other one exactly like it. Sinking in? I can't get over that fact.
My good God I'm happy. See you all later!
Thank you so much! I would love to play this guitar through my Falcon in my Falcon. But I need to figure out a way to plug the Falcon in in the Falcon.
Were you watching too?
