I was wondering what guitar you were looking at getting. Congrats, I'll bet is sounds great. I thought you might have been going for the old Annie on Ebay. Glad to hear you got what you were going for. I'm currently watching something myself. I'll post it as soon as I win (or lose).
I now own one of the coolest guitars ever made: one-off 1938 Gretsch Prototype. Pics!
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Jul 4, 2008 2:25 p.m. bobbyrivera:
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- Rated: 65 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 2:51 p.m. antik:
This post has been deleted
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- Rated: 45 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 3:21 p.m. Tsar Nicholas :
That's grabbing life by the balls! BLAM! Selling everything for a gorgeous axe like that is hardcore.
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Jul 4, 2008 5:00 p.m. AllModCons:
Awesome guitar. What a brilliant guitar design that was. I have an old synchro that also has a similar finish--beautiful.Sadly,mine needs some work,starting wih the binding.Easy to fix but not sure of a source for it yet.Congrats on a real find.I'm really glad I missed seeing it on Ebay.
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- Rated: 26 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 5:14 p.m. KCeddieB:
Your model 65 is in super clean condition... kudos! Here's an older one...
Well, I can't seem to post images at the moment. I have two other model 65 examples to share... I'll try back later.
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- Rated: 52 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 5:21 p.m. bigalthethird:
I'll respond to everyone one by one - just look for your name.
Daddy-O, thanks for the DeArmond help! I think I'll do that, and for lack of a better term, I'm 'jazzed' about it.
fws6, I think it's a prototype because the first owner told him it was, he had it checked out by an acoustic guitar expert and he agreed, and I'm fairly positive it's a prototype because A) the serial number is crazy and B) like you said, it's got an older body shape with earlier features. Pickguard is original, just really well taken care of.
pickerpete, thank you!
JC, thank you!
Regis, ditto.
Thank you too!
nielDa, the bridge is something else, huh? The saddle is curved, but so smooth. I really like it, and I love the steps.
Dan, thank you! Those guitars A) look awesome and B) are pretty much what I'm looking for in a pickup. What's that first Gretsch guitar?
Proteus, thank you very much. That's cool coming from GDP's resident expert. I'll tell you all how it plays and add my own pics when it comes next week.
S F Thompson, thank you! So the Model 1100 is really that good, or is it just hype? I don't mind paying more money for something as long as it's good enough to warrant the increase. Hell, the bridge on my Green Guitar cost $225, but I needed it. Worth the money, I think.
TAG, yeah, that's what the Fire Sale was for.
And yeah, the bridge is pretty special!
Adam, thank you. I thought it was a good reason too.
Matt, aww. blush
gretschiam, thank you! I never write about things before I buy them because A) I don't want to tip people off and B) if I somehow lose, I don't want to let people down. And I tell you what, my heart was beating faster than it possibly ever has in those last few minutes.
Lee, thank you and I will take care!
Bobby, first thank you (and Adam) for making this possible. Second, I'll tell you all how it sounds next week hopefully! Can't wait to play some jazzabilly on it.
Want to see what antik posted.
Tsar,
thank you. It wasn't that hard to sell everything.
All Mod, thank you! Got any pics of yours? Sounds cool
KCeddie, it ain't a 65. I know what you're talking about, and it's similar, but not the same. This is a 65 below. Compare and contrast, and you'll see that nothing is the same. Not even the headstock inlay.
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- Rated: 52 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 5:23 p.m. bigalthethird:
Matter of fact, about that 65:
Different burst, different fretboard inlays, different F-Holes, different body shape, different (as in no) body binding, different hardware, different headstock shape
It is similar, but it's not really the same guitar at all.
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- Rated: 24 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 5:38 p.m. donwood:
Good catch BigAl. It would be nice if you would show a little excitement over gettin' that one tho. A little emotion is OK
Don
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- Rated: 52 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 5:44 p.m. bigalthethird:
lol!!! Thanks Don
You've got no idea how excited I was last night, and still am today. I don't know how much comes through in my typing, but I'm beside myself.
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- Rated: 97 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 7:18 p.m. Setzer:
Al, I think your going to like the offset neck profile. I love mine. And yes add a DeArmond floating pickup and you'll be set!
Here is my '49 Synchromatic
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- Rated: 42 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 7:36 p.m. Dan:
Nice one Paul, did you modify the end of the cord too? Can you show us a close up of the area near the volume control/end of cord?
Al, that model 50 was one of the first archtops Gretsch put their name on...
$50.00 was a great price for this guitar, but still substantial for most folks during the Great Depression. I would imagine whomever purchased your guitar originally- had a few coins to be able to afford that model...
You might want to ask 57 Chet on this forum if he will send you a scan of the late 1930s catalog he may have for Gretsch guitars---that might show your new vintage guitar
Again, a great catch for you. Dan
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- Rated: 97 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 9:10 p.m. Setzer:
Dan thanks. My control box has the little screw on type connector. I found a RCA barrel at RadioShack that screws on the male part. I then use a RCA/1/4" 15' Peavey cord to connect to an amp.
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- Rated: 42 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 1:00 a.m. Dan:
Good idea Paul
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Jul 5, 2008 1:33 a.m. 57 Chet :
Nice guitar!
I wouldn't say prototype, but transition ...
http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b22/57Chet/Catalogs/
I'm looking at higher def versions on my computer.
That headstock, on yours, was the model 75 starting in 1934. They changed the headstock, fretboard and tailpiece in 1939. You have the old headstock with the new fretboard and tailpiece.
Send me an email if you want the higher res scans ...
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- Rated: 52 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 3:12 a.m. bigalthethird:
The headstock on mine doesn't look a whole lot like the headstock on the model 75 in this picture, and the body is the wrong dimensions. Look specifically at the tailpiece, and how it lines up with the left F-hole. Also, the bottom of the fretboard isn't the same on mine vs. that 75, the 75 has a rounded bottom, mine is flat.
It is really really similar, and I appreciate the help, but it's not a model 75, at least from that picture.
Then again, the original owner could have been wrong all along and it's some model we don't know of. But he bought it nearly 70 years ago, and was told at purchase that it was a prototype. I'm not saying it's impossible that he was wrong, and I'm not saying it's the most important thing. But I have yet to see a model, or headstock for that matter, that is the exact same.
I'd be curious about those serial numbers though. Mine is weird, like 24-16.
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- Rated: 52 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 3:13 a.m. bigalthethird:
Two more differences, my body meets just before the 14th fret, that one meets just after, and the pickguard is not the same on either.
By the way, I'm not trying to be difficult. I really appreciate the help.
If this is a model they made, I'd like to know. I don't want to falsely think something. However, I want to be absolutely sure of whatever conclusion I come to, and nothing so far has dissuaded me.
If I ever see an identical headstock, we might be in business.
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Jul 5, 2008 8:37 a.m. atomicwash:
Very nice, Big Al! How does the projection and volume of an F hole acoustic compare to a round hole of similar size? They look super cool!
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- Rated: 42 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 10:02 a.m. Dan:
Al, I've always heard Gretsch didnt start with serial numbers until the late 1930s...
During the 1930s- I've also heard that Gretsch workers were pretty much given a green light as to what features ended up on the guitar---in other words, perhaps the body dimensions were loosely replicated, but if a builder chose to add more inlay and who knows....a different neck, Gretsch may not have discouraged this.
Another reason the dating of these guitars can be challenging.
I cant find a sn on my old Gretsch---however, I can find specific (by year) catalog pictures that include photos of that year's guitars, which are very similar to my Gretsch. After all my research, I believe mine is a 1934 model 50. But would I take bets on that? ---probably not---
Dan
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- Rated: 27 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 10:03 a.m. 57 Chet :
I'm sorry ... I meant Model 65, as far as the headstock...
From 1934 (top) and 1936 (bottom) -
The rest looks close to the 1939 Model 75.
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- Rated: 42 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 10:06 a.m. Dan:
Look at that Gibson headstock :-)
Wonder if this one resulted in a law suit? Great of you to post these historical catalog shots Nick...
Wish I could vote you up again! Dan
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- Rated: 97 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 12:01 p.m. Setzer:
Also guy keep in mind that these catalog images are not photos but artist renditions of what the guitar might actually look like. Jay Scott states this in his book. I've noticed this when looking at later catalog images of guitars with pickups. Sometimes the artist took libertys.
Al hasn't even got the guitar yet and it's the greatest thing since sliced bread! Power on brother!
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- Rated: 27 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 12:10 p.m. 57 Chet :
Hey, I think it looks like a great guitar... I'm happy for Al... I'm just trying to help with the ID.
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- Rated: 8 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 3:44 p.m. S F Thompson:
I think the Dearmond Model 1100 wins because of the adjustable polepieces. I think it loses because it's over-priced. The Model 1000 Rhythm Chief was great for getting that archtop sound when I was recording. You should be able to find the 1000 for between $500 and $1000 which, while not cheap, is still quite a bit less than the 1100.
Congrats again on your guitar. That instrument is a keeper! Hold onto it, worship it, play it, and pass it onto your children in your will!
Steve
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- Rated: 10 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 5:22 p.m. Daddy-O:
Al my kent Armstrong pickup came in today it is wound by Kent Armstrong by hand to Rythum chief spec. It has a tapp for 7 and ten ohms. They claim it has a sound very much the same as the Rythum Chief and the other sounds is a p-90 sound. I am awaiting a new pickguard from D'angelico and have just relized that I need an on/on micro switch that I have to round up. This pickup has adjustable poles and I paid 135.00 from Jazz N Guitars up in Jersey. The vintage DA are through the roof and on the downside they are VERY prone to feedback this Kent Armstrong epoxy is less prone they say. I hope to have it rigged up by the end of the week so I will give you the report. You can view the pickup on archtop.com site
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Jul 6, 2008 4:36 a.m. amoun:
fantastic score and excellent pix, they had me foaming at the mouth
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