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MISC ARCHTOPS (See also Gibson, etc.)
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ca. 1951 Gretsch New Yorker 16" Acoustic Archtop, (pic2), (pic3), (pic4). "As is" special! Can't be set up with low action without some serious neck work so I'm offering this "as is" for the slide player or someone who plays only cowboy chords (action at 12th fret). Other than the action, this guitar is quite intact without extraneous rattles and no breaks, with a cool "Blind Willie Lemon" tone that's well suited for delta blues. I don't a lot about this model other than it has rather austere cosmetics for a Gretsch, with a painted on logo but it does feature a bound neck and body, and block fretboard inlays. Fretboard is Brazilian rosewood, which is a cool feature any day, and what appears to be original tortoise pickguard. Finish has a wonderfully aged patina, typical with nitro finishes (body pic) including nicely yellowed binding that's in remarkably nice shape for a 50's Gretsch. Serial 4779 stamped inside F-hole which should date it to '51. I'm into it for $400 and after talking to my luthier it's not going to be cost effective to make it a killer Spanish style player thus it's offered as is for $450.
1965 Harmony Truetone, (pic2), (headstock). Wonderfully preserved example, from Spring of '65, from the days when most of these were sold through mail order companies like Sears & Roebuck. These were definitely a case of style over substance with painted on flamed maple, inlays, and binding, but it's actually a nice sounding archtop with a rich tone that's clear with no rattle or nasty overtones. Exceptionally clean condition, very much an "under the bed" guitar with the only real flaw is a small finish chip in the middle of the back, visible in pic2 above. Has a very chunky V-neck, common on these older Harmony's so if you have small hands you should pass on this one. I don't know why there are no longer any inexpensive USA archtops being built today - I don't think you can touch one for under $2K. Back when this one was built, it was probably a $38 guitar. For a very playable USA vintage archtop in this condition, it's a pretty sweet deal at $299.
1960's Sorrento Hollowbody, (pic2), (pic3), (pic4). "Lawsuit" headstock! A real "under the bed" beauty and a good quality Japan archtop. What sets this apart from its near pristine condition, is the Gibson "open-book" headstock, which was a no-no in terms of import shortly after this model was imported, the superb action - many of these don't have the best necks and are best used for slide guitar, and the obvious beautiful condition. No player's wear, very little finish checking, finish shines like new - a solid 9+ condition. A pair of single coil pickups sound very good and aren't prone to feedback with moderate gain settings. Just a sounding, killer playing vintage Japan hollowbody and quite a find in this condition. Vintage Japan guitars finally started taking off a few years ago but they're still quite affordable especially when you consider they can be had for LESS than new Korean Epi's, Deans, Samick, etc. $379 takes this one.
2006 G6120SH Brian Setzer Hot Rod, (pic2). Never retailed - unplayed - perfect. This is a very cool model, and an anomaly for Gretsch which usually are outfitted with more knobs and switches than you know what to do with. The Setzer Hot Rod is sort of their version of the Kramer Baretta - just a 3-way selector and volume control. For a lot of players, what else do you need? This is one of new models that feature superb TV Jones Classic pickups, along with 1959 trestle bracing, Sperzel locking tuners, pinned Adjusto-matic bridge, Bigsby B6C Vibrato tailpiece, neo-classic thumbnail inlays, the cool finishes, in this case Candy Apple Red. Killer setup, killer tone, and beauty in its simplicity. With a list of $3175, these sell online at $2540. As I always say, save your hard-earned cash or buy a nice amp with the difference. This one's perfect, ships in original box, and is just $1799. Includes Gretsch case, certificate, and assorted paperwork.
Gretsch 120th G-6118T-120 Anniversary, modeled after the "Anniversary" model, except in a Bamboo Yellow top with Copper back. Not one for the collectors as it has some replaced parts and, apparently the neck or back of body was repainted and the original Bigsby was replaced. It also had a replaced tortoise pickguard which we removed since it looked goofy. I got it from one of my NOS suppliers like this except it had a pair of crappy non-name P90's that were too far from the strings. We replaced with a pair of Gretsch pickups that sound good and the guitar has a nice setup and overall is extremely clean and, in fact, was never retailed. There are 2 small holes that were filled where the dog-ear P90's were once installed but it's barely noticeable. The neck finish is a little darker than the body so one of them may have been re-sprayed at the factory. Other features include headstock badge and Grover imperial tuners. Includes original Gretsch case. These list at $2925 and sell for $2340 at your favorite online store but if you're not too picky--and not an anal-retentive collector--this one looks good, plays good, and sounds good, for less than 1/2, $1150.
Vantage 635V ES-335 Dot Copy, (pic2), (pic3). Killer setup and an excellent Crafted in Korea 335 copy. This one's actually a little different from the pack of 335 style imports in that it's all mahogany - top, back, sides, and neck. The result is a very warm sounding guitar that sounds excellent for jazz through a clean amp - but it rocks out very well too and has good sustain. The main feature on this guitar though, is the setup, which has low action up and down the fretboard which means it has an excellent neck angle and neck. Stock pickups sound very good and aren't prone to extraneous feedback. Other features include bound body front and back, bound neck, bound headstock, dot inlays, chrome hardware, and the usual dual humbuckers with dual volume, dual tone, and 3-way selector. Like any guitar that's enjoyable to play, this guitar has been played so it's not mint, but nothing more than normal signs of playing and no cracks or finish issues. Vantage has made very good guitars going back to at least the early 80's, which I got my first Vantage bass that I gigged with for 2 years. I think this guitar is every bit as good, and probably better than an Epi and a nice vibe with a cherry finish that's getting a vintage vibe. Excellent value in my opinion, at $329.
Bestler ES-175 Copy, (pic2), excellent playing archtop in a brand I'm not familiar with. It's somewhat of a mystery as it has the lawfully-protected "Open-Book" headstock, which Gibson guards very closely, so my guess is it must have not been made for export (otherwise lawsuits would fly). Has all the other nice features including multi-ply body binding, bound F-holes, bound headstock, block inlays, gold hardware, tune-o-matic bridge with retainer wire, harp tailpiece, and single Venetian cutaway. Bridge pickup is replaced with a good sounding aftermarket GFS Retrotron but both pickups sound very good. The bridge is crisp with medium output, the neck is very deep and rich. Good quality hardware with sealed tuners, and fully adjustable bridge with a wooden bass and dead-on Gibson Tuneomatic style, complete with retainer wire. Overall very clean shape with the only notable flaws being (see pic) strap pin was relocated as well as the output jack. No biggie and a nice clean guitar that plays like a dream and sounds very good. $239.
Silvertone 335-style Archtop, excellent playing budget archtop with classy looks and one of the nicer players I've had in this price range. Asian imports have come a long way and when I was a youngster I would have loved to get a guitar like this with my hard-earned paper route money. Back then Silvertone was very popular since it was sold in the Sears catalog but the quality was nothing like this. Beautiful condition, pro setup, and a pretty sweet guitar for just $129.
Teisco Del Ray hollowbody (pic2), (pic3). Hollowbody electric, needs some attention, make it your project for $75/as is. Gretsch bridge used for photo's only and is NOT included. You will need to supply a bridge.
Washburn Oscar Schmidt OE-30 Semi-Hollowbody, NOS 2004 model, an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a decent ES-335 style for under $200. Factory setup left something to be desired but we touched up the fret ends and tweaked it all around. The result is an excellent playing guitar with good sounding Washburn 400-series pickups; quality Grover tuners keep it in tune. Never retailed and better than new since it'll be ready to play right out of the box. Lists at $349 but this one with a pro-setup is just $199.
Windsong ES-175 Copy, (pic2). Super value in a quality Korean import along the line of Epi's Joe Pass, Sheraton, Casino, etc. Setup is outstanding and I am continually impressed with the playability of many guitars in this price range. Sure, some of them are mediocre, but I don't buy them - but guitars with a good neck that have the potential to play as nice as a USA model at 3X the price - I don't pass up. The fit and finish on this line is very high quality, without the smeary, cheap appearance of many models coming from the Chinese factories. Again, this guitar is every bit as good as Epi, in fact made in the same factory, and it's an exceptional value at just $375.
