1930s Gretsch-made Archtop-style Resonator Tenor Banjo
I sold this banjo some time ago. It might've even been back when I was listing a lot of stuff on eBay. Either way, it's come back third-hand via a customer of mine who's had it for some time as well. Thankfully, when it came back it was playing almost exactly as it was when it left.
While unbranded, this is clearly a Gretsch-made product. It has their patented flange, typical headstock shape, typical hardware choices, and the cool "double bound" trim on the resonator edge. It might be a late-'20s instrument, but my bet is on early '30s. It's long scale (23") and the rim has a simple hoop tonering that's set on the inside lip of the rim -- thus making it an "archtop" banjo rim with all the clarity, pop, and directness you might expect of the style.
It plays great, sounds great, has plenty of volume, and has an unassuming presence. What's not to like?
Repairs included: a fret level/dress, previous side dots installed, previous newer Remo Renaissance head, new 5/8"+ bridge, new 18:1 Grover Sta-Tite tuners (these are excellent), cleaning, extra neck bolt reinforcement at the heel (hidden behind the neck brace plate), cleaning, and setup.
Setup notes: it plays spot-on at 1/16" overall at the 12th fret. The neck is essentially perfectly straight but the treble side has just a hair of relief tuned to pitch (like, ~1/64" or less overall). It's strung for standard CGDA tuning with gauges 30w, 20w, 12, 8.
Condition notes: replaced head, replaced bridge, replaced tuners, added side dots, otherwise original with full original rim hardware. There are scratches and small nicks and dings throughout but it's not ugly. There's the usual finish weather-checking throughout, too. Part of the armrest was damaged a long time ago and I remember sanding it round again and buffing it up when I received it years ago.
While unbranded, this is clearly a Gretsch-made product. It has their patented flange, typical headstock shape, typical hardware choices, and the cool "double bound" trim on the resonator edge. It might be a late-'20s instrument, but my bet is on early '30s. It's long scale (23") and the rim has a simple hoop tonering that's set on the inside lip of the rim -- thus making it an "archtop" banjo rim with all the clarity, pop, and directness you might expect of the style.
It plays great, sounds great, has plenty of volume, and has an unassuming presence. What's not to like?
Repairs included: a fret level/dress, previous side dots installed, previous newer Remo Renaissance head, new 5/8"+ bridge, new 18:1 Grover Sta-Tite tuners (these are excellent), cleaning, extra neck bolt reinforcement at the heel (hidden behind the neck brace plate), cleaning, and setup.
Setup notes: it plays spot-on at 1/16" overall at the 12th fret. The neck is essentially perfectly straight but the treble side has just a hair of relief tuned to pitch (like, ~1/64" or less overall). It's strung for standard CGDA tuning with gauges 30w, 20w, 12, 8.
Scale length: 23"
Nut width: 1 3/16"
String spacing at nut: 15/16"
String spacing at bridge: 1 5/16"
Head diameter: 10 5/8"
Resonator diameter: 13 1/4"
Resonator diameter: 13 1/4"
Rim depth: 3"
Rim material: ply maple(?)
Neck wood: two-piece maple or poplar
Fretboard: ebonized maple
Bridge: maple/ebony 5/8"+
Neck feel: medium C-shape, flat board
Condition notes: replaced head, replaced bridge, replaced tuners, added side dots, otherwise original with full original rim hardware. There are scratches and small nicks and dings throughout but it's not ugly. There's the usual finish weather-checking throughout, too. Part of the armrest was damaged a long time ago and I remember sanding it round again and buffing it up when I received it years ago.
I know these tuners have "ears" -- but the 18:1 Sta-Tites are superb units and remove the endless fuss of the old '30s-era friction pegs that came with this banjo.
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