1950s Graubner (East German) Archtop Guitar

Overview: While unmarked, this type of guitar was made by Martin Graubner's workshop in East Germany. They're often branded "Rex" on the pickguard but, as you can tell, the pickguard for this fella is long-gone. It's in excellent shape and ha slick looks. I think the power move on it might be to electrify it with either a floating pickup or a top-mount, though, but I will leave that up to the next owner (however, I'm happy to install something).

Tone: It's got a poppy, mids-forward, snappy sound.

Feel: The neck is chunky, has a wider 1 3/4" nut, and a decent 12" radius to the board. If you're into slim, modern, oval-C necks, forget about it.

Interesting features: It has a bolted (tightens with a clock key) neck joint that can be adjusted with shims to get whatever back-angle on the neck you might want. The fretboard extension is cantilevered over the top, too, so the entire neck and extension stay nice and straight and even when making these adjustments. The body is all-ply, too, so it's a perfect guitar to take on the road or gigging as it's not going to move around on you.

Repairs included: Jose gave it a level/dress of the frets, compensated the B-string on the saddle, and set it all up.

• Weight: 5 lbs 0 oz
• Scale length: 25 5/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium-full C
• Board radius: 12"
• Body width: 16 5/16"
• Body depth: 2 11/16"
• Top wood: ply spruce
• Back & sides wood: ply maple
• Bracing type: tonebar
• Bridge: adjustable (ebonized?)
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium

Condition notes: It's very clean save normal weather-checking and light signs of use here and there. The pickguard is missing but it's otherwise completely original.

It comes with: There's a semi-rigid/foam hard case.

Consignor tag: DNLK