1950s United Rubber Bridge Electrified Parlor Guitar

Overview: I've worked on tons of these old United-made, all-ply, parlor guitars and have now made a good number into rubber-bridge electrified jobbies like this one. Their necks are faster than period Harmony Stella, Regal, and Kay parlors of the same time and the ply bodies don't move around as much or get cracks from dryness, so they really can become practical take-anywhere bluesbox sort-of guitars. This same model was sold under dozens of different brand names but they were made by United in New Jersey regardless.

Interesting features: The fret markers are great, right? Triangles! The natural finish on the ply birch for the body is a good look as well and the cheesy painted pinstriping details make me think of guitars in cubist paintings. The stamped tailpiece is reminiscent of '20s tailpieces and I've arranged the pickup install, volume knob, and jack to be all low-key in the way they fit-in.

Repairs included: It's had a neck reset, fret level/dress, rubber bridge mod, pickup fitting in the body, wiring harness install, and setup work done. It's playing spot-on and is ready to go.

• Weight: 3 lbs 10 oz
• Scale length: 24 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: flat
• Body width: 13 1/4"
• Body depth: 3 5/8"
• Body wood: ply birch
• Bridge: rubber
• Fretboard: painted maple
• Neck wood: poplar
• Pickups: 1x Strat-style single coil
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 46w-10 electric set
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: wider/low

Condition notes: It's an old student-grade guitar and thus has a plethora of small scratches, scuffs, nicks, and dings here and there throughout as well as edgewear to the fretboard and headstock. The rubber bridge, wiring harness, and pickup are non-original but the rest appears to be normal.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: MKE