1940s Sherwood (Kay) Deluxe Archtop Electric Guitar

Video coming soon...!

Overview: Does it get nittier, grittier, cooler than this? This is a Kay-made, Sherwood-branded archtop electric guitar built somewhere in the mid-late '40s. Don't let the vintage Kluson tuners fool you -- I added those from my parts-bins as someone had wonked-it-up with Ping tuners. This originally had a bar-style single coil pickup but the coil was damaged and I have never heard one of this type (in its original format) actually sound decent, so the current pickup is an Alnico lipstick-style one that I've fit in place of the original. The sound is clean and clear -- it makes a great rhythm guitar -- but if you put it into a pushed amp, it will give you all sorts of Howlin' Wolf, garage-rock sounds.

Interesting features: It has a long scale length (almost 26") and I've fit it with normal electric 10s because of that. If you like lowered tunings, this gives some flexibility for that as the longer scale suits such things.  Other features? It looks outrageous with its big-block inlays, fancy celluloid headstock veneer, big old white pickguard, rosewood pickup ring, and tobacco sunburst finish. Also the knobs! The body is more compact (like a 000) than other archtops and so it handles easily, too. The neck is on the bigger side front to back but it does have the usual tighter Kay-style radius to the board so it feels quick despite it.

Repairs included: It's had a neck reset/anchoring with some internal bolts, a fret level/dress, new pickup and wiring harness fit, replacement tuners fit, and setup work done. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 4 lbs 12 oz
• Scale length: 25 11/16"
• Nut width: 1 5/8"
• Neck shape: med-full C
• Board radius: 12"
• Depth at first fret: 1 3/64"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1 3/16"
• Body width: 15 3/8"
• Body depth: 3 3/4"
• Body wood: ply spruce top, ply maple back/sides
• Bridge: adjustable TOM/roller-style
• Fretboard: rosewood with pearl blocks
• Neck wood: poplar or maple
• Pickups: 1x lipstick single coil (Alnico)
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 46w-10
• Truss rod: non-djustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: wide/medium

Condition notes: The pickup, wiring harness, bridge, and strap buttons are replacements. The tuners are, too, though they're nice '50s/'60s Klusons from my parts-bins. It has wear and tear throughout the body and neck finish via scratching, scuffing, weather-check, what-have-you, but it's a glorious sort-of look.

It comes with: If I have something that fits, I will include it, but it didn't come to me with a case.

Consignor tag: JW