1917 gibson tenor on ebay

[Bernie Daniel]

There is a 1917 (apparently) Gibson tenor guitar on eBay. #Seems on decent shape assuming the neck is straight. Anyone have experience with this model?

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/1917-The-Gibson-Acoustic-Tenor-Guitar-Ser-8774_W0QQitemZ330240337248QQihZ014QQcategoryZ330

25QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">1917 Gibson Tenor</a>

[goaty76]

That Gibson tenor looks to be from the late 20's or early 30's.

Phil

[Bernie Daniel]

.
goaty76: That Gibson tenor looks to be from the late 20's or early 30's.

Thanks for the comment -- I was thinking 20's also but I know a lot less about tenors than regular guitars and mandolins.

I really do not think the 6-string Gibson flattops of that era were the leaders of the industry. Ever play on one of those Gibson tenors from that period?

[danb]

It's almost certainly 8774X with an unreadable last digit. The inlay style and flat top with wide soundhole place it in the right range for that serial

[Charles E.]

years ago I had one, circa 1927, that was a grade above the one on ebay. It had a sweet woody tone and was kind of Quiet sounding. I would choose it over the later ones where Gibson stuck tenor necks on fullsize bodies.

Charley

[Bernie Daniel]

Charles E: I would choose it over the later ones where Gibson stuck tenor necks on fullsize bodies. #

Thanks for the insight.

Interesting that you mention that. #I think that know where I could get a good price on a mid-70's Gibson Heritage (rosewood body I think) that has had the neck broken. #

I was thinking this would be a good beginning wood working project to make a tenor neck for it (either from scratch or from modifying a 6-string neck). #The idea was to get a powerful booming tenor -- but maybe that is not such a great idea?

I suppose it depends on what you are going to do with it?

I'm new to the tenor so I will guess it is more of a melody instrument most of the time instead of rhythm like a regular geee-tar.

[Charles E.]

Bernie, a tenor guitar scale is just under 23 inches, so if you put it on a full size body the bridge ends up being too far foward, very close to the sound hole, the tone suffers as a result. Better to find a small parlor guitar body with a broken neck and try that. Good luck!

Charley

[mikeyes]

It's probably a 1928 or so since it has the extra bridge pin. I think that Gibson only did that for a year or so. I had a TB00 from that period which was a wonderful little instrument.

[Bernie Daniel]

Charles E: ...a tenor guitar scale is just under 23 inches, so if you put it on a full size body the bridge ends up being too far foward, very close to the sound hole, the tone suffers..

Understood. #

I suppose a person could make a "long neck" tenor? #

It would be the regular guitar length but narrow like a tenor to accomadate 4 strings. #I wonder if you did that you could tune it down an octave to the mandocello range instead of the mandola? #That might be attractive as a rhythm insturment?

[JEStanek]

Moved to eBay section.

Jamie

[allenhopkins]

I own one, with the extra bridge pin (and what was that for?) and all. Nice little all-mahogany tenor. I appreciate the info dating it to the late '20's; I thought it was later vintage.