American Orchestra

[dcav]

I just picked up a 1934 model 240 Gretsch tenor. Will have in hand next week. Anyone here own one? This girl is really beat up, and I'm hoping it's playable without too much work. I love the old archtop tenors. I'll use it mostly for rhythm I'm sure. Just curious if anybody here has one, and what they can tell me about them.

Thanks all,
dc

[dcav]

Just got her in and strung up. Has serial no. 1938 engraved into top of headstock, so I guess it's a 1934? I've got a link out on a Gretsch forum too, and one gentlemen thinks its a 34. I love this guitar!

[Cornfield]

Great find. Congrats and ha e fun.

[dcav]

Thx Cornfield. I'm going to enjoy this one for sure. I've been enjoying your video posts by the way. Great playing, and I love your voice man! Keep em comin please.

dc

[derbex]

Great tone on that one.

[Cornfield]

Did you get this on E-bay?

[dcav]

Yeah, it popped up last week and I made an offer, countered, then I bought it. I love it. I know its beat up, but I'm not going to touch it. Too much mojo to change it in any way.

[Cornfield]

I'm sure its the same seller that has that 1930's Dobro Tenor on Ebay. I'm pretty sure the "Dobro" branded one is actually a "Regal" brand. At first I thought that the seller might be confused about his personal, cherished, instrument. I read his Ebay feedback and see that he sells a lot of guitars and guitar parts. My guess is that he picked this up at a flea market for a quick turn around and removed the old tuners to sell separately on EBay.
He is asking $1900 or best offer and I think it would be worth between $300-600 if it had the proper tuners.

[dcav]

No, I just looked at the name, its not the same seller who sold my guitar.

[Escaped Cellist]

She may be beat up, but she can really sing!

Lots of versatility - everything from choppy rhythm to sweet lyrical melody sounds great! Looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

[dcav]

Thanks Cellist! I can't put it down. It's a great guitar.

[fox]

Unusual fret markers, the 7th & 10th are unusually placed, do you have any info on this?

[dcav]

There's one marker missing at the seventh fox. I'm not sure why Gretsch marked them as they did, as I know there are usually two at twelfth. Only one dot side markers as well.

[fox]

The 7th & 10th fret markers seem very close the edge, I wondered if it was a cut down six string fret board, perhaps a replacement?

[dcav]

No, it's definetly the original tenor neck.

[mrmando]

A six-string board would have markers at the 9th fret, not the 10th.