Best/cheap tenor with widest string spacing, tuned DGBE..

[The_Noseeums]

Hey,

Recently stumbled across a few tenor guitars. I currently play electric in a band, but need an acoustic so I can show up to jams prepared.

My budget is 300$...

Im looking for whichever guitar has a 1 5/16" width at nut or closest.

Is set up to be tuned DGBE.

Some choices I have run into:

Silvertone 661 1960's tenor

Goldtone TG-10

Ibanez avt1/avt2e

[Seter]

I'll have to measure when I'm home, but you could consider a bouzouki set up for Greek tuning and capo at the 2nd fret for DGBE, they have fairly wide string spacing. The Hora bouzoukis are 250 or so for acoustic/electric, 200 for acoustic only.

[Cornfield]

I'll have to measure when I'm home, but you could consider a bouzouki set up for Greek tuning and capo at the 2nd fret for DGBE, they have fairly wide string spacing. The Hora bouzoukis are 250 or so for acoustic/electric, 200 for acoustic only.

The Bouzouki is an 8 string, isn't it?

[AndyV]

It's too many years since I tried a Goldtone at a local store (stores here don't carry tenors) and don't remember enough to compare. I just sold a 661. I loved it, but have decided to finally move some on.

Why buy a tenor if you're just tuning DGBE? Why not a six string (and capo?)?

[Seter]

My Hora bouzouki does have a 1 3/8" nut width so just a hair larger than your 1 5/16 target, and capoed at 2nd fret it has 23.5 inch scale length. You could keep it in standard 8 string configuration or just string with 4 strings. It's a thinking outside of the box affordable solution for a wide neck tenor guitar, just an idea.

[Bob Visentin]

I bought a Kala Tenor KA-GTR last year. In your budget. Shorter scale then most. Nut is bone but only 1 1/4. Not set up for DGBE tuning. Do new tenors come that way? I like it.

https://kalabrand.com/products/tenor-guitar

[AndyV]

I think mfrs send them out in standard tuning. I seem to recall that Kala will set up for DGBE if you ask. I don't know how long you wait.

[AndyV]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-196...from=R40&rt=nc

I don't know the nut width, but I don't think you'd have regrets at this price, and could surely pass it on at some profit.

[The_Noseeums]

Hey,

Recently stumbled across a few tenor guitars. I currently play electric in a band, but need an acoustic so I can show up to jams prepared.

My budget is 300$...

Im looking for whichever guitar has a 1 5/16" width at nut or closest.

Is set up to be tuned DGBE.

Some choices I have run into:

Silvertone 661 1960's tenor

Goldtone TG-10

Ibanez avt1/avt2e

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-196...from=R40&rt=nc

I don't know the nut width, but I don't think you'd have regrets at this price, and could surely pass it on at some profit.

It looks like the bodys kind of falling apart in the back there..

- - - Updated - - -

Im Also looking at some Regal tenors/ Harmony Airlines /Ashbury tenors on Reverb and ebay...

- - - Updated - - -

The Goldtone TG - 18 has a 1 5/16" nut width, its 600 new but I see one for cheap on reverb / Ebay

[AndyV]

Yes, the seller points out the seam separation, and tat it doesn't align. Simple fix.

I chose to sell my 661 over my little Regal partially because the parlour was all I could play when my shoulder was particularly bad, but also because the Regal (spruce top) has unbelievable tone. Both are great guitars in the price range.

I've had a couple Harmonys but both were archtop. No complaints (still have one and love it). I don't know about Ashbury - same quality as Goldtone?

[The_Noseeums]

Yes, the seller points out the seam separation, and tat it doesn't align. Simple fix.

I chose to sell my 661 over my little Regal partially because the parlour was all I could play when my shoulder was particularly bad, but also because the Regal (spruce top) has unbelievable tone. Both are great guitars in the price range.

I've had a couple Harmonys but both were archtop. No complaints (still have one and love it). I don't know about Ashbury - same quality as Goldtone?

Heres what im looking at currently:

https://reverb.com/item/13595057-reg...s-natural-wood

https://reverb.com/item/11970257-airline-tenor-1950-s

https://reverb.com/item/13830226-vin...g-tenor-guitar

https://reverb.com/item/13302912-gol...-tenor-natural

https://reverb.com/item/12656512-pre...y-tenor-guitar

https://reverb.com/item/11166587-vin...te800n-natural

https://reverb.com/item/13368826-193...-scale-00-size

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ashbury-AT-...LH_TitleDesc=0

I know thats a lot of choices, but im trying to make the right decision here.

[The_Noseeums]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-196...from=R40&rt=nc

I don't know the nut width, but I don't think you'd have regrets at this price, and could surely pass it on at some profit.

Its a good price, i'm considering it. But I really dont know how the damage will effect the overall sound.

And what do you mean by easy fix?? Could I do that myself??

[AndyV]

Its a good price, i'm considering it. But I really dont know how the damage will effect the overall sound.

And what do you mean by easy fix?? Could I do that myself??

I wouldn't expect it to have an effect on the sound. You should be able to glue it yourself. If applying some torque on the neck to align the back and sides doesn't work, then I'd glue it as is. It would be solid.

Maybe post in Builders and Repairs for pro advise....

[The_Noseeums]

Yah, I talked to the guy, and interestingly enough he lives like 1 and half hours from me... So well see if thats serendipitous.


Also what do you think of these options:
https://reverb.com/item/13595057-reg...s-natural-wood

https://reverb.com/item/11970257-airline-tenor-1950-s

https://reverb.com/item/13830226-vin...g-tenor-guitar

https://reverb.com/item/13302912-gol...-tenor-natural

https://reverb.com/item/12656512-pre...y-tenor-guitar

https://reverb.com/item/11166587-vin...te800n-natural

https://reverb.com/item/13368826-193...-scale-00-size

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ashbury-AT-...LH_TitleDesc=0

[AndyV]

Heres what im looking at currently:

I know thats a lot of choices, but im trying to make the right decision here.

I like 1 & 5. I really like the look of the Regal headstock face on these, but on this one I find the (painted? by previous owner?) fret markers off-puttting. That's just personal taste of course. These seem to have a good rep.

I hear good things about Ashbury, but I don't know if that's referring to this model (I think they make two.).

The OS seems over priced. It might be the most rare, but doesn't look like anything special. It may sound and play great, but I doubt you'll find many on line who can attest to it.

[greeenhorn]

Why no that ?
https://www.thomann.de/de/harley_ben...s_nt_tenor.htm
159€

[kedge]

I have a Gold Tone TG 18 forsale, willing to take $300. It is in excellent shape and hardly played

[AndyV]

TG-18 is the same as TG-10 but has a solid top right?

[The_Noseeums]

Why no that ?
https://www.thomann.de/de/harley_ben...s_nt_tenor.htm
159€

Im digging this, im assuming "Sattelbreite" means the width at the nut?

Also are these available in the U.S???

[Seter]

Thomann ships to the US, I just got an octave mandolin from them today. I use the www.thomannmusic.com url to get to their US site.

[AndyV]

Aren't Thomann the same as another brand more familiar to the NA market, just branded for the European market?

[The_Noseeums]

Aren't Thomann the same as another brand more familiar to the NA market, just branded for the European market?

If i recall i think Thomann is Thomann, they're pretty reputable

[AndyV]

I see the OS is on ebay now, tuners replaced for some reason and $10.00 Chinese p/u added.

[Harley Marty]

Why no that ?
https://www.thomann.de/de/harley_ben...s_nt_tenor.htm
159€

I bought one of these for my first tenor guitar it is very well made. I changed the tuners to the planetary banjo style. This guitar works well tuned CGDA, the body size is a bit small for GDAE in my opinion.

[The_Noseeums]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-196...from=R40&rt=nc

I don't know the nut width, but I don't think you'd have regrets at this price, and could surely pass it on at some profit.

So I still havent bought one yet, and my budget just keeps getting thinner and thinner... Im strongly considering this stella.. Its just that damage looks "sound-breaking"... I need an honest opinion here. I dont want to make an impulse buy, because at the moment, im really in need of one for some upcoming gigs.