Quote from: tekla on November 22, 2009, 09:23:44 PM
A vintage Gretsch Synchromatic, 'tis to lust for. The old archtops have a tonal quality that can't be touched. Part of that is the wood, and it's getting real hard to find good wood anymore, but the varnish and finishes gave them a different quality over time, kind of like the legendary mess up with the forerunners to the Telecaster.
Yes! The wood that was once used to make guitars, and the tone it can create, is why I chose to go with a vintage acoustic guitar. I was going to get a Harmony archtop from the 50's, but someone beat me to the one I wanted.
Then the Gretsch showed up and I kind of splurged on it. Beautiful, unique tone (the body is so wide, I have to use a case designed for a acoustic bass) even though I keep having to work hard to keep it playable. Gotta love the triangular sound hole.
It's a flat-top. The "Ranchero" type model. But they called them Synchromatics in the late 40's. My model was only made for 2 years. Collectible because it's rare and has that beautiful tone, but the construction doesn't really measure up to most other Gretsches. They made this type of "Synchromatic" during a time when the company was in a state of transition. I think the quality of most Gretsch guitars suffered a little bit during that period. But, yum, vintage wood sound . . .
QuoteFor stings I use whatever the star's guitar tech's been given that he doesn't want to actually use. I got a stack of them at work.
Oooh, free strings from work. Nice!
What kind(s) of guitar(s) do you play?