I saw this old girl on the ebay, and she spoke to me...
I should have her by the end of next week.
Her Mojo instantly appealed to me, and the following model description (which I found in an on-line image of Gretsch's 1936 archtop guitar sales catalog) pretty much sealed the deal!
From the Fred. Gretsch Mfg. Co. Carved-Top Guitars brochure c.1936
Gretsch Carved Top Orchestra Tenor Guitar
The Gretsch American Orchestra Model 240 Tenor Guitar
Four-string Tenor Guitar, Auditorium-Special size body. Arched top, hand carved from old seasoned 'cello spruce and graduated for tone. Arched body and sides of flamed maple; 3-piece maple neck, steel-reinforced. Shaded from dark edges to amber sun-burst; hand polished. The edges of the body, both top and back, are ivory-celluloid bound. Oval ebony fingerboard with 23-inch professional scale; wide round frets. Self adjusting tailpiece; ebony adjustable bridge; professional type geared patent pegs with ivory-celluloid buttons. An instrument of great tonal power and brilliance.
(I'm very impressed by how forward thinking Gretsch was in the 30s when it comes to what are still considered "modern" playability features like a radiused ("oval") fretboard and wide, round frets!)
Also, here is a cool page dedicated to this model.
I'm sure I'll need to put some work into her to get her singing, but this should be fun!
Anyways, has anyone owned or played one of these? Thoughts?
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