This guitar is a commission sale. If you have a high-end or vintage instrument you’re interested in selling, please contact us.
Due CITES regulations & the likelihood that the fingerboard is made from Brazilian Rosewood, this guitar is offered for sale to UK BUYERS ONLY.
Here for sale we have an extensively modified vintage Gretsch 6050 New Yorker, refinished in a Hand-Rubbed Natural. This model was introduced by the original incarnation of Gretsch in the late 1940s, and went through several spec changes until its discontinuation in 1970. The company was founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, initially as a drum manufacturer. In 1916 his son Fred Gretsch Sr moved to a larger facility where the company grew into one of the US's leading instrument manufacturers, debuting their guitars around 1928. Given the extensive modification of the guitar and the illegibility of the serial number, it is difficult to accurately date the instrument. The presence of a rectangular soundhole label however, marked 'The Fred Gretsch MFG Co.' indicates that the instrument was likely manufactured sometime in the first half of the '50s. Labels were introduced in the late '40s, and by '54 featured the 'T Roof' logo design.
The 6050 New Yorker is an Archtop acoustic guitar, which would have a originally featured a 'Monkey on a Stick' type pickup. A set neck construction is employed and comprises a Spruce top, Maple back & sides, Mahogany neck and 20 fret Rosewood fingerboard. New Gold hardware has been fitted at some stage, with a Gretsch by Bigsby tremolo tailpiece & Grover Imperial tuning machines. A Chrome ToM style roller bridge has been fitted onto an appropriate Rosewood Gretsch 'stairstep' style bridge plate. A pair of pickups have been installed at some stage, with a Lollar Dog-Ear P-90 in the neck and a DeArmond Dynasonic type pickup in the bridge. These are wired to a 3-way toggle switch & independent volume & tone controls.
The Mahogany neck is comfortable in the hand, and provides a smooth & responsive playing experience across the register. The profile could perhaps be described as a 'U' shape - with shoulders that are slightly more pronounced than a typical 'C' shape. Although the nut width still feels conventional at 1.729", it has to be said that the fingerboard doesn't seem to taper that much. This means that the neck remains smooth & easily manageable as you climb the register. The smooth flowing lines of the body are comfortable in both seated & standing positions.
The acoustic voice of the 6050 New Yorker is distinctly archtop, with a dark and mellow tone that is perfect for jazz playing. Thanks to the large stature of the body and the twin large soundholes, the instrument projects very well and produces plenty of volume; The Spruce top providing clarity and bright overtones. The addition of the pickups enhances the usability of the instrument, allowing it to be used in live & recording situations with ease and versatility thanks to the comprehensive controls. Certainly not a collector's piece, but still an interesting & highly useable part of Gretsch's history.
This guitar is a commission sale. If you have a high-end or vintage instrument you’re interested in selling, please contact us.
Due CITES regulations & the likelihood that the fingerboard is made from Brazilian Rosewood, this guitar is offered for sale to UK BUYERS ONLY.
Please be aware that for international buyers import fees are not included in our postage and packaging cost, this only covers the cost of the guitar being sent to you. Import fees will be charged by Customs upon the guitar's arrival in the recipient country. Due to Brexit, this also applies to EU buyers. We advise checking the total import cost with Customs as this is not information we are able to accurately provide.
Gretsch 6050 New Yorker Refinished Natural c.1950s Archtop Electric Guitar
Brand - Gretsch
Model - 6050 New Yorker
Finish - Refinish - Natural Hand Rubbed
Year - c.1950s
Made In - USA
Top - Spruce
Back/Sides - Maple
Neck - Mahogany
Fingerboard - Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius - 12" (Measured)
Frets - 14 Clear, 20 Total
Scale Length- 25.5"
Nut Width - 1.729"
Pickups - Lollar Dog Ear P-90 (Neck), Dynasonic Type (Bridge)
Controls - 3-Way Toggle Switch, Neck Volume, Neck Tone, Bridge Volume, Bridge Tone
Our ID: 1250326194551
Weight: 6.7lbs
Serial: Illegible
Aesthetic Condition:
Headstock: Overall fair condition. The headstock has been stripped of its finish and re-finished in a very light hand rubbed finish. A notable chip to the faceplate is apparent to the bass side edge. Scratching, chipping and indentation of varying degrees is apparent throughout the headstock. Due to the age and work performed, we advise carefully inspecting the photographs for a fuller understanding of the cosmetic condition of this instrument.
Neck: Overall fair condition. The rear of the neck has been stripped of its finish and re-finished in a hand rubbed finish. This has been applied thicker than the headstock. A patch of the finish has worn away in the early register of the rear of the neck. The fingerboard demonstrates several patches of moderate scratching, most notably to the 4th fret. The 15th fret inlay has decayed, discoloring in its appearance and no longer sitting flush with the surface of the fingerboard. Scratching, chipping and indentation of varying degrees are apparent throughout the neck and fingerboard. Due to the age and work performed, we advise carefully inspecting the photographs for a fuller understanding of the cosmetic condition of this instrument.
Body: Overall fair condition. The body has been stripped of its original finish, and re-finished in a very light hand rubbed finish. Some wood filler is apparent at the treble side of the joint between neck and body on the front face. Flathead screw heads can be seen on the top in line with the bracing - whilst not the widely accepted method of ensuring brace attachment, it appears to be functioning correctly, with the top not sinking. These are beneath the new finish, and smooth to the touch. A repaired crack is apparent running from the treble side f-hole to the bridge pickup cavity. Two cavities have been sawn for installation of top mounted pickups. Additional holes have been drilled for the fitment of a passive electronics harness. Scratching, chipping and indentation of varying degrees are apparent throughout the body. Due to the age and work performed, we advise carefully inspecting the photographs for a fuller understanding of the cosmetic condition of this instrument.
Condition of Frets:
The frets demonstrate moderate signs of use throughout the register. This causes a buzzing in the middle register on the G string, and occasionally D & A strings. There is moderate material remaining for future fret work. It is apparent a re-fret has taken place at some point in the past.
Current Set Up:
Truss Rod: N/A.
Hardware: Fully functional. All of the hardware has been replaced with appropriate modern hardware. No original parts are included.
Structural: The heel demonstrates a very slight lift at the rear, this does not flex however is indicative of the neck angle being incorrect. The crack to the top has been repaired.
Height of the string from the 12th Fret-2.25mm - Bass 2.25mm
Please be aware that the action on a guitar may move slightly in transit and this measurement is the current height.
Strings on Guitar - 10-46
There is no room remaining in the bridge for further lowering of the action.
Electrics:
Fully functional.
Case & Accessories:
Gig bag
The case demonstrates moderate signs of use.