This guitar is a commission sale. If you have a high-end or vintage guitar you are interested in selling please contact us.
Due to the value & fragility of this instrument, it is offered as COLLECTION ONLY from our Ashton-under-Lyne store. Specialist courier delivery is available from £55 - please inquire.
Here for sale we have an incredible Gretsch Synchromatic 160/200 in Sunburst finish. This model was introduced by the original incarnation of Gretsch in 1939. 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. The Synchromatic 200 was introduced in 1939 and discontinued by 1946. The serial number of this instrument is illegible, but appears to be three digits handwritten on the inside of the body, indicating that it was made before Gretsch changed their serial number system in 1945/6.
The Synchromatic 160/200 is an archtop acoustic guitar which features a set-neck construction comprising a Spruce top, Maple back and sides, Maple neck and 20 fret Rosewood fingerboard inlaid with Pearloid blocks. The body is double-bound, with cateye soundholes, 'stairstep' Rosewood bridge, gold 'Harp' tailpiece & gold Grover Imperial tuning machines. This particular instrument has been fitted with a DeArmond FHC 'Monkey on a Stick' pickup, which is wired directly to a 3.5mm output jack with master volume control. Due to the age of the instrument, there are not many sources available online to verify the originality of the parts, however excluding the non-original pickup & tuning machines, the information we have been able to find works in conjunction with the apparent age of the parts and hardware to allow us to be confident that the instrument is largely original.
The Maple neck plays very well, with a profile which can be described as Asymmetrical; considerably shallower on the treble side and deeper on the bass side. This is certainly a unique playing experience when compared with modern guitars, and provides the Synchromatic 200 with a sense of exclusivity, which along with the playwear that the neck has developed over the years is very inspiring in the hands. The Rosewood of the fingerboard is pleasant under the fingers, with a 16" radius that is practical for a wide range of playing styles and techniques. The large Pearloid block inlays add a touch of luxury, reminding the player of Gretsch's golden age.
The acoustic voice of the Synchromatic 160/200 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 addition of the DeArmond FHC 'Monkey on a Stick' pickup adds the versatility required for live and recording situations, and despite its lack of on-board control produces a rich, mellow tone which is highly usable in a wide range of musical contexts. This is a beautifully preserved example of Gretsch's early work, which remains beautifully practical and playable today.
This guitar is a commission sale. If you have a high-end or vintage guitar you are interested in selling please contact us.
Due to the value & fragility of this instrument, it is offered as COLLECTION ONLY from our Ashton-under-Lyne store. Specialist courier delivery is available from £55 - please inquire.
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 Synchromatic 160/200 Archtop Sunburst c.1940s Vintage Acoustic Guitar
Brand - Gretsch
Model - Synchromatic
Finish - Sunburst
Year - c.1940s
Made In - USA
Top - Spruce
Back/Sides - Maple
Neck - Maple
Neck Profile - Asymmetrical
Fingerboard - Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius - 16" (Measured)
Frets - 14 Clear, 20 Total
Scale Length- 24.75"
Nut Width - 1.8425"
Pickups - DeArmond FHC 'Monkey on a Stick'
Controls - Master Volume
Our ID: 1100625107470
Weight: 5.95lbs
Serial: Illegible
Aesthetic Condition:
Headstock: Overall good condition. All aspects of the headstock demonstrate scratching, indentation and chipping as can be expected for an instrument of this age, and consistent with other examples from this period. This is most notable to the rear face, where at the top edge there is moderate chipping of the finish, the center seam of the headstock demonstrates some slight separation and behind the nut several chips are apparent.
Neck: Overall good condition. The fingerboard shows light to mild scratching across the register which does not impact playability. Notable wear marks are present to the rear of the neck, having worn through the finish to the wood beneath consistent with playwear. This is most notable in the middle register, treble side. Moderate chipping of the finish is present at the heel. Notable lacquer checking is consistent across the rear of the neck, as can be expected with an instrument of this age. The binding shows light yellowing consistent with ageing. This is more notable on the bass side.
Body: Overall good condition. The treble side shoulder demonstrates a crack through the wood which has not been repaired. This however appears to have been in place for a long time and does not impact the sound of the instrument. The binding to the front and rear faces has shrunk overtime, causing visible gaps between the body and binding. This is most notable at the either side of the waist. Similar issues with the binding is apparent to both f-holes, particularly the bass side where a section of binding is loose. The binding on the edge of the body is stable and should remain so if treated with care. Moderate indentation is present to all aspects of the body, exposing the wood beneath in places. Mild wear marks are present beneath the pickguard consistent with playwear when the pickguard was not present. Moderate lacquer checking is consistent across all faces of the body, as can be expected with an instrument of this age.
Condition of Frets:
The frets demonstrate moderate signs of use, not affecting playability. There is moderate material remaining for future fret work.
Current Set Up:
Truss Rod: N/A
Hardware: Fully functional with moderate signs of use. The tuning machines appear to have been replaced with a set of Grover Imperials, which themselves look to be of considerable age. No original parts are included.
Structural: No concerns or issues to note.
Height of the string from the 12th Fret-2mm - Bass 2.5mm
Please be aware that the action on a guitar may move slightly in transit and this measurement is the current height.
Strings on Guitar - Thomastik Infield JS111 11-47 jazz swing flatwounds.
Electrics:
The electronics do function, with some crackling and intermittence when adjusting the knob.
Case & Accessories:
No case is provided with this guitar.
The 3.5mm cable which is required to connect the guitar to an amp is being posted to us by the previous owner. The listing will be updated when the cable arrives.