1936 Gibson TG-50 Archtop Tenor Guitar

Description: TG-50s don't have a serial number. Occasionally the factory ordernumber (FON) is stamped on the inside back. Here the 883B6 FON (pix)indicates work was started in 1936. CONSTRUCTION: Carved spruce top with slender f-holes and single brace on bassside. Flat maple back and sides. Single white ivoroid bodybinding. 14 fret mahogany neck with inlaid "Gibson" pearl script logoand adjustable truss rod. Unbound 19 fret rosewood fingerboard withpearl position dots and ivoroid side dots. The end of the fingerboardis pointed and is elevated above the top (pix). Scale 23". Nut 1-3/16". Body length 20-3/16. Lower bout 16-1/8". Upperbout 11-1/2". Body depth 3-1/4" at neck, 3-5/8" at lower bout. Nickel offset geared GROVER PAT "planetary" 2 tab tuners with ivoroidbuttons. Raised tortoise celluloid pickguard with nickel machinedbracket. Adjustable ebony bridge. Nickel trapeze tailpiece. Chocolate brown with sunburst shading on top. Black headstock finish. PROVENANCE: Purchased from from Mid Michigan Music Midland, Midland, MI in 2005. CONDITION: I left it with Fretted Instrument Workshop of Amherst, MA. in 2006 tofind a case and they provided a repair estimate of $300-400 (pix) for:top crack (under left F hole) (pix), separation on lower back (pix),and back braces unglued (not visible). I didn't make these repairs because: None seem to affect the sound. Itplays beautifully. I didn't want to risk messing it up. And I relishthe guitar's original condition. I believe everything is stable because a) I live in Massachusetts, b)I don't humidify the guitar in winter, and c) nothing has changedsince 2005. Also, when I get it out of the case every few months toplay, it is typically in near-perfect tune. The binding, body seams, and neck joint are all tight, with theexception of the aforementioned separation on lower back which isapproximately 4" long and pushes closed easily. The binding and bodyexhibit deep scratches at the back separation (pix). The finish appears all original with no sign of over-spray. I havenever applied polish/cleaner/etc. The top has moderate pick wear (pix)that seems consistent with a seriously but lovingly used 85 year oldinstrument. The serious use is indicated by substantial fingerboardand fret wear (pix). The neck and headstock finish is in outstandingcondition (pix). The headstock has a few dings (pix). Moderatescratches on the lower side of lower bout (pix). Some light backscratches (pix). The only pressing issue is the rust on the pickguard screw (pix). Thisindicates that the pickguard's celluloid has begun to off gas. Thiscan eventually damage the guitar and case but, so far, the only damageis rust on the screw. Before I ship the guitar I will remove thepickguard and package it in a sealed bag. I have replaced the tuner friction washers with new leatherwashers. The guitar came to me with the crude glued repair at the topof the pickguard (pix). I see no sign of any other repair. Set up with D'Addario EJ66 strings tuned CGDA and 1/8" bass and trebleclearance at the 19th fret (pix) it plays easily, with greatintonation, without any buzz, and with a beautiful, loud, clear tone. Clean pleasant smell with no hit of smoke. Sale includes a close fitting (other than neck length, LOL) 2006 TKLcase (pix). The guitar weighs 4 lbs 2 oz and the case 11 lbs. Please look closely at the pictures. COMMENTARY: I purchased my first tenor guitar, a TG-50, from Curtis McPeake in1998 which he described as: "... about as good as it gets in archtoptenor guitars unless you can find a larger custom ordered model suchas the No.7 or higher model." After that I actively searched for abetter tenor guitar. I bought 3 more TG-50's. I found only one TG-50 (this one) that I like better than the Curtis TG-50. Here are some of the reasons I like it better: It is more beautiful sounding. The elevated, pointed fingerboard. The 1934 Gibson catalog says, "thefingerboard elevated from the top ... means greater vibrations andgreater tone." After 1937, the TG-50s have a bound, squared offfingerboard that is glued down on the top. Flat back. After 1937, the TG-50's were made with carved backs. Narrow F holes. Later TG-50s have wider F holes. "V" neck cross-section. Later TG-50s have a round neck cross sectionwhich grows even shallower in later years. The grover tuners. The Gibson pearl inlay. Later TG-50s have a cheesy stencil. The particularly attractive Sunburst. The machined pickguard mount. Most TG-50s have cheesy stampedbrackets. The minimal tail piece. Later TG-50s have a clunky cross bar withraised diamond. I sold two of the TG-50s years ago, leaving me with this TG-50 and theone Curtis sold me. I am selling this one, even though it is nicer,because the Curtis TG-50 guitar is pimped up with dual pickups that Iuse occasionally but hesitate to transfer to a guitar this nice. Please feel free to ask questions.

Price: 1999 USD

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

End Time: 2023-12-21T23:22:36.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD