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1953 Gretsch Synchromatic 6038
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Serial #: 8577 Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 23/32" Body depth: 3 3/8" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .82/.95
Materials: Solid carved spruce top, arched maple back and sides; solid maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; 5-ply bound body, 3-ply neck and f-hole binding; bone nut.
Hardware: Original gold hardware includes Grover Imperial tuners, Gretsch logo tailpiece, adjustable compensated stairstep bridge, adjustable truss rod. Vintage correct triple-bound tortoise pickguard.
Notes: Built and priced to compete with Gibson's flagship L-5 model, Gretsch debuted their 17" Synchromatic 300 model in 1939. With art deco styling inspired by the New York World's Fair of that year, the 300 featured signature appointments including the 'Synchronized' stairstep bridge, large contoured pickguard, and slashed humptop block inlays. By 1951, this noncutaway model was renamed the Synchromatic 6036 (6038 in blonde) and fitted with traditional f-style soundholes, replacing the cat-eye versions of the earlier models.
That same year Gretsch rolled out a cutaway version of the model, aimed squarely at Gibson's popular L-5C archtop. Designated model 6038 in sunburst finish and 6039 in blonde, this guitar would be rechristened the Fleetwood by 1955, and finally the Eldorado in 1959, an hommage to the prestigious Cadillac models of the day. Availaible only on custom order, the veteran model was finally phased out by 1968, after just a handful of examples left the factory.
This striking instrument is a rare find indeed, with its solid spruce soundboard graced with a gleaming Cremona style sunburst finish. The guitar sports premium touches including the Grover Imperial tuners, solid ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlays from the first fret, the trademark stairstep bridge, and a G-logo tailpiece in a lustrous frosted gold finish.
This handsome guitar has been maintained in superb condition, with a gleaming dark sunburst finish, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. All gold hardware is original and bright, the multi-ply binding is tight to the body, and both neck angle and bridge height are excellent. With its extended cutaway, several frets deeper than the L-5, the body offers enhanced access to the uppermost fingerboard, with smooth, low action over a gentle C profile neck, with fine pro fretwork and a fresh high precision setup. Apart for a few incidental finish nicks, the insttrument looks much as it did when it left the Brooklyn factory over seven decades ago.
A pure acoustic model with no pickups ever attached, the guitar has a punchy, focused voice with excellent clarity and detail. Nestled in its stylish Gretsch logo brown faux alligator hardshell case, this closet queen is a superb addition to any Gretsch collection, and one of the rarest cutaway archtops of the 20th Century. One only: call now.
Setup: Bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
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