Description
This early 1935 Gibson Roy Smeck Stage De Luxe has no readable Batch Number, but the characteristic small sunburst pattern and 3 3/4″ soundhole diameter date it to the early part of the year. The consigning owner purchased this guitar in 1978 from Vintage Instruments of Philadephia and has played it ever since then. After the conversion to conventional play by narrowing the nut width to 1 3/4″ and fretting, the tuners were replaced with Schaller machines, the treble side of the neck heel received a strap button, and the back and sides got a very light overspray treatment. More recently, Mark Stutman made a new reproduction Brazilian rosewood bridge and maple bridge plate. The neck angle is great, not too high and not too low. As I would expect from a guitar from this part of 1935, the voice is very free and complex, with a solid and penetrating presence. In spite of the regular use, there are no cracks anywhere. The vintage sized frets are in good shape, but show a little wear in the lower positions. There is some lacquer wear from play, most concentrated at the treble soundhole edge. The lacquer wear on the back of the neck is evidence of the many hundreds of hours spent playing this great guitar. An especially nice playing example. With hard case.
ON HOLD
