Product Description
Here we have the natural finish earlier version of the model, which was Gretsch's intended competition with Gibson's top of the line L-5 CES. It was considered the premier professional archtop electric of its era and it is said to have outsold the Gibson throughout the '50s. It has a 17" body with two DeArmond Dynasonic single-coil pickups, laminated spruce and flame maple top and back, parallel braces and gold-plated parts.
This one comes with the optional Melita "Synchro-Sonic" bridge that enables full intonation of each string (the Melita company is related to, believe it or not, the coffee company of the same name.) The pickguard is thankfully long gone, having disintegrated and started to tarnish the finish; otherwise, its condition is excellent.
With the photos is a pic of George Harrison with the Travelling Willburys, and the guitar he's playing is exactly the same as this one, except his has the other standard bridge.
