Gretsch Guitars

Cool, ultra vintage Gretsch Model 30 hollow body

Pre-war, circa 1941 straight-grained, carved, solid spruce top.  This amazing little hollow-body is decked out in a beautiful dark amber-red, raccoon sunburst.  This guitar was designed to be a competitor of the Gibson’s L-50, and in my opinion flattens the competition. Interestingly, the model was named after its price when it was first introduced: $30.  Of course at that time that would equal about $490.  The joys of inflation...

OK, back to the guitar: Maple back and sides, three-piece maple and mahogany neck, rosewood fret board and bridge. Nickel-plated engraved tailpiece, rosewood headstock overlay, early style engraved pearloid scroll nameplate, wide pearloid binding, and black Bakelite pick guard.

This little beauty has a great full voice, with surprising projection, sustain and tonal complexity. No cracks, splits, separations or bends.  The slim, comfortable neck on this guitar is straight and true, the frets are strong and level, and the intonation is great all the way up the neck.  Finish checking (of course) and a few exceptionally minor bumps here and there (pictured).  The tuning pegs were replaced sometime in the past with appropriate tuners.  As far as I can tell, these and the strap pegs are the only non-original elements on this exceptional guitar.  It’s actually hard to believe that the old girl has survived in such terrific shape considering she has been on earth for 70+ years.  I hope I will look and sound this good when I’m that age (doubtful).

Here's some additional information provided by a Gretsch-expert eBay member.  It's really fun learning about this interesting guitar:

Hi James... thanks for the quick response! I've done a ton of research on these models. The model 30 was added in the mid-30s to the American Orchesrta lineup (which was introduced in the 1933 catalog). They typically have the more standard "shaded" sunburst, which in a addition to the extra wide body binding helped to differentiate them from the other models. The model 35 which had this raccoon or "violin" finish was actually replaced by the model 30. I look forward to determining where this guitar falls in the chronology, as it may be an early example with the older-style finish. Or, it might have been a special order from a retailer who preferred the violin finish. Thanks again for the additional info on that serial number! Regards - Ed.

Hi James... thanks for taking the time to check that out! I will assume that there IS in fact a 4th digit, as the model 30 didn't debut until the serial numbers had progressed into the 4 digit range. If it were #744, it would be a late '33 or early '34 example anyway. So... we'll assume the number is #7446. The Gretsch sequential serial number system was re-started after the war, so that why the resource you consulted attribute that serial number to 1953. Your guitar is a pre-war model, and #7446 corresponds to circa 1941, right were I would expect it to! Not only do the larger f-holes support that, BUT I mentioned the model 30 was known to have the more traditional "shaded sunburst"... well that feature began just after #7500, with the couple of model 30 examples I've documented that are earlier than yours still having the violin finish. So it falls in perfectly! You would be accurate in saying that your Model 30 is a 1941 example. Great datapoint for my research. Many thanks!