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  • Tenor Guitars



        


    Latest Arrivals

    TG - 00112 Ca. 1940 Lark Jr. Archtop Tenor Guitar     EXC -   Here a deep bodied (4 " deep and 15 3/4" Lower Bout) archtop tenor that sounds great with lots of warmth to the tone and is in splendid condition and quite unusual. The sunburst spruce top has just a few scratches and the mahogany back has one small area of finish flaking and the sides are in beautiful shape. The Brazilian rosewood fingerboard has mother of pearl 1/8th note inlays. The body is bound with wonderful tortoise - oid binding. Original tuning pegs work fine. "Lark Junior" is inlayed in pearl on the headstock. And, of course, there is The Lark itself to admire. This is a fun guitar to play and it sounds great. Chipboard case.
    Price:   $1695.00

    TG - 00111 1937 Gibson EST- 150 Electric Archtop Tenor Guitar     EXC   but for one solidly repaired crack in the mahogany back. This is a great sounding classic with original sunburst top and Charlie Christian pickup. It plays really smoothly with a nice acoustic sound as well as electric. Original tuning pegs. Gibson script on the headstock. Love the one brown and one black knobs. Takes a standard 1/4" guitar cord in the original end pin hole. And it has the way cool racing stripe original hard shell case in pretty good shape but the center latch is kaput. Lower Bout = 16"   Nut Width = 1 3/16"   Scale Length = 23"
    Price:   $3350.00

    TG - 00110 ca. 1931 Gibson TG-0 Custom     EXC   Never say "never" when talking about Gibson oddities. This one may have been a custom order and appears to be a TG-0 with a TB-2 style pearloid fingerboard. Crack free mahogany top and sides and just one minor hairline crack in the back that doesn't appear to go all the way through the wood. Original Grover tuning pegs (except for one old Grover that is not identical to the others) and a nice matching truss rod cover on the headstock. End pin looks original and the bridge may or may not be. The fingerboard is elevated. Another interesting thing about this guitar is that it appears to have a walnut neck (like a TB-2 would) and the heel seems to have been constructed out of two pieces. The neck appears to have been entirely finished in black originally perhaps to cover the two piece heel. The entire instrument has been refinished except for the headstock front and back and has a semi gloss finish now that looks and feels good. Lower Bout = 14 3/4"     Scale Length = 23"     Nut Width = 1 5/32"     The case looks like it's from the early sixties. This guitar plays nicely, sounds great and is certainly unusual if not unique.
    Price:   $1750.00


    TG - 00106 1933 Gibson TG-7 Archtop Tenor Guitar     EXC   A full 16" carved archtop body with the standard 23" scale tenor neck that plays great and sounds incredible. A little play wear but no cracks or issues and a fresh neck set with a great neck angle for any type of action you want. Sunburst spruce top and mahogany sides with figured mahogany (or maybe birch?) back. Fleur de Lys inlay on the headstock and Nick Lucas style inlays in the fingerboard which is elevated. Original two band Grover tuning pegs, original tailpiece and adjustable bridge and pickguard. The label is in fine shape and displays Serial # 91149. And it has the original if a bit tattered green plush lined hard shell case which would bring a pretty penny on it's own no doubt.
    Price:   $4250.00

    TG - 00104 1932 Martin 0-18 T Shaded Top     EXC+   A beautiful and powerful sounding example of this classic model. Check it out on it's Museum page in the tenor guitar secion of The Museum. Sunburst spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Crack free and plays wonderfully. Serial # 50132   Original Hard Shell Case is a bit worn but a gem itself.
    Price:   $3750.00

    TG - 00103 1933 National Triolian Tenor Guitar     EXC +   This has got to be just about the nicest National Tenor guitar ever! But you've gotta like green ! Take the original hard shell case for instance ... pretty nice .... pretty green. And the action is low and it notes true and clear, sounds great, and plays easy. There is just a bit of wear on the top edges and the top and the back are in amazing condition with that classic Hawaiian scene on the back. The green / orange sunburst is more of a 'swirlburst' especially on the back of the neck. The headstock bears no label and no evidence of there ever having been one which while not common on these old Nationals is not unusual either. Original tuning pegs work fine. Serial number 1682 P is stamped into the top of the peghead. Original bridge, tailpiece, cone, etc. all are in fine shape. No rattling or buzzing. So sweet.
    Price:   $3750.00

    TG - 00101 1929 - 30 Gibson TG-1 Tenor Guitar     VG +   The quintessential Gibson tenor from the late 20's - early 30's with the Mastertone Banjo inlay in the headstock and the beautiful 'argentine' sunburst on the crack free top that has a shadow of a previously installed pickguard. And that classic beautifully grained vintage mahogany on the sides and back. The back has three well repaired hairlines (hard to see) and there is also one on the treble side. Original end pin and original Grover pancake tuning pegs. The bridge is original and it looks like perhaps the original owner might have put the ancient screws in it just for 'safekeeping' they are so old. And we also have the original hard shell case which is in pretty good shape but the back hinges are broken and there is a little break in the back at the top.
    Price:   $1795.00


    Gibson Tenor Guitars

    TG - 00086 1928 Gibson Nick Lucas Tenor Guitar     EXC -   I've only seen a handful of these and this one plays really well and sounds wonderful. Lower Bout = 14 7/8"   Upper Bout = 10 3/16"   Nut Width = 1 5/32"   Body Depth is 4 5/16" to 4 3/4".   Classic tight sunburst original finish spruce top has one repaired little hairline about 1 3/4" long coming up from the bottom and what appears to be an original custom ordered pickguard. The mahogany back has a hard to see 6 1/2" repaired hairline coming down from the top. Those are finish cracks you see around the end pin and they don't appear to go through the wood. The sides are crack free. The lovely slender heel is accentuated by the added body depth. Original Grover tuning pegs and pearl horizontal "The Gibson" inlaid in the headstock. The label is splendidly intact. The green lined hard shell case may actually be original as it fits it quite nicely but the handle has come unattached at one end.
    Price:   $8500.00

    TG - 00082 1950 Gibson Custom L-7 T Blonde with Bow Tie Inlays     EXC +   - Check it out on its page in The Museum. It's an early 1950 as evidenced by the dot being connected to the "G" on the headstock inlay which also has the open "o" and open "g" and the lower connection to the "n". Plus the headstock gets thinner at it's end which stopped in mid 1950. Plus the serial number is A (probably but almost completely obliterated) 5286 which puts it in early 1950.   17" Lower bout, bow tie inlays just like a banjo (had to be custom ordered like the Tsumura ES-175 - DT Special) and nice maple back and sides with a big bold sound. Newer hard shell case.
    Price:   $7500.00

    TG - 00067 1942 Gibson ETG-150 Electric Archtop Tenor Guitar     EXC   This is a rare example of the early transitional pickup as Gibson improved on the large and cumbersome Charlie Christian blade pickup moving toward the P-90. This one has four adjustable screw/poles. We've got the classic Gibson sunburst top and maple back and sides, all crack free. Finish is original as are all parts including the Kluson Deluxe tuning pegs. Fat and funky pearl Gibson script inlaid in the headstock. Nice and clean with light normal wear even around the jack area. And ... great old original hard shell case that is a bit beat but worth a bundle these days as it is also appropriate for a 16" L-5 or a D-28 of similar vintage. This guitar plays and sounds fantastic and the neck is straight and the frets are good.
    Price:   $3850.00

    TG - 00065 1929 - 30 Gibson PG-1 Long Neck Plectrum Guitar     EXC   Except for some ancient adhesive tape of some sort that I am reluctant to try and remove on the otherwise lovely mahogany crack free back. THIS GUITAR HAS 17 FRETS TO THE BODY giving wonderful and luxurious access to the upper frets (all 22 of them). I've had nice 30's Gibson plectrum guitars before but this is the first I've seen with the long neck and it is also a fantastic sounding instrument and plays just fine. Looks like the center seam on the top has been repaired with maybe another hairline or finish crack almost impossible to see next to it but they're both nice and smooth and the finish is original. Style 3 banjo inlays in the headstock and original Grover 'pancake' tuning pegs. Also, it has retained the rare original (albeit beat up pretty badly) soft shell case with the necessary long neck. The neck is straight with slight relief and frets have only light wear. I've got it tuned C G B D like a plectrum banjo ... sounds great.
    Nut Width = 1 3/16"     Scale Length = 26 1/2"     Lower Bout = 12 3/4"     Number stamped on neck block is   9625.
    Price:   $3450.00

    TG - 00070 1932 Gibson TG- 50 Roundhole Archtop Tenor Guitar     VG+   This guitar actually departs from the TG-50 specs in that the body is larger. It is 19 1/2 " long whereas the other round hole TG-50's I've seen (like the other one) have shorter 17 1/2" bodies with the same 14 3/4 inch lower bout. Perhaps it is a custom ordered L-3 T? Anyway with it's nice sunburst spruce top and mahogany back and sides, and elevated fingerboard it gives a nice big full sound. Good straight neck, good frets and nice action and the heel looks like the neck has never been reset. There's one hairline right over a brace next to the bass side of the fingerboard and a long finish hairline that doesn't go all the way through. Crack free other than that and this thing really sounds sweet. Original Grover pancake tuners and pearl inlaid "Gibson" in the truss rodded headstock. No case.
    Price:   $1695.00


    Martin Tenor Guitars

    TG - 00056 1927 Martin 5-21 T Tenor Guitar     EXC -   Talk about bang for the buck in sound versus size ... this puppy has got it. Small but potent. The slightly shorter 22 1/2 inch scale length is very comfortable and it plays fine with it's original bar frets in the ebony fingerboard. Crack free spruce top and brazilian rosewood back with a couple of repaired cracks that don't show in the photo. There is a little minor crunched spot on the very bottom that is a shame indeed but quite stable and not a structural threat. Rosewood peghead veneer and original Grover tuning pegs. No case.
    Price:   $3250.00   Reduced:   Now   $2850.00


    Other Tenor Guitars

    TG - 00100 2003 Tenor Stratocaster     EXC +++   There's one little nick in the finish near the neck pocket but other than that it's almost mint. I had this one made by Joel Eckhaus in 2003 using a stock strat body and Joel built and fitted the neck. Only the inner four poles are used and this gives it a wonderful balance with no 'over prominent bass tones' on the low string from which many electric tenor guitars suffer. It plays fantastically and sounds just like a strat ... well, a tenor strat. White pickguard and electronics on a black body and we found a Fender logo to put on the headstock (shhh!) and standard type tuning pegs. You'll be the only one on the block with a 'tenor strat' and I've had many people come up at gigs be convinced it was a 'real Fender'. Standard 23" scale length. Gig bag.
    Price:   $2250.00

    TG - 00097 1928 National Style 2 Tri Cone Tenor Guitar     EXC -   Very nice example of a fairly rare instrument. The top is beautifully engraved with the Wild Irish Rose pattern as are the back and the sides. Lovely laminated peghead overlay with slightly worn National decal. Planet 5 Star tuning pegs. Plays really well with replacement cover plate from National and neck reset by Mark Shoenberg. No case.
    Price:   $2495.00

    TG - 00047 1935 ca. Washburn (Tonk Bros.) Tenor Guitar     EXC -   Style 5227   Serial # 366   Lower Bout = 13 5/8 "     This is one honkin' little tenor. Big full punchy sound from the X-Braced dark sunburst spruce top. Sunburst mahogany back and sides and great playing mahogany neck with fancy pearl inlays in the ebony fingerboard and a 1 1/4" nut width. Elegant pearl inlaid "WASHBURN" script in the headstock and beautiful original Page Patent tuning pegs. No case.
    Price:   $2195.00

    TG - 00044 1928 Weissenborn Tenor Guitar     EXC   A rare and beautiful little tenor guitar with a big sound. Fun to play. Beautiful book matched Koa wood top as well as back and sides. Banjo style headstock with original Waverly pancake tuning pegs. Weissenborn stamped label is clearly readable through the soundhole.
    Total length: 32"     Scale length: 22 3/4" (19 frets)     Nut Width: 1 5/32"     Body length: 15 3/4"     Upper bout: 8 3/8"     Waist: 7"     Lower bout: 12"     Body depth: 3 1/4" to 3 5/8"     X-Braced !!     No case.
    Price:   $2195.00

    To contact Players Vintage Instruments, e-mail us at info@vintageinstruments.com
    Or telephone:  415-669-1107   West Coast Time
    Or write to: Box 445, Inverness, Ca. 94937
    Lowell Levinger - Proprietor


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