1969 Gretsch Van Eps 7 String Sunburst
SOLD!
Who buys vintage guitars? We do!
Call 530-570-1525 or email sales@maharsvintageguitars.com to sell your vintage guitar, bass, amplifier, etc - one piece or a collection! We are always ready to buy instruments, amps and effects from Fender, Gibson, Martin, Epiphone, Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Marshall, Vox and just about anything else related to musical instruments.
Here we have a rare Gretsch Van Eps model, named for George Van Eps, the father of the 7 string guitar.
In the 1930s, George invented a model of guitar with another bass string added to the common six-string guitar. The seven-string guitar allowed him to play basslines below his chord voicings, unlike the single-string style of Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt. He called his technique "lap piano". He played with the likes of Benny Goodman and continued as a performer and studio musician for nearly 60 years.
The first thing that surprised me about this guitar is the action, which is surprisingly low and level in spite of the 7 beefy strings.
The guitar has seen some work. Gretsch guitars of this era are notorious for "binding rot", when the binding starts to offgas and decompose, leaving behind a crumbled, nasty mess. The binding on the guitar has been replaced. The work is tricky, and it wasn't done perfectly by any stretch, but it is a vast improvement over a guitar with binding falling off everywhere.
The neck appears to have been reset as well, addressing another common issue with Gretsch guitars from the period.
The bridge has been changed, but the original tuning fork bridge is in the original case. The handle on the case is missing.
The frets appear to be professionally replaced, show little wear, and they received a nice polishing here in our shop.
All parts except those noted are original to the guitar.
The strings are not the greatest. We'll restring it once we can get appropriate gauges in stock.
The guitar and case are large - shipping will be expensive.
Shipping policy:
Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.
Color: Sunburst
Weight: 8lbs 12.1ozs
Top: Maple
Body: Maple
Neck: Maple
Neck Profile:
Fretboard: Ebony
Inlays: Acrylic Thumbs
Frets: Replaced showing very little play wear and now with a fresh polish!
Fret count: 21
Nut material: Zero fret
Nut width: 2 1/8"
Scale: 25.5"
Radius: 9.5"
Neck thickness at 1st fret: 0.83"
Neck thickness at 10th fret: 0.92"
Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 1.5mm
Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 1.75mm
Total length: 44.75"
Lower bout: 17"
Waist: 10.25"
Upper bout: 12"
Body depth/thickness: 2 11/16"
String gauge: .013-.086"
Hardware Color: Gold
Bridge Pickup Brand: OEM
Bridge Pickup Reading: 6.87k
Pickup Original?: Yes
Neck Pickup Brand: OEM
Neck Pickup Reading: 5.29k
Pickup Original?: Yes
Bridge: Replaced with an ebony bridge, incomplete original in case.
Tuners: Original
Switches: Original
Pots/Codes: Original
Case: OHSC
Notes: Top and back binding has been replaced, non-original truss rod cover with second set of holes (hidden), neck heel/body repair.
Buyer to pay prior to shipment via Paypal, wire transfer, credit card or other electronic means. Payment must clear before shipping. Certified checks and trades are accepted, however checks must clear before we will ship and trades must be received here and evaluated prior to shipment of our item.
All orders ship within three business days of the receipt of an order, usually faster. Tracking information will be automatically forwarded to all buyers. Buyers must retain all shipping materials in the event a return is necessary.
Returns accepted if the purchaser responds within 48 hours of receipt of an item and there is a discrepancy relating to the condition or originality of an item. Returns are not accepted for items that do not meet the needs or sonic tastes of clients due to the subjective nature, unless such concern is stated prior to the purchase. Any return for reasons other than incorrect advertising of condition or originality on the part of Mahar's Vintage Guitars shall be the responsibility of the buyer, which shall result in the buyer paying all shipping costs (to and from) their location.