JuanCarlosVejar Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Description Although Gibson generally focused on mass-produced models, customers could special order one-of-a-kind instruments from the company just like they could from an individual luthier like John D’Angelico or Charles and Elmer Stromberg. This is one such example of the kind of custom guitars that a few players had Gibson make for them. According to Gibson’s shipping ledgers, the factory order number 346A was for a batch of guitars coded S-2, which were Roy Smeck Radio Grande models. This custom-made guitar was apparently part of that production batch, as it also has the same slope-shoulder body shape and setup for Hawaiian-style playing as the Radio Grande. However, that is where the similarity pretty much ends, as the remainder of the features are all derived from Gibson’s top-of-the-line Super 400 model introduced only one year earlier in 1934. That makes this the only Super 400-style flattop Gibson guitar ever made. Like a Super 400, this guitar has a five-piece split-diamond headstock inlay with a similar three-piece diamond on the headstock’s rear, split-block fretboard inlays, mottled pickguard, and generous amounts of multi-layer binding. The back and sides are also maple whereas the Radio Grande would have had rosewood. The neck heel cap on the back is even engraved with the word “Super” in the same style lettering as the Super 400. The only significant difference is this guitar’s gold-plated Grover Imperial tuners with stairstep buttons, which are an improvement over the open gear G-98s found on the Super 400 archtop at this time. In addition to the FON stamped on the neck block, an additional label affixed inside the guitar by its original owner verifies its age. The label reads, “Howard Cranford, Dec. 14, ’35, Tulsa”. This guitar also pre-dates Ray Whitley’s similarly appointed SJ-200 custom, long considered the first SJ-200, by about two years. Is it possible that Whitley knew Cranford, saw this guitar, and used it as inspiration for his own custom guitar? Other than this guitar’s Hawaiian setup, the similarity between the two is uncanny. This guitar previously appeared on page 157 of George Gruhn’s book Acoustic Guitars and Other Fretted Instruments. FON: 346A stamp on neck block Top: Spruce, sunburst finish Back and sides: Maple Neck: Maple with mahogany center strip Fretboard: Ebony Frets: 19 Bridge/tailpiece: Rectangular rosewood pin Tuners: Gold-plated Grover Imperial with stairstep buttons JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubengal1954 Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Ah, yes - The Super Smeck. One can get lost in that three dimensional pickguard: JC Looking at the photo of the back of the neck, the fretting hand begins to tremble, just a little. Unfortunately/fortunately, it has no "frets". JT could share the existence of a Smeck that's almost as rare. Thanks for posting those fine images. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Most interesting. I guess it's great that it's never been converted, but unless your interest is Hawaiian-style playing, it's an art object rather than a player's guitar. The problem is that the guitar is unique, so you wouldn't dare change the way it's set up to make it playable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubengal1954 Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Most interesting. I guess it's great that it's never been converted, but unless your interest is Hawaiian-style playing, it's an art object rather than a player's guitar. The problem is that the guitar is unique, so you wouldn't dare change the way it's set up to make it playable. I understand the logic of this, but if the tone is what I think it may be I'd seriously consider the conversion. Not interested in the art, I wanna play that baby! Of course it's moot point. I'm pretty sure I'll never own this guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted March 5, 2016 Author Share Posted March 5, 2016 I understand the logic of this, but if the tone is what I think it may be I'd seriously consider the conversion. Not interested in the art, I wanna play that baby! Of course it's moot point. I'm pretty sure I'll never own this guitar. Ahh but maybe Gibson Montana could replicate this baby for us (only mod being a flat-top neck). And release it as a Limited Edition or something similar =D JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Great idea, Juan Carlos. Couldn't imagine this guitar in maple. Suppose it's deep bodied like the other Smecks? Stop the presses! Have a look at this "sold" listing at Schoenberg's: (link) The guitar was (?) converted, and SOLD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubengal1954 Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Great idea, Juan Carlos. Couldn't imagine this guitar in maple. Suppose it's deep bodied like the other Smecks? Stop the presses! Have a look at this "sold" listing at Schoenberg's: (link) The guitar was (?) converted, and SOLD. Wow! Someone owns this baby and it has been converted? Lucky dog. And Juan Carlos yes, a reissue of this would be very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Great idea, Juan Carlos. Couldn't imagine this guitar in maple. Suppose it's deep bodied like the other Smecks? Stop the presses! Have a look at this "sold" listing at Schoenberg's: (link) The guitar was (?) converted, and SOLD. 2 1/16" (52.5mm) at the nut. That's wider than my classical, which has a pretty shallow neck to go with the wide nut. Hope this buyer has big hands! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Schoenberg had this priced at $65,000.00. I wonder if he got that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 2 1/16" (52.5mm) at the nut. That's wider than my classical, which has a pretty shallow neck to go with the wide nut. Hope this buyer has big hands! I've got an old Oahu getting converted. I thinks it's going to be rather wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 I've got an old Oahu getting converted. I thinks it's going to be rather wide. The conversions I have seen on these old Smecks heave ended up with massive necks, even when they are re-shaped. Tom Barnwell posted a video (I think it was David Dugas playing)of a converted Smeck--one of Tom's, I presume--and Dugas commented on the rather large size of the neck. I was surprised to see the Super Smeck with a truss rod. I don't think most of them had that; they didn't need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted March 6, 2016 Author Share Posted March 6, 2016 The conversions I have seen on these old Smecks heave ended up with massive necks, even when they are re-shaped. Tom Barnwell posted a video (I think it was David Dugas playing)of a converted Smeck--one of Tom's, I presume--and Dugas commented on the rather large size of the neck. I was surprised to see the Super Smeck with a truss rod. I don't think most of them had that; they didn't need it. A "double baseball bat neck" ???? JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Damn Juan, that is a Smeck to be reckoned with! A Heck of a Smeck! ....now , I am a wreck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullmental Alpinist Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Although Gibson generally focused on mass-produced models, customers could special order one-of-a-kind instruments from the company. Good thing they stopped that practice. Ain't nobody alive today who would want to order a custom Gibson. Think of all the money they've saved.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 The guitar belongs to a friend. At some point, I'll report back on how it sounds and plays. I find those original size Smeck necks quite playable, though the thumb over is a bit difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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