Gretsch Burl Ives Junior 1954 | SOLD | (v2128) Burl Ives was a radio, stage and film performer who became quite popular beginning in the 1930s and continuing through the 1980s. Musically he focused on traditional ballads ..aka 'folk songs'.. and he's best remembered for his rendition of The Blue Tail Fly, among others. Infamously, he was associated with the likes of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, who for a time were black-listed as 'commies'. With his media presence, Burl will surely be remembered as one of the influencers of the folk boom of the 1950s. While he was mostly seen playing a Martin guitar, it appears that he wangled an endorsement deal with Gretsch in the 1950s. The Burl Ives Junior was aimed at the 'everyman' player, built in relatively plain, unadorned fashion, but features a bright Gretsch label inside with a smiling Burl Ives.
Although modest in appointments, the 'Junior' features quality materials and construction. Top, back and sides are solid 'ribbon' mahogany. The neck is mahogany and features a radiused Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and a Gretsch Burl Ives logo on the head stock. The top is ladder braced with a teardrop faux tortoise pick guard. The top is bound in white celluloid and the sound hole features multiple b/w/b purfling rings. The bridge is Brazilian rosewood with a straigh-cut, through saddle. The tuners are individual-style and feature white buttons. The heal is capped in white celluloid.
The body measures 13 3/8" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25 1/4". The fingerboard measures 1 11/16" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 5/16" across at the saddle. The neck is carved in a 'C' shape.
Prior repairs include two glued top cracks. We recently reset the neck, reglued the bridge, a few braces and the pick guard. The guitar shows wear from playing and age. There is a small spot of what looks like glue smear between the pg and bridge and a small ding in the top binding at the upper treble bout. Overall, a very solid and original condition guitar .. it appears that only the bridge pins and saddle are replacements.
The action is set at ~ 6/64 and the guitar plays well. The mahogany body and ladder bracing produce a boxy, dry sound with a nice ring and sustain. It's a nice finger picking guitar but pushed with a flat pick it can get quite loud, especially in the mid range!
Comes with a soft case.
Check out the sound clip!
Although modest in appointments, the 'Junior' features quality materials and construction. Top, back and sides are solid 'ribbon' mahogany. The neck is mahogany and features a radiused Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and a Gretsch Burl Ives logo on the head stock. The top is ladder braced with a teardrop faux tortoise pick guard. The top is bound in white celluloid and the sound hole features multiple b/w/b purfling rings. The bridge is Brazilian rosewood with a straigh-cut, through saddle. The tuners are individual-style and feature white buttons. The heal is capped in white celluloid.
The body measures 13 3/8" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25 1/4". The fingerboard measures 1 11/16" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 5/16" across at the saddle. The neck is carved in a 'C' shape.
Prior repairs include two glued top cracks. We recently reset the neck, reglued the bridge, a few braces and the pick guard. The guitar shows wear from playing and age. There is a small spot of what looks like glue smear between the pg and bridge and a small ding in the top binding at the upper treble bout. Overall, a very solid and original condition guitar .. it appears that only the bridge pins and saddle are replacements.
The action is set at ~ 6/64 and the guitar plays well. The mahogany body and ladder bracing produce a boxy, dry sound with a nice ring and sustain. It's a nice finger picking guitar but pushed with a flat pick it can get quite loud, especially in the mid range!
Comes with a soft case.
Check out the sound clip!