Gibson Army Navy Special Model GY around 1920 - Sheraton brown

This guitar was crafted specifically for American servicemen during World War 1 and was intended for sale at the local PX. These instruments are quite scarce and have often seen considerable use, much like the one presented here. This guitar boasts a fascinating history and remains not only interesting but also highly playable, producing a quality sound.

It was manufactured between 1918 and 1921 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The neck features mahogany with an unbound ebony fingerboard, presenting a distinct V profile. The headstock, does not have any decoration or logos, does, however, exhibit the characteristic Gibson 'open-book' design. The neck joins the body at the 13th fret, and it has a 24.25″ scale length with a 1.75″ nut width.

The frets on this instrument appear to be original. The body is constructed with a spruce top and maple back and sides, lacking any binding. The top is slightly arched but not carved, displaying considerable play wear. It measures 13 1/2″ wide, and the original finish was named 'Sheraton Brown.'

In terms of hardware/electronics, the guitar retains its original bridge and period tailpiece, while one of the three tuners per side has been replaced and functions well. In terms of playability/action, it performs reasonably well and cleanly. These guitars are known for their period-chunky V neck profile, making them well-suited for early fingerstyle tunes. The non-original case is included with the guitar.