Gretsch Red River Dave New Yorker 1947 -Piece of Country & Western History

Red River Dave 1947 Special Artist Series Archtop Guitar

For sale is a piece of Country & Western music history.  In 1947, Gretsch selected the popular Country & Western singer/songwriter Red River Dave McEnery for one of its earliest artist series guitar.  We are only aware of two prototypes manufactured.  Ultimately, Gretsch did not roll out this series.The serial number stamped on the reverse side of the headstock appears to read S1731.

Red River Dave McEnery (1914-2002) was born in San Antonio, Texas and was a leader in The Swift Cowboys. He wrote and sang socially relevant songs such as "Amelia Earhart's Last Flight," "Ballad of Emmett Till," and "The California Hippy Murders" (about the Manson murders.) He broadcasted from the 1939 World's Fair and worked for WOR in New York City. There is a 90 minute oral history podcast on the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum.

As stamped on the inside of this guitar, it is constructed with the Gretsch Superstructure build similar to Gretsch New Yorkers from the late 1930's to the late 1940's. The guitar has a nice woody tone that shines in cowboy chords. The string height at the 12th fret: Low E 5/32" and High E 4/32". The tailpiece, tuning machines, and bridge appear original. While the pickguard, binding and frets were replaced. The guitar had a neck reset and plays nicely.  There is nitrocellulose lacquer over spray related to the binding replacement and crack repairs.

Other specifications:

Guitar length: 41"

Body length: 20.75"

Body depth: 3.5"

Lower bout: 16.25"

Upper bout: 12"

Waist: 10.25"

Scale: 24.75"

Nut: 1.75"

String spacing at the bridge: 2 5/32"