Description
The G. E. Smith Vintage Guitar/Amp Collection
If you have ever watched the Saturday Night Live band back some of the greatest names in music, then you probably saw G.E. Smith on guitar. G.E. has been THE rock-steady guitar sound behind SNL, Hall & Oates, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, MoonAlice and many more.
Recently, G.E. had been thinking about selling some of the gear he'd collected during his long career. While looking for an established, knowledgeable and trusted buyer, he ran across our shop and liked what he saw. After checking out the store's bona fides, he decided to touch base with John Majdalani, Cream City Music store co-owner and head vintage buyer.
Fortunately, John and G.E. hit it off immediately, and G.E. asked John to come out east to see, in person, the portion of his collection he was no longer using. When John arrived at G.E.'s, he was invited down to the basement, and they spent the next 8 hours deep-diving through the whole thing: amps then guitars--all the while jibber-jabbering about gear, life, food and rock'n'roll war stories.
The collection turned out to be a total of 60 pieces--roughly 30 guitars and 30 amps...an astonishing wealth of great vintage gear. At the end of the long day, as John was packing everything into the truck, G.E. sat on the tailgate and played a goodbye tune on his old, trustworthy 1960 Black Beauty Les Paul.
Most of the collection is currently at Cream City Music and consists of some of the most extraordinary vintage pieces we have seen in many years. If you're in the area, it's truly worth a visit to the store to see this gear. If you can't make here though, take a look at our website and social media over the next few weeks to see these items as they are posted for sale.
What makes this guitar special: Another exceptional piece from G.E.’s collection, free from any cracks, breaks, or repairs, and in remarkable shape for its age. A rare Pre-War tenor, this 5-17T has a beautiful voice a very comfortable neck profile that sits nicely in hand. The angle is great for its age, and plays easily up and down the length of the fingerboard. Professionally inspected and setup by the experts at Cream City Music, so it’s ready to go right out of the case!
Cosmetic condition: Terrific shape, with some standard playwear throughout. Various scratches, dents, dings, nicks, chips, and scuffs are present, along with some visible pickwear and finish checking.
Body: Solid mahogany body in natural finish with two-ring rosette and tortoise pickguard. Rosewood bridge and white bridge pins.
Weight: 2 lb, 3 oz
Neck: Rounded mahogany neck with aged white side dots and white dot inlays. Brazilian rosewood fingerboard is in great shape, and frets have a lot of life left. Original Grover Pat. Pending tuners function as they should. Rosewood headstock overlay and gold Martin logo. 1 5/16” nut width, 23” scale length. Neck is straight and plays great up and down the length of the instrument.
Case: Original hard shell case included.
