Gibson Cromwell G-4 Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1935)
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Gibson Cromwell G-4 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (1935), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 373A-82, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black gig bag case.
This Cromwell-branded G-4 model is a well-worn but surprisingly good sounding pre-war arch top guitar built by Gibson for distribution by various different wholesalers. These were basically similar to the Kalamazoo line, intended to be used as a "House Brand" by both Gibson dealers and outside jobbers. The "Cromwell' brand was introduced in 1935 and used up through the end of the decade on a variety of "house brand" instruments sold by large jobbers such as Continental, Jenkins, Grossman and many more.
The G-4 was the most basic arch-top in the Cromwell line, a 16" wide F-hole guitar built on a solid wood body with a pressed ("Arco-Arched" in Gibson-speak) top and back and no adjustable truss rod. This first-year model was built in 1935 according to the Factory Order Number (FON) stamped on the inside back under the treble F-hole. There is single layer binding on the body and a distinctive celluloid stripe running up the dot-inlaid fingerboard. The headstock is a slightly peaked shape with a white stenciled "CROMWELL" logo on the face. The tailpiece and adjustable rosewood bridge are the same used on lower-grade Gibsons.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This nearly 90 year old guitar has seen a lot of use but still plays well and sounds better than many might expect. The all-original finish has a lot of typical general wear, with checking, dings dents and scrapes overall and some heavier moisture wear and flaking mostly to the upper side. The back of the neck has some wear through the finish in the first position and small dings and dents, but nothing too distracting when playing. The tuners are modern repros and the pickguard is long gone but the bridge and tailpiece remain original. A strap button has been added at the heel. The frets have been recrowned and are fairly low but still play well. This won't replace anyone's L-5 or D'Angelico but is a good knock around pre-war archtop ready to gig in a modern foam gig bag/case. Very Good Condition.
This Cromwell-branded G-4 model is a well-worn but surprisingly good sounding pre-war arch top guitar built by Gibson for distribution by various different wholesalers. These were basically similar to the Kalamazoo line, intended to be used as a "House Brand" by both Gibson dealers and outside jobbers. The "Cromwell' brand was introduced in 1935 and used up through the end of the decade on a variety of "house brand" instruments sold by large jobbers such as Continental, Jenkins, Grossman and many more.
The G-4 was the most basic arch-top in the Cromwell line, a 16" wide F-hole guitar built on a solid wood body with a pressed ("Arco-Arched" in Gibson-speak) top and back and no adjustable truss rod. This first-year model was built in 1935 according to the Factory Order Number (FON) stamped on the inside back under the treble F-hole. There is single layer binding on the body and a distinctive celluloid stripe running up the dot-inlaid fingerboard. The headstock is a slightly peaked shape with a white stenciled "CROMWELL" logo on the face. The tailpiece and adjustable rosewood bridge are the same used on lower-grade Gibsons.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This nearly 90 year old guitar has seen a lot of use but still plays well and sounds better than many might expect. The all-original finish has a lot of typical general wear, with checking, dings dents and scrapes overall and some heavier moisture wear and flaking mostly to the upper side. The back of the neck has some wear through the finish in the first position and small dings and dents, but nothing too distracting when playing. The tuners are modern repros and the pickguard is long gone but the bridge and tailpiece remain original. A strap button has been added at the heel. The frets have been recrowned and are fairly low but still play well. This won't replace anyone's L-5 or D'Angelico but is a good knock around pre-war archtop ready to gig in a modern foam gig bag/case. Very Good Condition.