Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe (1938)
Vintage
Description
We like nothing more than when an old players-grade Gibson walks through the door. And this 1938 Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe looks nothing like the original but it sounds incredible. The Stage Deluxe was Gibson's first jumbo-bodied Hawaiian dreadnought (see our Gibson HG-00) and everything about it is huge: the body, the neck, and the tone. However, the numerous repairs done to this example make it a lot more playable. The neck was reset at some point and carved down to a comfortable V-shape with a 1 3/4" nut. The original sunburst finish was stripped down to natural and then some sensible repair tech decided to apply a thin, spirit varnish(?) to the whole body, thankfully preserving some of that authentic, chunky Gibson tone. The bridge and bridge plate are shockingly still the original, once again maintaining much of this old hoss' openness and clarity.
This is the kind of guitar that will push you out of any musical ruts you happened to be in. It forces you to play differently and will hopefully guide you into new--or old-- musical directions. If you are at all concerned about nut width, neck profile, or string spacing, this guitar is not for you:-)
Specs
- 1 3/4" nut
- 24.9" Scale
- 2 3/8" Bridge spacing
- Deep V Neck Profile
Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.
Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.
Pricing
We price vintage instruments using current market trends and our extensive in-house sales history, ensuring each piece is accurately valued and fairly positioned.
Tasteful Restoration
When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.
Accurate Listings
Every vintage guitar we list is authenticated by our seasoned team and photographed in high detail, with clear, honest descriptions that show exactly what you’re buying - no surprises.
Shipping
With decades of experience shipping high-value guitars, we know how to pack and protect vintage instruments so they arrive exactly as they should: safe, sound, and ready to play.