(Used) 1940s Vintage Gretsch New Yorker Tenor Banjo #1MCA

Stepping directly out of the post-WWII big band and jazz era, this mid-1940s Gretsch New Yorker tenor banjo is a fantastic, punchy piece of Brooklyn-born musical history. In Good Condition, there is checking on the back, as well as some patina on the metal parts of the banjo. The tuners seem to have been replaced. As part of Gretsch's famously dependable New Yorker line, this 19-fret four-string model was engineered to deliver raw projection and reliable performance for ensemble rhythm work. It serves as a beautiful representation of a working-class jazz-age instrument, stripped of overly fussy cosmetic binding but packed with a distinct aesthetic identity and structural longevity that makes it an immediate standout.

The percussive power of this tenor centers around its unique multi-ply wood rim configuration, which focuses the initial pick attack into a remarkably dry, crisp bark that cuts straight through a busy acoustic mix. The shorter 19-fret scale length offers a highly comfortable, fast-moving canvas for traditional jazz chord changes, Celtic single-note fiddle melodies, or old-time backing rhythms. This lightweight yet visually assertive construction ensures maximum mid-range pop, creating an organic sustain and classic vintage decay that modern multi-ply reproductions struggle to mirror.

The maple neck feels fast and structurally true, pairing excellently with a worn-in fingerboard that features classic dot fret markers and a comfortable left-hand profile. Up at the headstock, the instrument features its iconic white pearloid "mother-of-toilet-seat" veneer overlay, matching the bold, industrial visual design language Gretsch championed throughout the mid-century. Retaining its essential original metal appointments and robust tension hoop, this New Yorker comes fully vetted through our shop to guarantee historical authenticity and immediate playability for its next owner.

SPECS
Body Shape: 11" Resonator Tenor Banjo, 
Top: Banjo Head
Back and Sides: Maple Resonator
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Bracing: Coordinator Rods
Bridge: Maple with Ebony Cap
Tuners: Replacement Global Tuners
Finish: Sunburst Lacquer
Nut Material: Bone
Scale Length: 23"

Notice: This is a used item. While we do a basic cleaning and setup before shipping, we are unable to make any modifications to, or guarantees of condition, and or history, outside of what we have personally found, or been informed of by the original owner, which will be included in the description.

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