C. 1930 Trujo
1930 Trujo Style C in very good condition. Made by Gibson for the Trujo Banjo company of San Francisco just as the Great Depression was heating up. This is the only extant example of this model. Of the other brands Gibson produced guitars for in the late 1920s and early 1930s Trujo is among the rarest. A few examples of the mahogany style A have come to market and at least two of the rosewood style B, this is the only known example of this highest trim Trujo. It features impeccable straight grain, quarter-sawn, solid Brazilian rosewood of a quality you would expect to see on a 45 style Martin of the era. The top is Adirondack spruce with a mahogany neck, Brazilian rosewood finger-board and bridge. The guitar is crack free! The fingerboard is adorned with a unique inlay pattern similar to the Nick Lucas models but not seen elsewhere. The body and neck feature pearloid trim and the headstock has a unique and handsome shield design in celluloid. The tuners are gold plated Grover planetary, original and good working order. The nut width is 1 13/16”, neck profile is a very comfortable rounded shape 0.90” deep at the 1st fret. Weight is 3.24lbs. The bracing is traditional Gibson X and about as light as it gets, comparable to many Kels we have had as well as some L-2s. This guitar is essentially all original having only seen a neck reset performed by Tom and a french polished top in its nearly 100 year history. A previous owner had painted the edges of the bridge with silver metallic paint (as if it wasn’t fancy enough) the addition caused some discoloration around the bridge. The original frets are in like new condition because this guitar was played Hawaiian style for most of its life. There is evidence of a tailpiece once being fitted, despite that the original bridge is uncut. Although there are similarities to other Gibson made instruments of the period such as the Kel Kroydons or Recording Kings, this guitar stands in a league of its own sonically, with clear ringing highs, deep powerful bass, and impressive volume. Equally appropriate for flat picking and fingerstyle players, this is truly an exceptional and peerless instrument. Comes in a TKL 8800 series hardshell case.
