1939 Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe Sunburst
Description
SN: EG 7477. Modeled after the 1934 Gibson Jumbo and endorsed by “The Wizard of the Strings,” Roy Smeck, the Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe was one of Gibson’s premier Hawaiian-style guitars of the 1930s. Its body dimensions and materials are nearly identical to the original Jumbo—Gibson’s answer to Martin’s new D-18—but the Stage Deluxe was built for lap-style Hawaiian playing, featuring a 12-fret neck, flush frets, and a wide fingerboard. The 12-fret design moved the bridge closer to the center of the X-brace, and the bracing itself is thought to be slightly sturdier, with only two tone bars compared to the Jumbo’s three.
By 1939, however, the Hawaiian music craze had faded. The Stage Deluxe’s rosewood sibling, the Radio Grande, had already been discontinued in 1937. Gibson, ever resourceful, is known to have used leftover Radio Grande necks—with their Nick Lucas–style inlays and ivoroid bindings—on some later Stage Deluxe guitars. That may be the case here, or perhaps the fretboard markers were changed during a later conversion.
The conversion on this instrument is particularly interesting. The neck measures 1-13/16" at the nut, with string spacing at the bridge of 2-3/8" (versus the 2-1/4" and 2-1/2" typical of the Hawaiian models). There’s no evidence the neck or fretboard was ever narrowed. Under blacklight, the finish on the neck appears original and consistent with the rest of the guitar, including around the fretboard tongue. The bridge plate also matches the current string spacing. Unusually for a Stage Deluxe, this neck features an adjustable truss rod—another clue that it may have been built from the outset for standard playing rather than lap style.
At least one Radio Grande is known to have been shipped for standard play (a notable example sold by T.R. Crandall), so it’s entirely possible this Stage Deluxe was a similar special order.
The guitar has had a professional neck reset and refret. The oversized bridge and non-original tuners were likely added at that time. There’s minor touchup at the heel and a small area of the back near it. Two short (approx. 4") back cracks from the butt end have been topically glued, and a small filled hole (about 3/16") appears near the endpin. Typical checking and surface wear are visible throughout. A strap button has been added.
For playability, it’s currently fitted with Golden Age reproduction tuners, which replace the later Klusons and perform beautifully. The slightly wider neck takes a moment to adjust to, but the payoff is the tone—deep and thumpy in the bass, rich in the mids, and with that unmistakable Gibson shimmer and sustain from the trebles. It’s got that haunting, reverb-like resonance that keeps you playing longer than you mean to.
Comes with a newer TKL hard case.
Specifications
Status: Available
Builder: Gibson
Year: 1939
Serial Number: EG 7477
Model: Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe
Condition: Good
Back & Sides: Mahogany
Top: Red Spruce
Neck: Mahogany (Modified V Profile)
Nut Width: 1-13/16"
String Spacing: 2-3/8"
Tuners: Golden Age Repro
Appointments: Bound Body & Fingerboard, Nick Lucas–style Inlays
Body Length: 20"
Upper Bout: 11.5"
Lower Bout: 16"
Body Depth (at Endpin): 4.75"
Scale Length: 24.9"
By 1939, however, the Hawaiian music craze had faded. The Stage Deluxe’s rosewood sibling, the Radio Grande, had already been discontinued in 1937. Gibson, ever resourceful, is known to have used leftover Radio Grande necks—with their Nick Lucas–style inlays and ivoroid bindings—on some later Stage Deluxe guitars. That may be the case here, or perhaps the fretboard markers were changed during a later conversion.
The conversion on this instrument is particularly interesting. The neck measures 1-13/16" at the nut, with string spacing at the bridge of 2-3/8" (versus the 2-1/4" and 2-1/2" typical of the Hawaiian models). There’s no evidence the neck or fretboard was ever narrowed. Under blacklight, the finish on the neck appears original and consistent with the rest of the guitar, including around the fretboard tongue. The bridge plate also matches the current string spacing. Unusually for a Stage Deluxe, this neck features an adjustable truss rod—another clue that it may have been built from the outset for standard playing rather than lap style.
At least one Radio Grande is known to have been shipped for standard play (a notable example sold by T.R. Crandall), so it’s entirely possible this Stage Deluxe was a similar special order.
The guitar has had a professional neck reset and refret. The oversized bridge and non-original tuners were likely added at that time. There’s minor touchup at the heel and a small area of the back near it. Two short (approx. 4") back cracks from the butt end have been topically glued, and a small filled hole (about 3/16") appears near the endpin. Typical checking and surface wear are visible throughout. A strap button has been added.
For playability, it’s currently fitted with Golden Age reproduction tuners, which replace the later Klusons and perform beautifully. The slightly wider neck takes a moment to adjust to, but the payoff is the tone—deep and thumpy in the bass, rich in the mids, and with that unmistakable Gibson shimmer and sustain from the trebles. It’s got that haunting, reverb-like resonance that keeps you playing longer than you mean to.
Comes with a newer TKL hard case.
Specifications
Status: Available
Builder: Gibson
Year: 1939
Serial Number: EG 7477
Model: Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe
Condition: Good
Back & Sides: Mahogany
Top: Red Spruce
Neck: Mahogany (Modified V Profile)
Nut Width: 1-13/16"
String Spacing: 2-3/8"
Tuners: Golden Age Repro
Appointments: Bound Body & Fingerboard, Nick Lucas–style Inlays
Body Length: 20"
Upper Bout: 11.5"
Lower Bout: 16"
Body Depth (at Endpin): 4.75"
Scale Length: 24.9"