I'm back online...and pics of blueburst Gruggett Stradette!

[stl80]

I found out you were in Seattle the week afrter you were here or I would have tried to catch your show. I'm about 8 minutes from the Tractor. Nice score on the guitar.
Jim

[JimPage]

Hey!

Bob Shade and I were having adventures today and he showed me Deke's blue-sunburst Stradette, which Bob is restoring.

Due to the pickups, to me it looked older than it really is. The fit and finish isn't the same as on the new Stradettes Bob is making, but it is a very cool instrument with a much different vibe.

One thing that struck me was the EXTREME dip in the headstock. Bob said that Mr. Gruggett did that to maximize the string angle from the tuning pins, and it sure would do that. I don't think I've ever seen a guitar with a similar configuration. The guitar did not have strings on it today, as it was on a work bench being worked on.

The position dots on the fretboard caught my eye, and Bob mentioned that these were sliced from plastic knitting needles, and that the tiny dot markers that Semie Mosely used on his guitars were from some sort of (plastic?) lace purchased in large batches from a bridal shop!

The Deke Stradette also has no side markers on the neck, which seems odd.

The blue sunburst is most striking in person; this guitar is going to look great when on stage.

It is fascinating to me that these instruments still turn up from time to time, and kudos to Deke and Bob for restoring this one. It is a true survivor of an important time and place in American musical history, and, if I were lucky enough to live in or near Bakersfield, I would be haunting the garage sales and pawn shops looking for similar instruments.

I hope I get to see this guitar after Bob restores it. It should be a tone monster!!!

Somewhat off topic: Bob showed me a yet-to-be completed 59 Custom Hallmark in a cream color, and if I had the bucks and a different wife, I would go for that one. A classy-looking guitar, no doubt about it.

--Jim