Here's a lovely and super vibey 1930s Gibson TG-00 tenor in sunburst. The TG-00 is essentially a short-scale, four-string version of the L-00, with a lightly X-braced spruce top over mahogany back and sides. Compared to the earlier all-mahogany TG-0, this gives a fuller, more open voice with a stronger low end and wider dynamic range.

The TG-00 found its way into early country, jazz and later folk. In the broader tenor world, players such as Nick Reynolds (The Kingston Trio) helped popularize the format, and more recently artists like Elvis Costello, Neko Case and Ani DiFranco have kept four-string guitars in active use.

This example shows exactly the kind of period character you expect from a working pre-war Gibson: attractive nitro checking across the sunburst finish and general playwear from nearly a century of use. It has been refretted, so it plays great and has no neck angle issues.

The tuners are later replacements; the original machines are missing. Structurally it is in good shape with no cracks or breaks, and the very lightweight build makes it very responsive. Sounds really good, plays well, and is just a very nice little vintage guitar. Weight is 1400g. No case included.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Gibson TG-00 tenor guitar
• Likely year: Mid-1930s, probably c. 1934–37 (FON not visible)
• Country of origin: USA
• Body style: L-00 small-body flat-top tenor (00 size)
• Construction: X-braced flat-top, light build, tenor-specific bracing pattern
• Scale length: Approx. 584 mm (23")
• Number of strings: 4 (tenor)
• Neck joint: 14th fret
• Total frets: 19, recent refret
• Top: Solid spruce (likely red spruce, as on other mid-’30s TG-00s)
• Back and sides: Solid mahogany, dark walnut stain
• Neck: Mahogany, medium V-to-rounded 1930s profile
• Fingerboard: Rosewood with dot inlays
• Fingerboard radius: Moderately flat vintage Gibson style
• Bridge: Rectangular rosewood bridge with drop-in saddle
• Saddle: Bone, compensated
• Nut: Bone
• Finish: Sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer with extensive checking and playwear
• Binding: Single-ply cream on top and back, fingerboard edges unbound
• Pickguard: Celluloid “firestripe” tortoiseshell guard
• Tuners: Modern individual open-gear tuners with cream buttons (original 4-on-plate tuners missing)
• Hardware: Black bridge pins, endpin present
• Condition notes: Heavy finish checking and period wear; no cracks or breaks reported
• Playability: Refretted, sounds really good and plays well with comfortable action
• Typical tunings: CGDA (standard tenor), GDAE (octave mandolin) or DGBE (“top four” guitar)
• Weight: 1400g
• Case: Not included