Up for sale, a 1998 Jim English Guitar Co. Model 1 in near-mint condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Disappointed with what he viewed as a lapse in official production quality, Jim English began selling his handcrafted Gretsch-style guitars in 1993, recreating the finer points of the ‘50s originals. Prior to the retirement of the brand, each English guitar was custom ordered and hand-built one at a time, with very few in circulation, and English’s loyal supporters include Tommy Emmanuel, among others.

The Model 1 is English’s original take on the 6120 platform, fully hollow and crafted from curly flame maple, with a rich, smooth acoustic response, providing an ideal platform for the Tom Holmes THC Filter’Tron-style humbuckers. Similarly to the guitar itself, these pickups are each custom ordered and crafted by hand, and Holmes’ pickups are considered to be among the finest vintage-accurate Filter’Trons around, with Holmes himself molding his own bobbins, forming the covers, and winding the pickups to vintage spec. These humbuckers deliver classic Gretsch jangle and punch, with a sparkling, defined bridge pickup that has tons of muscle and breadth and a broad, smooth neck pickup with a thick, glassy bark. Weighing 7lbs 8oz, this English Model 1 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 11-49 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Curly maple (two-piece)
-Shape: Very slender D, full shoulders, measuring .730” 1st fret, .865” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, multi-ply binding, pearloid “S” inlay
-Frets: Slender, no wear
-Scale Length: 25”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, zero fret
-Tuners: Grover Imperials

Body Specs:

-Wood: Curly maple
-Pickups: Tom Holmes THC Filter’Tron-style humbucker x2
-Controls: Master Volume, Volume x2, Master Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: Bigsby B6 vibrato, knurled knobs with mother of pearl inserts, Tune-o-matic bridge with ebony base
-Plastics: One-ply gold plexi pickguard (“English” script)
-Factory Markings: Label at bass-side f hole is dated to September, 1998 and signed by Jim English
-Marquetry: Grained ivoroid multi-ply binding, stylized f holes

The nitro lacquer finish is English’s take on a classic Gretsch Western Orange Stain, highlighting the consistent, dimensional figuring in the curly maple. There are just a couple tiny marks on the body, and the satin finish on the neck profile is flawless.

The original hardshell case is included.