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Average Price: $17,995
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$200
$601+
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Description
The Gibson Roy Smeck acoustic guitar is a legendary tribute to the heritage of Hawaiian-style music, seamlessly blending vintage charm with contemporary craftsmanship. Originally designed for lap-style playing, this guitar boasts a strikingly large body and a 12-fret neck that delivers profound resonance and depth. Over the years, many musicians have adapted the Roy Smeck to suit Spanish-style playing, resulting in a versatile instrument that caters to a broad spectrum of musical styles.
What truly sets the Roy Smeck apart is its ability to produce a rich, booming tone that captures the attention of collectors and performers alike. Its classic design and construction pay homage to a bygone era while still offering the playability and sound quality demanded by modern musicians. Whether you're a collector seeking a piece of musical history or a performer in search of that quintessential acoustic sound, the Roy Smeck is a guitar that promises to deliver both character and quality.
Key Features:
- Large body design for enhanced resonance
- 12-fret neck originally intended for lap-style playing
- Adaptable for Spanish-style guitarists
- Renowned for its rich, booming tone
- Ideal for both collectors and performers seeking vintage charm with modern playability
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe |
| Finish | Sunburst |
| Year | 1934 - 1942 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars |
| Active Preamp | No |
| Artist | Roy Smeck |
| Back Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
| Color Family | Brown |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Roy Smeck |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup | None |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Series | Gibson Pre-War Era |
| Sides Material | Mahogany |
| String Type | Steel |
| Top Material | Spruce |
FAQs
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What type of sound can I expect from the Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe?
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The Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe offers a rich, full-bodied sound with pronounced bass and clear treble, thanks to its mahogany back and sides paired with a thermally aged Adirondack red spruce top.
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Is the Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe suitable for fingerstyle playing?
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Yes, the Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe's round neck shape and 1.805-inch nut width make it well-suited for fingerstyle playing, offering comfortable string spacing and ease of access across the fretboard.
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Does the Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe come with any electronics?
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No, the Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe is a purely acoustic guitar without any built-in pickups or preamps, designed for traditional acoustic sound.
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What is the body shape of the Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe?
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The Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe features a dreadnought body shape, providing a robust sound with excellent projection and resonance.
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How durable is the finish on the Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe?
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The guitar features a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which is known for its durability and ability to age gracefully, enhancing the guitar's visual appeal over time.
Videos
greekflatpicker
Roy Smeck playing a Gibson Stage Deluxe 1983
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Roy Smeck.
Comparisons
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The Gibson Roy Smeck model is significantly more valuable than rebranded Harmony or Kay guitars, indicating a potential misconception in value between different models.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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X-bracing conversion is mentioned as a potential upgrade that could increase the guitar's value and playability, especially compared to stock Harmony versions.
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Value and pricing
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Prices for similar models vary widely, with sales reported from $450 to $1400, suggesting a significant impact of condition and modifications on value.
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User experience
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Collectors may find more value in this guitar than players, as the vintage appeal could outweigh playability or sound quality concerns.
Source
Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Ry Cooder's main acoustic guitar, according to his guitar repairman Rick Turner, is a Gibson Roy Smeck model from the mid-30s. Frets were added to this guitar, which was originally designed for lap-style playing.
Browne uses his Roy Smeck Stage De Luxe frequently, and it was the inspiration for the creation of his signature Gibson acoustic:
“As a performer, I’ve learned over the last 20 years what I like, and what works for my music. To use the iconic Roy Smeck model as a starting point—as well as Gibson’s 1994 reissue—and build something that helps me bring my songs to life is really exciting.”
"Then I played a bunch of T Bone’s old Gibsons. There were a couple of Nick Lucas models and an old Roy Smeck from the ’30s. T Bone has a stable of guitars, so I got to experiment a bit on the record. Changing instruments can really bring a different vibe and voice to a song. In the past I might have played a part on my D-18 and we would have tried mixing it differently to get a certain sound, whereas T Bone goes straight to the source and suggests just the right guitar." - Chris Eldridge of the Punch Brothers when talking about their album "The Phosphorescent Blues" which was produced by Burnett in 2015.
"Then I played a bunch of T Bone’s old Gibsons. There were a couple of Nick Lucas models and an old Roy Smeck from the ’30s. T Bone has a stable of guitars, so I got to experiment a bit on the record. Changing instruments can really bring a different vibe and voice to a song. In the past I might have played a part on my D-18 and we would have tried mixing it differently to get a certain sound, whereas T Bone goes straight to the source and suggests just the right guitar."
In this Youtube video Roy can be seen playing a Gibson Roy Smeck Stage De Luxe, a hawaiian-style guitar that was intended to be played on the lap, but this one was converted to spanish mode. He found this one at a music store and he is surprised by the price, from $50 in 1930 to $700 in the 80s. This footage is from the documentary Roy Smeck: The Wizard Of The Strings (1983).
Album Usage
The Gibson Roy Smeck has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson Roy Smeck, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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