In the 1940s, Gene Autry was the ultimate Cowboy songster, and he was a hero to children all across the country. Seizing the opportunity of his popularity, Chicago-based Harmony Guitars manufactured a run of Gene Autry cowboy guitars, sold exclusively through the Sears catalog under both the "Harmony" and the "Supertone" name.
Although these parlor-sized guitars—with their classic Western stenciling on the top—may have looked like a guitar Gene might play, they were never built to be functional instruments that would ever tune and play properly. Over the years, these highly collectible guitars became wall-hangers at best.
Fortunately, Scott Baxendale and his team of luthiers in Athens, Ga., recognize the potential of these guitars and regularly remanufacture them. In doing so, they totally, re-build, re-brace, and re-voice these instruments, giving them new life and world class tone with no shortage of authentic mojo. These inspiring instruments are an exceptional value, and they're an incredible way to recycle and repurpose old axes.
This Baxendale ‘40s Supertone Gene Autry has been totally re-braced to a scalloped, hand-voiced X-brace pattern. It also sports new frets, a new solid rosewood bridge with a bone saddle, a new 1-3/4"-wide bone nut, and genuine Grover tuning machines. Thanks to the refret, new bridge, and meticulous setup work, it plays like a brand new guitar. Its short 24-1/4" scale and 12-fret parlor guitar design provide authentic small-body tone and comfort. Although it is made entirely of Birch, its tone is warm, rich, and full, thanks to Baxendale's hand-voiced X-bracing. The result is an inspiring cowboy guitar with the tone, intonation, and playability of a fine acoustic guitar.
This Baxendale '40s Supertone Gene Autry Conversion has mojo for days and the sound and playability to back it up. Every Baxendale Conversion includes a hardshell case and a lifetime warranty.