Gretsch Guitars Parlor Signature Jim Dandy WN Rex Burst

A Nod to the Gretsch "Rex" Guitars from the 1930s to 1950s

The Jim Dandy Parlor captures the spirit of the Gretsch instruments offered by catalog (the "Rex" series) in the mid-20th century: simple, endearing, and instantly musical guitars. This modern version retains the charm of the early Gretsch flat-top guitars while providing more comfortable playability and sonic coherence, making it an excellent entry point into the world of retro-looking acoustic guitars.

A Parlor Guitar to Play Anywhere, from Blues to Swing

Thanks to its small size and short scale length, this guitar is suitable for both beginners (easy to handle, softer tension) and intermediate players looking for a second lightweight and inspiring guitar. Its Parlor DNA particularly highlights blues fingerstyle, ragtime, intimate folk, and "speakeasy" swing rhythms, while remaining comfortable for vocal accompaniment.

The Sound

The Parlor body promotes a quick response, precise attack, and present mids, typical of this format appreciated for fingerstyle playing. The laminated sapele tonewoods (top, back, and sides) provide a rather "woody" and balanced tonal signature, with good stability against usage variations. The X-bracing supports projection and note sustain, while the walnut bridge with its compensated saddle contributes to more even intonation across the neck. The result: an expressive, clear, and very musical guitar at domestic volume, with naturally more controlled bass than a dreadnought format.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To stay as close as possible to the original feel and balance, opt for phosphor bronze steel folk strings in gauge 12-53 (such as D'Addario EJ16 or equivalent), perfectly suited to this model.

Technical specifications

Format	Parlor	Fingerboard	Walnut
Left handed	No	Nbrs of frets	18
Cutaway	No	Neck Type	Glued
Special feature	Travel	Electroacoustic	No
Strings	Steel	Color	Gradient
Nbr of strings	6	Finishing	Satin
Top	Sapelli	Hardware	Nickel
Back&Sides	Sapelli

Body Style	Gretsch Parlor Acoustic	Number of Frets	18
Body Material	sapele	Radius	305 mm / 12"
Back	laminated sapele	Truss Rod	Single-Action
Sides	laminated sapele	Truss Rod Nut	4 mm / 0.16" (Hex)
Bracing	X-Bracing	Saddle	synthetic bone
Body Binding	Aged White	Nut Material	synthetic bone
Rosette	White/Black Rings	Nut Width	43 mm / 1.69"
Body Finish	Semi-Gloss	Bridge	walnut with compensated saddle
Size	19.8 cm / 7.80" (198 mm / 7.80")	Bridge Pins	Aged White
Headstock	1950's Gretsch 3x3	Pickguard	1-ply Aged White with black "G"
Neck Material	nato	Hardware Finish	nickel
Neck Finish	Semi-Gloss	Tuners	open, die-cast
Neck Profile	"C"	Strap Button	Vintage End-Pin
Fingerboard Material	walnut	Scale Length	24" / 610 mm
Inlays	White Pearloid Dot