I know that our forums are blessed with an abundance of knowledgeable pro and amateur gutarists. I'm hoping someone will be able to confirm the type of guitar in this vintage clip of Glenn Miller Big Band.
 
The guitar is clearly shown just after the start of the clip (00:22) and again at around 1:20.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XQybKMXL-k
 
I know that the electric guitar was 'invented' in 1931 and this film was made 10 years later in 1941. This suggests that the guitar shown (being played by Bobby Hackett) is almost certainly electric. An acoustic guitar would never hold its own amongst those saxes and brass but there are no signs of any pickup and I can't make out any lead although that could be an amp near his stool.
 
Electric or accoustic, would the strings be gut, metal or nylon and which make amps would likely be used? Can anyone identify the likely make of the instrument?
 
I'd appreciate any info.
 
Thanks.

It's just an old Martin F hole with a pick guard attached. Should be able to find old pics of them. Halfway into it, some ol' boy gets up and starts whistling. I don't know anybody that can whistle louder than someone blowing a sax, a trumpet... I think that was more for show and tell ... than an actual music ensemble.

The pick guard  and tail piece suggests to me that it might be an Epiphone Broadway but I can't get a great look at the head stock. There were some note worthy custom builders back in that era as well.



1941 Epiphone Broadway






best regards,
mike

I don't think it's a Martin. The head stock isn't shaped right.

But I could be wrong.

It actually looks like an early Gretsch, but that doesn't quite line up with their historical timeline for electrics.  They had a shift toward electric guitars starting in 1942.

In addition, while with Glenn Miller Bobby Hackett had been asked to buy an amp and ended up with one, but reportedly never actually plugged it in.

So, it is possible that this may have been an acoustic guitar - I have not been able to nail it down.

I can share that when I was a kid, way back in the early 60's, we went on a family vacation to Disneyland, and while there we all got to watch a live concert by the band of Tex Banakee (don't know correct spelling) - who was in Glenn Miller's orchestra.  They did all of the Glenn Miller stuff, with the stand-up and sit-down horn playing and the whole bit - WAY kewl.  I have never forgotten how cool it was to have been able to watch someone from that big band era playing live.

Sorry I couldn't give you more info - maybe someone else can figure this one out for you.

Bob Bone

@Mike: Yeah, that's what I was thinking too ... an Epi.

Possible a Gretsch model 50?

Bob Bone

robert_e_bone

Possible a Gretsch model 50?

Bob Bone

Wrong head stock.

At 1:53 you can see the leaf and branch inlay of the Epi on the headstock...

Just thought I'd point that out...

Looks like the pic in post 3 but w/o the electronics.