BROOKLYN, NY April 23, 2006 – Home to a thriving alternative country music scene, Brooklyn will be home, at least temporarily, to the signature guitar used by Lefty Frizzell, the greatest Honky-Tonk singer of them all. Retrofret, a vintage and rare instrument dealer located in Carroll Gardens, is proud that it has been entrusted to handle the restoration and sale of the 1949 Gibson SJ-200 customized for Lefty by the equally legendary Paul Bigsby.

Lefty Frizzell is one of the most influential artists in country music’s roots. Echoes of his unique plaintive vocal style are still heard in many country singers today, more than 30 years after his death in 1975 at age 47. Along with Hank Williams, Frizzell defined the post WW II Honky-Tonk country sound, and had a major impact on Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, and many other classic and contemporary 'hard country' performers. Lefty's song writing and recordings set the standards of the genre.

Lefty bought this top-of-the-line Gibson flat-top guitar with money earned from his first hit records in 1951. He took the instrument to Paul A. Bigsby, the most innovative guitar designer of his day, and had him retro-fit it with a custom neck and flamboyant pickguard bearing the Lefty Frizzell name. Bigsby is considered the father of the solid body electric guitar and pedal steel guitar. He worked alone in a small shop in Downey, California, crafting each piece by hand. These rare instruments built or modified by Bigsby are among the highest valued and collectible of any vintage guitar today.

Gibson SJ-200's built in the 1940's and 1950's are regarded as the ultimate “cowboy guitars” – super jumbo bodies with an ornate “mustache” bridge, flamed maple back and sides, and a larger than life sound. They have long been the top choice by many of the world’s biggest music stars including Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris, The Everly Brothers, Bob Dylan, and Pete Townsend. With its Bigsby neck and signature pickguard, this particular guitar is one of the most recognizable instruments in pop music history. For many years it had been on loan to the Country Music Hall of Fame. In January, 2005 it was returned to the Frizzell family.

Lefty used this guitar throughout his career, playing it on many of his hit recordings including “Always Late (With Your Kisses)” and “Long Black Veil”. He was photographed with it countless times, and the guitar was prominent on numerous album covers and in virtually any book or article detailing his career. Structurally, it has remained perfectly intact and playable. While it may not sing with Lefty's distinctive voice, it is rich with the imprint of his character – down to the belt buckle wear and pick scratches. This instrument is a unique piece of Americana – to borrow the title of Lefty’s classic 1950’s album, it is “The One and Only”.

Lefty Frizzell’s personal guitar is currently offered for sale priced at $350,000.

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For further information please contact :
Steve Uhrik
Retrofret – New York String Service
233 Butler Street Brooklyn, NY 11217
www.retrofret.com
Phone: 718 237 6092
E-mail: steve@retrofret.com

Fact sheet links:
Lefty Frizzell Bio
Bigsby/Gibson SJ-200 Guitar
Paul Bigsby Bio
Retrofret Background