Synchromatic

This refers to the Gretsch line of archtop guitars first introduced in 1939. These instruments, which clearly had been to some extent inspired by the Art Deco design that dominated the World’s Fair in New York that year, incorporated some revolutionary construction techniques that the company dubbed, “The Seven Points of Supremacy.” Clearly, Gretsch was planning to carve out its fair share of the archtop market, which until that point was pretty much dominated by Gibson. Perched atop the Synchromatic line was the opulent Model 400, which had a stairstep “synchrosonic” bridge, “chromatic” harp-shaped tailpiece, an asymmetrical non-trussrod Gretsch “Miracle Neck” which was thicker on the bass side than the treble, an oversized pickguard, and sleek cat’s eye-shaped tone holes (rather than the traditional f-holes). The Model 400 was an Art Deco masterpiece that incorporated no less than 13 layers of black and white binding with an interior ply of gold sparkle around its spruce top and flame maple back.