ArchTops       

AG - 00096 1925 Gibson L-5     EXC   Its low serial number of # 81339 puts it very early in 1925 and we have seen L-5's with higher serial numbers and Master Model labels. But this one has a "Guaranteed" style label and we suspect that if one were to somehow remove it that there might well be an older Master Model label underneath as we've seen that before also. The maple in the back is stunning and the sunburst top is the classic Loar coloring. The top has its original finish and one teeny weeny hairline crack above the bass f-hole. The neck, back and sides have been refinished. The back binding may be replaced. The guitar plays beautifully and the sound is right up there with the best of the best early L-5's around. Original end pin and tailpiece. Flowerpot inlay adorns the headstock and it has its original tuning pegs. It also still retains its original 'red line' case which is a bit tattered but still functional.
Price:   $23,500.00

AG - 00094 1925 Gibson Style 0     EXC -   A wonderful example of the classic Loar period (well he had just left the building) epitome of Gibsons pride and joy. And this one plays very nicely and sounds much better than the other examples I've played. Suburst spruce top and birch back and sides. The face is crack free with an expertly done almost invisible center seam repair. The back and sides are also crack free. There is also an almost invisible heel repair. "The Gibson" inlayed in pearl plus the colorful abalone Fleur de lys and a truss rod cover grace the headstock and the original 3 on a strip tuners have been replaced with single 1930's period tuning pegs. The serial number #81530 places it in mid 1925. It once sported a "Virzi" Tone Producer whose number was #10402 but it has had a 'virzectomy' long ago. Original tailpiece and end pin and replacement adjustable bridge. And, luckily enough, a well worn but quite nice original hard shell case.
Price:   $6750.00

AG - 00093 ca.1953 Vega Duotron Model E-300 NX     EXC   Vega guitars are always a great value. As well or better made than any Gibson, Gretsch or Guild often with higher quality woods and usually a lot less expensive. This one is a real gem. It's in gorgeous condition and it plays and sounds great both acoustically and plugged in. All original and crack free. Spruce top and highly flamed maple back and sides. Nothing but inlaid class on the peg head and original Klusen Deluxe tuning pegs and original electronics which work fine and include the fablulous Rhythm Switch as well as the standard Volume and Tone knobs. The original pickup floats off of the body attached to the end of the elevated fingerboard extension. Thus the entire top is free to vibrate un-impeded as on any standard acoustic archtop guitar. Compare this to an L-5 cutaway in similar condition and you get one heck of a deal. Older hard shell case is fair to OK.
Price:   $2850.00

AG - 00075 1930 Gibson L- 12     VG ++   Here's another wonderful Gibson anomaly. Common knowledge is that the L-12 was introduced in 1932 with Gold Hardware and fancy inlay. Here is a very early 1930 labeled L-12 with a 16" body, small f-holes, dot inlay and nickel hardware. Very much like a 20's L-5 and yes, it sounds like one too. Simple peghead ornamentation and open back Grover tuning pegs. Classic early style sunburst top and dark stained maple back and sides. Sixties hard shell case.
Price:   $4750.00

AG - 00078 1938 Gibson 16" L-5     Exc Restored   Yep, it's a 16" body with mid twenties style and appointments. And, it sounds like a mid to late twenties L-5 .... a real good one. Maybe this is one of those "floorsweep" models where they used up old parts because the serial number is #95498 and it sure appears to be a 1928 L-5. The professional restoration includes repairing two cracks and one jack hole on the top, a lower center seam repair on the back and a complete refinish. New gold Waverly's have been installed and the tailpiece appears original. Classic flowerpot 20's peghead. Newer hard shell case.
Price:   $5850.00

AG - 00071 1947 Gibson L-7     VG   What we've got here is a great player. And it just happens to have a nice sunburst crack free top with original finish in nice shape. The back, on the other hand, has one big ole repaired crack and a lot of flaking to the original finish. There's a little flaking in places on the sides as well as the headstock. And there's one other stable crack in the side near the heel. Original tuning pegs work fine though the buttons have aged. All else is original and in fine shape including the label. The neck is nice and straight, original frets are pretty good and it is great fun to play and has plenty of volume and punch plus good warmth to the tone. Original Geib semi-hard (or semi-soft if you like) case could use some refurbishing but is cool.
Price:   $2195.00

AG - 00041 1948 Epiphone Zenith     VG+   This is an exceptionally good sounding well balanced 16" archtop guitar. Original finish sunburst top with one small crack coming down from the treble side f-hole and the initials "S T W" affixed to it. Player (honest) wear on the neck but it feels good. One missing pearl dot on the rosewood fingerboard. Mahogany back and sides with a hairline crack in the upper side that isn't going anywhere and a jack hole in the lower side. (It also hasn't gone anywhere.) Original tuning pegs and nice pearl Epiphone script and shield on the peghead. Newer hard shell case.
Price:   $1350.00

AG - 00085 1941 National New Yorker Spanish     EXC   Memphis Minnie fans alert ! This is the same model Memphis Minnie played but in a rare original blonde finish and it is a beauty and crack free. Triple bound spruce top with no f-holes. Original honking, humbucking (that's right there is no hum or buzz at all) 6 pole (two rows of three each) pickup sounds fantastic. The guitar practically plays itself .... like butter, yep. Gorgeous flame maple single bound back and maple sides.   15 1/2" Lower Bout;   25 1/4" Scale Length;   1 3/4" Nut Width.   All original including adjustable bridge, tailpiece, laminated pickguard,old style connector (adapters available at most electronics stores), National Shield on the headstock and the deco 'long cover' tuning pegs. Alas, no case.
Price:   $3250.00

AG - 00083 Late Thirties Vega Electric Archtop     EXC -   Figured maple top and back with the big ole honkin humbucking pickup in the lead position (just like on Steve Kimocks similar Vega to this one). Original tuning pegs and the Vega script on the headstock. This baby plays great and sounds terrific. Nice action. Ratty chipboard case.
Price:   $1495.00

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Or telephone:  415-669-1107   West Coast Time
Or write to: Box 445, Inverness, Ca. 94937
Lowell Levinger - Proprietor