ArchTops       

AG - 00100 1953 Gibson ES- 140 3/4 size Archtop Electric Guitar     EXC +   This is a beautiful example of this model complete with its original hard shell case in very nice condition as well. 12 3/4" lower bout,   3 7/16" body depth,   23" scale length,   nut width = 1 9/16".   It plays easily and every note is true and clear. The P-90 works great. Sunburst top and back and mahogany sides and neck. Original tailpiece, adjustable bridge, pickguard, controls, pickup. Looks like just the buttons on the "deluxe" tuning pegs have been replaced. Gold "Gibson" script on the headstock. There are a few nicks here and there and there is one noticeable little crunch on the side near the bottom but it is solid and poses no threat. This is a super clean instrument that's fun to play ... and an excellent investment in my not so humble opinion.
Price:   $2450.00

AG - 00099 1951 National Model 1140 Archtop Guitar   VG ++   Very attractive archtop in great condition with a good strong sound with warmth to it. Crack free. Spruce sunburst top and sunburst maple back with great tiger stripe maple sides. Original tailpiece, adjustable bridge and pickguard. Straight mahogany C profile neck with good frets and the patented flat removeable heel makes for easy neck sets but it is set up great right now. Tuning pegs are good quality Kluson type and the original National metal plaque graces the headstock. Hard shell case is in good shape.
Price:   $1140.00

AG - 00098 ca. 1951 Vega Model SE-450 Cutaway Acoustic / Electric Archtop Guitar     EXC -   Very nice indeed, this old Vega with the broad sunburst spruce top and gorgeous flame maple back and sides. It's got the removeable dual pickup system that does not touch the top and includes all controls and the output jack. I think I'd rather just play it acoustically though and store the pickup system in the closet although it does work fine when plugged in. The guitar has a nice warm sound acoustically. No cracks anywhere, easy action, looks like a Hofner adjustable bridge, good frets. The tailpiece appears to be a replacement but the tuning pegs may well be the originals. Bound peghead with the Pearl "Vega" and star inlaid. Good label with serial # 10321 puts it at late forties - early fifties. No case.
Price:   $ 1695.00

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:   $6850.00

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

MC - 00014 1938 Epiphone De Luxe Mandocello Conversion     VG   Now here is a unique piece. A standard 1938 Epiphone De Luxe "Masterbilt" guitar serial # 12690 that has been converted to a way cool mandocello. Nut width is 1 1/2 inches and very comfortable. Bridge is adjusted all the way down but the action is fine and the thing is great fun to play. Scale length is 25 5/8 inches and it's got the big 17 1/4" lower bout for the big sound. Solid spruce sunburst top with the classy bound f- holes and "honest play wear" especially where the pickguard once resided but no cracks. Looks like it probably had a pickup glued on to it for awhile below the end of the pearl cloud inlayed fingerboard. Nice flamey maple sunburst back and five piece laminated flame maple neck the heel of which has been painted black after a repair which has left a tell tale line running through the screw hole left from a previous strap button. And there's the plugged 1/4" jack hole in the usual location on the lower side. Gorgeous inlaid asymetrical peghead and new 4 in a line gold tuning pegs. The conversion retained the original Frequensator tailpiece and uses ingenious little holders which make it relatively easy to re-string. And it still resides in its original Lifton (Built like a Fortress) pink plush lined hard shell case with the classic embossed "E" on the inner side of the lid. I suppose it's possible that there might have been a special order or two in 1938 for Epiphone De Luxe mandocellos but I sure haven't seen one. So I think this is the only game in town folks.
Price:   $3250.00

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:   $2650.00

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:   $2995.00

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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