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1962 Bozo 12 String Brazilian/Sitka Kotke Played One
Bozo Podunavac’s guitars always inspire strong reactions. Whether simple or ornate, once you’ve played one it is hard to forget. Back in the early 70’s Bozo built a few guitars for Leo Kottke — this one predates those! In fact, our research has uncovered that this very guitar is the 2nd 12-string ever built by Bozo! This one is crafted from superb old Brazilian Rosewood and topped with Sitka Spruce. There is a custom rosette and headstock inlay that showcase Bozo’s wonderful hand inlay work. Historically it is a very interesting piece, but what makes this guitar so special is it’s character. With its bold, authoritative sound, and the appearance of a road warrior, this guitar gives off the vibe that it has seen it all, and taken it in stride. Collectors and payers alike will love this guitar.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.88 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare1967 Bozo Bell Western Brazilian/Adirondack Red
Bozo guitars are extremely collectible and highly regarded for their wonderful tone. Bozo Podunavac was among the very first independent luthiers who began the current golden age of luthery. His instruments are used by many recording artists and coveted by collectors. This one comes from the personal collection of recording artist Steve Baughman and was previously owned by Larry Pattis as well. It is a real player’s guitar carrying it’s story in the form of dings, cracks and checks, but with tremendous tone, great playability and years of music still locked inside. Own a piece of guitar history…
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian
Bozo Podunavac (pronounced bo-zho pod oo nav ack) was a Serbian-born master luthier / guitar builder who emigrated to the U.S. in 1959. He was raised in Belgrade, Yugoslavia and served his apprenticeship with master luthier Milutin Mladenovic and graduated in 1950. He moved to Chicago, when he came to the US and for a time worked in the repair department of a musical instruments dealer and manufacturer. In 1964 he opened his own shop and began building guitars with his name “Bozo” on the peghead. Bozo apprenticed in the old world tradition of his homeland, and relished building highly ornate instruments.Whether plain or fancy, his guitars have a very distinctive “voice,” and tone. They are particularly well balanced and have a commanding presence. He was best known for building a few guitars (6 & 12 strings) for Leo Kottke back in the early 70’s.Bozo left the Chicago area in the mid 70’s and moved to Southern California and opened up his shop in San Diego along with a school of lutherie. During this time he “licensed” several of his designs to a Japanese firm that proceeded to build several hundred “Bozo” guitars, some with laminated back and sides, some all solid wood construction.Bozo had some health problems and stopped building his handcrafted instruments. He was then “rumored” to have died in the early 1980’s, and as the Mark Twain saying goes, the rumors of his death were greatly exaggerated. Alas, Bozo passed away 2015, and will be missed by the luthier community at large.The works of a great master will live on. His instruments are treasured by collectors and players for their quality, style and design. They are truly playable works of art.