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1994 Buscarino 17″ Archtop, Quilted Maple/Spruce
Somehow John Buscarino manages to coax a huge amount of power and presence out of his tops while also maintaining clarity and articulation—this gorgeous 17 Inch Archtop from 1994 exemplifies that with a silky setup to boot. AAA Quilted Maple back and sides paired with Spruce on top, a Benedetto humbucker with volume knob on the guard, and 25” scale for sweet, sweet trebles. This beauty has opened up handsomely in the almost three decades it’s been making music, and it’s set up for another three!
Other keywords: jazz box, arch top, big-leaf, custom guitar, AT0719794, arched top, duane simpson
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.68 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce, Maple - Quilted Add to Compare1998 Buscarino 14-String, 5A Bigleaf Maple/Sitka Spruce
This one’s in a category all its own. In 1998, renowned teacher and music writer Robert Yelin commissioned this force of nature 14-string archtop from the one and only John Buscarino, and the result is quite a unique piece. The 14-string setup is essentially a 7-string Jazz guitar in double courses, with the additional strings adding a low B (or A, or C) to the bass register. There is a long line of 7-strings in Jazz, but this is the first time we’ve seen one set up with octave strings. You’d be amazed how much color and flexibility that single string (well, double) adds to your playing.
Tuned to A, chord positions which root on the 5th string suddenly have a fat bottom end when you fret on the seventh pair, instead. Or you leave it at B for easy access to more legroom for those walking bass lines. John built this one out with carved 5A Bigleaf Maple back and sides and a Sitka Spruce top, Maple bindings, and a flower-and-vine inlay scheme along the fretboard and tailpiece. The neck carve has a wide, shallow profile that’s comfortable in hand, and the setup has the classic silk smooth feel we’ve come to expect from every Buscarino.
Other keywords: jazz box, arch top, big-leaf, custom guitar, 14 string, RY0150699
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 2.125 in String Spacing 2.5 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple - Bigleaf Add to Compare1997 Buscarino Artisan Custom Maple/Sitka
All you jazz box aficionados, gather round: we’ve got a contender for the finest Archtop of 1997 on the line here. If it comes from John Buscarino’s shop, you know the guitar’s going to have golden tone, and this Maple-and-Sitka–Spruce beauty has the looks to match. An Artisan Custom, this Archtop has a single Lindy Fralin Humbucker pickup below the fingerboard which cranks out some of the fattest, juiciest tone we’ve seen in a jazz box in a long time.
In this guitar, traditional aesthetics (see the Ivoroid bindings and MOP-and-Abalone parallelogram fret markers) are married to contemporary voicings to give the guitar classic looks and an increased dynamic range. When the low-end warmth and mellowness that we expect from vintage archtops combines with these trebles, rich and bright with a well-defined edge, you get an Archtop perfectly set up for fingerstyle jazz comping and solos. Just under 20 years old, this Artisan Custom is fully opened up and ready for more action!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.06 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple Add to CompareBuscarino Virtuoso European Maple/Spruce
A king among Jazz boxes! Whenever John Buscarino’s hands touch wood, the wood sings. This, his top-of-the-line Virtuoso, is no less than what we’ve come to expect from his guitars: strong attack, flawless construction, a hearty, meaty tone with that big jazz box feel, dynamically voiced for rhapsody or jitterbug.A gorgeous set of European Maple has here been paired with a European Spruce top to produce a muscular sound, with very present trebles with great sustain, and a fat low-end dripping with sweet sustain. For such a large-bodied guitar, it is surprisingly gentle to play, thanks in part to Buscarino’s glossy Nitrocellulose finish and glass-smooth neck profile, but it’s the little details and appointments which really let this looker shine. Featuring bound F-holes, Burl headstock veneers, Maple bindings throughout, and a laminated tailpiece and pickguard which exhibit gorgeous alternating bands of Ebony and Maple. Of course, let’s not forget his custom floating Humbucker pickup or the fleur-de-lis inspired soundport on the upper bout–a motif which is returned to in both the headstock inlays and in the tailpiece.With warmth like a roaring fire, and attack like lightning, this Virtuoso is ready to get down to the business of making music.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.13 in Woods Spruce - European, Maple - European Add to Compare2013 Comins “Black Tie” Classic, European Maple/European Spruce
Sharp dressed for a special occasion–this 2013 Black Tie Classic from Bill Comins is appropriately named. European Maple back and sides with sweet figuring pairs with X-braced European Spruce on top, understated Ebony appointments, bridge, tailpiece, and pickguard, and outfitted with a floating Kent Armstrong humbucker. Together in a 17 inch package, the result is a classically modern archtop that plays like glass in your hands. The acoustic voice is punchy and quick, even with flatwounds, while the amplified tone is thick, expressive, and dynamic. This Comins Black Tie Classic is one-hundred percent the professional, dressed to impress and ready to sing.
Other keywords: lutherie, fingerstyle, duane simpson, arch top, euro spruce, blonde
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.125 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - European, Maple - European Add to Compare2017 Comins Salutation Archtop, Flamed Maple/Sitka Spruce
This 2017 Salutation model from Bill Comins feels right at home in your hands after the first chord. 16 inches across the lower bout with a 6 pound playing weight, this Salutation is extra comfortable and comes setup for fast action with the 25″ scale and 1 11/16″ nut. Flame Maple back and sides (and neck), with Sitka Spruce on top plus an upgraded black chrome Kent Armstrong pickup and gold Waverly tuners with Snakewood buttons. This Salutation model comes with smooth S holes to match the curvaceous lower bout and cutaway. The Salutation stripe motif extends from the headstock veneer to the pickguard, tailpiece, and heelcap.
Other keywords: comins guitars, duane simpson, lutherie, luthier, 0289, fingerstyle jazz
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.063 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple - Flamed Add to Compare2017 D’Ambrosio Angel City, Italian Maple/Alpine Spruce
A heavenly host indeed. This is Otto D’Ambrosio’s full-size, 18” archtop, the Angel City, here rendered with pale Alpine Spruce over Italian Maple, plus Flame Maple bindings and appointments throughout. Otto’s been in the lutherie business since he was a teenager, working at the fabled Mandolin Brothers repair shop. Later with Flip Scipio and even John Monteleone, and even later with Guild, Otto has had his hands on hundreds of instruments, which experience has informed his present day builds. In this Angel City we can definitely see the influence of Monteleone at the soundholes and headstock, for instance. Across the board, this instrument is exquisitely crafted for an effortless playing experience—a 18” archtop which doesn’t feel like a 18” archtop in your hands. Otto has included an Armstrong pickup integrated into the Maple pickguard, but you’ll find the volume and tone knobs are integrated lower down, into the chrome tailpiece itself. This allows the right hand to very easily reach the knobs without having to stretch your arm further out and across the guitar.
This is the kind of instrument that checks all the boxes: flawless execution, playability, and elegance.Other keywords: duane simpson, fingerstyle, jazz box, arch top, 02213, gotoh
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Alpine, Maple - Flamed Add to Compare2012 Forster “Charlie,” Carved Maple/European Spruce
In Nigel Forster’s “modern classic” archtop stable, his Charlie model comes to us with carved Maple back and sides, carved European Spruce top, and an innovative “long neck” design that marries electric guitar sustain and playability with the resonance and dynamic range of an acoustic instrument. Here with a handmade Kent Armstrong AlNiCo III Jazz humbucker and old school paper-in-oil capacitor with volume and tone knobs recessed under the Ebony pickguard, compensated zero fret and saddle, and Maple neck, our 2012 Forster Charlie cuts a fine figure, and plays flawlessly and spot on all across the board. The neck is 1.75 inches at the nut, giving the left fingers a bit more room to stretch out, and the Armstrong humbucker is a powerhouse pickup for everything from Jazz to Blues, and even further afield.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, n.k. forster, archtop guitar, evo frets, cutaway, stefan sobell
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - European, Maple Add to Compare1991 Gibson L-4 CES Master Model, Mahogany/Spruce
Black as night and sweet as sin. This 1991 Gibson Master Model L-4CES is a tall, dark drink of water with a wide range of tones under the hood. Warm neck position down to a quacky bridge position with strong motown vibes; it does it all, and so well at that. Mahogany body with Spruce top, three-way toggle, twin humbuckers, and gold hardware throughout. Parallelogram position markers, 1 1/16″ nut width, tortoise-style pickguard.
Other keywords: duane simpson, fingerstyle, jazz, arch top
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.625 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.063 in Woods Spruce, Mahogany Add to Compare2001 Gibson L-5 Wes Montgomery, Flamed Maple/Spruce
This 2001 L-5CES Wes Montgomery is a powerhouse, elegantly appointed and set up for glassy playability. Maple body with Spruce top, ’57 Classic PAF humbucker plus gold hardware, and being from 2001 this has Jim Hutchins‘ signature at the label. Looking for a classic Gibson L-5? The Wes Montgomery will do quite nicely.
Other keywords: duane simpson, fingerstyle, arch top, jazz, 23021003
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.063 in Woods Spruce, Maple - Flamed Add to Compare2000 Gibson Tal Farlow, All Maple
This Gibson Tal Farlow signature model is smartly appointed and ready for action. Built in 2000, it’s in excellent shape with Figured Maple body and top, twin humbuckers plus toggle switch, nickle hardware, Rosewood fingerboard, and the ubiquitious faux scroll cutaway design. 1 11/16″ nut and currently setup with flatwound 13s, but you would also have a blast with roundwounds.
Other keywords: duane simpson, jazz box, archtop, 21240004
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.063 in Woods Maple - Figured, Maple - Flamed Add to Compare1996 Gibson Citation, Tiger Maple/Spruce
This 1996 Gibson Citation model takes out every single stop. Dressed to the nines, upgraded with premium woods and 24 carat gold hardware, then powered by a Gibson BJB humbucker. Back and sides are carved Tiger Maple with tight flame (ditto for the neck); top is carved Sitka Spruce. Extensive MOP inlays along the fretboard, bridge, and culminating with a fleur-de-lis at the headstock between gold Kluson Sealfast tuners. Maple pickguard creates a light contrast to the honeyed Sitka top, and is adorned with the BJB’s volume knob towards the bottom.
Other keywords: lutherie, duane simpson, 19967001, f hole
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2 in Woods Spruce, Maple - Flamed Add to Compare1969 Gibson Super 400 from Chinery Collection, Maple/Spruce
A beautiful example of the 1960s Gibson legacy. This is a gorgeous Super 400CN-WAL coming to us from 1969, and from the Scott Chinery collection along the way. You can find it with its own spread in The Chinery Collection: 150 Years of American Guitars! Figured Maple back and sides with a carved Spruce top, Flame Maple neck, and original gold hardware. The back and sides feature a unique walnut stain that really sets off the honey amber Spruce top. The original pickguard has since succumbed to time (remaining fragments included with purchase), and later replaced with a period correct replica. The instrument has been recently outfitted with an acoustic pickguard (the original, nonfunctioning Dearmond pickup and replica guard are also included with purchase). The voice is characterized by a complexity and airiness that is reminiscent of a modern archtop responsiveness. Lively, expressive, and enveloping.
Other keywords: vintage, blue guitar, super 400, s-400cn, duane simpson, ’69
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.375 in Nut Width 1.68 in String Spacing 2.06 in Woods Spruce, Maple Add to Compare1982 Gibson D’Angelico #2166S, Maple/Spruce
A special piece, this one. We’ve got a 1982 Gibson/D’Angelico, #2166S. This archtop was commissioned by Gordon Poland, and built by Gibson’s master luthier Aaron Cowles out of his own home, one of only two D’Angelico replicas Cowles built. Here, the guitar was built from various specifications and dimensions of Johnny Smith’s original 1955 D’Angelico Excel 1000—and Cowles had direct access to this very instrument for this purpose.
Cowles acquired a tailpiece in the D’Angelico style from the original company John used, you’ll find a D’Angelico stamp on the inside of the instrument and “IHJD” inlaid on the back of the headstock, “In Honor of John D’Angelico.”Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, jazz guitar, dangelico, d’angelico guitar, d’angelica, johny smith, new york
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.875 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.0625 in Woods Spruce, Maple Add to Compare1958 Gibson ES-175
Man oh man, this is a fun one. We’re talking about a virtually all-original 1958 Gibson ES-175 (right down to the curlicue pickguard) with the original Gibson Lifton case, PAF pickup, tuners, bridge—on and on. We’ve gone over this one with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything is in order, and we’re very happy to say this one is on the up and up! It plays like butter with a chunky C neck, and the PAF screams when you dig in, and purrs when you don’t. More mojo than you can shake a pick at! It’s in amazing condition to boot (but please, keep those boots away from this vintage ES-175).
This is the kind of Gibson history you want to keep close at hand, at all times.SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.625 in Nut Width 1.72 in String Spacing 2 in Woods Mahogany, Mahogany