12-String players, gather round: we’ve got one of the all-time greats in the store today: a 1987 Sobell 12-String Archtop! Stefan Sobell is recognized as one of the original builders of Irish bouzouki, and other double-stringed instruments, and his long career attests to decades spent honing his craft. It is always a pleasure to have one of his guitars in the shop, and it’s even more of a pleasure to have one of his 12-String Archtops. With Indian Rosewood back and sides and a carved European Spruce top, this guitar has a rich and dynamic range, with octave strings that project with clarity. What’s more, this guitar features 12×12 construction: it is both a 12-String and a 12-fret guitar. When these two design features are brought together, the result is effortless playability and an enveloping, complex tonality. Finally, Sobell believes that a 12-string design is best supported by an archtop body–and it’s clear why that is: the arched top creates just the right separation between the notes and make the pairs of strings discrete and clear. This is one of only a handful ever made and is as collectible as it is beautiful.
Stefan Sobell feels the archtop supports a 12 string best. It gives it clarity and separation, as well as great punch. This Sobell 12 string is very clear and very lively. Stefan has made only a few of these, so this is a rather collectible guitar. 
Bright and singing mids and highs are the primary characteristic of this 12-string. This would be a wonderful addition to any collection. It is unique and adds a texture that is unobtainable from other 12-strings, almost a bouzouki quality, which makes sense given the builder. One of the easiest playing 12-strings I've seen, this one has that characteristic clear and punchy tone that Sobell is known for. It would be ideal to add to a recording mix or ensemble where the clarity is the most important thing. | Scale Length | 25.5 in |
|---|---|
| Nut Width | 1.81 in |
| String Spacing | 2.38 in |
| Woods | Spruce - European, Rosewood - Indian |
12-String players, gather round: we've got one of the all-time greats in the store today: a 1987 Sobell 12-String Archtop. Stefan Sobell is recognized as one of the original builders of Irish bouzouki, and other double-stringed instruments, and his long career attests to decades spent honing his craft
Stefan Sobell feels the archtop supports a 12 string best. It gives it clarity and separation, as well as great punch
Bright and singing mids and highs are the primary characteristic of this 12-string. This would be a wonderful addition to any collection 