Photos & Video
Specs
Description
Accessories
Contact
John Arnold needs no introduction here. If you know about John, you know how rare this instrument is. His guitars simply don’t come up for sale. It’s not only that rarity that makes this guitar exceptional–it’s also the effortless setup, the powerful voice with its clear, balanced response, the insanely figured Koa body and extra tight-grained Adirondack Spruce top. It’s the experience. Some guitars feel alive in your hands. This 1999 John Arnold D42S Deluxe does it every time you pick it up.
Other keywords: lutherie, slope shoulder, 12 fret, flame koa, 42-style, 55, dreadnought, dreadnaught
John Arnold is legendary in our part of the world, in particular among traditional guitar lovers. He's known for building instruments that are clearly inspired by the prewar holy grail guitars. He's also a tonewood dealer and has harvested some of the best Spruce known to man. He hasn't made a large number of guitars, but they are highly sought after. Put all of that together and you get very rare and special guitar that you will want to play every day and will also be a wonderful investment. 
The voice carries a clarity that I find entrancing. Notes are just clean, pure, and precise. Not an ounce of mud to be found anywhere, and the top is sensitive enough for fingers as well as picks. I love the red purflings that help set off the 42-style Abalone appointments and figured Koa. | Scale Length | 25.4 in |
|---|---|
| Nut Width | 1.75 in |
| String Spacing | 2.25 in |
| Woods | Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Koa |
John Arnold needs no introduction here. If you know about John, you know how rare this instrument is
John Arnold is legendary in our part of the world, in particular among traditional guitar lovers. He's known for building instruments that are clearly inspired by the prewar holy grail guitars
The voice carries a clarity that I find entrancing. Notes are just clean, pure, and precise