Vintage

Fender Stratocaster Elite Sunburst 1983

On April 9, 2018 /

Here’s a rare bird – from 1983, a Fender Stratocaster Elite in sunburst. This model was built only in 1983 and 1984, and introduced a number of new features and hardware pieces. Most visible of these are the short-lived FreeFlyte knife-edge trem, and the pushbutton pickup selectors. New pickups were installed, and the output jack went on the side – in this case, a Neutrix locking jack. With the three pickup switches, all pickup combinations are available. Not so immediately apparent is the routing. From the top, this guitar looks very much like a Stratocaster. But if you turn it over, you see that there is no cover, or route, for the trem springs, just a small plate covering access to the output jack wiring.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson Keb Mo Bluesmaster Steel String Guitar, 2011

On March 28, 2018 /

The Gibson Keb Mo signature Bluesmaster guitar is based on the small-bodied Gibson L-body guitars many blues players used from the 1920’s on. The L-body series weren’t just used by blues players – for many players throughout North America, these were a first serious guitar. The Gibson Keb’ Mo’ sports a Adirondack Red Spruce top with herringbone purfling, mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck with a bound East Indian Rosewood fingerboard. The bridge is also rosewood, with a bone saddle. The finish is Gibson’s normal nitrocellulose lacquer sunburst.

Used

This instrument has sold

Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Translucent Red, 2001

On March 26, 2018 /

The Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman was built from 1986 to 2005, but Gibson’s association with Chet Atkins began in 1981 with the CEC Cutaway Electric Classical. While most of the Chet Atkins Country Gentleman guitars were made by Gretsch, that was impossible after 1981 when Gretsch temporarily folded. Gibson stepped in to work with Atkins, and produced a number of excellent, and ground-breaking instruments.

Used

This instrument has sold

Albert J Litto 7 Course Renaissance Lute, 1965

On March 21, 2018 /

Here we have an Albert J Litto 7 Course Renaissance Lute, built during 1965 in Kenmore, New York. This lovely Renaissance lute demonstrates many traditional construction techniques. The bowl back is composed of flamed maple ribs, bent and joined. Inside the bowl, the ribs are sealed with parchment tape, made wet to induce expansion, then coated with hide glue. The water on the inside forces the ribs to curve from side to side, and the hardening glue keeps them in this shape.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

❌ Sold ❌ Gibson A-Style Mandolin Brown Top, 1918

On March 21, 2018 /

Seen here is a Gibson A-Style mandolin dating to 1918. The carved, oval sound hole top is Sitka Spruce, the sides are Maple as is the carved back. The fingerboard and bridge are Ebony. A single layer of binding was applied to the top, only – not the back, fingerboard, or head. The headstock does not have, or has lost, a Gibson logo. The original pick guard, which would have been celluloid, is long gone.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Fender Stratocaster Maple Neck Translucent Brown, 1979

On March 19, 2018 /

The Fender Stratocaster was a hit from the moment it appeared in 1954, though its advanced features did not knock the Telecaster off the charts. Both continued in production to the present day. Dating to 1979 and built at the Fender plant in Fullerton, California, this Stratocaster has a body stamp for 1978. It is in largely original condition, with the originally poly finish and frets in decent condition. Along the neck edges, there is some expected chipping and wear of the finish. The body finish has a number of dings and the top may have been cleaned with some sort of solvent as there is some slight pitting.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Vintage

Fender Stratocaster Elite Sunburst 1983

Gibson Keb Mo Bluesmaster Steel String Guitar, 2011

Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Translucent Red, 2001

Albert J Litto 7 Course Renaissance Lute, 1965

❌ Sold ❌ Gibson A-Style Mandolin Brown Top, 1918

Fender Stratocaster Maple Neck Translucent Brown, 1979

THE TWELFTH FRET

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