Please note: All instruments that have stock numbers followed by an asterisk (*) are in stock at our San Diego store. Please call Tom @ (619) 280-9035 for further information.
JUST IN!! New! Benedetto Bambino Espresso: As its name implies, the Bambino is a baby in size but with a big voice. This extraodinary model is a prayer answered for the musician with a lot of time on the road. Its lightweight and compact 14 1/2" body is easily manageable in airport traffic or taxis. It features a laminated maple top and back, a maple neck shaped for playing comfort as only a Benedetto can be. With two chrome plated Benedetto A-6 pickups it's all you'll ever need! So if you're looking for the tone of a big jazz box but need the compact comfort of a smaller guitar, this model was made for you. Wit hard shell case. (MSRP $2950) Buffalo Bros price: $2360 Stock #NGB28731. PHOTO
New! Bendetto Bambino Deluxe Honey Blonde With Espresso Back And Sides: This is a Bambino with Jazz Attitude...this version maintains the dimensional specifications of the Bambino model but adds modern sound holes, a flamed maple veneer top, gold hardware and a deluxe binding package to the body, neck and headstock. The sound holes enhance the acoustic volume to the unplugged instrument and give the guitar a more traditional archtop look with only a single pickup place in the rhythm position. To show off the beautiful flamed top, this instrument features a honed blonde finish with espresso back and sides. With hard shell case. (MSRP $5500) Buffalo Bros price: $4400 Stock #NGB27406. PHOTO
Used! Benedetto La Venezia: (exc) The La Venezia represents the pinnacle of pure acoustic archtop design, marterials and craftsmanship and is a culmination and celebration of Robert Benedetto's experience as both a guitar and violin maker. Every aspect of this guitars has been designed, built and tuned to present the premium tonal palette for the most discriminating player. From its hand-selected European cello woods to it's aesthetically classic design, void of binding and inlays, La Venezia's beauty is unparalleled. With little evidence of having been played, this Corona Custom Shop version of the ultimate Benedetto archtop is a joy to behold. With hard shell case $22,500 Stock#UGB28186. PHOTO
Used Eastman AR810CE : (exc) The word is out. Eastman archtops, to use the popular expression, are the bomb! This 17" wide version of their best archtop has a carved Asian Spruce top with super tight grain, and back & sides of some of the fanciest curly Maple to be found. The Eastman folks earned their spurs the hard way, carving violins and cellos for over a Century. That same skill and attention to detail is carried over to their archtop guitars. Superb craftsmanship, excellent wood selection, and prices that are amazingly affordable. With hard case $1650 Stock#UGB27043 photo
JUST IN!! 1959 Epiphone Broadway E252 Sunburst: (EXC) This prime example of an Epiphone Broadway electric hollowbody comes from the first full year of production after the company's merger with Gibson. Although bearing a Kalamazoo, MI label, this early model was produced using the surplus materials from Epiphone's New York plant. Extremely well cared for this 17 3/8" archtop features a hollow maple body with graceful Venetian cutaway and sunburst finish, 3-piece mahogany neck with bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, pearl block inlay, original adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge, nickel Frequensator tailpiece and a pair of Epiphone "New York" pickups with 3-way toggle, individual volume and tone controls. The neck profile is that signature Epiphone soft "V" that fits comfortably and naturally in your hands. It's got a great acoustic response and is surprisingly loud unplugged. Amplified these pickups are bright and clear with a nice punch, great for everything from jazz and blues to rockabilly. Save for the replaced tuners this Epiphone Broadway has been kept in its original state and has resided safely in its original case for many years.....she's ready to rejoing the ranks and make some music! $3250 Stock #UGB28472. PHOTO
1965 Epiphone Broadway Sunburst: (VG+) Originally, had Epiphone (the House of Strathopolous) continued producing guitars, this would have been called the Broadway Zephyr Regent. Zephyr was Epiphone's designation for instruments with pickups, and Regent meant it had a cutaway. But after Gibson devoured Epiphone in the early'50s, the model name was shortened to simply: Broadway. If you've got the ability, this is a vintage Rock-a-billy machine. Two 'mini-humbuckers' and that all important feature, the Bigsby vibrato. We've called it VG+ rather than rate it higher because the finish has faded to a nicer color than the original which was a cross between the 'iced tea' sunburst and the cherry sunburst. But everything else from crack free body to fast neck is ready to rock! With hard case $2650 Stock#UGB28189. photo
1942 Gibson L-4 Blonde ~~~ RARE NICK LUCAS INLAY VERSION ~~~: (VG) Gibson's L-4 has the distinction of being the only model in the line to share specifications with their original flagship L-5 model of the late-20s and early-30s. The features include a 16" non-cutaway body with solid spruce top and maple back and sides, 3-ply white/black/white body binding, maple neck with bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, nickel trapeze tailpiece. The adustable rosewood bridge is a replacement as are the period correct open-back Grover tuning machines. The neck seam appears to have been repaired a very long time ago as it is solid and stable and does not affect tone or playability. What really sets this particular Gibson L-4 apart from others is the very seldom seen Nick Lucas pearl inlay, which is the perfect complement to this instrument's feel and sound. The neck profile is a comfortably rounded "C" that's just full enough to fit nicely into your hands and the voice has a good midrange bark. We've only seen a couple of these in the last 10 years so don't let it slip away from you....it may be you're only chance! With original hard shell case. $3250 Stock #UGB25913. photo
1922 Gibson L-4 Sunburst: (G) It's always a difficult choice as to where to list these Pre-Loar era Gibson archtops. Yes, they do have an arch in the top, but the oval soundhole and very slight arch rely more on flattop design than the instruments which followed the tenure of Mr. Loar as Gibson's in house genius. The year is in question too. The paper label inside, with its un-readable pencilled in number, is quite likely a 1922 when dated by its appointments. But then again, as has been said many times, "The only thing consistent about Gibson is its inconsistency." This is none the less, a great blues machine and has that wonderful strident tone that harkens back to the pre-depression juke joints and rent parties. With hard shell case. $1850 Stock #UGB23570. photo
1945 Gibson L-5 Sunburst: (EXC-) Here it is! For many, the top of the line L-5 continues to be the definitive archtop jazz guitar. This gorgeous example features an incredibly straight-grained solid spruce top with loads of cross-grain silk, solid maple back and sides with some very nice birdseye figure on the back, highly figured maple neck, ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlay, original Brazilian rosewood adjustable bridge, original tuning machines and trapeze tailpiece. The pickguard is one of the most accurate reproductions we've seen. At some point in time the instrument was treated to a light coat of overspray, just to protect the original finish and give it back a touch of luster. The neck profile is a very comfortable, rounded shape that welcomes the player to either chords or single note passages....and of course THE SOUND!!! Wide open, clear and punchy, a finely aged work of jazz art. With original hard case $9500 Stock#UGB25926 photo
1939 Gibson L-30 Sunburst: (EXC) In an effort to offer a more affordable archtop, Gibson released a couple of models with a 14 3/4" body, one of them being the L-30. This short-lived model featured a solid spruce top, maple back and sides with flat back, single-layer binding on the top and back of the body, one-piece mahogany neck with unbound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, pearl dot position markers, silk-screened headstock logo, adjustable rosewood bridge, nickel trapeze tailpiece, raised unbound pickguard. The neck profile is, as you might expect, a pronounced "V" shape. Tonally these have a nice little bark to them, perfect for old time jazz or country blues with a surprising amount of volume and projection for such a seemingly small guitar. These are getting to be a rare find nowadays and are still a great value in today's vintage archtop market. With gig bag. $1850 Stock #UGB26710. photo
1950 Gibson L-48: (VG) A really great sounding example of the Gibson 'student model' 16" archtop. Even though the appointments are rather Spartan, Gibson none-the-less built a lot of tone into these very reasonably priced instruments. The L-48 was so named because its original retail price was $48, or about 200 gallons of gasoline in those days. Except that, they aren't available any more. Gibson, as well as other big name makers can't afford to make a guitar for that amount of money, not even several times that amount. So the good news for you is, even though one of the previous owners decided that a Mahogany stained finsih would improve the looks, the tone has not suffered. And the price, for this great sounding, easy playing Gibson archtop, is very affordable. With hard case $1250 Stock#UGB28094. photo
1954 Gibson ES-150 Sunburst: (EXC-) Players who see this beauty have pronounced it "pretty darn clean". That was our reaction too, the first time we saw it. A full 17" body in Gibson's easily recognizable sunburst with very rare Alnico P-90 pickup in the neck position. Whether you're a rock-a-billy, mod rocker , or a fan of that warm "Charlie Christian" tone, this one will do it for you. The guitar comes supplied with two cases: the original "semi-soft plush" case that it was originally sold with, and a sturdier, recent vintage, Heritage hard shell case. $2450 Stock#UGB28193. PHOTO
2004 Gibson ES-175 Antique sunburst: (EXC) There's not a lot of things that can be said about the world's most popular jazz guitar. Just listen to recordings by Joe Pass, Jim hall, or just about anybody who was a major player in the jazz field. It's got that deep, resonant body, a cutaway, and a pair of humbucking pickups. Just about perfect by anyone's standards. Then of course, there's the neck and fretboard: as perfectly matched to a player's hands as can be. Isn't it time you got your hands on one? With hard case $2450 Stock#UGB24990. photo
JUST IN!! 1964 Gretsch 6118 Orange Stain: (EXC) If you've been hoping to add a vintage Gretsch to your collection but (like many of us) are on a tight "musician's" budget then this may very well be the one you've been looking for. This gorgeous example from 1964 has been beautifully restored, refinished in a classic Gretsch orange stain, Bigsby tailpiece added and converted to a fixed bridge for stability and reliability. The original HiLoTron pickups are still there for the great Gretsch sound! This is not only lovely to look at, but it would also make a great working guitar. With hard shell case. $1500 Stock #UGB28288. PHOTO
JUST IN!! New! Gretsch G6120DSW Chet Atkins Hollowbody Western Maple Stain: Town Hall Party! This tribute to the early Gretsch Chet Atkins Hollow Body models of the mid-'50s features full western appointments, including a "G" brand on the upper bout, western-engraved fingerboard inlays and a steer's head headstock inlay. Other features include a 2 3/4"-deep laminated maple body, dual DynaSonic™ single-coil pickups, polished Bigsby® vibrato tailpiece with vintage flat handle, Grover® Sta-Tite™ machine heads, "arrow" knobs, aged binding, gold hardware and Western Maple Stain finish. With hard shell case. (MSRP $3225) Stock #NGB28374. photo BUY NOW
JUST IN!! New! Gretsch G6196 Country Club Cadillac Green: In 1954, Gretsch shook up the stodgy guitar world of natural and sunburst finishes by introducing a green, Country Club, jazz electric guitar. This bold tie-in to the auto industry was a hint of even more colorful guitars to come. The optional "Cadillac Green" finish when combined with the brilliant gold hardware made this guitar both visually stunning and worthy of being displayed at any art museum. Now, the classic Cadillac Green Gretsch Country Club is back! Features include two brilliant DynaSonic™ single-coil pickups, "G" long tailpiece, adjustable bridge, detailed binding, and enough gold hardware to make Fort Knox envious. With hard shell case. (MSRP $3575) Stock #NGB28375. photo
...and don't forget about the other Gretsch electrics!
New! Heritage H-575 Custom Vintage Sunburst ~~ NAMM MODEL ~~: Fresh from the NAMM show booth comes this beautiful 16" hollowbody archtop. The H-575 continues to be one our most popular models and features include a body of solid maple for the top, back and sides with binding on the top and back, florentine cutaway allowing easy access to the upper register notes, one-piece mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard. This example is the Custom version with the addition of pearl block inlay and gold hardware, including a pair of Heritage HRW humbucking pickups with 3-way toggle selector switch, individual volume and tone controls. Players continue to be drawn to this body size for it's comfortable feel and it's versatility as it blends nicely into many styles of music. Jazz and blues, rock and R&B, even rockabilly and country can be coaxed from this great instrument. With hard shell case. (MSRP $4800) OUR PRICE IS TOO LOW TO ADVERTISE SO CALL! Stock #NGB26980* photo
New! Heritage Golden Eagle Antique Sunburst ~~ NAMM MODEL ~~: We were also fortunate to have been able to grab this one from the Heritage booth at the recent NAMM show. This gorgeous guitar is sure to bring the "Wes" out in anyone and features a solid carved spruce top with solid flame maple back and sides, graceful venetian cutaway, maple neck with ebony fingerboard, pearl inlaid cloud inlay, adjustable ebony bridge, gold hardware including Grover Imperial tuning machines, Heritage bail tailpiece and single top-mounted HRW humbucking pickup with top-mounted volume and tone controls. There's multi-layer binding on the body, neck, headstock and even on the finished-to-match solid flame maple pickguard. The neck profile is a gently rounded, "C" shape that's a '60s style slim depth offering comfortable playability through the instrument's entire register. The tone is clear and balanced with a nice separation to the notes. Heritage continues to offer fine craftsmanship and this is certainly a testament to their legacy. With hard shell case. (MSRP $6940) CALL FOR OUR PRICE! Stock #NGB26979. photo
New! Heritage Sweet 16 Old Style Burst: This Heritage Sweet 16 is just in, brand new from the Heritage factory. The features of this very popular model features a solid carved spruce top with solid maple back and sides, maple neck with ebony fingerboard, split-block pearl inlay, gold Grover tuning machines, adjustable ebony bridge, ebony tailpiece, multiple layer binding on the body, neck headstock and solid maple pickguard, bound f-holes and a single floating jazz humbucker attached to the pickguard with volume control. The body of the Sweet 16, as the name suggests, is a comfortable 16" across the lower bout. The tone is big, warm and balanced and would give even the larger sized hollowbody jazz archtops a run for the money. The single florentine cutaway allows the player easy access to the upper range of the guitar. All the Heritage instruments we've had in the store have been special and this Sweet 16 definitely caught our eyes and ears when it arrived. With hard shell case. (MSRP $6110) CALL FOR OUR PRICE! Stock #NGB27748. photo
New! Hopkins Marquis Sunburst: Ready yourself for one of the most beautiful archtops you've ever seen! Peter Hopkins' instruments are easily among the finest in the world and this Marquis is a firm testament to his meticulous craftsmanship. The features of this masterpiece include a 17" body with 3" depth, graceful venetian cutaway for access to the upper register, an incredibly fine and straight-grained solid spruce top with X-pattern bracing, solid Big Leaf maple back and sides with spectacular flame figure that dances in the light like ripples on a stream, one-piece Big Leaf maple neck with stunning barber-pole flame, ebony fingerboard with pearl dot position markers, ebony adjustable bridge, tailpiece and pickguard, floating Kent Armstrong humbucking pickup with stealth volume and tone controls mounted to the underside of the pickguard, multi-layer binding on the body, neck, headstock and f-holes and ultra smooth Gotoh tuners with ebony buttons. The neck profile on this Marquis is a comfortably inviting slim "C" shape that plays like a breeze through the entire register of the instrument. Tonally this is every bit a lush and beautiful as the guitar's appearance. Warm, resonant and balanced with a dynamic response that's a player's dream. Imagine what she'll sound like when she starts to open up! With Ameritage deluxe hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $8200 Stock #NGB27259. photo
New! Martin CF-2 Sunburst: Definitely built to be amplified, this 17" archtop has a 2 1/2" depth, laminate Alpine Spruce top, laminated European flame Maple back and sides, Ebony fingerboard, Gotoh Tune-O-Matic bridge with Ebony foot, gold Gotoh tuners with Ebony buttons, Ebony tailpiece and 2 Seymour Duncan humbuckers with individual volume and tone controls as well as 3-way toggle pickup selector switch. The full "U" shaped neck gives this a vintage feel and the tone is smooth and warm. Definitely worth a look or two...or three...heck, ya better just pick this one up! With hard shell case. (MSRP $5499) Stock #NGB20039* photo
1976 Carl Barney 16C: An incredibly easy to play 16" cutaway archtop. Carl Barney is a legendary name among the jazz players. His 24.5" scale with the 1 5/8" nut width makes for one of the most comfortable playing guitars you will ever hold in your hand. A very attractive sunburst finish over a Spruce top, Maple back & sides body with 5 ply binding on the top and around the headstock serve to make for a very attractive package as well. The tone, which of course is all important, is provided by a vintage P-90 pickup in the neck position.The peghead with its Carl Barney banner is crowned with gold Grover Rotomatic tuning machines. A really great guitar! With hard case $1700 Stock#UGB14705* photo
Used! Ibanez Artcore AF105F Natural: (EXC) The Ibanez Artcore AF105F Hollowbody Electric Guitar is designed and appointed to be a classy jazzer. It has a fully hollow body with flamed maple on the top and body. The single floating pickup is a special version of Ibanez's Custom 58 humbucker that can deliver sweet tones with singing sustain. The floating mount helps fight feedback. A custom set-in neck joint makes a solid connection between the 5-piece maple/bubinga neck and the body. The bound rosewood fingerboard has 22 medium frets and elegant pearl/abalone inlays. The 24-3/4" scale delivers easy playability. It also has pickguard-mounted pickup controls, custom inlays on the bridge and tailpiece, a pickguard that matches the body, and gold hardware. With hard shell case. $650 Stock #UGB28103. photo
JUST IN!! 1996 Ibanez PM100 Pat Metheny Natural: (EXC) This all maple full hollowbody has been designed specifically to meet the demands of jazz legend, Pat Metheny. The model features an offset double cutaway 16" body with 3.15" depth, custom Pat Metheny profiled neck with bound ebony fingerboard with pearl/abalone block inlay, gold hardware including trapeze tailpiece, tune-o-matic bridge with rosewood foot and a single Ibanez Super 58 humbucking pickup with volume and tone controls. The PM100 is a dream to play with a warm, rich and inviting tone. A professional level jazz archtop at a price an everyday working player can afford! With original hard shell case. $2000 Stock #UGB19750. photo
1938 Kalamazoo KG-31 Sunburst: (EXC) The Kalamazoo KG-31 is bound to be one of the best values to be found in today's every escalating vintage archtop market. This Gibson-made example, circa 1938, features a 16" body with solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, one-piece mahogany neck with large "V" profile, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, adjustable rosewood bridge and nickel trapeze tailpiece. Its voice has a nice mid-range-y bark to it that will instantly throw you into old time jazz band rhythm, ready to cut right through in the mix. There certainly is truth to the statement that the individual personality of an instrument will bring different things out of your playing and this little Kalamazoo KG-31 is a shining example of that. Treat yourself to this one and it will bring a smile to your face. With hard shell case. $1250 Stock #UGB27302. photo
Vintage Kay Old Krafstman N-3 Sunburst: (F) This is a good one for the player on a budget who needs an archtop electric. Spruce top, maple back and sides, adjustable rosewood bridge, Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, floating mini-humbucker. There are a few repaired cracks in the top, but they're are stable. She may not be pristine, but she still has a great, warm voice and the neck has a comfortably full rounded profile. With hard shell case. $600 Stock #UGB12670. photo
Late-50s/Early-60s Premier Bantam Sunburst: (VG) This is most definitely one of THEE COOLEST little archtop guitars in the shop right now. The Premier Bantam is a mere 13 3/8" across the lower bout with a 2 3/4" deep body. It's outfitted with a pair of single-coil pickups with 3-way rotary selector switch, individual volume controls for each pickup and master tone control. The bound rosewood fingerboard has great big pearl dot position markers, perhaps to make the little guy feel more confident or maybe to complement the large '50s style neck profile. The headstock is adorned with a super cool overlay with Premier logo and torch motif. The Bantam may be small in stature, but it's got a full 25" scale length so there's no shortage of tone. An incredible bargain for an instrument that's off the charts in the vibe category! With hard shell case. $800 Stock #UGB15584. photo
'30s Recording King L-37 Sunburst: (VG) Man, oh man! This is a killer little archtop. Produced by Gibson in the '30s, this Recording King L-37 features 15" body with a solid spruce top, flat figured maple back, maple sides, one-piece mahogany neck with medium-size "V" profile, rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, squared-off tapered headstock, adjustable rosewood bridge, short trapeze tailpiece. The guitar's 4" depth adds a surprising amount of bass, conjuring up a sound that belies its diminutive appearance. Some time ago a couple of top cracks were professionally repaired at which time the top was also treated to a nice thin layer of overspray, giving it a glowing gloss without hampering the guitars tone and resonance. This great little Recording King L-37 is the truly the ultimate old-time string band instrument. With hard shell case. $1500 Stock #UGB27311. photo
'50s Regal Archtop Blonde: (EXC) This is indeed a rare find. Although primarily known for their resonator guitars, Regal also produced some very hip archtop models through the Harmony factory. This 16 1/2" blonde beauty is one of the nicest we've come across and is one of very few we've seen with a solid spruce top. Other features include maple back and sides, solid maple neck with bound rosewood fingerboard, block inlay, 4-ply black/white/black/white top binding, rosewood adjustable bridge, nickel tailpiece and segmented f-holes. The guitar has a cool, old-time archtop voice and the neck profile is just full enough for comfortable playability. Looking for a great vintage archtop with a killer vibe at a blue collar price? Well look no further. With chipboard case. $900 Stock #UGB27865. PHOTO
'30s Regal M2 Sunburst: (VG) Looking for a great deal on a killer vintage archtop? Well look what we have here! This is a Regal M2 archtop with 15 1/2" lower bout, spruce top, maple back and sides, mahogany neck with very pronounced (and we mean VERY) "V" profile, rosewood fingerboard. From the first strum you'll be pleasantly surprised by the warmth and richness of tone eminating from this understated little guitar. It's got one of those voices that draws you in and makes you want to just keep playing it....plus it's just super cool! With chipboard case. $750 Stock #UGB28658. photo BUY NOW
1997 Triggs New Yorker Custom Walnut Stain: (EXC) Jim Triggs started building instruments over 25 years ago. He was hired by Gibson in 1986 to work in their world famous custom shop. Prior to working for Gibson he was a respected mandolin builder in the Midwest and on the West coast having already built between 130-150 mandolins. His first duties included getting their F-5 mandolins back to their 1920’s specifications and supervising the custom shop as well as running their Nashville artist relations department. During his last tenure at Gibson Jim spent his time overseeing the arch top guitar line. In his six years at Gibson, Jim worked on over 20 art instruments and signed the labels of over 700 guitars and mandolins. Jim left Gibson in the spring of 1992 to build guitars on his own. Jim’s vast knowledge of various instruments led him on a path to become a “one man custom shop”. He also has a reputation for making guitars for a who’s who of artists in the music industry. This fine example boasts a hand carved solid Spruce top with cat eye soundholes, solid flame Maple back and sides, one-piece Maple neck with Ebony fingerboard with split-block pearl inlay, gold hardware including Grover Imperial tuning machines, Stromberg style trapeze tailpicece, adjustable Rosewood bridge, Ebony headstock overlay with pearl inlaid logo and lightning bolt, floating mini-humbucker and ivoroid pickguard. The neck profile is comfortably subtle "V" shape offering a vintage feel without being too full or clubby. The tone is punchy and clear with quite a nice bark. A true custom archtop and a work of art! With hard shell case. $7000 Stock #UGB16980. photo
Looking for something special? We can't possibly list all we have so please ask!