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1996 Zimnicki 18 Custom

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SN#: 86

Nut Width: 1 3/4" Scale Length: 25" Body size: 18" Body depth: 3 1/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .76/.90

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved spruce top; solid fiddleback flame maple body; tiger flame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; multi-ply rosewood binding; Circassian elm burl headplate; polished bone nut.

Hardware: All original hardware includes Kent Armstrong Handwound PAF floating humbucking pickup; gold Grover Imperial tuners; contoured ebony pickguard, tailpiece, and compensated adjustable ebony bridge.

Notes: From his workshop in Allen Park, Michigan, luthier Gary Zimnicki has created meticulously crafted instruments in a variety of styles for discerning players wordwide. Handcarved of spectacularly extravagant fiddleback and tiger flame maple, the Zimnicki 18 is a tribute to the fabled super jumbo archtops of the Golden Era.

At just 5lb, 15oz, the instrument is notably lightweight, especially for a full depth 18" instrument, and balances deftly on the lap or the strap. Back and sides are built of breathtaking AAAA flame maple of sumptuous depth and intensity, and the X braced soundboard is hand carved of solid bookmatched tap tuned Sitka spruce.

The neck is equally well crafted, with an elegant, gently flattened profile that is notably easy to play, with smooth low action over a solid ebony fingerboard. Upscale appointments include all handmade ebony hardware, highly figured Circassian elm burl headplate, and solid rosewood body binding throughout.

The voice is rich and resonant, with the vibrant clarity and projection of tonewood well seasoned over several decades of careful play. And all conveyed smoothly to the amp by the Kent Armstrong Handwound PAF pickup, a perennial favorite of top builders worldwide. Action is easy and low over a fresh high precision setup on the gentle, slightly flattened D profile neck. With all original hardware and a warmly ambered vintage style lacquer finish, the guitar is free of pick or buckle wear, with a pair of fine hairline cracks soundly cleated and resealed on top.

Super jumbo archtops are unmatched for their rich, buttery tone, and warm acoustic resonance. Yet they have been increasingly rare from contemporary luthiers, and often prohibitively expensive when they can be found at all. A rare sighting, and an outstanding value in a true hand-graduated US luthier built archtop guitar. The Big Girl: one only, call now.

Case: Original deluxe arched black plushlined hardshell case.

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