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2002 Moll 17 Classic
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SN# 0031708
Body size at lower bout: 17" Body Depth: 3" Scale length: 25 1/2 " Nut: 1 11/16"
Finish: Amber blonde finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; handcarved solid AAA maple back and sides with Venetian cutaway; 3 piece tiger flame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; pearl headstock logo; solid bone nut.
Hardware: Ebony hardware includes hand carved finger rest, tailpiece, compensated adjustable bridge, and tuning keys; gold Schaller 16X1 tuners, floating Kent Armstrong humbucker with volume control, endpin jack.
Notes: Since Bill Moll started making archtops over three decades ago, the field has seen a proliferation of independent builders. While most contemporary archtops sound decent enough through an amp, very few can cut the mustard unplugged. Happily, this is not a problem at Moll's workshop in Springfield, Missouri. Guitars like his Classic model are built from the ground up as acoustic guitars first and foremost, and sound absolutely superb under amplification as well.
Moll guitars have been popular among a number of top performers, including John and Bucky Pizzarelli, and after playing one, it's not hard to see why. The tops are supported with extremely narrow and deeply scalloped braces of very low mass, designed to minimize interference with the vibration of the soundboard. The backs are zone-graduated to optimize acoustic response. The truss rod in the 3-ply neck is reinforced with bars of nickel plated, cold rolled steel, both to strengthen the neck, and to resist the dissipation of tone and volume away from the soundbox. The result is a instrument of notable projection and clarity, a true acoustic archtop for the 21st century.
A handsome example of his Classic model, this guitar is built with an all carved, full depth 17" Venetian cutaway body, crafted from extravagantly figured curly maple and fine grain bookmatched spruce. In virtually unplayed condition, with all original hardware and finish. Smooth low action over comfy gentle D neck profile, deeply resonant acoustic volume with smoothly amplified tone. This guitar is ultra-light and responsive, weighing in at a mere 5lb. 11oz. unusually light in weight for a full depth, full size archtop. The guitar is fitted with its original floating Kent Armstrong Handwound humbucking pickup, and solid ebony 'organ reed' tailpiece, fingerboard, pickguard and bridge.
This 100% original example shows no pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, with its only sign of age being a few wisps of checking in the deep amber finish, visible only at certain angles. Bill is focusing now only on ultra-premium custom order guitars, making all his former standard models like this one now unavailable, sad to say. You will however, be able to roam the planet securely with this blonde beauty, as it is snugly housed in its original ATA certified molded black fiberglass flight case, a $1000 value all its own.
A true classic for the contemporary player. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.012-.052). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
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