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2003 Hopkins Monarch 17
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may by found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Serial#: 803
Body size at lower bout: 17" Body Depth: 3" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4"
Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; handcarved solid fiddleback maple back and sides; one piece tiger flame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; pearl headstock logo; deluxe 9-ply body binding; solid bone nut.
Hardware: Hardware includes hand carved ebony tailpiece and finger rest; gold Grover Imperial tuners, compensated adjustable ebony bridge; Armstrong floating Smoothtop pickup with thumbwheel tone and volume controls and endpin jack.
Notes: Picture a young boy in Dad's workshop, rapt with awe as his father rough-carves the top of an A-style mandolin. Now fast forward to Peter Hopkin's busy workshop in Penticton, British Columbia, as he fashions master quality instruments for a worldwide clientele. Using the design concepts of Bob Benedetto as a starting point, Hopkins has evolved a line of instruments that reflect both his personal vision and his high standards for fit, finish and tone.
This exquisite instrument is a rare 17" example of his flagship Monarch model, usually only available as a super jumbo 18" guitar. Back sides and neck are crafted of exquisite flame maple of 3-D depth, and the fingerboard and art-deco styled hardware are all solid ebony. At just 5 lb. 9 oz. the guitar is unusually lightweight, with a closely graduated tap-tuned X-braced soundboard of bookmatched quartersawn spruce. The extravagant 9 ply body binding is so finely grained the camera can barely capture it: even the f-holes are 5 ply bound, a level of meticulous detail almost unheard of.
The neck profile is a comfy gentle D, with smooth low action, and a fresh high-precision setup over a solid ebony fingerboard with a 1 3/4" nut and 25" scale. The guitar is fitted by the maker with an Armstrong Handmade Smoothtop humbucking pickup with thumbwheel volume and tone controls and endpin jack. The voice is exceptionally powerful and vibrant, with sparkling reverb in the upper register, and warm, rich bass and mids.
This instrument is in immaculate all-original condition, without playwear of any kind. Hopkins guitars are rarely seen on the vintage market, and command a princely sum when available. One only, call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.012-.054). 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.
Case: Original premium arched black plush lined hardshell case.
