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2004 Bernie Lehmann Eclipse Custom

Serial #: 372

Body size at lower bout: 16 " Scale length: 26 3/8" (670mm) Nut width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Solid fine grained bearclaw spruce top; solid Indian Rosewood back, and sides; solid tiger fame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard, risewood bridge with bone saddle; multicolor body and soundhole purfling.

Hardware: Engraved gold 3-on-a-plate tuners with grained ivoiroid keys; ebony tailpiece with scrimshaw inset; Bigtone piezo pickup installed, with 1/4" jack, adjustable truss rod.

Notes: Rochester, NY based luthier Bernie Lehmann has produced a wide variety of topflight handbuilt guitars since 1971, with an output approaching nearly 500 instruments to date. The Eclipse is an adaptation of the Selmer "Petite Bouche" guitar, as played by Django himself. No mere copyist of traditional design, Lehmann adds distinctive design elements, including a comfortable tapered body that ranges from 4" at the tailblock to 2 7/8" at the heel, with an oval sound port right under the ear, that serves handily as an acoustic monitor for the player. Marvelously light in weight, the Eclipse tips the scales at a mere 4lb. 5oz. (1.98kg) with a powerfully resonant voice, and excellent balance in the lap.

The top is made of solid bookmatched quartersawn spruce with pronounced "bearclaw" crossgrain, the back and sides are crafted from solid figured Indian rosewood, and the neck is carved from a simply stunning piece of AAA tiger flame "barber pole" maple. The fingerboard is nicely radiused for easy fingering, and the neck profile a solid traditional D with smooth low action over freshly dressed fretwork. Multicolor body and soundhole purfling, and a scrimshaw inlaid ebony tailpiece complete the striking design package. This example is in superb original condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and includes a Bigtone bridge pickup with 1/4" jack. In a world of ho-hum Selmer clones, the Lehmann Eclipse stands out with dramatic looks, and projection to beat the band.

Setup: This instrument is strung with light gauge silvered steel strings (.011-.046). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference.

Case: Original deluxe black plush hardshell case.

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