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2010 Carl Barney 16
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Serial#: 100
Body size at lower bout: 16 " Body Depth: 3" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .81/.91
Materials: Solid hand graduated Adirondack spruce top; handcarved AAAA tiger flame maple back and sides; 3 piece tiger flame maple neck with walnut centerstripe; solid ebony fingerboard; pearl headstock logo, abalone inlaid ebony truss rod cover; rosewood body binding and purfling; polished graphite nut.
Hardware: Original ebony hardware includes contoured tailpiece, pickguard, and compensated adjustable bridge; gold Grover Super Rotomatic tuners; Kent Armstrong Floating Handwound PAF, with volume knob and thumbwheel tone control, 1/4" endpin jack.
Notes: A pioneer builder in the archtop world, Carl Barney began his career in 1968, building a series of guitars for his mentor, recording artist and instructor Sal Salvador. From his workshop in the scenic Naugatuck Valley near Southbury, CT, Barney would go on to craft custom hand built instruments for noted performers including Bucky Pizzarelli and Mundell Lowe. A stickler for the most select tonewood, Barney used only premium grade red spruce obtained directly from an Adirondack forest, then sawn from the log by the luthier himself.
An all-carved hand graduated acoustic jazz guitar, this striking instrument boasts a body and neck carved of tiger flame maple of staggering intensity, expertly trimmed and purfled with contrasting coffee colored rosewood binding. At just 5lb 15oz, the 16" body is comfy and well balanced, with its X-braced soundboard providing a distinctly bright, lively resonance.
The guitar's considerable volume and projection are enhanced by it's 25 1/2" L-5 scale, a rarity in guitars this size. The dark ebony fingerboard is particularly handsome, with ornate mother of pearl blocks, masterfully inlaid with Paua abalone borders, which complement the inlaid ebony truss rod cover. The 5 piece curly maple neck is contoured in a gentle C profile, with smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup as well. A perennial favorite here, the Armstrong Handwound PAF offers clean, warm tone, and unmatched adjustability for any string set.
Barney worked at his own pace, producing only a few carefully crafted instruments at a time. Indeed, it took over four decades of work for the builder to reach this, his 100th instrument, and the first of Carl's archtops we have been pleased to present here at archtop.com. This gleaming example of his late production has been maintained in showroom condition, with 100% original hardware and finish, and without apparent playwear to speak of.
Originally a player himself, Barney always took pains to keep his instruments within reach of the working performer. The builder himself said it best: "I've always tried to keep my guitars in a price range musicians can manage. I'm a blue-collar guy who makes guitars for blue-collar musicians."
Couldn't have said it better. You'd look hard to find better performance at a price this inviting. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge flatwound strings. 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 deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.
