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2011 Moll Custom Thinline
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SN# CT00011
Body size at lower bout: 16 1/2", Body Depth: 2" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 3/4"
Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Materials: Arched fine grain spruce top; arched flame maple back and sides; 3 piece solid tiger flame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; pearl headstock logo; solid bone nut.
Hardware: Hardware includes abalone inlaid ebony tailpiece; gold Schaller 16X1 tuners; compensated adjustable ebony bridge; twin Moll/Armstrong handwound humbuckers; ebony volume and tone controls, 5 way pickup selector switch, and endpin jack.
Notes: Bill Moll's instruments have achieved a widespread following, having been championed by a number of top performers, including guitar virtuosos John and Bucky Pizzarelli. This striking custom thinline model is a one-off, the only example of its type that Moll has built in his long career. With a body depth of just 2", the guitar is a delight to hold, and the double cutaway design offers enhanced access to the upper fingerboard.
At barely 6lb. the instrument is blissfully lighter than a traditional semi-hollow electric, owing to Bill's ultra-light laminate plates, and an innovative hollow chamber running from the heel to the endblock. Encasing the pickups and reducing feedback, the chamber promotes acoustic resonance, at a fraction of the weight of a solid Gibson-style body block.
The twin humbucking pickups are handwound by Kent Armstrong, and set in handsome ebony rings, with a 5 way selector that switches from conventional to coil-tapped operation. The voice is incomparably rich and detailed, conveying warm body tone to the amp with unusual versatility.
The truss rod in the 5-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 comfy D neck profile is gently flattened across the back, and the generous 1 3/4" fingerboard is ideal for pick or fingerstyle play, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup.
Finally, the instrument is finished in an intriguing deep ebony finish, that reveals dark maroon highlights on close inspection. (It's a particularly subtle hue that Bill's referred to as 'eggplant', and we can attest that it's a rich flavor indeed.) All illuminated with dramatic body binding of colorful Paua abalone, right down to the soundholes and Moll's signature 'pipe organ' ebony tailpiece. Simple and elegant: the net effect is absolutely stunning.
After a long and productive career, Bill is now semi-retired, and accepting only a few ultra-premium orders at this time. So the odds of seeing another of these striking instruments would be small indeed. The guitar has been maintained in 100% original condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. As a special plus, the instrument is supplied with its custom fitted, super duty ATA certified flight grade fiberglass case, a $1000 value in and of itself.
Unique in the truest sense of the word, this remarkable instrument is unlikely to be matched anytime soon. A delight to the eye, ear and hand alike: 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 5/64" to 6/64" 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: Moll Custom made Calton style heavy duty contoured black fiberglass flight case.
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