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2011 Hopkins Tessa Nova

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 be 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#: 5209

Finish: violin finish, nitrocellulose

Body size at lower bout: 15 1/2", Body Depth: 2 7/8" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4"

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved quartersawn fine grain spruce top; handcarved AAA quilted maple back and sides with Venetian cutaway; one piece tiger flame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; pearl headstock logo; deluxe 5-ply body, headstock and neck binding; solid bone nut.

Hardware: Hand carved Carpathian elm burl tailpiece, finger rest and headplate; gold Gotoh 510 21X1 tuners, compensated adjustable flame maple bridge; custom curved 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 impeccable standards for fit, finish and tone.

The Tessa Nova is a Hopkins original; its gently curvilinear lines expressing a creative vision with roots in some of the most innovative guitars of the 20th century. With its compact body and ultra-light construction (barely 5lb. 2oz.) the Tessa Nova is both elegantly playable and uniquely responsive. Back and sides are carved of quilted flame of breathtaking depth and intensity, and the deftly styled tailpiece and fingerrest are crafted of solid Carpathian elm burl, an exotic hardwood more commonly seen in the dashboards of luxury vintage British motorcars. The finely graduated tap-tuned X-braced soundboard is carved of extremely fine grained quartersawn spruce, and gently rounded into the sides without binding, for a superlatively clean, understated appearance.

The voice of the Tessa Nova is exceptional as well, with brilliant clarity and unusual depth for its size. Clear and even through the range, the guitar has the open, woody quality of an instrument many times its age. Neck profile is a comfy gentle C, with smooth low action over a 1 3/4" nut and 25" scale. The guitar is fitted by the maker with a custom Armstrong Handmade humbucking pickup with thumbwheel volume and tone controls and endpin jack.

This instrument is in as-new condition, without playwear of any kind, and we are pleased indeed to be able to offer it at a mere fraction of the standard cost, including the super premium Ameritage Gold Series arched hardshell case. 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 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: Ameritage Gold Series premium arched hardshell case.