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2012 Andersen Vanguard, 'Double Top'

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Serial #: 484. signed by the builder

Body size at lower bout: 16" Body depth: 2 7/8" Scale length: 24.9" Nut width: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .82/.90"

Materials: Curly maple 'double top' soundboard; solid maple sides; tiger flame laminate maple back; solid fame maple neck; bound body and soundholes; stainless steel fretwork.

Hardware: Jason Lollar 'Charlie Christian' single coil pickup, nickel Waverly 16X1 tuners; solid ebony pickguard, tailpiece, and compensated bridge; cocobolo volume and tone controls, endpin jack.

Notes: Steve Andersen is a legend here in the Pacific Northwest, having produced top-notch acoustic instruments for over 40 years. First famed for his mandolins and flattops, Steve has built an international reputation on his extensive line of world-class archtop guitars, with endorsers including recording star Bill Frisell, and a host of working players coast to coast.

The Vanguard is designed for the gigging player, with a comfortable 16" body, and a built-in pickup for greater sustain and feedback resistance in club or combo settings. The extravagantly flamed woods, a simple, elegant design, and Andersen's ultra-meticulous fit and finish, result in an instrument of surpassing visual quality, and strong clean lines.

This guitar is a rare example of Andersen's use of a 'double top' soundboard in an archtop guitar. Long used by classical builders, the technique sandwiches two pieces of thin tonewood around a core of Nomex, an ultralight polymer. The resulting material is lighter and more resonant than conventional laminates, with a superior strength to weight ratio that creates a livlier, more responsive soundboard. At a mere 5lb. 2oz. the instrument is phenomenally lightweight and well balanced, with a lively resonance rivalling many all-acoustic models.

Sporting flame maple of staggering depth, this spectacular guitar is in immaculate condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The tight fiddleback figure of the maple is particularly noteworthy, as it is bookmatched with uncommon skill, resulting in a highly symmetrical pattern. A strap pin has been moved from the side to the heel, otherwise the instrument is precisely as it left the builder's bench.

This unique instrument has been fitted with a Jason Lollar 'Charlie Christian' single coil pickup, for a classic jazz tone that is notably clear and detailed, yet substantially resistant to feedback at normal volumes. The neck has a gentle D profile, very comfy in the palm, with smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup, and brilliantly polished stainless steel frets.

A top-flight instrument for the working player, the Vanguard is sadly now out of production altogether, and rarely seen on the vintage market. Grab this remarkable instrument while you can: you won't see another. One only, call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel strings (.012). 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 plush lined arched hardshell case.

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