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SN#: 150101

Finish: violin finish, nitrocellulose type

Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 25" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Materials: Solid handcarved bookmatched X-braced Sitka spruce top; solid handcarved bookmatched figured AAA quilted maple back and sides; flamed Eastern rock maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; bound body and f-holes.

Hardware: Solid handcarved ebony hardware includes pickguard, tailpiece and adjustable compensated bridge. Kent Armstrong adjustable floating JS style pickup with thumbwheel volume and tone controls and endpin jack; Gotoh 510 18X1 tuners.

Notes: Luthier John Webb's workshop is located in Tualatin, Oregon, just south of Portland, near the river of the same name. Trained in architecture as well as biology, Webb has a deep understanding of the natural materials he works with, as well as the design principles that transform them into works of musical art. This guitar's stunning beauty is a testament to Webb's keen eye; the Big Leaf maple back sides and neck are luxuriantly flamed and impeccably bookmatched. As Webb himself outlines his philosophy:

"I build guitars one at a time by hand (without a carving machine)... I have an aversion to using any prefabricated parts to the degree that I try to buy my wood in billets and resaw it myself. Typically I use Sitka spruce for the top, bracing, and linings, Bigleaf maple for the back and sides. For the neck Eastern rock maple is used. Ebony is used for the fingerboard, bridge, tailpiece, and finger rest."

A full-depth acoustic archtop in the Benedetto tradition, Webb's Astoria model offers an extravagantly figured quilted maple body, with a clean, elegant design. At a featherweight 5lb 4oz, the guitar is phenomenally lightweight and impressively resonant, with clear, open bass, a sparkling upper register, and volume to burn. The neck has an comfy gentle D profile, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup. The Kent Armstrong floating Johnny Smith pickup is smooth and rich, and the black anodized 18X1 Gotoh 510 tuners set the new benchmark for precision tuning.

We've seen many big-name guitars, at big-time prices, whose acoustic tone can't compare with this rare offering from a meticulous Northwest builder. (In a visit to archtop.com awhile ago, jazz legend Howard Alden spent some considerable time with a Webb 17, and pronounced it a very fine instrument indeed.) Webb's exacting construction technique means only a tiny handful of instruments will issue from his shop in any given year.

With top-flight performance at an entry-level price, the Astoria is best buy in a premium quality hand built American archtop guitar. We're pleased to offer this outstanding guitar brand new with builder's lifetime warranty. Call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.013-.056). 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: Deluxe black molded plush lined hardshell case.

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