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SN#: 150102

Finish: natural blonde 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 big leaf flame 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 Seaside model is an upscale offering, with pearl split block inlays in a solid ebony fingerboard, and an artful fan pattern in the multi-bound peghead. At just 5lb 10oz, the guitar is notably light in weight and deftly balanced in the lap or on the strap. The neck has an elegant gentle D profile, easy in the hand, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup. The Kent Armstrong floating Johnny Smith pickup faithfully transmits the acoustic voice to the amp, and the 18X1 Gotoh 510 tuners are the smoothest on the planet.

The voice is open, rich and warm, with an appealing woodiness, and exceptional clarity, detail and projection. We've seen many big-name guitars, at big-time prices, whose acoustic tone can't compare with this marvel from the Great Northwest. (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 meticulous construction technique means only a tiny handful of instruments will issue from his shop in any given year. Here's a rare opportunity to play top-shelf quality at a player's price. One only: 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: Original deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.

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