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2021 Fibertone RC 17

Price and Status: For pricing and hold status of this instrument, please check here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please email your specific requests to [email protected].

Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16" Body depth: 3 1/8" Neck depth:.86/.92, 1st/10th frets

Materials: High-tensile composite carbon fiber body, neck, and fingerboard. Solid graphite nut.

Hardware: Chrome Gotoh 510 18:1 mini-tuners; contoured carbon fiber tailpiece; compensated adjustable rosewood bridge.

Notes: Rest easy, wandering minstrel: your guitar is stronger than its case.

If you've been lucky (or unlucky) enough to have ridden the Friendly Skies of late, chances are you've been lofted on the wings of a truly miraculously engineered material: carbon fiber. First developed in the mid-19th century for light bulb filaments, carbon composites have become the gold standard for aircraft, automotive, and industrial applications for their unparalleled stability, elasticity, and vastly superior strength-to-weight ratios.

Guitars with composite 'double top' polymer soundboards have been popular with classical players since the mid-90's, and fully carbon fiber guitars have been available since the early 2000's. Though archtop master Steve Andersen did produce a few archtops with composite soundboards, fully carbon bodied acoustic archtops like the RC 17 have been rare indeed.

With a full depth 17" Venetian cutaway body in the style of the Gibson L-5, the RC 17 is parallel braced like its predecessor, with featherlight knife-edged carbon braces. With body, neck and fingerboard all crafted of this honeycombed composite, the Fibertone is essentially impervious to damage, warping or abrasion, making it the ideal instrument for the globe-trotting player.

The traditional 'C' profile neck also echoes the Gibsons of the Golden Era, with highly polished fretwork, and smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup. The slotted Benedetto style tailpiece is also polished carbon, making an elegant contrast to the adjustable rosewood bridge, the only wood fitting on the instrument. The precise Gotoh 18:1 tuners, a favorite here, are proof that the builder has not skimped on the details.

Finally, putting the pick to the RC erased any doubts we might have harbored over non-traditional materials. The instrument is a true acoustic, with a clear, focussed voice, and ample volume to cut through the most crowded campfire session. Response across the range is even and balanced, with projection reminiscent of some of the better Selmer style gypsy guitars. At just 5lb 2oz, the guitar is happily lightweight, and balances nimbly on the lap or the strap.

Finally, an unexpected plus: the polished ebony gloss finish of the body reveals a striking silver lattice pattern when the guitar is turned just so in the daylight. Nearly new, the instrument is in all-original condition, and appears virtually free of playwear. Our good friend Tim Lerch has been kind enough to supply a comprehensive video demo of the instrument here.

A unique creation from a visionary craftsman, the Fibertone RC is a glimpse of the future you can enjoy today. And wherever you may roam, worry free. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze roundwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing.

Case: Original deluxe plush lined hardshell case.

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