Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips
archtop.com
1940 Vega C-56
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 #: 40955, white Boston label
Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 25" Nut Width: 1 10/16"
Finish: Original sunburst finish, nitrocellulose type
Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; arched curly maple back and sides; solid one-piece Honduras mahogany neck; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with variegated inlay; bound fingerboard and body.
Hardware: All original hardware includes original black bakelite pickguard, original nickel trapeze tailpiece, original adjustable ebony bridge, original Grover Sta-Tite tuners.
Notes: Vega's most popular professional sized guitar, the C-56 was introduced in the early 30's, and produced in the Boston factory until the early 1950's. Priced competitively with the Gibson L-7 and the Epiphone Triumph, the C-56 is notable among the three for having the slimmest neck profile. This example of the 17 inch "Advanced Model" has 100% original finish and hardware, including its original bakelite pickguard, nickel tailpiece, tuners and "Acoustic-Balanced" bridge. The arched maple back shows handsome figure, and the fingerboard is suspended over the body, making installation of a floating pickup a breeze.
This example has been maintained in great shape, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and shows only light normal checking on the all-original sunburst finish. A single hairline dryness crack has been soundly cleated and resealed from the bass soundhole to the rim. The voice is bright and clear, with the projection and open resonance only decades of age can confer. The neck plays effortlessly, with a slim rounded profile, and fresh pro fretwork with smooth low action over a precision leveled and shimmed Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. A handsome and great playing instrument that combines prewar tone with a sleek modern feel.
Setup: The frets have been precision levelled, recrowned and polished as necessary; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridgewheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished. This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze 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 arched black plushlined hardshell case.
Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips