Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips
archtop.com
c. mid-1950's Artur Lang 'Standard'
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].
Serial #: NSN
Body size at lower bout: 17" (435 mm) Scale length: 25" (635 mm) Nut width: 1 3/4" (44 mm) Body depth: 3 1/8" (80 mm)
Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid Alpine spruce top; arched maple back and sides; solid maple neck, solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl block fingerboard inlay.
Hardware: Original hardware includes engraved AL logo nickel tailpiece, open back 3-on-a-plate tuners. Recent adjustable compensated ebony bridge.
Notes: He's been called the D'Angelico of European archtop builders. But few outside his native Germany have been lucky enough to own one of his singular creations. Visionary luthier Artur Lang was trained at the renowned Violin School in his birth town of Schoenbach, a traditional center of European luthiery. After the war, Lang set up shop in the Mittenwald region, another nexus for stringed instrument builders, and produced an estimated 800 guitars until his retirement in 1972. (Thanks to Lang expert Ol' Fret for the invaluable background.)
This is a very well cared for example of Lang's Standard model, and is estimated to have been built sometime in the mid-'50s. The soundboard is hand graduated of solid Alpine spruce and is carved with Lang's signature seal-shaped soundholes. The laminated nut is another Lang trademark, along with the engraved 'AL' logo tailpiece, echoing the design inlaid into the peghead as well.
At just 5 lb. 12 oz. (2.6 kg) this guitar is unusually light in weight for a full-depth 17" archtop, and the solid Alpine spruce soundboard is supported with knife-edged hand carved spruce braces in the traditional parallel configuration of the classic Gibson and D'Angelico archtops. The neck profile is a comfy gentle D, with smooth low action and a fresh high precision setup, over fine pro fretwork.
Maintained in wonderful condition, the instrument shows all original finish, remarkably free of pick, buckle or thumb wear, and only light scattered checking. The multi-ply binding is all original and tight to the body, and the rim has been soundly resealed to the back for a few inches near the endblock. The voice is clear and direct, with excellent volume, and the depth of tonewood seasoned for well over half a century.
Lang's guitars have been called the masterworks of Euro archtops, and this remarkable instrument is no exception. Rare enough on the Continent, they are almost unseen on this side of the Pond. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel 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 arched plush lined hardshell case.
