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1996 Heritage Golden Eagle 'Wes'

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Serial #: M32801, Kalamazoo label

Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16" Body depth: 3"

Finish: Antique natural finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; solid handcarved bookmatched tiger-flame maple back and sides with Venetian cutaway; tiger flame maple neck with walnut centerstripes; solid ebony fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlays; abalone headstock logo; 7-ply body binding; 5-ply neck binding; bound f-holes; solid bone nut.

Hardware: Original gold hardware includes medallion trapeze tailpiece, Grover Super Rotomatic tuners with Imperial keys; compensated adjustable ebony bridge with inlaid foot; adjustable truss rod, built-in Heritage PAF style humbucking pickup with volume and tone controls, endpin jack. Gibson style 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard, amber bell knobs.

Notes: Handbuilt in Kalamazoo by former Gibson artisans in the old Gibson plant, the Golden Eagle is the flagship of the Heritage line. The equivalent to the Gibson L-5C, the Golden Eagle shares the same materials and specifications as its Gibson cousin, including the solid carved spruce top, solid flame maple back and sides, inlaid ebony fingerboard and X bracing, for added sustain and bass response. An elegant single pickup jazz box, the guitar combines art deco styling with outstanding solid carved tonewoods.

The guitar shows particularly vivid tiger flame maple throughout, and has been maintained in superb condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. Apart from a few incidental lacquer nicks, the guitar shows few signs of play altogether. The solid carved bookmatched quartersawn Sitka spruce soundboard produces a warm, rich, woody acoustic tone, with smooth low action over a gentle C profile neck with fine original medium jumbo fretwork.

This handsome example was custom built to the specifications of the legendary Gibson Wes Montgomery L-5, with a factory built-in PAF style humbucker, and block inlays in the solid ebony fingerboard. To complete the classic appearance, an L-5 style bound tortoise pickguard has been installed, along with 60's style amber bell control knobs.

One of the hardest working guitars on the scene today, the Golden Eagle is a fully handmade US built classic jazz archtop, at an unbeatable price. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound 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. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original black deluxe arched plush lined Heritage logo hardshell case.

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