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1997 Dale Unger American Dream

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SN# 009-97

Body size at lower bout: 17", Body Depth: 3" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .77/.99

Materials: Figured arched three-ply birdseye maple body; 3 piece solid maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard and nut.

Hardware: Solid ebony hardware includes contoured tailpiece, finger rest, and compensated adjustable ebony bridge; Schaller 16X1 tuners with ebony keys; Vintage Vibe Charlie Christian style floating humbucking pickup with volume control, endpin jack.

Notes: Luthier Dale Unger was raised in Nazareth, PA, and grew up around the great craftsmen of CF Martin and Co. Building his first guitar in 1977, Unger was introduced to archtop guru Bob Benedetto in 1993, and began building the instruments that would become the American Archtop series of guitars. Now, Unger's designs have come full circle, having been adopted by Martin for their first line of archtop guitars since 1942.

A full depth 17" Venetian cutaway guitar, the American Dream has a figured birdseye three ply maple body which produces a rich amplified voice with superior feedback resistance and excellent structural stability. With its X- braced design, slimline finger rest, and cello style tailpiece, the American Dream is built in the lineage of the great Bendetto designs.

Crafted in spectacular birdseye maple, the guitar has a solid tiger maple neck with an elegant D neck profile that's particularly inviting. At a mere 5lb 6oz, the guitar is remarkably light for a full depth 17" archtop, with excellent balance on the lap or the strap. The rare birdseye maple body is particularly striking, with intense figure throughout.

Well maintained, the guitar is without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and has all original finish and hardware. The maple on the lower treble rim shows some dark natural figuration underneath the finish, which is original and undisturbed. Apart from a few finish nicks on the cutaway horn, the instrument appears otherwise largely free of playwear otherwise. The Vintage Vibe single coil Charlie Christian model is unique among floating pickups, with its clarity, detail and fidelity to the acoustic voice.

Exceptional quality, at an unbeatable price. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings. 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 arched tweed plush lined hardshell case.

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