Otwin (1950s) Olymp, Ice Tea Sunburst || Schlaggitarre, German Archtop

For sale is a rare and beautiful 17" 1950s Otwin Olymp in Ice Tea Sunburst, complete with its vintage case. Built by master luthier Otto Windisch, the Otwin Olymp represents the highest level of German archtop craftsmanship of the period.

Unlike many contemporary German archtops, these instruments were entirely hand-built, featuring a hand-carved solid Spruce top, solid Maple back and sides. Unlike the laminated construction commonly found on many archtops of the period, the hand-carved solid construction gives the instrument exceptional acoustic volume, responsiveness, and tonal complexity rarely encountered in post-war German guitars.

Otto Windisch came from a family of instrument makers, his father having been a respected violin builder. Drawing upon this tradition, Windisch developed a reputation for producing some of the finest guitars to emerge from East Germany (DDR) during the post-war period.

This example is fitted with two vintage pickups: an original Otwin neck pickup and a rare Rellog bridge pickup. The Rellog patent pickup is particularly interesting, featuring individual string-balance adjustment through sliding control knobs integrated into the removable cover plate. This allows the output of each string to be adjusted independently, an innovative design rarely encountered on vintage archtop guitars. The electronics are connected through two vintage-style connectors and are supplied with modern adapters for practical use with contemporary equipment.

Acoustically, the guitar delivers the dry, articulate response associated with the finest European jazz guitars, while retaining warmth and richness throughout the register. The Maple neck is straight, the guitar plays comfortably, and it remains a highly enjoyable instrument both acoustically and amplified.

A rare opportunity to acquire a fine example of high-end German archtop craftsmanship from the 1950s, combining exceptional craftsmanship, all-solid construction, unique electronics, and outstanding vintage character.

Specifications
Luthier: Otto Windisch
Brand: Otwin
Model: Olymp
Year: 1950s
Finish: Ice Tea Sunburst
Condition: Very Good
Top: Hand-Carved Solid Spruce
Back & Sides: Solid Maple
Neck: Maple with Ebony spline
Fretboard: Rosewood
Soundhole: F-Holes
Bridge Pickup: Otwin Single Coil
Neck Pickup: Rellog Patented Pickup
Scale Length: 62 cm
Nut Width: 42 mm
Body Size: 17" / 43 cm
Body Depth: 8 cm
Weight: 2.66 kg / 5.87 lbs
Case: OHSC Vintage Hardshell Case