Nardan Model 100 MIJ 1950's/60's Archtop Spruce top Maple back & sides

Nardan 1950's / 60's Jazz archtop Flame Maple back and sides, Made in Japan

 

Nardan were one of the suppliers of guitar bodies for Teisco, but this is very much one of their own instruments. In the early 1950's they caught onto the idea that there was a large in-tapped market in Korea as there were many US Personnel stationed there. Korea didn't produce archtops like this, so Japanese firms like Nardan supplied the US troops with their versions of instruments that they were more used to.

 

This Nardan archtop is based on the Gibson L-4. It sound fabulous, as you'd expect.

 

It has a solid Spruce top, Maple sides and a book-matched Maple flared back. There are some interesting design features, such as the unusual f-holes which are similar to some German Musima examples from the 1950's. The Pearloid fret markers have rounded corners which make them appear to be raised (even though they are level. The pick guard is original, with binding to match the guitar top.

 

The neck is made from Mahogany and has an unusual bolt access. There is a small cover where the neck-bolt plate would normally be. If you remove the cover, you see a chrome plate with 4 bolts holding the neck on. It's deep within the cavity.

 

The frets and the fingerboard are both in excellent condition. The neck is a very comfortable shape. The back of the neck has a tiny ding and a tiny lacquer chip. The neck has a truss rod with body-end adjustment.

 

Condition. OK, it’s at least 50 years old so it's not perfect but nothing about the condition affects how it sounds. It's still a great jazz guitar with a mellow tone and great sustain.

 

There are repairs to some areas of binding. On the op of the right lower bout, there is an area of binding (about 2") where some of the lacquer is missing. It's a tiny amount. On the right side of the neck, between the 7th and 8th fret, the binding has been re-glued. Within the Florentine cutaway (on the top side), there is a small repair to the binding. I have shown all of these in the images.

Overall, the finish is excellent, with just a few minor scratches, a hairline crack on the pickguard and two similar next to the neck pocket within the cutaway side. These are merely lacquer cracks and not structural. I don't believe this guitar has the original tuners. They work very well and are an appropriate fitting. The end button is missing. The tail piece has a small amount of pitting.

 

Overall, this is a fairly rare guitar. There is another one for sale, but it's a lot more money. I prefer this natural look, particularly with the maple back.

 

Weight: About 2.3kg

Nut width: 42mm

 

Buy With Confidence. All items are very carefully inspected and described. Inevitably, I get asked a question that I haven't thought to include in the description. I'm happy to answer all questions about this guitar. Please ask questions

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Offers:

Sorry, the price is fixed. It's cheap at this price

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Payment& Delivery:

I will accept payment by PayPal, Cash (if you’re in the UK and collecting in person), or by bank transfer.

Mainland UK ONLY: The cost to post is for the item to be shipped using second class mail / ParcelForce 48hr service. If you would like this item sent to you any other way, just let me know and I will make the arrangements. If it costs more than my chosen method, you will need to pay the additional cost.

Delivery OUTSIDE mainland UK: I will charge you whatever it costs me, PLUS the insurance cost. Please ask for a specific costing on postage.

As this item is second hand, NO RETURNS, thank you.