Heritage Guitars has been building world-class archtops in Kalamazoo, Michigan since 1985, working in the very same factory, and often with the very same tooling, that once turned out Gibson's finest instruments. The Golden Eagle sits at the top of their line, a single-cutaway jazz archtop built to the highest standard, and this 1992 example in a classic sunburst is a stunning one.

It is made the traditional way, with a hand-carved solid spruce top over solid flamed maple back and sides for that rich, woody archtop voice. The curly maple neck carries an ebony fingerboard with elegant mother of pearl cloud inlays, while white binding, multi-line purfling and a matching burst pickguard lend it a refined, understated luxury. Gold hardware runs throughout, from the Grover tuners and adjustable ebony bridge to the gold-plated Heritage bail tailpiece.

A single Heritage floating jazz pickup leaves the top free to resonate and delivers that warm, woody, unmistakably archtop jazz tone, with a smooth top end and a beautifully vocal midrange. With its simple volume control, this is a pure player's jazz box, equally at home comping quietly behind a singer or stepping out for a chord-melody solo.

This 1992 Golden Eagle is in excellent condition and still looks exceptionally clean. It has picked up some light playwear over the years, in the form of a few scratches and dings on the body, neck and pickguard and a few dings on the top. It should also be noted that the bridge has been fitted with a shim because the top has sagged slightly. It comes supplied in a hardshell case with a TFOA Passport.

This guitar has been carefully inspected for condition and playability, then set up to our Gold Standard by a luthier. We make sure it arrives in your hands exactly as it should: sounding its best, playing effortlessly and ready to be enjoyed from the very first note.

photos of: Actual Instrument