John Monteleone Speciale Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (2010), ser. #252, original brown hard shell case.

John Monteleone Speciale Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar (2010), made in Islip, NY, serial # 252, natural lacquer finish, figured maple back and sides, spruce top; maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original brown hard shell case.

Direct from the original owner, this spectacular example of the modern guitarmaker's art shows clearly why John Monteleone is widely considered the finest of all contemporary luthiers. This "Speciale" model is a 17" wide instrument with a canted oval soundhole and asymmetrical X-bracing pattern, giving it sonic character combining elements of the traditional arch-top and flat top sounds. The back and sides are made of dramatically flamed maple, the top is extremely fine-grained spruce.

Overall length is 42 3/8 in. (107.6 cm.), 17 in. (43.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/4 in. (641 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). This guitar shows only the most minor of handling marks, commesurate with light use over the past 5 years. The instrument sounds and plays exceptionally well, certainly one of the finest guitars of its type it is possible to imagine. Complete with the original Cedar Creek high-grade case Near Mint Condition.