1994 Andersen Model 17 Custom: Adirondack Top, Stereo Pickups, Striking Prewar Styling!

Serial #: 176, signed by the maker, 6/26/94

Body size at lower bout: 17" Body depth: 3" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth: .80/.88, 1st/10th fret

Materials: Solid handcarved bookmatched Adirondack spruce top and braces; handcarved solid AAA flame maple back, sides, and neck; solid bone nut.

Hardware: Gold Schaller 16X1 mini-tuners with vintage Epiphone 'crown' buttons; solid ebony pickguard and trapeze tailpiece; compensated adjustable ebony bridge with piezo saddle pickup; Kent Armstrong floating PAF humbucking pickup with volume control and endpin jack.

Notes: The Pacific Northwest has long been known as a source for the finest tonewoods, and some of the world's most celebrated builders. First famed for his mandolins and flattops, renowned Seattle luthier Steve Andersen has now produced top-notch acoustic instruments for over four decades. Later focusing his attention to his extensive line of top-flight archtop guitars, Steve has garnered fans worldwide, not least among them renowned players like Bill Frisell and others.

The design of this remarkable instrument is informed by a prewar sensibility, with custom geometrical fingerboard inlays, Art Deco peghead inlay and truss rod cover, and tuning machines fitted with rare, vintage Epiphone 'crown' style tuner buttons. Even the foot of the compensated adjustable bridge echoes the fingerboard with matching inlay. Back, sides and neck are tiger maple of exceptionally pronounced figure; with Andersen's ultra-meticulous fit and finish, the result is an instrument of lively acoustical quality, great looks, and superlative performance.

Crafted with an extravagantly figured tiger maple body and neck, this one-owner guitar has an X-braced, tap-tuned Adirondack spruce soundboard and tone bars, solid ebony fingerboard and hardware, and an original Armstrong floating PAF humbucker. The tiger flame neck has a very comfy slim D profile, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup. 

Finish and hardware are 100% original, and the guitar is free of cracks, pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. Apart from a few incidental lacquer nicks, the instrument shows little signs of play altogether, and bears the original owner's initials in the back of the headstock. And at a mere 5 lb. 11 oz. the instrument is exceptionally lightweight, and nimbly balanced on the lap or the strap. The Armstrong Floating PAF is the gold standard for magnetic pickups, and is paired with a piezo bridge pickup, both connected to the stereo endpin jack.

With a clear, musical voice with excellent balance and projection, the instrument is simply a delight to play, and is accompanied by an ultra-premium Calton custom fitted molded fiberglass flight case, a value of almost $1500 alone. At this writing, we understand that Andersen is no longer accepting orders for any model except his gig-ready Streamliner archtop. Accordingly, this Art Deco masterpiece represents a rare opportunity, from one of America's top archtop luthiers. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge flatwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" 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.