Vintage Val Dez Classical Guitar Truss Rod 1969 Finland

This guitar is part of the Espana brand made in both Finland and Sweden. This Val Dez was made in Finland by Landola I believe in 1969 based on a stamp on the label that looks to be a date with 69 part of it. The model number may have faded from the label so that information is not available. The neck is laminated mahogany, which means there are strips of different woods sandwiched between mahogany to make the neck. The edges of these strips of wood can be felt just above the surface of the neck but there is no separation or damage -- just an old guitar that has had humidity changes and has been played. The lacquer finish on the top has beautiful crackling (checking) that takes decades to naturally occur. I polish guitars with cotton balls because if there is an imperfection in a finish, it'll grab the cotton fibers and reveal itself that way even if the eye can't see it. This guitar polishes up perfectly well so the lacquer is still intact -- not separating or flaking off.

Looking at the fretboard extension, it is likely the guitar had a neck reset as the profile of this extension is tapered. This repair was likely the chosen solution to the lifting of the wood around the sound hole. It was clearly professionally done and has made the action perfect for this guitar player at 4 mm at the 12th fret low E string and 3 mm at the high E string. The bone saddle is new and the action can be lowered if the future owner prefers lower action as there is still plenty of saddle remaining. There is a hole through the end block where likely the guitar was wired for amplification at some point. All wiring was removed prior to my ownership.

The bracing and internal construction of the guitar is impressive -- not only the quality of the wood, the cuts (quartersawn) and the bracing system (fan bracing with 7 braces that were intonated) but the cleanliness of the construction (no glue slop). The rosette is inlaid. No cracks except in the lacquer. Purfling and binding around the top of the guitar. Bound fretboard and back. There is a truss rod installed. The relief of the neck is suitable to my playing style so I have not tested it to see if it works.

The frets were leveled, crowned and polished the first week of December 2023. The strings were just installed but I've played the guitar for about a week and they have stretched most of the way. They are a budget string so I recommend changing them out to help the guitar reach its full potential. The tuners are original. Two of the plastic cylinders the strings wrap around have cracked but in the middles, not the ends, so are turning and functioning as they should. They have been this way for the few years that I've had the guitar. That said, being plastic that is over 50 years old, they made need replacing at some point (just switching out those two tuning cylinders for others would do).

Comes with a new Wayfinder by Gator light duty gig bag which is good for dust and scratch protection but this guitar does deserve a hard case. Send me a message if you'd like to see more photos as the permitted 25 is a bit limiting.

• Action at the 12th fret: 6th string 4 mm, 1st string 3 mm
• Overall length 38 3/4 inches, 987 mm
• Scale length 24 3/4 inches, 627 mm
• Nut width 2 inches, 50 mm
• Widest bout 14 3/8 inches, 365 mm
• Narrowest bout 11 1/4 inches, 283 mm
• New budget clip-on tuner included with extra battery
• New Wayfinder by Gator light duty gig bag included
• New budget capo included
• Truss rod
• Brazilian rosewood fretboard and bridge
• Solid cedar top
• Mahogany back and sides
• Laminated mahogany neck
• Inlaid rosette