Vega Advanced Model C-86 Archtop 1940 - Sunburst

Here we have a very nice vintage Vega C-86 acoustic archtop guitar! This Advanced Model is from 1940 and in very good condition overall.

It features a carved spruce top, figured maple back & sides, 5-piece mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and ebony bridge. It has a 24 7/8” scale length and a 1 5/8” nut width. The lower bout is 17” wide and the body has a depth of 3 3/8”. The guitar is parallel braced and has a black Bakelite pickguard.

The nitro finish appears to be original. There is a top crack on the bass side of the lower bout that has been glued with a small amount of touch up work. The binding on the back of the body and the binding around the headstock have been replaced, though no finish was sprayed over either. The Vega logo inlay has also been replaced, and what is left of the original top and neck binding is showing some light cracking and off-gassing. The tuners are modern Grover Sta-tites with conversion bushings. The nut appears to be a replacement and the guitar has been refretted. There is hole in the neck heel from a removed strap button.

This one weighs 5lbs 2oz. The neck measures .860 to .970 at the 1st and 9th frets. It has a vintage V profile with a pronounced apex that runs the full length of the neck. As you approach the body, the neck thickens subtly and the shoulders round out. The guitar has a beautiful sound, reminiscent of the music of the era. It has a mid-rangey tone with excellent clarity and individual note separation. There isn’t much bass in the mix, but it sounds full, crisp and jaunty. It has good volume, and the top drives easily with plenty of natural overtones and sustain. It’s really a well-made, easy playing and great sounding instrument.

Ships in a period hardshell case.