vintage 1965 Tal Farlow archtop jazz guitar

I am excited to offer for your bidding pleasure, this 1965 Gibson Tal Farlow 17 inch artist archtop. The Tal Farlow artist model appeared on the scene in 1964 and only lasted for a few years, so they are fairly scant in numbers. This is an exceptional example of the Tal model -and a killer bebop machine - with fantastic ‘curb appeal’ and phenomenal playability, with some recent careful restorative work by luthier Mark Campellone.  Mark’s shop label appears in the f-hole alongside the original 1965 orange label.

Most importantly of all considerations – the neck is flat straight with super nice action over the whole board, thanks to Mark’s high level and meticulous fret level and set-up. Amazing playing archtop!

All of the parts are original, with the following exceptions:   newer Kluson “vintage correct” tuners have been installed, replacing Schaller tuners someone had added.  The pickup cover in the neck position is a newer nickel cover.  A strap button was added at the heel. Otherwise, all the parts are original.

Original parts include the patent number pickups, brown reflector knobs, chrome tailpiece with badge, distinct Tal pickguard which highlights the scroll, rosewood bridge and chrome abr1 (foundry mark and patent number type) with nylon saddles, and wiring harness / pots / switch.

Earlier mods ..... At some point earlier in this guitar’s career,  the neck pickup was replaced with a Charlie Christian pickup --  but the original patent number pickup was left in the case pocket, and is now back home in the neck position!   So all wiring and patent number decal pickups are original with the exception of a splice in the neck pickup wiring where it was reinstalled. Pickups are the decal patent number PAF type and sound phenomenal.  You don’t have to spend 10 k on pafs to great great tone.  I played this guitar on a quartet jazz gig after Mark finished it….at volume, the pickups sound fantastic, with the warm tone pafs are known for, and yet absent some of the muddiness that earlier pafs can exhibit.  The mid 60s pafs are great pickups!  In restoring the guitar, Mark filled two holes left by the CC pickup, restored the original shape of the pickguard (a minor repair is still visible but it is rock solid), and cleaned up the slightly larger route left by the CC pickup.  The larger route is not visible with the original pickup and original guard back in place.

Aside form this Charlie Christian pickup detour and restoration, the guitar has no issues to speak of, outside of light age-related wear and normal player wear….it now presents as a phenomenal and restored example. See all the detailed pics!

Mark Campellone’s restoration work included the following:

Level and re-crown frets (action set at 1/16” treble side and 5/64” bass side, measured @ 14th fret with downward adjustment room still remaining on the bridge).

   Install two maple plugs in the top, in between the pickups.

   Touch up color wear on bass side rim.

   Plug previous tuner holes on back of peghead – install new ‘vintage-correct’ waffle back tuners.

  Top and back had very open checking so clear nitro overspray was applied to seal wood against moisture absorption.   (Some finish checking is still visible beneath the clear top-coat, but all surfaces are smooth.)

 Touch up finish edge wear on peghead and neck – apply nitro overspray.

 Reinstall the neck pickup with a correct splice.

 Repair Charlie Christian pickup notch in pickguard.

OVERALL  -- this is a fantastic playing and sounding early Tal model that - thanks to mark's restoration work - also has looks to die for.  A great example that can be part of an investment collection, or to play!
Comes with a gently used TKL 17 inch archtop case that is good quality and a good fit.  Light handling wear is visible throughout. Bottom edge shows some wear but still solid and functional.  See pics.

Ships with full insurance and signature confirmation to USA   189.00