1960s Lignatone Parlor Guitar Vintage Brownburst Acoustic – Made in Czechoslovakia – “Bo”

A Czechoslovakian-made 1960s Lignatone parlor guitar that plays good and looks good just hanging on the wall. Produced in state-run factories during the socialist era, this little oddball is for a player who doesn’t mind a bit of character. Nickname: “Bo”!

Built in a style reminiscent of the American Harmony Stella school of budget folk guitars, “Bo” shares DNA with the countless catalog instruments sold under names like Harmony, Kay, Silvertone, Truetone, and Airline – but with a distinctly Eastern European personality all its own.

This example features a classical-style slotted headstock, a black-and-silver Lignatone sound hole label with the distinctive two-tailed Bohemian lion logo, and a warm gloss tobacco brownburst finish with white binding around the top and sound hole. Dual tinted stripes run down the back of the neck for an extra touch of old-world style.

This guitar was previously listed but has since had the tailpiece replaced after the original broke in two due to heavy corrosion. It now wears a replacement unit salvaged from another beater. The frets have been leveled and dressed to address previous sprout issues. The action sits at approximately 3mm at the 12th fret on the bass side, and it’s comfortable for casual strumming, folk playing and slide.

Cosmetically, this is a well-worn vintage instrument with honest age throughout. The body binding shows noticeable shrinkage and wear in areas, while the sound hole binding has survived in surprisingly clean condition – go figure. The replacement tailpiece shows oxidation, there are scratches and finish wear around the neck heel, and there is a small timber imperfection near the 12th fret marker.

According to internet sources, the Lignatone brand was active during the 1950s–60s and associated with Československé hudební nástroje (Czechoslovak Musical Instruments), a state-run organization overseeing instrument production. The two-tailed lion logo is derived from the historic Bohemian lion.

Strung with Martin Custom Lights, it makes an excellent couch strummer, travel guitar, or character piece you don’t have to baby. Rough but ready, and a ton of fun to strum.

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SPECS

Make: Lignatone Parlor Guitar 

Nickname: “Bo” 

Year: 1960s 

Color: “Brownburst” w/ white binding around the top and sound hole 

Serial No.: None 

Made: Czechoslovakia 

Scale: 24-7/8" 

Frets: 18 

Body: Birch 

Neck: Poplar

Fingerboard: Ebonized wood

Markers: Dot inlays 

Nut: White synthetic 

Nut width: 1-3/4" 

Tuners: Classical 3-on-plate 

Bridge: Nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece, rosewood bridge

Overall length: 35-1/2" 

Body length: 18-1/4" 

Depth: 3-3/4" 

Upper bout: 10" 

Lower bout: 13" 

Case: N/A  

Strings: Martin MA535 Custom Light phosphor bronze – .011, .015, .022, .032, .042, .052 

Note: Information provided is to the best of our knowledge. This is a vintage instrument and shows normal wear consistent with age. Please refer to the listing photos for the cosmetic condition of each individual item prior to clicking the “Gimme!” button. Items are sold “as is”, no returns. Thank you for respecting that. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and have a Fun Time kinda day.