Description: IMPERIAL GUITAR 1880 THE JOHN CHURCH CO CINCINNATI OHIO. According to my research this is the first marketed steel string guitar even before the Martin 0, which came out in 1898.The action is high as there is a crack by the neck as shown.( which may have been glued at one point) The neck seems to have a v shape on the back of it. Someone stabilized the neck at some point by drilling holes in the heel, I have no idea what is in those holes to hold the neck in place. The action is very high almost 1/4" at the 9th fret. About 1/8 inch at the third fret. It has always been that way and I have always played it that way with a slide in an open key. Upper bout is 8 3/4" Lower bout is 12 1/2". The fretboard is 16" long. The nut is 1 3/4". Very unusual tail piece, it appears it can be adjusted with two screws, I have never down anything with it. The bottom of bridge says pat. June 30 1891. This is a solid wood guitar. The back has a hairline crack about 7" long from bottom up. Perhaps this guitar was refinished long ago? I do not know what kind of wood this is maybe spruce? Case is rough looks like something scratched at it on outside, thats the way its always been, I believe its original. This guitar has historic value. Thanks for looking and be sure to CHECK OUT our other VINTAGE instruments we have for sale...DocWe are downsizing and selling 50 years of collecting and accumulating! All items are Antique, Vintage or Retro. Items will be added weekly, so check back. Add us to your "favorites", or SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER to receive updates. We are open to reasonable offers.We charge EXACT shipping costs plus insurance - no handling charges!Please note: sound on any instrument sold is subjective, we can not guarantee sound or how an instrument plays . The new owner can set the instrument up anyway they wants to get the sound they desire. These instruments are not set up they are sold as is and what you see is what you get. However ,instruments are guaranteed as described .ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS: I only ship via Express Mail International as it's the cheapest way to ship so that we both can track the package.WE WILL NOT CHANGE THE VALUE ON CUSTOMS FORMS!!ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: WE CAN ONLY SHIP TO YOU ADDRESS ON YOUR PAYPAL ACCOUNT !
Price: 3500 USD
Location: Howard, Ohio
End Time: 2024-02-27T21:51:17.000Z
Shipping Cost: 100 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Brand: IMPERIAL GUITAR
Exact Year: 1891
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States