Please help identify this guitar

**SamR** · 05-20-2025, 06:49 PM

Hi all,

Can anyone with some knowledge of guitars help me identify this old archtop guitar?

I notice that the previous owner has replaced the tuners but it is missing the scratch-plate etc.

Is it worth putting any finishing touches?

Thanking everyone in advance,
Sam

**jazzloverfat** · 05-21-2025, 07:10 AM

Any chance you can take a picture of the label inside the guitar if it has one?

Since the tuners are not the original ones, unfortunately no clues can be gained there...

A reverse google image search using the tailpiece image does show a few Japanese made Archtops that have this design:
Kiso Suzuki - Phoenix, but the headstock of the model I found looks different
Nardan Special - the one I saw had the name on the headstock
Montano guitars also have the same tailpiece and no name on the headstock

Is it worth fixing up? Only you can answer this ultimately.

To me, it looks pretty beat up, it's as of now of unknown origin and I can't tell what the tonewood is and whether it's all laminate or if the top is solid.
Taking it to a luthier for some TLC, and assuming you are in the US, will add at least another 100-200 depending on the work that needs to be done and that's not including sourcing a replacement pick-guard if you want one and possibly adding a floating pickup.

How does it play, is it worth the hassle?

**Cavalier** · 05-21-2025, 11:02 AM

Looks like. a solid top to me and the binding doesn't look low grade, if you like the sound it is in good shape for a project. Can't tell about the neck from the images.

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 05-21-2025, 12:03 PM

The very unusual f holes should be a key to identification. I’ve never seen any like them. This old thread about non-traditional f holes might well generate more input if you resurrect it with a post.

It’d be great to have a compendium of f hole images. There are many distinct differences that can identify a model by maker, year, model, etc.

**sgosnell** · 05-21-2025, 12:22 PM

I can't see a center seam, so I would guess that the body is laminated. But that's just a guess. Another guess is that the price tag on it is optimistic. But again, that's just a guess.