Not new guitar day - 1960 Levin 335

**entresz** · 12-15-2021, 06:31 PM

I've had this guitar a couple of years now, it needed a neck reset. It was still playable but the bridge was bottomed out.

I took it to my luthier and it's had a neck reset and he fitted a DeArmond 1100, and made a nice ebony pickguard to mount it on. These old Levins actually have bolt on necks - my luthier was delighted as it was a much easier job than he was anticipating.

Feels like a new guitar now. It's amazing what a difference the correct neck angle makes to the acoustic tone. It always had a good acoustic sound but it's bigger and louder now.

It's an unusual guitar in that it has a carved top with a single diagonal top brace a la Stromberg, but the arched back is laminated, but the back is braced almost like a Maccaferri. It's also quite thin for an acoustic, it's only 2 1/2'' deep and very light - very comfortable to play, but still has a big acoustic voice.

The DeArmond 1100 reissue sounds terrific too.

Not new guitar day - 1960 Levin 335-20211215_181140-jpg

**Gitterbug** · 12-16-2021, 12:02 AM

These were called "orchestra guitars" when I was a kid. Hardly any pro in my neck of the woods could access, let alone afford, a Gibson until about 1960, so pro jazz and dance musicians used these, German achtops or domestic Landola or Noso makes. IIRC, thin top and quite a flat fretboard.

**entresz** · 12-16-2021, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by Gitterbug

These were called "orchestra guitars" when I was a kid. Hardly any pro in my neck of the woods could access, let alone afford, a Gibson until about 1960, so pro jazz and dance musicians used these, German achtops or domestic Landola or Noso makes. IIRC, thin top and quite a flat fretboard.

I've played a few other European guitars, mostly Hofners, Hoyers and Framus, but I've found Levins are a bit more refined tonally and in construction. Some of the others are a bit 'clunky' for want of a better word.
I think they're closer in quality to Epiphone or Guild guitars of the era than Hofner for example.

I love this particular guitar - it's nice having a quality carved top guitar that I can take out to gigs and not have to worry about too much.

**cmajor9** · 12-16-2021, 11:46 AM

This matches my experience after playing 5-6 Levins, too. The higher models particularly (De Luxe, Solist, Royal and their antecedents) can be quite nice acoustic guitars, quite well constructed, and loud.

**JFranck** · 12-16-2021, 12:59 PM

Congrats Entresz, beautiful guitar. These Levins are great.

Fred Guy guitarist with Duke Ellington used a Levin :
Not new guitar day - 1960 Levin 335-fred-guy-levin-jpg

Not new guitar day - 1960 Levin 335-fred-guy-levin-jpg

He lent his guitar to Django Reinhardt hence a famous picture :
Not new guitar day - 1960 Levin 335-django-fred-guy-levin-jpg

Dutchbopper · 12-16-2021, 01:24 PM

My favourite Levin player is Jesse van Ruller. He used a Levin 320 for many years early in his career. He had such a distinct sound with it.

DB

**citizenk74** · 12-16-2021, 03:16 PM

New and improved playability is as good as new in my book. Congratulations, and play it in good health!

**Irwin1993** · 12-16-2021, 05:46 PM

To the OP, Grats on the work done on the guitar. Could you describe the neck profile please? Thanks!

**entresz** · 12-16-2021, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by Irwin1993

To the OP, Grats on the work done on the guitar. Could you describe the neck profile please? Thanks!

Hi Irwin! thank you

It has a 12'' radius, short scale 24 3/4"
The neck is quite thin - more of D shape than a C shape. It feels surprisingly modern to play in that regard. Maybe slightly thicker than a 60's style Gibson neck? Playing fast bebop is surprisingly easy on this guitar.

**Irwin1993** · 12-16-2021, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by entresz

Hi Irwin! thank you

It has a 12'' radius, short scale 24 3/4"
The neck is quite thin - more of D shape than a C shape. It feels surprisingly modern to play in that regard. Maybe slightly thicker than a 60's style Gibson neck? Playing fast bebop is surprisingly easy on this guitar.

Thanks for the response Entresz. Do you play with your thumb behind the neck or over the top of the neck if you know what i'm saying? thanks

**entresz** · 12-16-2021, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dutchbopper

My favourite Levin player is Jesse van Ruller. He used a Levin 320 for many years early in his career. He had such a distinct sound with it.

DB

I'm a big fan of Jesse van Ruller!
I love the sound of those old DeArmond pickups in his Levin
PS. I really enjoy your videos, you are a fine guitarist and get a great tone!

**entresz** · 12-16-2021, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by Irwin1993

Thanks for the response Entresz. Do you play with your thumb behind the neck or over the top of the neck if you know what i'm saying? thanks

I play with my thumb over the neck, I use my thumb to get bass notes on the E and sometimes on the A string
I've been told it's terrible technique by my guitar teacher years ago, but it works for me!

**Gitterbug** · 12-17-2021, 02:59 AM

12" neck radius is good "news" - my friend's older model has an almost flat fretboard. A cheaper version from 1945 I had for a while was ok in this respect. The top was so thin in places that an endoscope light inside shone through the wood. I traded the guitar for what I had paid for it, only to see it in a week's time at another guitar shop, with the price doubled.