Artinger Archtop - 1997 - First guitar Matt ever sold!

[bob311]

A piece of luthier history: confirmed by Matt Artinger as the 6th guitar he built, made in his first year (1997), and the first he ever sold. Matt needs no introduction here.

Full-size archtop, single rounded cutaway. Solid spruce top, beautifully figured quilted and flamed maple back and sides, flamed maple neck custom city-skyline inlay on an ebony fretboard, custom scimitar soundholes, Grover Imperial tuners, custom ebony bridge/tailpiece, and a floating EMG pickup with the jack in the back strap button. Signed and numbered on the headstock.

Just back from Matt for a full checkup and has a clean bill of health. Nearly 30 years old and fully opened up: extremely resonant and loud acoustically, with a comfortable rounded-C neck and frets showing almost no wear.This is definitely a guitar that has been played, and should continue to be played! It some lacquer shrinkage (mostly at the heel cap), a few small bumps, light lacquer burns from a wall hanger, and a small but completely stable crack under the pickguard that's nearly invisible. Plays and sounds beautiful. Matt commented how amazing it has opened up now having it back in his hands almost 30 years later. Comes with a late 90s SKB like hard case!

Selling beacuse of some family stuff. This was supposed to be my lifetime archtop, and I will desperately regret selling it. Looking for $6500. Happy to send more photos or videos, and facetime with anyone who is interested. I appreciate this is a very specific guitar, but it is genuinely the best archtop I have ever laid my hands on. I know I am new here, but have the same username on the gear page and acoustic guitar forum, and you can also find this on Reverb. Happy to verify and facetime with anyone!









My Gallery — Postimages

[jazzshrink]

Is this the same guitar that sold on thegearpage.net 2 months ago? I ask because none of your photos feature the serial number on the back of the headstock. Thanks in advance, and welcome to JGO..

[bob311]

Is this the same guitar that sold on thegearpage.net 2 months ago? I ask because none of your photos feature the serial number on the back of the headstock. Thanks in advance, and welcome to JGO..

hi, it is the same guitar. I sent it right to Matt for a checkup and just received it myself this week. However, some family health stuff over the past month meant that during that time, I am now unable to keep it sadly. I’m happy to share more pictures, just let me know. The serial is 0697jk (6th guitar made, 1997, initials of the guy who ordered it). The guitar was supposed to be my lifetime archtop, but sadly life intervened.