Update 2022: this guitar is back here on consignment and so I've completely updated this post with a video, new pics, and a fresh description...
My local friend Ed has owned this guitar since 2015 and so I've known it as it's aged. It originally came here in late 2014 needing a neck reset (the joint had slipped in a warm car) and fretwork as well as some hairline crack repair and I gave it all that attention and it caught his eye (and hands... and ears...) in-shop.
Since then it's been stable and happy to go about its business. Ed has moved-over to larger guitars with longer scales but I have a feeling he'll be a little bummed-out as soon as it's sold, because Mr. Einolf built some great-sounding boxes during his time making.
This is, of course, a clone of an x-braced Gibson L-1 from the late '20s and it's just as lightly-braced and curmudgeony as the originals. That's a good thing -- it sounds lush and full -- and the neck handles well, too. It has an interesting 1 11/16" nut width but features a tightly-radiused fretboard and medium-heft rear profile.
This sort of guitar lives for fingerpicking or light flatpicking and it's got a gorgeous voice for use in couch-potato singing and picking. The top is super-thin and light in the bracing department just like the originals and as a result you can actually see the outline of the bracing on the top if you catch the finish in glare from lights. This is common to period guitars -- especially the L-1s and Kel Kroydon models and 12-fret Martin 0 and 00 designs of the '20s and '30s.
Years of Vermont winters and daily use meant I needed to do a little bit of extra work to be able to hang it on the wall for sale again, but suffice to say it's buttoned-up and ready to go.
Repairs included: (previously) a neck reset and setup work and (right now) a fret level/dress, bridge reglue, and setup.
Truss rod: adjustable (StewMac 2-way rod at the neckblock -- difficult access but stable)
Neck relief: straight
Fret style: medium-low
Scale length: 24 3/8"
Nut width: 1 11/16"
Body width: 13 7/8"
Body depth: 4"
Weight: 3 lbs 5 oz
Condition notes: I've taken photos of the worst-offending details, but among them are a (repaired) hairline crack at the top-treble-waist, a couple of very small, tight, not-through (but filled) hairline cracks on the back, general "muck" to the finish from use and/or humidity (it's a hand-done varnish finish), mild pickwear at the soundhole, and mild scratches here and there throughout. The tuners and bridge pins are not original but the rest is.
I just bought an Einoff guitar and you are spot on about the specs. Mine has had a pickup and strap buttons installed perhaps by the previous owner or the luthier himself. Very deep sounding guitar and a great sounding pickup. Looks as though this guitar you have is the same body style and mine needed a neck set too. Is James still around and building? This is a high quality guitar, beautiful wood, construction is practical and lightweight. I have a ‘59 Martin OOO18 and I’d put the Einoff up against it any day.
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