1966 Levin-made Goya G-17 Classical Guitar

Update 2022: the owner of this guitar (my buddy Ed) is no longer playing classicals, so he brought this back in for sale. I've updated the post where necessary and added new photos, a new video, and extra details...

This is a customer's guitar and the backstory is that a local friend of mine had asked about what sort of classical I'd recommend. This is it! I pointed this one out on fleaBay and said "offer something and go for it." It came yesterday and I did a quick bridge reglue, brace reglue (3 on the back), fret level/dress, and setup and it's got that classic, big old Goya/Levin tone. You can't beat these for bang/buck on the classical market. They're simply well-built, Swedish (made in the Levin factory) guitars.

Unlike the slightly-smaller G-10, G-13, and G-15 models (which are much more comon), the G-17 has the larger 15" lower bout (like a wide-waist 000-size) body of the fancier Goyas which contributes to bigger bass response and a wider tonal palette. The bracing is super-lightweight on this one so I decided to use a light tension nylon set on it after doing the work. It plays just like you'd like it to with 3/32" action at the 12th fret and a smooth, easy feel.

I love the weather-checked and worn-in look to the finish on this guy, too. It looks respectable and there are no real cracks aside from a 4" one at the treble side of the bridge which has been cleated and sealed in the past.

The neck (with its comfy flattened-C profile) is a 3-piece mahogany/maple/mahogany mix with a "duraluminum" non-adjustable truss rod installed under the board. The board and bridge are both Brazilian rosewood.

The soundhole rosette is nice and elegant. I like that fretboard extension with its curvy end, too. I can't complain too much about the multicolored purfling, either, or the pretty mahogany of the back an d sides.

After a reglue, the bridge needed a light shave near the saddle area to be able to cut the saddle down to a healthy height. Like usual, I've strung the bridge with "balled ends" on the strings rather than standard classical-style tied ends. This gives a bit more back-pressure on the saddle, cleans up the tone, and gives the guitar more punch and volume.

Repairs included: (previously) a fret level/dress, brace repairs, cleaning, and setup. Recently... just a quick setup. The current strings are pretty old but there's a fresh set in the case pocket.

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: fan

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany/maple mix

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32" overall (fast)
String gauges: light-tension (can handle medium tension, no problem)

Neck shape: medium C/D

Board radius: flat

Truss rod: non-adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Scale length: 25 1/2"

Nut width: 2"

Body width: 14 7/8"

Body depth: 3 3/4"

Weight: 3 lbs 11 oz

Condition notes: there's finish weather-checking and fine-line finish cracking throughout. It looks glorious and is no issue. There's also a previously-repaired hairline crack to the treble side of the soundhole on the top. There are small scratches here and there throughout.

It comes with: a nice hard case.