1940s Vega C-26 Archtop Guitar

Here's a carved-top Vega C-26 that was in a few weeks ago for a fret level/dress, some cleats for the cracks near the bass-side f-hole, added compensation to its bridge, tuner button repair, and setup. The owner decided he's more of a flattop player, however, so it's back here for resale.

It's a wartime or just-postwar build as it has a factory-installed wooden bracket for the pickguard (rather than steel) and the cool, asymmetrical bridge foot that some of these have from the time.

The neck is slim for the period with a 1 5/8" nut width and Epiphone-like, medium-soft-V rear profile. It has a smaller-radius fretboard, too, and the handling is remarkably vintage Strat-like, in a way. It has a crisp, biting, punchy, mids-forward sound with not a whole lot of bass but it sure as heck sounds like a brusier to me. It has more of the Epiphone "snappy" vibe going on than the Gibson "velvet" vibe and will suit folks who "chord chop" all night long like myself on guitar...

...and it's also easy on the eyes, too? Did I mention that?

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, two top hairline crack repairs, bridge adjustments, setup.

Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz

Scale length: 25"

Nut width: 1 5/8"

Neck shape: medium C/V

Board radius: 12"

Body width: 16"

Body depth: 3 1/4"

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: maple

Bracing type: tonebar

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: ebony

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 54w-12 lights

Truss rod: non-adjustable

Neck relief: teensiest hair of relief at pitch (~1/64")

Fret style: medium-narrow

Condition notes: everything save one tuner button appears to be original and, aside from the cracks on the top and a generous amount of handling-wear, it's in good order. The neck adds a hair of relief tuned to pitch but it plays so quickly you would never know.

It comes with: a gigbag.

Consignment tag: P51