1950s Vega E-30D Hollowbody Electric Guitar

Overview: I'm not sure of the exact date on this Boston-made Vega, but it has the features that suggest a late-'50s build. I believe the bodies of these were made by Harmony for Vega, though the neck is entirely a Vega affair and built to a high spec with a comfortable, almost Epiphone-like profile and feel. It's a lightweight, great-looking, great-sounding guitar that straddles a sort-of Gretsch DynaSonic meets Gibson P90 area. It can flit between rockabilly, jazz, and blues with no problem.

Interesting features: It's got a pair of Franz single-coil pickups. These are super-desirable old critters and have their own, unique sound -- clean and clear but also punchy and bitey when pushed into a driven amp. The wiring harness is replaced and is interesting in that it doesn't have a 3-position switch -- instead, favoring a Jazz Bass-style 2-volume-control setup to switch between pickup balance. It's also got independent tone controls.

Repairs included: Sarah gave it a fret level/dress, cleaning, and setup work. The saddle got a little extra compensation for 3-plain, 3-wound stringing. It's playing spot-on and ready to roll.

• Weight: 4 lbs 12 oz
• Scale length: 24 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 9/16"
• Neck shape: medium C/soft V
• Board radius: 10"
• Depth at first fret: 57/64"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1 1/64"
• Body width: 16 1/4"
• Body depth: 1 7/8"
• Body wood: spruce over maple (pretty sure it's all ply)
• Bridge: adjustable rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Pickups: 2x original Franz single coils
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 46w-10
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium/lower

Condition notes: This has a replacement wiring harness and knobs but otherwise appears to be original throughout. There's mild wear and tear and finish weather-checking overall. The jack area has a replacement section patched-in from, presumably, a point at which the jack got a big knock. The neck angle is good and it's in good order as a player.

It comes with: It's got a gigbag, as I recall.

Consignor tag: DVCH