1940s Vega Archtop Tenor Guitar

Overview: How great-looking is this tenor? This one came up here some months ago and we finally got it in the queue. I love the sunburst style and ruddy-brown base color and those classic, Vega-style deco touches like the severe, triangular pickguard and squared-off, Martin-style headstock. It's got a "trim and ready" look to it that's made softer by the curvy, appealing body shape.

Tonewise it's midsy and punchy with a bunch of clarity and decent volume. It doesn't have the warmth of a Gibson or the muscle of an Epiphone but sits somewhere in-between and is a nice, easy player with a satisfying sound.

I'm pretty sure this one dates to the very late '30s or early '40s judging by the build style.

Repairs included: Jacobi gave it a level/dress of the frets, cleaning, and setup. It's playing bang-on and ready to go and is currently strung/tuned GDAE (octave mandolin style) but we can swap to whatever the preference of the next owner is.

• Weight: 3 lbs 8 oz
• Scale length: 23"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 0.85"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.99"
• Body width: 14 5/8"
• Body depth: 3"
• Top wood: solid carved spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid maple
• Bracing type: tonebar
• Bridge: ebony adjustable
• 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: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: narrow/medium

Condition notes: There are mild to medium scratches here and there throughout but the (original) finish looks great overall. Someone added a strap button next to the heel and there's an old strap button hole on the heel cap. There's a small patch of replacement binding near the heel as well. The guitar itself is completely original otherwise.

It comes with: It has a funky old chip case as I recall.

Consignor tag: JW