SOLD: 1920s era "Boston School" (Bay State?) 0-12 Slot-Head

[Ed-in-Ohio]

For sale is a pre-war, 'Boston School', 0-size, 12-fret parlor guitar in X-braced spruce over oak with a 1 3/4" nut. SOLD. No trades please (I'm committed to thinning things out!)

This is a great sounding, fun to play fingerstyle guitar. The Guitar's brand origin is likely "Bay State" based on the embossed numbers on the top of the headstock. This 1920s era parlor guitar is a classic example of the 'Boston School small-bodied acoustic guitar'. It has a replaced Adirondack spruce top that has been braced specifically for warm, bare-fingerstyle tone.

SPECIFICATIONS:
* Boston School 0-12 Slot Head
* Style: 0-size body, 12-fret neck, Slot-head
* Bracing: Modern, custom X-bracing voiced for fingerstyle play: Tapered X-brace with 1/4" quarter sawn Sitka spruce. One transverse brace below the bridgeplate that's peaked at the soundboard centerline is also used.
* Tonewoods: New solid Adirondack Spruce Soundboard over Vintage Solid White Oak Back & Sides
* Appointments: Bound top and back, two ring striped rosette
* Headstock: slotted headstock with vintage tuning machines
* Neck: steel reinforced solid poplar neck with a very comfortable "V" profile
* Finish (back, sides & neck): traditional opaque tobacco brown lacquer
* Finish (top): Hand applied clear satin lacquer over shellac
* Fretboard: new radiused rosewood fretboard with new frets
* Fret markers: mother of pearl fret markers at frets 5, 7, & 9.
* Bridge: new rosewood bridge, traditional rectangle shape
* Nut, Saddle, and Bridge Pins: bone
* Nut width: 1 3/4"
* String Spacing at the Saddle: 2 1/4"
* Scale length: 24"
* Upper bout width: 9 5/8"
* Lower bout width: 13 1/4"
* Body length: 18 1/8"
* Maximum body depth: 3 13/16" (96mm)
* Overall length: 37"
* Neck depth: @ 1st fret: 7/8" (.87") , @ 5th fret: 15/16"
* Action: 6/64"
* String gauge setup: Set up for gauge 11-52 strings.
* Current Strings: La Bella Silk & Steel Light 710L (11-51)
* Case: Gator Gwe-Acou 3/4 Hardshell (like new and a perfect fit)

CONDITION:
Three small repaired and perfectly stable side cracks at the binding, otherwise crack free and solid throughout. Updated mahogany linings. Natural finish on top with opaque tobacco brown lacquer finish elsewhere. Minor finish scuffs and bruises. Recent work (done by Steve at Vintage Parlor Guitars) includes neckset, replaced/rebraced top, new fretboard/frets and attention to braces, bridgeplate, bridge, tuners, finish and pro setup. Guitar has also recently had another pro set-up with the frets leveled. Incredible combination of a guitar with a vintage voice and modern playability.

SOUND:
Surprisingly loud with a strong, clear, bell-like voice. Great intonation. Very good projection and sustain. Here's a soundclip:



A comprehensive photo album of this guitar CAN BE SEEN HERE.

Thanks for looking!

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Day two bump off of page two.
Links to a comprehensive photo album and a sound clip of the guitar have been added to the original post.
Happy Friday all - Have a great weekend!

[CameToMyRescue]

Very tempting - I have such a love for old 12 fret parlors after picking up my 31 L-00. Best of luck!

[Howard Emerson]

Ed,
Aside from the fact that it looks so new (for obvious reasons), it is SO worth every penny you're asking.

Your loss, literally, is going to be a huge gain for someone else, clearly.

Best of luck in the sale, in any case!

Regards,
Howard Emerson

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

Ed,
Aside from the fact that it looks so new (for obvious reasons), it is SO worth every penny you're asking.

Your loss, literally, is going to be a huge gain for someone else, clearly.

Best of luck in the sale, in any case!

Regards,
Howard Emerson

Thanks very much Howard.

You are right, I'll miss this one. As wonderful as it is, however, it deserves to belong to someone who will play it more. Though I have worked to bring some fingerstyle play into my repertoire, I am still mostly a Cowboy Chord strumming singer/songwriter...This beauty should be with a fingerstyle specialist.

Thanks again, and have a great Sunday!

[ripdotcom]

There are many players out there that have spent a lot more to get that tone. It sounds old as the hills and clear, compressed sound. certainly a treasure for a true player.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Bump off of page 4.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Early Friday morning bump for the weekend.
Have a great one!

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Sunday Bump with a price reduction. Now SOLD.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Midweek bump off of page 4.
You'd be hard pressed to find a better small-bodied guitar for under $1k.
Thanks for looking!

[Tele1111]

Hey Ed,

This seems to be an incredible value. I don’t know how it was recorded (eq etc) but if that’s a straight recording it sounds exceptional.

Mark

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Thanks Mark!

The clip is courtesy of Steve at Vintage Parlor Guitars. It's a straight recording, and it captures the voice of the guitar from the player's perspective as good as any clip I have heard. One thing you don't get from the clip is the almost unbelievable volume of the guitar.

You're spot on about the value of this one. If this guitar does not sell, it will not be the worst thing that has ever happened to me.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Friday night bump for the weekend.
Have a great one.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Monday bump.