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2004 Foster St. Charles Avenue
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Serial #: 307
Body size at lower bout: 17" Body depth: 2" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 3/4"
Finish: Violin sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Materials: Solid handcarved hand split Sitka spruce top; handcarved solid bookmatched figured mahogany back with matching sides and neck; solid ebony parts including fingerboard, tailpiece, pickguard, headstock veneer, truss rod cover, and compensated adjustable bridge; mother of pearl peghead and tailpiece inlay; triple bound body, fingerboard, and soundholes; Paua abalone block fingerboard inlays.
Hardware: Foster Kent Armstrong floating PAF pickup with double adjustable polepieces; precision gold 16X1 tuners; custom bound ebony pickguard with volume and tone controls with ebony knobs.
Notes: Love the comfort of a Byrdland, but hate the tiny neck? Or the warm tone of the George Gobel L-5CT, but don't have thirty grand? Then meet the St. Charles 17, from the Crescent City's most celebrated luthier, Jimmy Foster. Rare among builders, this New Orleans based builder is also an accomplished player in his own right, which may explain why his guitars sound so musical, and play so effortlessly. His slimline, all carved St. Charles model is particularly popular with working players who require maximum playability with minimum feedback. The slim 17" body with the 2" depth sits very smartly under the arm, and the deep cutaway allows easy access top the uppermost frets. The solid handcarved Sitka spruce soundboard sings with true acoustic brilliance, and the body is fashioned from solid bookmatched figured mahogany, adding warmth and depth to the voice.
This handsome example is fitted with a floating Kent Armstrong PAF, and other custom upgrades include ornate high color Paua abalone inlay in head, fingerboard and tailpiece, bound ebony pickguard, neck, body and f-holes. This instrument is in immaculate 100% original showroom condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and appears virtually unplayed. New cost with this upgrade package is close to $6000, with a wait time of close to two years. Here's a chance to jump the queue and bag a master quality instrument at a bargain price.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Original black hardshell case.
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