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2006 Palen Performer
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SN#: 49, signed by the maker
Body size at lower bout: 17" Body depth: 3 1/4" Scale length: 25" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .79/.85
Materials: Solid handcarved bookmatched X-braced spruce top; solid handcarved bookmatched AAA bigleaf maple back, sides and neck; solid ebony fingerboard; multi-bound body and f-holes.
Hardware: All handcrafted ebony hardware includes adjustable compensated bridge, tailpiece and pickguard; gold Gotoh 510 18X1 tuners; Kent Armstrong built-in humbucking pickup with tone and volume controls, endpin jack.
Notes: From his workshop in the Smoky Hills of the Solomon River Valley in north central Kansas, Nelson Palen has been single handedly building meticulously hand crafted guitars for over a worldwide audience. With a background in precision machining and tool design, Palen works to extremely fine tolerances on every instrument, giving his guitars a remarkable consistency in fit, finish and graduation. Each instrument is built entirely by hand, and individually tap tuned. No more than a handful will be completed in a given year. Best of all, Palen's commitment to the working player has meant that his instruments combine superb playability with excellent value.
The guitar is constructed of highly figured AAA fiddleback maple, with an intensely quilted headstock, and hand carved ebony hardware. The X-braced body features a nimble 25" scale, and the neck profile is gently flattened to glide effortlessly across the palm. At just 6lb. 4oz. the instrument is light and well balanced, and the voice is rich, warm and woody, with smooth Wes Montgomery tone color. The Armstrong pickup provides clear, accurate response, with excellent sustain and feedback resistance.
This gorgeous example is in all original condition, and apart from a few incidental finish dings, appears virtually unplayed. All solid, all carved, all hand crafted, the Palen Performer is an outstanding creation, offering meticulous construction, extravagant tonewoods, and an elegant voice. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings. 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 premium Ameritage arched plush lined hardshell case, with Palen logo.
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