Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends

archtop.com

2023 Victor Baker Model 15

Price and Status: For pricing and hold status of this instrument, please check here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please email your specific requests to [email protected].

Serial #: 660, on label, and stamped on fingerboard. Width at lower bout: 15" Body depth: 2 1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Scale length: 25" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .81/.89

Materials: Solid hand-graduated Sitka spruce soundboard; solid carved Bigleaf maple back, sides and neck; solid ebony fingerboard with EVO gold frets.

Hardware: All original hardware includes Kent Armstrong Handwound PAF humbucking pickups with ebony master volume and tone controls, black Gotoh Delta 21:1 tuners, compensated adjustable Tuneomatic style bridge, carbon fiber tailpiece and pickup rings, 3 way pickup selector, adjustable truss rod.

Notes: San Diego based luthier Victor Baker crafts archtop guitars meticulously by hand, and his artist roster includes the likes of Peter Bernstein and other top players. Commissioned to recreate a series of D'Angelico Master Builder archtops, Baker's work has been recognized as among the most accomplished of modern builders.

Lightweight and comfortable, Baker's Model 15 is his most popular model, and crafted of all solid tonewoods, bookmatched, quartersawn and hand carved throughout. The Venetian cutaway body has a hand-graduated Sitka spruce soundboard, with back, sides and neck of highly figured bookmatched Bigleaf maple, with the upper body edge gently beveled under the arm, for enhanced player comfort.

The top is supported by a single center brace, connected to a small maple soundblock connecting the top and back directly underneath the bridge. This innovative design reduces feedback and enhances sustain, all while retaining the open tone of the fully hollow body. And it's all faithfully captured by the Armstrong Handwound PAF humbucking pickups.

At just 5lb 7oz the guitar is notably lightweight, on the lap or the strap, and warmly resonant. The one piece tiger flame neck features a comfy gentle D profile, with smooth low action over a dark ebony fingerboard, and a fresh high precision setup. Finally the hand rubbed oil finish lends a burnished vintage matte patina to the body and neck.

This handsome guitar is in 100% original showroom condition, without apparent playwear, and features striking contemporary appointments including the carbon fiber tailpiece and pickup rings and the Gotoh Delta 21:1 tuners, the smoothest on the planet. And a special plus: the solid ebony fingerboard is fitted with an unworn set of the much coveted EVO gold frets, now lamentably out of production.

A marvel of comfort, performance and style, this hand crafted wonder is a joy to play, and a true best buy in a top-flight luthier built guitar. One only, call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge half round strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" 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 deluxe black TKL plush lined hardshell case.