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Antoria 699 Acoustic Guitar mega rare please read

Estimated price for orientation: 475 $

Category: Other Guitar Parts
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Description
Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Antorio
Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan To Fit: Acoustic Guitar


have added this from form  condition is m/mint comes with case please check pictures This is an extremely rare collectible dreadnaught guitar, the likes of which I’ve never seen before, and I’ve been around over six decades, nearly five of them as a musician. Antoria is a very well-known brand in the UK and was rumored to be John Lennon’s favorite acoustic before he signed his endorsement contract with Epiphone.  Interestingly, the Japanese-made Epiphones at that time were built in the same FujiGen Gakki facility as the Antorias.  Antoria was way ahead of the curve back in the 70's when they contracted their new line of guitars to be made in Japan. The most, really the only, collectible Ibanez acoustics from the 70’s were also built in this Nagoya facility, well-known for its weighty reputation for quality.  Generally, Antoria built mid-level “affordable” guitars, but like nearly every major Japanese luthier of that period, they wanted to try and move into Gibson and Martin territory with their own high-end, all solid wood acoustics, like this one.  Most, including Antoria, ultimately retreated back to mid-level instruments, moving their operations to Korea or China.  Sadly, I’ve not been able to find but a single mention of this 699 model on the internet – that’s how rare this one is!  However, for the knowledgeable, build clues indicate a build date somewhere in the 1971-1977 range.  I guessed at 1975, but archive info on Antorias basically doesn't exist.
This example features, what appears to be a Martin design with Gibson details.  First, there’s the solid Spruce top, flame Maple back and sides, along with a very unusual flame Maple sealed fretboard, like you often find on an electric Telecaster or Stratocaster.  There’s five-ply binding on the top with three-ply binding on the back, like a Martin.  The back has a very intricate and attractive wood marquetry strip with woods of different colors, a very unusual feature.   The fretboard and headstock are also fully bound.  The neck is also Maple, but made in three plies for strength and stability.  The neck heel has a solid Maple end-cap.  The name, “Antoria,” in the headstock, is inlaid abalone, while the fret markers are large inlaid Ebony dots, very unusual.  The bridge is likewise Ebony, but with a height-adjustable saddle, which was popular in the 70’s.  All the metal hardware is gold toned, including the closed-back tuners which hold tune perfectly.  These are all features only found on higher-end instruments. The back, sides, neck and headstock are completely ding and scratch-free, looking like the guitar just came out of the box, a testimony to how well this guitar was cared for for the last 40 years!  The face has a single surface dimple on the lower bout that’s barely noticeable (see last pic for extreme closeup of dimple).  The neck is arrow-straight and the truss rod works perfectly.  The sound is crisp, like a Maple Gibson J-200, but not quite as loud, which you’d expect, since the J-200 is a jumbo box.  The Maple articulates individual notes very well, so a fingerpicker would be a happy camper.  She sounds as good as she looks, and she’s beautiful!  This guitar was part of my long-term, permanent collection which originally numbered around forty guitars.  I've already sold off over twenty of them, and was planning to keep 8-10 of the most truly unique, like this one, but I'm getting older and don't play as much as I used to.  I only remember playing her once in the past year, so here's a unique opportunity.  I'm not aware of another Antoria 699 anywhere in North America.  If you know of another one, let me know.  She currently lives in a top of the line, $165 Alvarez archtop hardshell case which is included in the sale. Product Specs Condition: Make: Model: Finish: Categories: Year: Made In: Japan