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| DescriptionMETROPOLITAN
GUITAR.
“The Westport Custom”
1997
From the hands of the Legendary Dave Wintz of Houston, TX.
An immediately collectible guitar. Preface.
As a collector of guitars, I am not bound by age and do not consider myself a “vintage guitar” collector. Rather, my collection is comprised of guitars that I consider to be of the highest quality, esthetically beautiful, incredible sound, and uniquely special. And many times, it is not a single guitar that I consider to be collectible, it is several coming from the hands of a single luthier. Dave Wintz, of ROBIN GUITAR et al fame, is one of those consistently envelope-pushing builders. I consider him to be one of the legends of the guitar industry. I own quite a few of Dave’s guitars and they are all unique. And then I saw his “new” line of guitars in 1996 branded “METROPOLITAN”-but these were quite familiar-they were “Nationals” revived and more than improved. They were, and are, incredibly well built and beautiful pieces that are toneful and solid. Unfortunately, the company was done and gone by 2000 leaving a small number of production guitars that instantly became “collectible”.
This Guitar.
Mine is from 1997. Its serial number is: 97159. Its color is: PEARL MINT GREEN.
Here the specs:
Westport Custom
• African Fakimba body with "set neck" construction
• One piece Mahogany neck with Rosewood fingerboard
• Fingerboard bound & inlaid with Abalone & Mother of Pearl "Butterfly" pattern
• Front of body "scooped" at edges creating a "raised" top
• Polished chrome, nickel & stainless hardware and body edge molding
• Custom Art Deco hardware including Tailpiece, Truss Cover & Pickguard
• One Rio Grande Barbeque Bucker at Bridge & one Genuine Texas Humbucker at Neck
• One Volume & Tone Control each for the two pickups (four knobs)
• Three-way selector switch for the Rio Grande Humbuckings, plus coil-splitting for both pickups via push/pull volume knobs.List Price: $3495.00
CONDITION of this Guitar.
This guitar is in excellent cosmetic and operational condition. There is a slight finish crack on the neck just below the nut that is minor.
No case comes with this guitar. It will be shipped in a gig bag.
And a review from Vintage Guitar Magazine, Oct. 1997:
Metropolitan Guitars Westport
New from Metropolitan Guitars of Texas comes the Westport Series, a scaled-down version of their Tanglewood, reviewed last year in these pages. The Tanglewood is, if you recall, Dave Wintz’s homage to the old National Res-o-glas guitars, albeit more playable and prettier.
“The response to the Tanglewood was so great, we felt we had to expand on the concept,” David relates.
The Westport has that same deco vibe, with a smaller body (Les Paul-sized, for you purists), the same cool plastic floating pickguards, potent Rio Grande humbucker pickups, and lush little inlays on the rosewood fretboard. The headstock and tailpiece are, by themselves, miniature works of art, and emphasize what this little guitar is all about – a true marriage of art and function, something that will play its little ass off and at the same time look real good. We tested the Super Custom Acoustic, meaning we got a guitar equipped with not only the pair of Rio Grande humbuckers, but a high-quality transducer built into the gold tune-o-matic bridge, with its own separate set of controls. The output is, in our case, a ring-tip sleeve that splits to the traditional magnetics and the piezo, enabling the user to put his acoustic-type signal into a separate amp (or the PA system), or mix it directly with the regular guitar signal.
Our cosmetics on the Westport were to die for – an exquisite African Fakimba body with a mahogany set neck, deluxe rosewood fretboard with abalone and mother of pearl butterfly inlays running the length of the neck, and all gold plated parts. The finish makes a cherryburst Les Paul look a bit plain – quite showy and perfectly coated with a thin layer of lacquer. Minus any amplification, this guitar looked great, felt great in the hands, and wanted to play…bad (and I mean that in a good way)!
Once we plugged in the Westport, there was no turning down. First through a new Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, then a 1965 Princeton Reverb, and finally through a great old Silvertone combo equipped with four 6L6s and twin 12″ Utahs, this guitar was like a Paul on steroids. Very fat, great sting and brilliance to its tone, and that lovely secret weapon of the acoustic transducer, judiciously mixed into the magnetic signal, lent a sheen most guitars can’t touch.
The controls are simple and a bit on the fun side – on the lower bout are a series of three knobs, old fashioned in appearance, controlling volume for each pickup (the piezo control has an on/off setting to avoid excessive battery drain). Along the upper edge of the guitar are tone pots for each pickup, as well as a traditional three-way switch, giving typical settings of neck, bridge, or neck plus bridge (although the sounds we got were anything but typical)! Way to go, Metropolitan!
“This is one beefy guitar…somebody needs to be playing this onstage!” Taco exclaims. “It makes quite a statement, and plays like a dream.” The levels of this guitar include the Westport Deluxe, which features deco custom colors like Pearl Green, Shell Pink, and four others, and the Custom Acoustic adds a bound fretboard, nickel parts, and the secret weapon – the transduced pickup. Prices on these instruments are $1,695 and $2,795, respectively. Our model, a Super Custom Acoustic, lists at $3,950 due to its superb appointments, and all models are discounted somewhat by the nationwide network of Metropolitan dealers.
OTHER. As to possible “exchanges”, I can only say, “once a trader, always a trader” so don’t hold back.
MY TRY IT OUT POLICY.
Understanding the normal hesitation of buying a guitar without first playing it, I want to make sure these guitars make you happy. To accomplish that, I want you to try them for 72 hours (three days). Play them, hold them, walk around with them on your back, sleep with then-whatever it takes for you to make sure these are the ones for you. During that time, you can return them for a full refund of your payment price (but of course they need to be treated well while you have them, as I expect you will) less shipping cost and you must pay the cost to ship it back to us.
If it arrives damaged, please let me know immediately by email. Be sure to hold onto all packing material and the box. I will contact the shipper for an inspection. Remember that this can take up to a couple of weeks but I will rush it along.
Minor problems. If there is a problem with one of the guitars when it arrives, e.g., loose wires etc. then I will work with you to get it repaired by someone in your area.
OTHER POLICIES.
A. Payment Policy: PAYMENT DUE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PURCHASE.
B. Shipping Policy: Buyers outside USA must contact me for shipping quote prior to buying this guitar.
C. Return Policy:
1. Returnable for total refund within 3 days of delivery. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer pays all return shipping costs.
2. Returns of undamaged and unmodified instruments may allowed after the 3 day “try it out” period, with permission of Seller, for a period of up to 14 days following delivery but will be subject to a 20% restocking fee. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer assumes responsibility for all return shipping costs.
D. Refunds: Buyer receives a full refund in their original payment method less any shipping charges and restocking fees if appropriate.
E. The guarantee:
1. The guitar is in the cosmetic condition as described in this ad. Used guitars will all have signs of use to include dings, dents, scratches, smudges, etc.
2. The guitar is in fully operational condition.
3. Buyer has 72 hrs. to inspect the guitar or have it inspected. Any defects, damage, misrepresentations or other problems must be reported within that time period in writing to the Seller.
4. In the case of damage during shipment, Buyer shall immediately inform seller of such damage and will maintain all original packing materials and box for inspection by the transportation company.
5. If other problems are discovered, Seller will either arrange for repair etc. at a location near the Buyer or request that the Buyer return the guitar to the Seller. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer assumes responsibility for all return shipping costs.
Seller will correct indicated problems and ship the guitar back to the Buyer within 7-10 days of receiving it.
6. Refund Procedure.
a. In the event that the guitar cannot be repaired or replaced with a similar item from Seller’s inventory, the Seller will provide a full refund in their original payment method less any shipping charges and restocking fees if appropriate.
b. During this 72-hour evaluation period, the Buyer may return the guitar for any reason by notifying Seller and receiving a Return Authorization number. Guitar must be in the same condition as received by the Buyer. Buyer pays cost of shipping guitar back to Seller.
c. Returns may be allowed, with permission of Seller and issuance of RA#, after the 72 hour evaluation period for up to 14 days total but a standard 20% Restocking Fee will be charged for the return. Guitar must be in the same condition as received by the Buyer. Buyer pays cost of shipping guitar back to Seller.
NOTE: I want each Buyer of a guitar from my collection to be pleased and happy with his/her purchase so let me know immediately of any problems with your purchase so that we can work it out. Thanks.
Shipping SHIPPING CHARGES. The charges listed in this ad are for the continental US only. Shipment outside that area is at actual cost and Buyer must pay all tariffs, duties, and other charges that may be levied on the item when it is imported into its final destination. And for foreign buyers, please request a quote for shipping cost before you bid. No surprises are always good. And please do not ask that we use a lower value for an export shipment. NOTE: WE WILL NOT SHIP TO ANY THIRD PARTY AND WE WILL NOT DO SHIP TO ANY FIRM, SUCH AS Shop Airlines America or sekaimon WHO RESHIPS THE ITEM OUTSIDE THE USA. SHIPPING DAMAGE. Any external, or internal, shipping damage MUST BE REPORTED to Seller and to Carrier within 24 hours of receipt of delivery. IT IS THE BUYER?S RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY SELLER IMMEDIATELY IF THE INSTRUMENT HAS INCURRED ANY DAMAGE DURING SHIPMENT. IN THE EVENT OF SUCH DAMAGE, PLEASE RETAIN ALL SHIPPING MATERIALS FOR INSPECTION.NO EXCEPTION.
Terms of Sale 1. Payment must be received within five days of the end of the auction. 2. NO REFUNDS. Please ask your questions before you bid. As noted under "Shipping", we will repair any defective item. This does not apply to shipping damage or to damage after receipt. Please note that every guitar we sell has been fully audited, tested, set up,inspected, and photograph prior to shipment.
About Us ABOUT TUNEYOURSOUND. Tune Your Sound Sound Your Tune Guitars make Sounds ! Guitar players make Tunes. But which guitar makes your Tune best?The beginning point in making a tune is You. The music in your head goes to your hands which form chords and notes. The end point is the Tune heard by those listening created by the Sounds of the instruments in between. Our job at TuneYourSound.com (TYS) is to fill in the middle. Or, in other words, "complete the chain". We are guitar players and collectors at TuneYourSound.com. Collectively we have personally owned and played over 1800 guitars. And we have seen guitar players play-from Jimi using his teeth to Jimmy using his bow. And now, we want to tell you what we have learned over the years and under the stages. First: There should be two primary guitars in your life. The one you start with (by choice or coincidence) and the one you finish with (once you find it, you'll know it and keep it). But of course, humans are acquisitive by nature, so we are prone to own more than we need-but a guitar player must have what he really needs. Two: Sometimes it's better for a guitar to be heard than seen and other times it's better for a guitar to be seen than heard. So, play it both ways. Buy a guitar that does both. Three: Avoid the hype. Especially now with the Internet overloading us with data. Buy a guitar that you trust from someone you trust. Four: Make it personal. Establish a relationship with your seller. That way you will never be disappointed-nor abandoned. After all, it is still about money-your money. And you deserve to get more than you give. At TuneYourSound.com, we have the answer!
Please contact us directly at ebay email system.
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