1980 Branzell Custom Double Cut Sweet Tea Burst
Was $3495
No sales tax for customers outside California!
This fine guitar was a prized possession of a very good friend of mine who opened my eyes to the vintage guitar market back in the mid/late 90's. I remember when he purchased the guitar at a guitar show in California, I believe in 1999 or 2000.
At the time I was focused on buying what I could sell readily in my store, but when we looked at this Branzell I was as smitten as my friend was. The flame top is outrageous, with a really sweet carve. The hand-made excellence is obvious when you first pick the guitar up.
It is pretty light for a Les Paul style build, and everything about the guitar feels like a vintage, hand made gem. Beautiful woods are used throughout, and the fit and finish is exemplary. Frets show wear but they play great. There is some finish checking, and the clear coat is yellowing nicely.
Pickups are older Seymour Duncan humbuckers. The bridge pickup has a DD sticker on the back and Duncan's website says this is a SH-6b - "Duncan Distortion, Bridge". The neck pickup has a 59N sticker - "SH-1n", "'59 Model, Neck".
Tim is a friend and employee who takes all the guitar and amp pics here, as well as the stat gathering. He reached out to Greg Branzell via email to inquire about the history of this guitar. Greg called Tim and filled him in. I'll probably add to this, but I do know that Greg said this was on of the first solid body guitars he made, and he dated it to approximately 1980. He is now doing some amazing work, which you can see here: https://branzellguitars.com/electric-guitars/
And here is some forum chatter from TGP: https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/branzell-guitar-on-its-way-to-destroy-all-guitars-wow.1219486/
My friend's basement had a water leak several years ago. The guitar was one he always had out, hanging on his man-cave wall, but the case was stored in an area that did get wet and went undetected for a couple weeks. The case has a strong, musty smell, though it is much better now that we've been airing it out for a few weeks. The guitar would fit in most Gibson cases, so if you want a new case when you get it you will be able to get one.
Color: Tea Burst
Weight: 8lbs 9ozs
Body: Mahogany/Flame Maple Cap
Neck: Mahogany
Neck Profile: Full C
Fretboard: Ebony
Inlay: MOP Vines and Flowers
Frets: Jumbo
Fret count: 22
Nut material: Bone
Nut width: 1.680"
Scale: 24.75"
Radius: 12"
Neck thickness at 1st fret: 0.871"
Neck thickness at 7th fret: 0.890"
Neck thickness at 12th fret: 1.025"
Hardware: Gold Original
Neck pickup: 7.76k - "SH-1n", "'59 Model, Neck"
Bridge pickup: 16.2k - SH-6b - "Duncan Distortion, Bridge"
Bridge: Jason Schroeder
Tuners: Grover Original
Switch: Original
Pots: Original
Case: HSC
Notes: This is the 3rd guitar Gary Branzell built for sale and the second carve top ever made, it sold 1st in June 1980
Buyer to pay prior to shipment via Paypal, wire transfer, credit card or other electronic means. Payment must clear before shipping. Certified checks and trades are accepted, however checks must clear before we will ship and trades must be received here and evaluated prior to shipment of our item.
All orders ship within three business days of the receipt of an order, usually faster. Tracking information will be automatically forwarded to all buyers. Buyers must retain all shipping materials in the event a return is necessary.
Returns accepted if the purchaser responds within 48 hours of receipt of an item and there is a discrepancy relating to the condition or originality of an item. Returns are not accepted for items that do not meet the needs or sonic tastes of clients due to the subjective nature, unless such concern is stated prior to the purchase. Any return for reasons other than incorrect advertising of condition or originality on the part of Mahar's Vintage Guitars shall be the responsibility of the buyer, which shall result in the buyer paying all shipping costs (to and from) their location.