1915 Lyon & Healy The Lakeside Natural, Excellent, $550.00

This is an unmarked 'catalog' guitar from the early 20th century, and it shows some of signs of manufacture at the Lyon & Healy factory, possibly from 'The Lakeside' line of guitars ... or possibly Regal ... it's difficult to ascertain. Regardless, it's a nice example of its type, structurally sound and set up and ready to play. These guitars were very lightly built; when set up properly, they resonate quite well, with a full round and rich tone that makes you wonder how it all flows out of that little box.

The body is made from a dark, tropical laminate that L&H was know to have used as early as the late 19th century. However, it's faux-grained into a beautiful Brazilian rosewood pattern that will cause a double take from no more than a few feet away ... it looks like the real thing. Several of the Chicago factories were quite good at this technique back in the day. The top is solid spruce. The neck appears to be poplar, and sports a Brazilian rosewood finger board. The body is bound in white celluloid and 'rope' binding marquetry in a spiffy red, white and black.

The neck is carved in a 'V' shape, and measures all of 1 7/8" across at the nut. String spacing is 2 1/4" across at the nut. Scale length is 24 1/4". The lower bout measures 12 11/16".

The guitar is all original except for the tuners, which are later replacements. There appear to be no old repairs but for some glue residue where the (floating) bridge may have been glued at one time. There are various nicks and dings from time, and what appears to be some strap wear behind the nut on one side. We've recently reset the neck, leveled and polished the frets, and set the action at 5/64" for easy fretting.

Guitars from this time period in this condition are always a joy to the ear, and to play. They're very responsive to the touch, and produce a perfect tone for blues, rags and old time music. Check out the sound clip.