2005 Moll Classic Custom Blonde, Fair, Original Hard, $4,800.00
Bill Moll builds great archtops. This one is a custom special 17" with a big voice. It is setup to play like butter, with all the responsiveness that one would expect from a finely crafted instrument. It has been very well taken care of and is in excellent structural shape. The instrument was at one time subjected to an extreme change in temperature and suffered some substantial lacquer cracks. This is a chance to get a great performance instrument at a reduced price. Reasonable offer considered
Bill is not building many archtops currently and here are some thoughts of Bill as posted on his website
"Carved archtop guitars, probably more than any other plectrum instrument, offer the maker great latitude in voicing and tuning their individual response. While not a completely "exact" science, the voice of a given instrument can be vectored toward a given set of qualities that a player desires, via numerous variables which are under the control of the builder. Each builder, in turn, adopts individual working practices which produce somewhat predictable outcomes. This is how each finds that recognizable "sound" that he or she may become known for.
The flexibility between exerting ones own inflection, and providing for a customers requirements, by varying the individual designs, practices, and procedures involved in a guitar’s construction, lies at the heart of what we call the “Art” of Lutherie.
There is a good deal of straight and direct “engineering science” applied in Lutherie as well. It is an absolutely necessary function of producing a structure with the lightness and elasticity to “sound”, while simultaneously retaining the structural stability to avoid self-destruction. However, given the fact that we work in materials with widely variegated physical properties, there simply doesn’t seem to be a way to describe this process in a completely straightforward, formulaic, manner."
To order an instrument, first CALL or FAX to confirm that the instrument is still available. Within the US we accept money orders, cashier's checks, certified checks, Mastercard, or Visa Amex, and Discover. Outside the US, please send US dollars on a US bank or bank transfer. Payment must include the purchase price plus shipping and insurance charges. Layaway plan voids approval period. A 25% non-refundable deposit will hold any instrument for 30 days. No COD's are accepted.
The customer pays all shipping, insurance, and bank charges including all charges for returned merchandise. All insurance claims are the responsibility of the customer. The original packaging and box must be saved. Shipping will be via UPS or Federal Express unless other arrangements are made.
If you are not satisfied, for any reason, you will be issued a full refund less actual shipping and insurance charges and a $75 restocking fee- provided that we are notified within 72 hours of delivery and the guitar is in the EXACT same condition as you received it. It must be packed carefully in the original box in the same way it was packed when we shipped it to you. NO full or partial refunds will be given any items damaged, marked, or modified. The Customer will be responsible for all shipping, insurance, and handling charges. If there is damage when I ship the instrument to you please call me immediately. The original box and all the packaging must be saved! I will deal with my insurance company. If the instrument is damaged in transit from you to me, you are responsible for dealing with the damage and insurance claim.