~1960 Premier Bantam Natural

Branded an "SS Stewart Oriophonic" by the United Guitar Company, this is a cool 50’s hollow body electric with single coil pickups, a great neck profile, and big warm tone. All original with exception of tailpiece & bridge. Original Franz pickups and wiring, & pots and cap are original. Neck heel is solid. Black lacquer accent at the neck heel & headstock looks really nice in person. Brazilian fretboard with frets in great shape. These cool guitars are the same dimension as the classic Premier Bantam, but ¼ inch deeper, and without F holes. 13 ½ wide at the bass bout, 2 ¾ deep.

Made by United, the same company that made the bodies for D’Angelico’s few “student model” guitars, so these instruments are no slouches. These are not cheap “looks like a guitar” guitars, these really play, and are a fantastic lower cost option in the vintage market.

Non-original pickguard in case, but I think this looks better without one. Every one of these I have seen has checking under the pickguard area, and the majority have the same nitrocelluoid binding issue that many D’Angelico’s and Gretsch’s are known for. Binding is solid. (I can provide info on changing this out if desired. ) Top of pole pieces have been sanded. One note on these Premier guitars and “Franz” pickups: these are a different variety than used on the Guild M-75. The Franz word is sometimes thrown around without this clarification – the covers make them look identical, but there is a difference.