1951 Vienna Parlor Fair, GigBag, $95.00

Frankly, folks, I don’t know the identity of the solid woods of which this guitar is constructed, but I believe that it was made in the 1940s in post-war Austria. This confidence has nothing to do with my scanty knowledge of European guitars, although it resembles pictures of many guitars from that area and period. It is based primarily on the facts that I bought it from a dealer in Germany who indicated that the painted “logo” in the soundhole was Viennese, and both of the other parlor guitars that I bought from him were identified as German or Austrian, and one of them was dated 1949. I see no other names, logos, serial numbers, or marks still visible anywhere, inside or out, on this vintage instrument.

For what it’s worth, the listing in the catalogue of the dealer in Bad Salzdetfurth, Germany, says the following: “Alte wiener modell Vintage gitarre. Diese alte gitarre weist gebrauchsspuren auf. Saiten sollten erneurt warden. Etwas laienhafte restaurationsarbeiten wurden an dem instrument vorgenommen. Gesamtlange: 93 cm, korpus: 45 cm. Ich biete die gitarre zur vorsicht als defect fur bastler an. Bilder sind bestanteil der beschreibung.” From what little I remember of my German, it sounds like he knows very little more than I do about this 60- to 70-year-old instrument.

What I can see: the guitar’s solid wood back and sides could be pearwood, perhaps, while the top is probably spruce with a darker stain. While there’s no pick guard, the position markers, the bridge and bridge pins (and internal bridge pad), the ladder bracing, and the original end pin all argue that this is not a classical guitar, but a true steel-string parlor guitar. The guitar’s total length is about 36 1/2”, with a body length of about 19” and a lower bout of 12 1/2”, with the 12/18-fret fingerboard ending in the ornate ebony bridge with what appears to be a built-in saddle. The ebonized slotted headstock and neck are somewhat worn, but the tuners are tarnished but quite functional.

As far as I can tell, this instrument is in quite playable condition for 60-70 years old, with some wear on the apparently original very thin frets (which need filing and dressing) and some wear on the first three positions on the fret board. It obviously has been played enthusiastically for much of its career. However, there are two glued cracks—one in the top from the sound hole to the bridge, and one in the back lower bout. One other fairly obvious repair is a number of very small nails along the binding of the back; apparently, nails were easier to acquire than good glue. These repairs were clearly “laienhaften” [amateur?], as the listing says, rather than by the Viennese luthier himself.

I have not strung it or played it, as I have no classical, ultra-light, or silk-and-steel strings; I therefore can’t vouch for its sound or playability, although the neck angle looks fine to me. I believe it will be tremendous fun to play, of course, and I trust it will find a home with a real guitar person who can treat it with the respect it deserves. All in all this is a wonderful period piece, even though it will need some TLC to be a part of a serious stringed instrument collection.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower forty-eight states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashiers and personal checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this vintage instrument, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy it.

Thank you for your interest in this cool old guitar.