The Grand Artist Arch-Top

I made my first mandolin in 1974. The Monteleone GRAND ARTIST mandolin was introduced two years later in June 1976. Since that time, my experience has also included the making of mandolas and mandocellos. I had often thought about making a guitar with these design influences as well. After making a series of drawings for this new instrument, I decided to set them aside for a time while I developed some other new guitar designs. Plans to build a new shop also had to take precedence.

The shop was finally completed and during the move the forgotten drawings came to light once again. After a good dusting off, I decided that the GRAND ARTIST archtop guitar would at last be born.

The body scroll is hollow almost to the tip. This feature adds a certain extra tonal depth to the already rich resonance of the design. The bass to treble balance is very similar to my ECLIPSE archtop model, however, slightly more woody and mellow. Every note is thick enough to slice but still rings clean, clear, and brilliant. Although there are 24 frets, the body is joined at the 17th fret and the bridge remains placed in the best tonal position. Incredible access to the upper frets is effortless.

This very special guitar is a blend of all my skills and experience along with an admiration and appreciation for those pioneering artisan/craftsmen whose skills and experiences showed us the way. The MONTELEONE GRAND ARTIST archtop guitar will be offered only on a limited special order basis.

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