Fantastic, full-bodied acoustic voice from this custom Zimnicki archtop, a tribute to George Gobel's Gibson L-5CT.  The ample unplugged volume is all the more remarkable considering the svelt 2 5/8" body depth. The "D" carved neck is very easy to play, with comfortable action even with .012" gauge strings. That gorgeous acoustic tone translates into inspiring amplified tones via a floating Kent Armstrong 12-pole humbucker.

To us, archtops fall into two basic categories: the overbuilt feeling, stout ES-175 style guitars that are designed to be played with some volume from your amp, and in the opposite corner,  lightweight, airy guitars that feel lightly made. The Gobel falls into the latter category. We were reminded of Mark Campellone's brilliant guitars or even a Sadowsky Jim Hall model in this regard, truth be told (a very good thing in our world). 

There is one small top crack repair (below the bass-side F hole); otherwise, this guitar was very well cared for and only exhibits light signs of prior ownership. 

For our money, this is an awful lot of guitar for the price. Players looking to purchase their first jazzbox or perhaps add a second, this is your guitar. Priced with hardshell case. 

• Solid bookmatched, hand carved fine grain Sitka spruce top, x-braced
• Solid bookmatched, hand-carved AAA tiger-flame maple back and sides
• Tiger flame maple neck with walnut center stripe
• 17" body width,  2 5/8" body depth
• Solid ebony fingerboard
• Block mother of pearl inlays
• 24 3/4" scale length
• 1 3/4" bone nut
• D neck profile, .82/.92, 1st/10th fret
• Abalone torch and headstock logo
• 7-ply body binding, bound f-holes
• Gold hardware
• Engraved tailpiece with art-deco insert
• Kluson Super Waffleback tuners
• Compensated adjustable rosewood bridge
• 5-ply bound ebony pickguard
• Adjustable truss rod
• Floating Kent Armstrong 12 pole JS humbucking pickup
• Thumbwheel volume control and endpin jack
• Hardshell case
• 5lb 5oz
• Serial number 342