Michael Bashkin 00 12-Fret 'Lucky Strike Redwood / Honduran Mahogany' Preowned 2011

This jaw-dropping Michael Bashkin 00 12-Fret is a handmade acoustic guitar built by one of America's most respected independent luthiers, representing an extraordinary level of material selection, construction detail, and tonal sophistication rarely encountered outside the world of bespoke lutherie. Built in 2011 with a 12-fret neck joining the body at the twelfth fret, this guitar has a warm, rich voice and vintage-inspired playing feel that 12-fret 00 instruments are revered for among serious collectors and fingerstyle players.

The specification reads like a masterclass in tonewood selection: a Lucky Strike redwood top paired with Honduran mahogany back, sides, and neck, Adirondack and Sitka spruce bracing, and an ebony bridge and fingerboard. Quartered Honduran rosewood forms a striking ten-segment rosette, while African blackwood binding with maple and holly purfling, Santos rosewood purfling with holly veneers, and gold-engraved Waverly tuners with snakewood knobs complete an instrument of genuine artistic and acoustic distinction. Ideal for serious collectors, fingerstyle virtuosos, and players who want a one-of-a-kind handmade instrument built to the very highest standard.

Taken from a storm-damaged Redwood tree fallen in Humboldt County, California, the name Lucky Strike is a reference to the legendary storm that may have uprooted the tree, but also to the fortune of finding a tree with unparalleled, uniform grain and density that provided some of the best soundboards imaginable. Experts have studied the growth rings to determine the age of Lucky Strike, and while the age is difficult to pin down from the portion of the tree salvaged, examination suggests a minimum of 600 years of age, though it may be as old as 800 years old. Redwood is a dark, beautiful top wood favored by players who appreciate clear upper harmonic content. Redwood delivers bold, punchy, crisp tones, with rich, strong overtones, and sounds like a cross between Adirondack spruce and cedar. The limited sets of Lucky Strike Redwood available are long gone, and are now found on guitars by builders including Kevin Ryan, Santa Cruz and George Lowden.

This 2011-built guitar is in wonderful condition, with very little playwear and remarkably luxurious build quality throughout. We've never heard another guitar quite like it - notes leap out of the guitar at the lightest touch, and the dynamic range and headroom of this small-bodied guitar simply has to be heard to believed. Make no mistake - this is an incredibly special instrument that is both precise and forgiving. Includes original hardshell case.

• Model: Michael Bashkin 00 12-Fret
• Year: 2011
• Serial number: 112
• Top: LS redwood
• Back & sides: Honduran mahogany
• Neck: Slotted headstock, Honduran mahogany
• Headstock overlay: Honduran rosewood bound in ebony
• Back of headstock: Honduran rosewood
• Binding: African blackwood with maple and holly side purfling
• Purfling: Santos rosewood with holly veneers
• Rosette: Quartered Honduran rosewood (10 segments)
• Bracing: Adirondack spruce top, Sitka spruce back
• Blocks: Honduran mahogany/spruce
• Kerfing: Spanish cedar
• Tuners: Waverly 3-on-a-plate, engraved gold with snakewood knobs
• Back X-brace cap: Honduran rosewood
• Bridge plate: Maple
• Nut & saddle: Bone
• Bridge/bracing glue: Hot hide glue
• Bridge pins: Ebony
• Fret markers: Pearl
• Truss rod: 2-way
• Bridge: Gabon ebony
• Fretboard: Gabon ebony
• Nut width/saddle width: 1 25/32" / 2 5/16"
• Scale length: 25.4"
• Dimensions: Lower bout 14.25", waist 8.3", upper bout 10.3", depth at tail/neck 4.15"/3.5"
• Finish: Polyurethane