Monteleone 2011 Hexaphone 17" Flat Top #199

John Monteleone is considered the modern patriarch of the world of archtop guitars, but when he started building in the mid-1970s, it was fresh off a stint as a repairman at the famed Mandolin Brothers in Staten Island. John had spent the last few years taking apart, repairing, and sometimes improving everything from vintage Martins to Lloyd Loar mandolins. This experience gave him a wealth of knowledge and a burst of energy that organically led to creating his own mandolins and guitars, instruments that quickly became famous in the guitar playing world, making the name "Monteleone" synonymous with quality build and sound.

Here at Rudy's we are fortunate to have a small collection of John's works of art. All Monteleone instruments are very special, and this one is no exception.

With his extensive knowledge collected through years of repairing vintage flat tops, John set out to distill the best specs and features of these classic acoustic guitars into a design of his own. Combining the power and size of the Gibson J-200 with the articulation of a Martin OM-45, the first Hexaphone was built in 1977. John saw the guitar as a "six string speaker cabinet." 

This example was made in 2011 and is in great shape. As far as John can recall, this is the only Hexaphone he made with a cutaway. Complete with figured maple binding, an elliptical "Hot Club" style soundhole, and an asymmetrical bridge, this instrument looks as good as it sounds. 

This guitar is sold with its original leather-bound hardshell case.

SPECS

Top: Sitka spruce

Back & sides: East Indian rosewood

Binding: Flame maple

Nut width: 1 3/4"

Scale length: 25"

Lower bout: 17"