Monteleone 2001 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 2001 and is in great shape. John confirmed that this is the only Hexaphone he made with a cutaway. It is also noted in his log book as having a special headstock in that it was a new design for that particular feature. He would produce this head plate in succeeding guitars, but this was the first of its design.

John Monteleone always uses exceptional tonewoods for his builds. The top of this guitar is of the highest grade of cross silk figured Sitka spruce, while the back, sides and head plate are of old growth Indian rosewood. The fretboard and bridge are of African Gabon ebony. The neck is Honduran mahogany, and the bindings are of curly red maple. 

Complete with 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: Highest grade of cross silk figured Sitka spruce

Back & sides: Old growth Indian rosewood

Neck: Honduran mahogany

Fretboard & bridge: African Gabon ebony

Binding: Curly red maple

Nut width: 1 3/4"

Scale length: 25.4"

Lower bout: 17"

Tuners: Waverly