While mainly known for their banjos, Bacon and Day did not want to be left out of the popular acoustic archtop guitar race with big 18" versions being released by Gibson and Epiphone for big band rhythm players. Their entry into this market was their Sultana guitar line (Sultana was also used for a line of their banjos). These were all 18" lower bout archtops with varying levels of trim and consisted of the Sultana I, Sultana II, and Sultana Grand. These all had essentially the same build, the Sultana I being the most basic, the Sultana II having upgraded fretboard inlays, and the Grand adding more binding/abalone purfling. They were all made with solid, carved, parallel-braced tops. Many have maple backs while this particular one comes with a flamed mahogany back. The neck is 5-ply mahogany.
The lower bout measures a full 18 1/8", placing it among the big archtops of the era, and as one would hope it delivers the goods. It can be loud and punchy and would have no problem pounding out the rhythm next to a horn section. Fortunately, it does this without sounding too brash and not at all harsh the way some can. It also has a very nice, singing sustain that makes it a great chord-melody or single note line guitar. I find it somewhat reminiscent of a Stromberg, but as a small fraction of the cost.
The guitar has a very soft V-shaped neck carve that feels quite comfortable. The neck is on the slightly wider side, still comfortable for someone used to a typical Gibson or Epiphone neck, but with just a little extra room for anyone who finds those just a bit cramped. The frets are in very good shape and the guitar plays smoothly. The guitar is in excellent structural condition and in good cosmetic shape with an apparent light overspray of lacquer on the body. The neck does not appear oversprayed and most of the finish has worn off. The amazing tailpiece and beautiful pickguard are original. The Grover tuners are also original. I am not sure what the original bridge on one of these would look like since every one of them I have seen has a different bridge on it. The one on this guitar is consistent with the bridges that were used on many other branded guitars made by Gibson. There is room to adjust this bridge either up or down as the player prefers. The heel cap is gone off of the neck and there are a couple of areas where the binding has come off, but the remaining binding looks pretty solid and is not crumbling.
Weight - 6.1 pounds
Nut width - 1.81 inches
1st fret neck depth - 0.87 inches
9th fret neck depth - 1.02 inches
Scale length - 25.5 inches
The guitar comes with the orignal hardshell case that is in quite good condition and structurally solid. All latches and hinges function.
Ships free in the United States and for reasonable rates worldwide.
