Recording King Model M-3 Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar, made by Gibson (1938), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst lacquer finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; laminated maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This very nice Gibson-made arch-top guitar was offered in the 1938-39 Montgomery Ward catalogs at the amazingly reasonable price of $22.75. With a multi-laminate maple neck and 16" maple body with a carved spruce top, this was a very high quality instrument for the price. The appointments are plain but neat with a single-bound top, back, fingerboard, and pickguard. It is in some ways nicer than many of Gibson's own Kalamazoo-brand instruments. An excellent-playing and sounding carved top guitar at a relative bargain price even today.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
A nice original example; complete including oft-missing components like the pickguard, tuners, and bridge. There is a top center seam repair under the tailpiece, solid but not as neat as it might be; no other noticeable repairs. Some average light finish wear and corrosion to the metal parts but overall a very attractive guitar. Excellent - Condition.
