{"product_id":"wm-b-tiltonjohn-c-haynes-style-1-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1870-1403","title":"Wm. B. Tilton\/John C. Haynes Style # 1 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1870)","description":"Wm. B. Tilton\/John C. Haynes Style # 1 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1870, parlor size, probably Boston, natural varnish finish, Brazillian rosewood body, spruce top, mahogany neck, soft shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis fascinating nineteenth century guitar is a superbly preserved instrument from one of the era's more celebrated designers, as well as a fine playable guitar. Tilton's patented \"Improvements\" to the guitar consisted of a wooden center bar that ran down the inside of the guitar like the dowel of a banjo, intended to take stress away from the top. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOther original design elements include a screwed-down metal tailpiece with a movable bridge and the curious metal disc suspended on the center strut visible the soundhole, which touted the 1856 patent on these innovations. Whether or not these \"improvements\" actually resulted in a better guitar, this is an absolutely distinctive very well-crafted little guitar with a vibrant tone. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe back and sides are beautifully grained Brazillian rosewood. The neck is mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard, ebony nut, and brass tuners with bone buttons. The spruce top is bound in six layers of contrasting wood, with a 1-5-1 soundhole inlay. The grain of the top is run straight in the standard manner; many of the fancier Tilton instruments use an unusual diagonal grain top which tends to be less stable over time. The nickel-plated tailpiece is nicely engraved in a floral pattern. The tuners' plates are also engraved and the buttons are bone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe \"Tilton's Improvement\" disc in the soundhole bears the patent date of March 4th, 1856 and the distributor's mark of \"Zogbaum and Fairchild, New York\". On the back of the headstock is the mark of the John C. Haynes \u0026amp; Co. of Boston, who built and sold \"Tilton's Improvement\" guitars for some years in the mid-late 19th century. There is a repair tag from Boston dated 1967 inside the soundhole. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis guitar is sturdily built for its age, very playable with surprising power, and can be well-recommended for use in situations such as Civil War re-enacting or authentic Western or minstrel re-creations where an accurate and functional 1860s style guitar is a requirement.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 37 in. (94 cm.), 11 3\/4 in. (29.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1\/2 in. (8.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 1\/2 in. (622 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall excellent original condition, especially for an instrument of this vintage. No replaced parts or finish work evident. Several old repaired back cracks (there is a repair label from 1967 inside), and some noticeable finish wear to top below the soundhole. Corners of the headstock show normal wear.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlays well with silk \u0026amp; steel strings, also with gut (as intended) or nylon; includes a 1960s chipboard case.","brand":"Wm. B. Tilton\/John C. Haynes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853285249164,"sku":"1403","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_fa74965e-b963-47c7-9853-aaf7d6d07129.jpg?v=1774333054","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/wm-b-tiltonjohn-c-haynes-style-1-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1870-1403","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}