La Habanera

1930s Supertone Archtop

Pearloid headstock and fretboard

Mahogany neck

Mahogany back and sides

Neck reset/ original bar frets

Upgraded ebony bridge

Vintage restoration tuners

Wonderful Habañera lady dancer graphic

Original canvas bottom open case

La Habanera is certainly the woman dancing featured in paint or decal on the solid spruce top of this lovely 1930’s parlor guitar.

I bought this guitar on the internet and the picture of the front of the guitar showed an added tailpiece and only the woman’s head and arm visible below. My curiosity was aroused and I purchased the guitar.

I was familiar with the added tailpiece trick that went something like this in the 30’s and 40’s.

Customer, “My bridge came off.” Music store, ”$2.00 to glue it on or for a quarter you can buy this tailpiece, screw it on to your guitar and let the bridge float.” Customer, “Here is 25 cents.”

After waiting and wondering about the condition of La Habanera, the guitar arrived shipped in the original bottom opening green canvas and cardboard case!

I grabbed a screwdriver and removed the bridge and below, protected by the clever placement of a piece of wooden match stick is the image you see on the guitar.

After enjoying the artwork and the fine mother of toilet seat neck and headstock laminates I realized La Habanera needed a neck reset and new frets to play as good as she looked. On to the repair bench...

This guitar plays great now with a beautiful, clear, balanced tone and weighs in at 2.5 lbs! The Supertone label is still intact in the soundhole.

This is a rare one.