1999 Dell'Arte Minor Swing Without Truss Rod

jonpowl

A 1999 Dell'Arte Minor Swing is available nearby at a reasonable price, and would probably be a nice upgrade from a Gitane DG-255. I believe this guitar was built in the US, has mahogany back, sides, and neck, spruce top, ebony fingerboard, but no truss rod. Does anybody have any experience with early Dell'Arte models built without a truss rod? Any feedback will be appreciated.

slowlearner

Are you sure it doesn't have a truss rod? I have a second hand Dell'Arte that I purchased from Michael that does not have a truss rod cap on the headstock. What Michael told me was that many GJ guitars have truss rods that are only adjustable from the inside. I'm no expert and I had hoped Michael or one of the luthiers would have provided a more informed opinion.
If the price is right and you like the guitar I'd say buy it. My guess is that if you loosen the strings and can squeeze your hand inside you'll find an adjustment nut for the truss rod. ( I could be wrong...it's happened before)

pickitjohn

@jonpowl

Specs. from 2001 Michael sold here…
http://www.djangobooks.com/Item/dell-arte-minor-swing-4

Brand Dell'Arte
Year 2001
Model Number Minor Swing
Serial Number 0501452
Sound Hole Oval
Fret Neck 14 Fret
Condition Very Good
Size 15 15/16"
Scale Length 675mm
Nut Width 1 7/8"
Top Spruce
Back and Sides Indian Rosewood (Solid)
Neck Mahogany
Fingerboard Ebony
Binding Ivoroid
Finish High Gloss
Tailpiece Saga Nickel
Tuners Kluson Nickel
Action 2.8mm
Strings Argentine 1610MF
Case DATT Hardshell
Pickup(s) None
Truss Rod Yes
Weight 4.25 lbs

My 2005 Hommage is inside sound hole close to the top

pick on

pickitjohn :peace:

jonpowl

The current owner of the guitar told me he can't see the truss rod inside the guitar but John Kinnard was nice enough to reply to my email inquiry and said that there should be a truss rod. Unfortunately, it is a 4.5 hour drive to see the guitar. As it has a cracked top, which is longer than I originally thought, I'll probably wait for a nicer guitar. If anybody is interested it can be found here. Thanks for the assistance!

MichaelHorowitz

@jonpowl it could possibly be one of the early Mexican built Dell Artes. I think some of them didn't have truss rods, but I can't say for sure.

Every US built Dell Arte I've seen has had a truss rod, always accessed from within the soundhole.

jonpowl

Thanks @MichaelHorowitz! The inside label does say it was handcrafted in San Diego by John Kinnard, so I'm pretty sure it is US made. John Kinnard said the same thing in his email. I'm more worried about the 5-6" crack on the top, even though it is supposed to be very slight. Serial # is 899XXX.

klaatu

Has the crack been cleated? A well repaired crack should not be a problem. Michael Bauer has a '64 Favino with sixteen (!) cracks in the top, and it's the only Favino I've ever played that I thought sound better than mine.

jonpowl

No repairs have been done to the crack. The owner says it is very minor, more like a "hair line" crack. The trouble is that the guitar is located deep in the mountains southeast of Lake Tahoe. I would only drive that far for a perfect guitar at a great price.