1980 Gurian JK Steel String

Gurian JK Steel String Koa 1980 full front view

Comments	Michael Gurian was born in Brooklyn, New York, and in 1965 opened a shop building classical instruments, expanding to steel string guitars in 1969. In 1971 he moved his shop to Hinsdale, New Hampshire, and was well on the way to becoming a prominent player in the North American guitar industry. However, in 1979 a major fire completely destroyed his shop and most of its contents including materials, machinery, and stock. Gurian re-opened a shop in late 1979 but closed down again in 1981. Now, Gurian is prominent in the musical industry, but is best known for producing musical instrument components, and custom woodworking. This 1980 Gurian JK Steel String – a Jumbo Koa model – was one of the instruments built after the fire and is a little bit of North American guitar history. It’s in great shape, plays well and has the sparkling top end Koa tends to provide, nicely balancing the warmth of the cedar top. You can visit Gurian’s website here
Serial Number	D 1506, built during late 1980 or possibly very early 1981 in West Swanzey, New Hampshire.
Pricing	$1,900 CAD with case.
Neck	Mahogany neck with unbound ebony fingerboard.
Frets	14 frets to the body, 20 frets total. Minor wear, mostly in the lower positions.
Body	Gurian ‘Jumbo’ shape body; cedar top with Koa Mahogany back and sides.
Finish	Original gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish in good shape, with a few dings and scratches.
Hardware/electronics	Gold plated Schaller tuners, bone nut and saddle. Fishman piezo pickup installed, with the battery mounted on the neck block. Adjustable truss rod.
Playability/Action	Plays well and lots of saddle to adjust the aciton.
Case	Black hardshell case included.