Serial Number: 9-1953
“This guitar was a tough purchase. It came from a guy who has been beat up by the vintage guitar business by buying at the very height of the market and selling most of his collection at a big loss. This guitar was to be Custer’s last stand. Unfortunately, the market only sustains the boom for so long, then readjusts itself along the way to a fair price.
“Carmelita spent many a year in Hawaii and with my friend Tom Wittrock in Springfield, Mo, before being sold to the gentleman I bought it from. Important to know about the guitar is it sounds very good and it is very flame-y. It is the flameiest burst I own.
“Do others sound better? Yes, but do they have that top that looks like a tiger’s claw? No… By the way, the previous name of the guitar was indeed The Claw…”