Zenith Archtop Model 21 Deluxe

Description

This Zenith Model 21 Deluxe Archtop ,was made by Framus in Germany the 1956.It was commissioned by the talented guitar player Ivor Mairants and distrubuted by Boosey and Hawkes.

Ivor was banjo and guitar player for many British Dance bands inthe 1930's.In the 1950's he devoted alot of his energy to writing  music and instructional method books for Guitar.He worked with american guitarist Josh White on the 'The Josh White Guitar Method' book for Boosey and Hawks which became hugely sucessful. On the back of this sucess Mairant commisioned the Zenith Guitar! Bert Jansch played a Zenith and it was Paul McCartneys first Guitar!McCartney said of Maraints…"he was a God to us"!

In the 50's Mairants established the Central School of Dance Music in London,Kenny Baker and Jonny Dankworth were amoung some of the teacers on the staff.In 1958 he and his wife Lily opened the Ivor Mairants Music Centre, the first Guitar shop in Britain!

His Guitar Quintet broadcast often int the BBC's 1950's Guitar Club Series. In the 60's and 70's his playing was often heard on TV, Radio and film sound tracks and he made many recordings with the Mantovani Orchestra with Manuel and his Music of the Mountains.His recording of 'Adagio' from  Joaquin Roderigos Concierto de Aranjuez with Manuel sold over 1 million copies!

Ivor Mairants played and inspected the guitar and has signed the label to give it his seal of approval to this guitar, number 728!

It has been restored by talented local Luthier Alex Kirtley ( who now is part of the Curvy Sounds Luthier team!). He has given it a total refret ,reset the neck and added a new Hofner style Bridge.The rest of the Guitar is entirely original with a laminate Maple top and back, solid Maple sides and a dyed Maple fingerboard.