Foundling Levin 123 string question

Submitted by purplefin on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 19:14.

Hi,

I've just rescued a Levin model 123 acoustic guitar from 1961 (according to serial number list online) from a second hand shop, where she stood in a dusty unheated attic for years by the looks of it.
She's got some damage (a fairly nasty crack at the bottom, which I will get fixed if possible), but otherwise looks rather nice. Now, I'd like to play the instrument but I'm not sure what strings to get. I normally play only on steel stringed guitars :)

So, anyone out there who knows?

I'd greatly appreciate any help

Toodels from Switzerland
Purplefin

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Posted by purplefin on Sat, 02/14/2009 - 21:03.

PS: I read somewhere, that this guitar was to have Nylon strings, and somewhere else it said steel strings. Not wanting to damage it, does anyone know which kind it is meant to have?

Thanks for any help at all
Purplefin

Posted by magnus on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 21:21.

purplefin,

Model 123 is made for steelstrings, and was described so in the catalogs. some models were marketed to be for steel- or nylonstrings but they were all slotted heads. The 123 has solid head.

I think it can hold up to atleast a 12-53 set, but perhaps You should start with a lighter set to try it out for a period.

Materials are solid alpspruce top, back and sides of birch, mahogany neck and fingerboard and (classical) bridge in RW.
Scale is 630 mm.

Good luck with it!

/Magnus

Posted by purplefin on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 20:26.

Hi Magnus

Thanks a lot for the Info!

I'll start off with the light ones as you recommend. A friend even suggested to start tuning a couple of notes too low to let the guitar acclimatise and then slowly tune up. I guess I'll do that as well, just to be on the safe side.

Thanks again for your help
I certainly will enjoy the instrument (fräulein levin I call her ;-)
Purplefin

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