> Silvestri Handmade Italian Acoustic 7-string Guitar vintage 100+ years old < 

Ermelinda Silvestri handmade guitar in Italy in mid-1890s. All original parts, some repaired cracks but playable.  Possibly finish oversprayed but would have been long ago.  Standard measurements are: lower bout - 13", upper bout - 9", body depth 3.25", scale length - 24.5", neck width at nut - 1 11/16", total length 37.5".  Materials:   spruce top (ladder-braced), mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, mahogany neck and bridge.   Condition:   in good condition for its age, some cracks in top, play wear on back and neck as well as top, action high at 12th fret but I have not tried to turn the adjuster on the neck heel.  There are some repaired cracks there as well.  Has a good bridge.  Silvestri was active as a builder from 1890-1920, and most of his instruments bear the butterfly inlay in some form.  This one is very large and well-executed.  Overall, this is an impressive, rare, well-made, and highly collectible guitar.  Comes in a more recent and good-fitting hardshell case.

See website about the super advanced techniques that Silvestri used (http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/italiane/sicilia/silvestri.html) including fancy butterfly inlays, 0-nut, adjustable neck heel, 7-string design, floating neck extension - doesn't touch the top, and narrow easy-play neck width.

SHIPPING:  Shipping and handling is $69 in continental USA.  Anywhere else will be higher, probably much higher so check first.  As any questions in advance as this is a final sale.  Thanks.