Description
This is an Airline model 7270 guitar made by National/Supro, a division of Valco in Chicago, circa 1965 for the Montgomery Ward department store. It is a beautiful, red, semi-hollow, double-cutaway, instrument with two gold foil covered, single coil pickups, a white, molded pickguard on which all of the electronics are mounted, white rubberized binding, an adjustable rosewood bridge and a fixed covered, metal tailpiece. The body is constructed of “res-o-glas” which the National 1961 catalog describes as “polyester resins embeded with threads of pure gleaming glass…a new climatically immune miracle material of the space age-super durable-classically beautiful-functionally perfect.” This guitar is 100% original and in good condition. The tones are amazing and with its fast action, it feels great to play. This is a unique, rare, beautifully designed guitar that has stayed well preserved for its approximately 50 years of existence. Even Jack White is smart and cool enough to own one of these. Don’t miss the opportunity to own this rare, red beauty.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
CONDITION:
This guitar is in good condition and 100% original, except for one replaced screw in the tailpiece. The finish is very clean. There are only two small blemishes on the back and there is one very tiny spot of barely visible wear on the front under the tailpiece. The raised plastic Airline logo has a crack on the “A”. We state all this for full disclosure but the guitar is so beautiful you’ll never notice the minor wear. The tone is still terrific and the feel is fantastic. This guitar has held up well for its age. It looks really cool, plays beautifully and sounds great.
TUNERS:
The opened-back, 3×2’s with white plastic buttons, are in good working condition. The D string tuner is very slightly bent but that does not effect its functioning. They all turn smoothly and stay in tune.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
NECK:
It has a straight, bolt-on neck with circular pearl inlays on a rosewood fretboard, 20 frets, and a 22″ scale. The headstock, featuring a raised plastic “Airline” logo, is clean except for two barely noticeable spots of paint wear on the top edge. The action is fast and the neck feel fantastic under your fingers. Description from VintageSilvertones.com
PICKUPS:
There are two single coil, foil covered pickups. The neck pickup is clear, clean, full and potent, perfect rock soul, rhythm blues, blues, etc. The bridge pickup is also clear, clean, full and potent but with a bit of twang, terrific for rock, country, punk, etc. There is one volume and one tone knob for each pickup. There is also one on/off toggle for each pickup. The proper use of the knobs and the pickup selection provides one with an endless array of tones suitable for a myriad of musical styles. All of the electronics work properly; however, the bridge pickup tone knob works in reverse. Description from VintageSilvertones.com
The Dimensions are:
Overall length: 34.75″Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Body width: 13.5″
Body thickness: 1.5″ with neck 2.25″Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Scale: 22″
Width of the nut: 1.75″ (depth 7/8″)
String height at 12th fret: 1/16″Description fromVintageSilvertones.com
