Goya 1923

According to my research, it was made in 1923 by H. C. Levin of Levin Instruments. Levein worked for Martin before returning to Sweden to start his own company. The top is solid spruce with possibly Norweigan pine back and sides. The neck appears to be mahogany. The finish is very blonde and very cracked. It has a thin neck with very close action but no buzzing.

This guitar is perfect for my finger picking style. The sound is medium to loud and very clear even with old strings. I have owned several classicals, but this one has the best sound. I cannot complain at all about the instrument. I picked it off a peg in a pawn shop and it is the best $100.00 I have ever spent. I have no intention of ever selling it. I bought a 50's Gibson J-45, mint, in a pawn shop for $250.00 several years ago and sold it. I still regret that decision and probably always will.

The guitar may have come with bone nut and saddle or someone may have added them later. I suspect that they are original to the instrument. The bookmatched top has a hairline crack from the base to the bridge, but it does not affect the sound at all. It appears to be a very well-made instrument.

Although the instrument is over 78 years old, it still plays like a dream and with a most incredible sound. I doubt that it was played much by the original owner because it does not show any wear on the fret board. I would use it in a live performance and will probably do so this Sunday for an easter song.

I have been playing for about 40 years andplayed as a full-time professional when I was younger. I also own a very old Gibson cedar top classical, a Takamine accoustic/electric, a Yamaha 5-string bass, an old solid-top Harmony and another old guitar of unknown origin. If I lost this guitar, I would be very disappointed. I like everything about it, especially the sound and the action. I wouldn't mind having a Martin, but I probably got the next best thing, if not better. Maybe Martin would agree with me since they bought Goya in the 1970's.