Sold – JMG Century Acoustic Guitar c.1950

Jack Maskiell was a returned WW2 serviceman who had made a ukulele out of found materials while a POW in Singapore. After returning home to Perth he started up Jack Maskiell Guitars, employing other returned servicemen to make guitars and ukuleles. The company was active for about ten years from 1945 to 1955 and to our knowledge remains the largest instrument maker based in Western Australia.  JMG were particularly prolific ukulele production, using a patented body design, while their guitars are more rarely seen.  

This JMG ‘Century’ guitar is a 14-fret concert size, with top, back and side all of laminated mahogany, ladder braced.  It has an elegant nickel-plated JMG embossed tailpiece and floating bridge somewhat in the style of a Stella or Harmony flat-top guitar of the pre-WW2 era, with a strong punchy voice.  The frets are in good shapo as are the fully functional original tuners, which look to be of European make.  The neck set is shallow and would require attention in future for a perfect setup, and our price reflects this.  However the guitar is quite playable with the modified bridge currently fitted.  Presented in its original hard case made by Westralian Leather Goods, this is a rare and historic Australian guitar.