According to reports handed down from Merv Cargill, Pacific Guitars owner Hec McLennan bought a Gibson L5 in the 1940s and had young luthier Merv disassemble it as the model for the Pacific Commander. Made in Melbourne in the period 1945 -1950, here we have a true ‘Premier’ among Australian vintage acoustic instruments, with its 17″ wide Mahogany body and hand-carved (not laminated) spruce top. The double bound body features two beautifully boundf-holes, an art deco ‘trident’ tailpiece and the original bakelite adjustable bridge embossed ‘Pacific’ on its base. The Mahogany neck is straight, and the Rosewood fretboard is in good condition with finely inlaid square pearl position markers. Structurally the guitar is excellent with no cracks or separation, a strong stable neck-body joint, good neck set and comfortable action. The 1-5/8″ nut and frets appear to be original; frets are 80%. The neck profile is a medium C profile, and with its 7.25″ fretboard radius the neck feels like a vintage Fender in hand. With regard to volume and tone, it has the strong mids and chord projection that a full boded archtop is built for. The only non-original parts are the newer and fully functional set of Kluson style tuners. The pickguard appears to have been missing for some time. With a maroon lined black hard-shell case of the era which fits it well. Footnote: Chris Cheney of The Living End is a big fan of his Commander:
