This beautiful guitar was originally purchased in early 2005 to be part of a private collection. The guitar is “as-new” – it has never been played and has spent the last 9 years in its case in a heat and humidity controlled environment.

Although called a Disc Front the Model Number for this guitar is S24DT-A&A as shown on the product certificate signed by Tsutomu Nagata, the General Manager of Zemaitis Guitars.

To buy this guitar new today will cost approximately £7,500 + The guitar includes original Zematis Hard Case, Product Certificate, and Zematis Tool Kit – all in “as-new” condition. Please note that the pictures shown are of the actual guitar.

Specifications:

• Body: 3-Piece Honduras Mahogany
• Body Shape: Disc Front Original
• Neck: 3-Piece Honduras Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Ebony 12 1/32" (=305mm)
• Frets: 24 Frets
• Scale : 25"(=635mm)
• Tuners : Schaller M6
• Pickups : DiMarzio Custom PAF (DP103) x 3
• Controls: 5 Way Selector Switch, Master Volume, 3-Tone
• Bridge: Hand-crafted solid duralumin
• Tailpiece: Hand-crafted solid duralumin

For those who are not familiar with Zemaitis guitars here is some information taken from the website:

Tony Zemaitis–Master Craftsman & Pioneer

Antanus Casimere Zemaitis, or Tony, was born in London, England in 1935. As a child he was constantly designing and building – everything from model flying airplanes to handmade bicycles. His creative talents first led him to cabinetry where he learned invaluable skills in working with wood, design and decoration.

In the 1950s, as a young guitar player, Tony was unsatisfied with the available guitars of the times. So taking cues from a friend's classical guitar, he decided to build his own - the first Zemaitis guitar! From then on, it was a lifelong quest to hone his craft and experiment with new designs and materials in order to improve every guitar he made – a characteristic that would follow him throughout his life.

The Early Years:
His creations first found attention on the London blues and folk scene where he performed alongside players like Davey Graham, Long John Baldry and Spencer Davis – all who fell in love with the great sound and playability of Zemaitis guitars.

Innovation:
Always working to improve his designs, he hit on a major guitar innovation with the now famous Zemaitis Metal Front™. The original idea was to shield the guitar and reduce hum. The first was made for Tony McPhee of the Groundhogs and the idea was successful in more ways than one. Not only did it reduce noise, but the highly decorative, individually hand-engraved pieces became a signature piece of art favored by rock's elite.

Next, he introduced the beautiful Zemaitis Pearl Front™ guitars—with an exquisitely inlayed front with a mosaic of abalone that twinkled and changed color in the light. These top of the line guitars soon became another signature model.

Worldwide Acclaim:
By the 1980s, his reputation for workmanship, styling, playability and tonal quality had made Tony Zemaitis a living legend. While highly coveted by collectors, Tony didn't restrict his customers to just the rich and famous and always remained true to his ideals. Though he worked primarily by himself, producing just a handful of guitars every year, Tony was just as happy to work with enthusiastic amateur guitarists and even sold 'Student' grade models to those with lower budgets.

No matter what grade of guitar he made though, he always produced a great playing and sounding guitar. He always used quality materials and traditional luthier techniques such as 3-piece necks and 3-piece bodies for strength and stability and only ever made glued-neck construction to ensure the best possible sound.

It was the combination of quality, craftsmanship, innovation and determination that won this British guitar maker fans from all over the world. After 40 years of handcrafting fine guitars and having virtually created the 'boutique guitar' Tony retired in 2000. He passed away on August 17, 2002

Carrying on the tradition:
When he retired, we began discussions with Tony about the best way to pass on his craft to the next generation, and to continue the Zemaitis name and its reputation for quality and craftsmanship.

With the support of Tony’s wife and son, Ann and Tony Zemaitis, Jr., we’ve been able to make the rebirth of Zemaitis guitars a reality. We are honored to bear the Zemaitis torch and to pass along the craft and spirit of Tony Zemaitis to future generations. Carefully studying Tony’s original drawings, specifications, and guitars, our master craftsmen and luthiers are faithfully reproducing Zemaitis instruments with the same superior quality as those crafted by the man himself.

Teaming Up with Master Engraver Danny O’Brien:
A big part of carrying on the Zemaitis tradition can be attributed to the services of Danny O'Brien, the master engraver who worked with Tony Zemaitis for many years. Danny’s tremendous skills and artistry have helped us ensure the continued authenticity and craftsmanship of this endeavor.

Danny O’Brien designs the unique and beautiful engravings for Zemaitis Metal Front™ guitars and all the other Zemaitis Guitar metal components, including the badge, truss rod cover, pickup mount rings, tailpiece, jackplate, and the rear plate. The work is then completed by hand by our team of shotgun engravers, schooled in the same techniques as Danny.

Danny's new designs are helping carry out the history started by Tony Zemaitis. We welcome you to the next chapter in Zemaitis guitars.

Engraved Metalwork:
All metalwork, including the badge, truss rod cover, pickup mount rings, tailpiece, jackplate and the rear plate feature engraving designed by Danny O’Brien and produced by hand by our master engravers.

Bridge and Tailpiece:
The bridge and tailpiece was designed by Tony Zemaitis for perfect intonation, ultimate sustain, and tonality. Made of Duralumin and with the Zemaitis name beautifully engraved to match all the metalwork.

Pickups:
The majority of Zemaitis guitars feature DiMarzio DP103 pickups, which have a ‘brushed-chrome’ finish. The pickup mount rings are also made of Duralumin to complement the bridge.

Zemaitis Method Set-in Neck:
The neck joint is a critical part of a top-quality guitar and Tony Zemaitis only ever used glued-in joints. He experimented with various types of set-in neck joints with the aim of achieving the best possible results and designed a special technique where the neck was set further into the body than mainstream construction methods. The Zemaitis neck joint enables the neck and body to have more surface area in contact. This increases the durability of the whole guitar, as well as enhancing string vibration, tone and sustain.

It was the combination of quality, craftsmanship, innovation and determination that won this British guitar maker fans from all over the world. After 40 years of handcrafting fine guitars and having virtually created the 'boutique guitar' Tony retired in 2000. He passed away on August 17, 2002

Fretboard and Inlay:
A 25-inch scale with 3-piece Honduras mahogany construction was used by Tony Zemaitis for strength and stability. We continue this tradition with an ebony fingerboard with binding, precision frets, and the perfect shaped neck for playability – all undertaken by our experienced craftsmen in the Zemaitis Custom Shop.

Electronics:
Without compromise, we use the best high-quality, low-noise components and wiring components available, including a dedicated ‘pot’ design. All of this ensures smooth control and durability for your Zemaitis guitar.

Hand-polishing:
The finish of Zemaitis guitars is another key to the quality of the instrument. Tony had a special hand-finishing technique involving multiple coats of hand-applied lacquer and rubbing down by hand in between each coat–an art that our master craftsmen still use today. This process takes 4 to 5 times longer than a typical ‘spray finished’ factory-guitar, but it gives you the wonderful look and feel of a hand-built vintage guitar.

Finest Quality and Materials:
Staying true to Zemaitis tradition, we make sure that every guitar is hand-crafted using only the very best materials and components producing the finest quality money can buy. After all, it's a Zemaitis.