1978 Zemaitis "Heart Soundhole" Jumbo 12-String

The legend of Tony Zemaitis started in the UK way back in the late 60’s. He was most famous for his electric guitars, but his Flat Top guitars have beed recognized as some of the first guitars in the World. Say hello to this fabulous 1978 12-string in all its glory. This example is 1 of the coolest Flat Tops Tony has ever produced during his long career. It’s got to be his largest acoustic at a full 19″ body w/his 2 most significent options: a stunning Heart Shaped Soundhole & his beautiful deco style Bridge w/a smile. Its tone is delightful & its appearence is outstanding. It’s got Tony’s factory label inside its sound hole signed & dated by Tony. It’s completely 100% original having no repairs or cracks ever. It’s the perfect guitar for any serious collection. The new Zemaitis guitar company in Japan makes many versions of this 12-string. Many clones are also on the market. This comes w/a signed copy of an appraisal on its true originality by Keith Smart, keeper of all records & knowledge assigned by Tony himself.  It’s truly near mint & comes w/its original matching black gator tolex hard case.

Born Antanus Casimere Zemaitis, of Lithuanian descent, Tony Zemaitis (as he is known to his friends), began a five-year apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker in 1951. He repaired his first guitar in 1952 and built his first instrument –a classical nylon-string guitar in 1955. Zemaitis started to build guitars for his friends, selling them the instruments at lower prices. After doing the military service, Zemaitis improved his methods to manufacture guitars. His instruments became popular in blues and folk music musicians of London, gaining good reputation among them. During the 1960s, Zemaitis made 12-string guitars for notable musicians including Ralph McTell, Spencer Davis, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.

After starting to build acoustic guitars, Zemaitis began to manufacture electric models, with some prototypes used by George Harrison. Other musicians that asked Zemaitis for guitars were Mark Bolan, Ron Wood and Ronnie Lane.

Metal front guitars also included an engraved designs made by his friend and customer Danny O’Brien, who had started engraving plates for guitars headstock until Zemaitis himself suggested O’Brian to engrave the fronts, as well. Zemaitis’ guitars became popular among rock artist and consolidated as a landmark of Zemaitis guitars. In the mid-1970s, Zemaitis made his first “mother of pearl” fronts for Ronnie Wood and James Honeyman-Scott.

Although Tony Zemaitis died in 2002, the demand for his guitars continued increasing, as well as their prices.