Nikos Apollonio of Rockport, Maine has been custom building guitars, octave mandolins and bouzoukis since 1967 and has developed unique features and innovations, resulting in instruments of outstanding quality and tone. Nikos has made instruments for well-known performers such as Gordon Bok and Noel Paul Stookey. Nikos calls this the Neptune model, +/- D size but a more comfortable to hold shape. The guiat was custom built in 2009. The top is Maine red spruce, and the back and sides are old growth figured Cuban mahogany. The guitar also features an 1 3/4 inch nut, 25 1/2 inch scale, ebony fretboard and bridge, a custom soundhole rosette of rosewood and pearl, a State of Maine pearl headstock inlay, maple/rosewood/tortoiseshell body bindings, and Grover tuners with butterbead buttons. The neck is straight, the neck set is good and the frets are fine. One of Nikos' innovations is the ability to (slightly) adjust the neck angle by turning the screw in the strap button. Sounds crazy, but it works as I adjusted the neck myself. The combination of these tonewoods and its robust size give it a large and interestingly well defined voice with unusual depth and power as well as smooth clarity. There is very little playing wear and no significant scratches or dings are noted. Overall it is a very clean and unique instrument. Comes with a nice hardshell case.

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