Levin 335 M1 Sunburst 1960

The Levin 335 M1 is a characterful archtop from the golden age of European guitar making. This 1960 example features a beautiful sunburst finish and was built by Herman Carlson Levin in Gothenburg, Sweden, a builder known for his high-quality string instruments since the beginning of the 20th century.

Levin managed to build an excellent reputation thanks to craftsmanship, careful wood selection, and consistent build quality, allowing the brand to grow into one of the most respected guitar builders in Scandinavia. The 335 was available in three versions, with the M1 being the version featuring a single DeArmond pickup.

The fully hollow construction provides a warm, open resonance with a rich acoustic foundation, while the single pickup delivers a clear and dynamic electric tone that lends itself perfectly to jazz, blues, and early rock 'n' roll. The combination of the large archtop body, the elegant finish, and the characteristic Scandinavian construction gives the Levin 335 M1 a distinct identity that clearly sets it apart from its American contemporaries.

The guitar reveals its age through its crackle and signs of wear, and the patina on the Bigsby leaves nothing to the imagination. Furthermore, we see a repaired crack near the control knobs, while the clear knobs themselves have also been repaired. Additionally, the pickguard is slightly warped, and the nut has been raised. The strap buttons have also been repositioned multiple times, with several holes and filler caps as evidence.

This is an honest vintage instrument that not only reflects the history of Levin but also demonstrates why these Swedish guitars remain so beloved by collectors and musicians!

This instrument has been carefully inspected for originality, condition and playability, then set up to our Gold Standard by a luthier. We make sure it arrives in your hands exactly as it should: sounding its best, playing effortlessly and ready to be enjoyed from the very first note.