Vintage 1959 United Guitars Stewart Wondertone Premier Multivox Bantam

Built by United Guitar Company in New Jersey in 1959, this American-made gem has a distinctive vibe, with a sealed body reminiscent of a smaller Gretsch Tennessean. It features an arched top, flat back, and is in remarkably clean condition.  These guitars are often seen under the Premier or Multivox brand, and are commonly referred to as the "Bantam" model though examples differ slightly from this era regarding pickups and electronic controls.  United would make this model and brand it differently depending on which dealer bought it at the time, as was common for many makers in the '60's.  

It’s equipped with two original single-coil Franz pickups that deliver that classic vintage tone.  Very punchy and juicy. These are the same Franz pickups that can be found on some very early Guilds, and are comparable to a P-90 in tone.

 The neck has 23 frets, a 23" scale length, and an adjustable truss rod, with excellent playability all the way up the fingerboard. It features a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, adding to its tonal richness and vintage appeal.

A chrome ABM roller bridge pairs nicely with the Waverly tuners, and while the guitar originally had a Bigsby (a few extra screw holes remain at the tailpiece), it's currently fitted with a traditional tailpiece. The pickguard is a well-made replica of the long-gone original.

Currently strung with Thomastik-Infeld JS111 flatwounds, this guitar plays and sounds great—smooth, responsive, and warm. This is a rare, American-made instrument from the golden era of guitar craftsmanship, perfect for collectors or players looking for something truly unique.

Includes a hard case.