Ever heard of this guitar

Subject: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Dan
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 03:49 PM

I play a Swedish made classical guitar called a Levin. Picked it up in a junk store in Hong Kong twenty years ago. It seems like a pretty good guitar, heavy, with a real loud tone. Does anybody know anything about this instrument?

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: DonMeixner
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 10:23 PM

I have seen and played Levin Guitars before and I liked them fine. Unusuall to find in the States. Paddie Bell from the Corrie Folk Trio days played a Levin. My understanding is they were/are a guitar of quality and note(so to speak)

Don

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 02:56 AM

I've known a number of people who play some great sounding Levin guitars. I didn't realise that they were made in Sweden. I recently noticed that Eric Bibb plays one, and he is, of course, now based in Sweden - it all begins to make sense.

Brian

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: ted rees
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 08:47 AM

I had a quick look at www.harmony-central.com found only 1 review which i have attached - sounds like you got a good one!

=====

Levin Goliath

Submitted at: 15:04, 4/5/99

Price Paid: US $0 Purchased from: Inherited it from dad

Features: 1 None- acoustic guitar. Had pickup once but my dad gave it to a friend.

Sound: 10 Brilliant tone- nicest acoustic I've ever heard. With big old strings, it sounds nice and aged, with wee small strings it sounds brand new.

Action, Fit, & Finish: 7 There used to be a huge action and it was impossible to barre but I got it lowered. The fingerboard's horrible though- I should really get it seen to- you can't bend strings for love nor money. I't got loads of scraches on its beautiful finish.

Reliability/Durability: 8 My wee brother 'nudged it with his foot' and it developed a second soundhole where there souldn't be one, but I got it fixed up good as new. It's got loads of scratches but they're my fault- it is good and strong.

Customer Support: N/A I've never heard of Levin so I can't contact them about its history of pickup.

Overall Rating: 10 It's the first guitar I got and I'll never want anothe. If I get a pickup fitted and a shiny new fingerboard it'll be the best acoustic in the world ever. If you see one second hand- take it.

Submitted by: Niall Harden Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Bev Lawton
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 08:52 AM

yep I have to concur - Levin guitars are indeed highly rated. I had a friend who had a 12 string version and it sounded wonderful - much better than my Fender F95-12. Bev Lawton

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Guest - Magnus Hultin
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 08:06 AM

Hi,

Levins were manufactured in my home town Gothenburg between year 1900 and late 1970s. They built classical (nylon strings), folk guitars, steelstrings, but are most famous for their archtop orchesta guitars. From mid 50s to mid 70s they exported acoustic guitars branded Goya in large volumes to US. Every Goya with "Made in Gothenburg Sweden" on the label has a corresponding sister-version labeled Levin for other markets, so it is likely that the Guitar you found in Hong-Kong is identical to a Goya G10, G13, G15, or even higher. Great guitars!
For Goya and Levin info se
http://goyaguitars.tripod.com.

In early 70s Levin had tough competition by guitars from low cost countrys (japanese and Korean)and were bought up by Martin and dismounted. The production in Gothenburg ended 1979/80 as I recall.

For complete list of Levin serial numbers se http://www.gitarren.se/radotips/sernr_levin.html

Regards.../Magnus Hultin (Levin and Goya freak)

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 08:15 AM

I had a Levin L60 jumbo which was a smashing box - Got rid of it when I bought my Martin in 1970 . Hate to think what it would be worth now !! They were all nice guitars !

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Nick
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 08:40 AM

My wife has a Levin guitar which was old when I met her 25 years ago - weird thing that I presume was nylon strung (though the tuners look like steel string ones) and has VERY soft dark wood on the front.

Magnus - thanks for the links.

I had a look on the site and her guitar looks a little like this but the bit where the tuners are looks completely different.

I presume if it has a serial number I can get an idea of age from the other link?

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Mooh
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 08:42 AM

Could it be that my Goya Strat with the dragon carved in the top originated from Levin of Sweden? I bought it used circa 1981 and sold it about 1993 or so. Don't know where it is now. Wish I had it back.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Mooh
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 09:09 AM

The link Nick posted revealed a Strat like mine except it has an eagle carved in it, not a dragon. The search continues...Mooh.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 09:12 AM

Hand-Pulled-Boy has a Levin, when he gets up he will tell you all about it, his Levin will be 10 million years old this year.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Nick
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 12:13 PM

Magnus -

Thanks again for the link. I now know that the Levin we have was made in 1952!

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 04:36 PM

I have recently been offered a 12 string Levin guitar made in 1964.

Looks pretty good and sounds great.

The owner wants around £600.00.

Is this a rip off or a good investment?

I would be glad to hear your comments.

Peter

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 05:10 PM

Levin Goliaths are very very sought after, one of the legends of the business. My wife's first husband alas last saw his floating down the Ganges.

But there was a Levin Goliath 12 string on ebay recently for quite a bit less than that. I suspect it's about market rate but that a 6 would go higher. Depends on condition of course.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,tony [liverpool]
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 03:17 PM

I HAVE A 1960 LEVIN ACOUSTIC BOUGHT FOR 20 QUID IT HAS AGREAT SOUND IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT BLUES GUITAR LEVIN SHUT UP SHOP AFTER BEING BOUGHT BY MARTIN THEY ARE REALLY WELL MADEAND SOUND GOOD I HAVE SEEN A PHOTO OF PETE TOWNSEND PLAYING ALEVIN SIMILAR TO MINE BEFORE THE WHO WERE CALLED THE WHO NOT SURE OF EARLY NAME NUFF SAID KEEP TWANGLIN!!

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 06:01 PM

I put a review of my Levin LT18 (Goliath)on Harmony Central sometime ago. It's 40 years old this year and cost me 35 quid in 1970. I would never part with it unless I make a huge profit.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 06:49 PM

Wandering round Denmark St the other week i noticed that Sndy's had a NEW Levin for sale - made some enquiries and it seems that they are being marketted agin - Martin is still listed as the 'Owner' of the name ! Proabably being made on the cheap in the Far east , but the one I tried ( Semi Acoustic) Played well and would be nice through a decent sound system !

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 05 - 08:00 AM

Regarding Levin 12 strings, it is hard to advice on value, it depends heavily on the shape of the guitar. However, I recently bought a 1964 Goya TS4 12 string (identical to Levin LTS4)for just over 100 bucks on ebay.

There are currently 2 Goya TS4 and one TS5 (yes, same as Levin LTS5) on auction at ebay.

I have seen them TS4:s go for 200 - 500 bucks, and TS5:s for up to 800 or more.

So, 600 quid sounds a bit on the high end for the TS4 but just about right for the more exclusive TS5....

Hope this helps..../Magnus

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: C-flat
Date: 02 Oct 05 - 05:51 AM

A good friend of mine plays a Levin Goliath. He bought it years ago for £30 and I have played it many times.
Nice big sound and a very understated, unadorned look all adds to the honesty of the guitar.
They're superb instruments and very sought after.
I hate to think of guitars as "investments", it sounds like it wants wrapping up and storing rather than playing, but I'm sure that they're only going to go up and up in price.

C-flat

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: PennyBlack
Date: 02 Oct 05 - 08:37 AM

As Leadfingers points out..

The Levin guitar name is once again back on the guitar (and other instruments) hangers, and although these instruments are O.K. they should not be confused with the originals which although were quite cheap at the time are far more desirable for use and collecting.

PB

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 02 Oct 05 - 09:54 PM

This was a great find for me Thank all > ! My brother had a Goya in the late 50.s through college and he loved it dearly . Sadly he lost the guitar to the late sixtys . (Youd have to live through them to know what I mean! )

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Kpferret
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 12:54 PM

Levin not only made excellent guitars but also flat backed mandolins. I bought one secondhand in 1972 for fifteen quid.......I don't remember if I ended up giving him the money as he gave me it on trial, but I've still got it to this day!

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,danny wilson
Date: 16 Oct 05 - 12:06 PM

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,G. Bisseker, New Zealand
Date: 16 Oct 05 - 10:10 PM

I have a levin 335 M2 (M2 for two pickup, this model came with none, 1 or 2 pikcups. It is an Acoustic Archtop, sunburst. All original apart from now having grovner tuners (the original tuners were the only rubbish thing on the instrument i.e they were plastic. It was mnaufactured in 1961, so fits the grade to be regarded as a classsic guitar. Its serial number is on the top edge of the headstock.

I paid NZ$250.00 for it, however after having it valued, it is insured for NZ$3,500.00.

Levin guitars were quality manufactured by a firm that was challenging Martin guitars for market space.

This guitar gets close appreciation whenever it is played in public, bu people who appreciate quality (looks and sound).

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 06:24 AM

Levin produced excellent instruments in Sweden, using high grade woods. Martin aquired the company in the early 1970's and inherited those materials. A good move on their part.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:51 AM

I managed to pick up a beautiful Levin for 100 GBP back in the late 70's from a friend who got it in Sweden in the late 60's. I think its a Goliath .. Thanks to a google search I now have access to the production dates and I will be able to date it properly and with this thread I also have access to info about the company itself.

I have always thought it was amongst the best sounding acoustics I have heard. It is fantastically melodic on the high end and has a good punchy base tone. The only thing I find a problem with it is the very narrow neck ... personnally i like a bit more space especially when I fingerpick. I am currently playing an Ovation Elite Special which also has a beatiful sound but something about the Levin sound and quality finish makes it a really special instrument. I constantly go back to it and would never part with it .....:-)

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Rasener
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 06:22 AM

Hey Hand Pulled Boy, we could have an auction for your guitar when you come to Market Rasen Folk Club. You never know, you might make a fortune :-)

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,cookie
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 08:06 AM

I have a friend who has a mid sixties steel-strung Levin, which I would love to see cleaned and properly set up. It's very easy-playing, though a bit quiet these days - it doesn't get played much - but would record really well.

I've another friend who has a short-scale classical Levin. To be honest it's nothing to rave about, but it has sentimental value.

Re. history. From my understanding, Martin had two motives in buying Levin. It was partly for their wood stock, but mainly to close them down - they were worried about the penetration of the Goya brand in the US, in terms of price and quality in comparison to their own instruments, so did what US manufacturers (cf. cars, beer etc.) usually do in these circumstances.

Cookie

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:05 PM

I had a Levin about 28/30 years ago. great sound which many admired but no one but me liked playing it. It had an odd bridge set up comprising 6 individual bridge units which screwed in or out of the main part of the bridge. It was an interesting idea as it meant that you could set the height of individual strings. It was let down by the fact that the screw-in bridge units were made of some type of nylon and were to soft too take too much use of the little gubbins that they supplied for the task of adjusting said units. I have never seen another like that Levin or anyone else using that type of bridge

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:30 PM

I bought my first guitar, a Goya (made by Levin in Gothenburg, Sweden) Goliath with a sunburst finish and maple back & sides,second hand for $75 Cdn in 1961. This guitar was a dreadnought with X bracing and a bolt on neck similar to Taylors. Unfortunately, it started to develop high action and I sold it in about 1964. I always regretted it, but about four years ago I found another 1958 Goya Goliath which I bought for $375 Cdn. Although I own a 1962 D-21, I enjoy playing the Goya just as much as the Martin, which is appraised at about 10 times as much as the Goya.
My friend Jude from Peterborough owns a Levin Goliath which is the exact same guitar with a different name on the headstock. His father bought it in England. apparently the Levin company branded their Guitars Levin in Europe and Goya in North America. My Goya says Levin on the truss rod cover.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 11:59 AM

My 21st birthday present from my dear old dead Dad was a Levin Sunburst Goliath (1963). It cost £29-6-6d. Looking back, the machine heads were crap but the rest of the guitar was fine.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From:
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 09:05 AM

RE: Levin guitars

Robin Williamson of The Increible String Band used a Levin (although Im not sure of the model). He used it on some albums that are rightly regarded as the finest music ever recorded. Listen to Witches Hat for a taste of the depth of tone he got. Its on The Hangmans Beautiful daughter album by the way.

Apparently he played it professionally for a long time (20 years) before it needed replacing - I think for a high end Gibson (that sounds nice too!)

Happy picking
Martin

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,russ
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 01:10 PM

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Maurice
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 03:02 PM

I have a Levin LT16 from about 1965 which needs a neck reset but sounds great, I got it (used) for £22 about 1968. At that time I think a new Goliath (including hard case) sold here in Ireland for about £55 when the cheapest Martin you could get was about £200. In terms of workmanship and materials Levins were remarkable value, maybe the fact that they were underpriced might have got them in trouble even before the Martin buyout. Don't know if it's true but I read somewhere that the reason they were renamed Goya for the US market was because the distributers thought that Levin sounded Jewish.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 12:19 AM

G'day Maurice,

Well ... I guess that the new name sounded a lot more Goy(a)ish ...

Regrd(les)s,

Bob

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 10:30 AM

Maurice,
   I took my 1958 Goya in for a neck reset and was quoted a price almost half what I paid for the guitar. I really wanted it so I said,"Go ahead." When I picked up the guitar, the luthier said,"Good news. The Goya has a bolt on neck. The reset was a breeze." It ended up costing me half the quote.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Troll
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 07:57 PM

I have a Levin sunburst circa 1970 that was given to me by the widow of an old friend. I am unsure of the mod.# but it's a great guitar. He bought it new and played it right up until his death in 1999.
I was told at a session on the Isle of Man that in the folk boom of the '60's, the three guitars to own in the UK were Martin, Gibson, and Levin.
Having played several I can see why.

troll

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 03:46 AM

I have recently come into possession of an acoustic 6 string levin guitar serial no. 415865. It is in is original hard case and in very good condition. I understand it has been left unplayed and untrung since its previous owners unforutnate demise in the 1970's. I beleive the serial number indicates it is a 1961 model and would appreciate any further information regarding its history and possible value.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Ian
Date: 05 Aug 06 - 06:45 PM

I've got some great Levin mandolin's as well as a couple of lovely Goya's but being a lefty I've had to convert them over the left handed instruments after I've bought them. Does anyone know if Levin ever made left handed instruments?

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 29 Aug 06 - 12:45 PM

Goya/Levin is the earliest guitar maker I've heard of who used a bolt on neck for acoustic guitars. Anyone know of an earlier maker?

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 07:38 PM

I got a Levin LS-18 made in Sweden in 1966.Bought it from a pawn shop for a brass telescope and £20 in 1967. It's brilliant..plays beautifully although the action is a bit high.It's in the original case and I still have the neck bolt spanner!

The only thing I've had to replace is the machine heads as one winder snapped off!

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 02:59 PM

Russ and Ian, check out www.goyaguitars.tripod.com

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: kendall
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 04:17 PM

One doesn't think of Sweden in connection with guitars, but I had a Carlo Robelli, made in Sweden. It was beautiful.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Willie-O
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 06:01 PM

I never heard of Levin, but Goya guitars....did Martin keep the brand name and move the manufacturing (and design/quality)? I've seen plenty in Canada, mostly seemed to be entry-to-mid level and nothing to write home about.

As for Swedish guitars, the Hagstrom Swede comes to mind immediately!
I never had a Swede, but my first decent electric guitar was a (quite rare) Hagstrom Impala with push-button tone controls instead of knobs. A bit odd but worked well, nice neck to play on it too.

W-O

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: DADGBE
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 06:25 PM

My first 'real' guitar was a Goya G-10 which my dad got for me in 1956. It had maple back and sides, a solid spruce top and sounded great for the $65 it cost new.

In 1961 or so, I found a Goya prototype for their G-60 series with a Brazilian rosewood and spruce body. It was a fine instrument which I eventually replaced with a Jose Ramirez A-1 in the 1970s.

Those Goyas were great instruments for the money!

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 06:53 PM

Tolstoy speaks generally well of Levin in Anna Karenina.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 07:17 PM

Martin didn't immediately close down levin. I had a 1970's 'Levin by Martin' which was a nicely made guitar- never thought it had the power of a Martin but it had a lovely mellow tone.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: GUEST,Dan
Date: 30 Jan 07 - 11:19 AM

Bought my Levin Goliath from my chum 40 years ago for £20. Face began to lift at the bridge last year so started to bid my farewells to an old friend but a luthier in London rescued her. She's alive and well and still sounds and plays beautifully, what a gem, want to buried with it when I'm dead.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Jan 07 - 01:55 PM

Face began to lift at the bridge last year

Well Dan's got that fixed - but for anyone else with the same problem, visit this thread for an inexpensive solution that can sort that one out.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of this guitar
From: rodentred
Date: 30 Jan 07 - 06:09 PM

I have yet to meet a Levin player that does not love their guitar so would recommend them unreservedly. They are a bit dubious as an investment - I remember asking a vintage guitar company about mine a few years ago and they were snooty about the marque but there is no doubt about the warm rich sound of every one I have played.

The action can get a bit high (just get it fixed) and those individual string bridges were an interesting experiment that just didn't work. Better to get them removed and a decent bridge put in.

As many are getting on a bit the sound seems to mellow even more with age.

I even erred about buying a classical model in a shop some years ago. It was old, and at the limit of my budget, but sounded fantastic. Went back the next day and it had been sold - Oh flip I said to myself.