For decades after World War II, the evocative metallic voice of the Tricone Resonator guitar virtually vanished. Originating in pre-war Czechoslovakia, these metal-bodied instruments disappeared from production on every continent, and with them, a piece of music history. Legend has it that the original molds and shapes were melted down for war supplies. Myth or reality, the silence they left behind was real. In the early 1990s, a passionate revival was underway. The original molds had been lost over time, so new ones were painstakingly crafted from scratch. In 1992, the Continental guitars emerged, marking the first Tricone Resonators available worldwide since World War II. At the time, vintage models were rare and expensive; "square neck" designs often fetched prices well over $5,000 in poor condition and $10,000 in mint condition. Continental broke with that exclusivity, offering musicians a new standard of quality and accessibility. The response was immediate. Distributors in the US, the UK, and several European countries embraced the brand enthusiastically. Musicians took notice. In the early 1990s, Bon Jovi was seen touring playing a Continental, and at a recent auction, the late Rory Gallagher’s 1993 Continental CS-N sold for over £16,000, a testament to the brand’s enduring value. Affectionately known as “Contis” among collectors and musicians, each guitar was a global collaboration: Bodies forged in the Czech Republic. Hand-spun cones crafted in Hungary. Precision-made necks manufactured in Japan. Although the story began with Tricone guitars, the line quickly expanded to include single-cone models, square necks, round necks, and a variety of finishes, including sandblasted bodies suited to different playing styles. After years of anticipation, Continental Guitars is back. With the same attention to detail and the same specifications perfected over decades, but with a streamlined production model. Today, Continental guitars are handcrafted with close partners in China and individually inspected in Germany before reaching global distributors. The rules of the game have changed. The "Made in..." label no longer defines quality as it once did. But one thing hasn't changed: if the headstock says "Continental," it speaks volumes. Features: • Body: Brass, brushed nickel finish, 14th fret, single cone • Neck: One-piece AAA-grade mahogany with rosewood stripe, satin finish • Resonator: 9 1/2" hand-spun Continental cone • Fretboard: AA-grade Indian rosewood with • Ivory-like binding • Nut: Bone • Neck width • Nut width: 1 13/16" (46 mm) • Scale length: 25 1/2" (648 mm) • Electronics: Continental Mini Humbucker, V+T controls • Case: Continental Deluxe embroidered plywood case