Atkin The Thirty Six - L36 Deluxe Black Top - Baked Sitka Spruce & Pomelle Sapele

The Thirty Six - L36 Deluxe Black Top by Atkin Guitars is a masterclass in vintage tone and craftsmanship, paying tribute to the golden era of acoustic guitar design while incorporating modern playability and bespoke aesthetics. This particular model features a stunning baked Sitka spruce top paired with dramatically figured pomelle sapele back and sides—an exquisite tonewood combination that delivers warmth, clarity, and a beautifully balanced voice. The pre-war scalloped bracing enhances resonance and projection, while the age-toned relic gloss nitrocellulose finish and classic black top evoke the timeless charm of Depression-era instruments.

Alister Atkin, the visionary luthier behind Atkin Guitars, has spent decades honing his craft in Canterbury, England, building a reputation as one of the finest acoustic guitar makers in the world. Drawing inspiration from vintage American guitars, Atkin blends traditional techniques with subtle innovations, creating instruments that feel like heirlooms from the first strum. His meticulous attention to detail is evident in every element of the L36 Deluxe—from the gold sparkle rosette and purfling to the bakelite-style binding and bone nut and saddle.

The L36 Deluxe is as playable as it is beautiful, with a comfortable mahogany neck, a 24 7/8" scale length, and a smooth 16" fingerboard radius. The Indian rosewood fretboard and bridge contribute rich overtones, while the elegant mother-of-pearl double diamond fret markers and white celluloid side dots add a touch of vintage glamour. Nickel Gotoh tuners with white buttons provide precise tuning stability, and the two-way truss rod allows for easy neck adjustments via the soundhole. Weighing just 3 lb 14 oz and housed in a custom Atkin black case, the L36 Deluxe Black Top is not just a guitar—it's a finely tuned homage to the artistry of classic acoustics, built for the discerning modern player.

Other specifications of the L36 include:

Top: Baked Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides: Pomelle Sapele
Backstrip: None
Neck: Mahogany
Truss Rod: Two-Way (Soundhole Adjust)
Headstock Overlay: Ebony
Logo: Atkin Inlay
Fretboard: Indian Rosewood
Bridge: Indian Rosewood
Rosette: Gold Sparkle
Purfling: Gold Sparkle
Binding: Bakelite Style
Bracing: Pre-war scalloped
Lacquer Finish: Age Toned Relic Gloss Nitrocellulose - Black Top
Nut & Saddle: Bone
Tuners: Nickel Gotoh with White Buttons
Side Dot Fretboard Markers: White Celluloid
Fret Markers: Mother of Pearl Double Diamonds
Case: Atkin Black
Body Length: 19"
Body Depth: 4 3/8"
Lower Bout Width: 14 3/4"
Total Length: 39"
Scale Length: 24 7/8"
Fingerboard Radius: 16"
Nut Width: 1 11/16"
Bridge Spacing: 2 3/16"
Weight: 3 lb 14 oz
Serial Number: 3584

For more information about the Atkin The Thirty Six, please contact us.