Airline 3P Professional Res-O-Glas, White, Archtop - Used
The Airline 3P Professional is one of the more singular instruments to come out of the American guitar industry in the 1960s. Built by Valco in Chicago — the same company behind National and Supro — the 3P was sold through the Montgomery Ward catalog and represented the top of the Airline line in its era. The body is Res-O-Glas, Valco's proprietary fiberglass construction, hollow with an internal wood spine — a genuinely unusual approach that produces a tone unlike anything built from wood. Three single-coil pickups that wear humbucker covers but are very much not humbuckers: bright, punchy, and present, with a midrange character that is entirely its own. These guitars were played by JB Hutto, David Bowie, Jack White, and a long list of players who understood that unusual construction sometimes yields unusual results.
This one is dated to 1966 or 1967 by the pot date, and it is one of those instruments that just works. Set up by our shop and playing beautifully — the neck is straight and stable, the action is dialed in, and this guitar absolutely shreds. There is a reason players seek these out. It has that magic quality that is hard to explain and immediately obvious when you plug it in.
Two thoughtful modifications have been made: upgraded string trees and a 5-way switch in place of the original 3-way, opening up additional pickup combinations. Everything original is included — the stock string trees, the original 3-way switch, and a reproduction logo — all stored in the gig bag pocket. The guitar can be returned to stock configuration if desired.
Cosmetically it is aged to perfection. The white Res-O-Glas body has developed the warm patina these guitars are known for, and the neck shows gorgeous finish checking throughout — the kind of character that only comes from sixty years of real life. Condition is Very Good overall. Check the photos carefully for the full picture on the aging and wear.
- Make: Airline (manufactured by Valco, Chicago)
- Model: 3P Professional
- Year: 1966 or 1967 (per pot date)
- Country of origin: USA
- Body: Res-O-Glas (fiberglass), hollow with internal wood spine, white finish
- Neck: Maple, bolt-on, magnesium rod (tilt adjustment only, no truss rod)
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Frets: 20, small
- Neck pickup: Valco single-coil (humbucker cover)
- Middle pickup: Valco single-coil (humbucker cover)
- Bridge pickup: Valco single-coil (humbucker cover)
- Controls: Individual volume and tone per pickup, master volume
- Switching: 5-way blade switch (upgraded from original 3-way)
- String trees: Upgraded (originals included)
- Hardware: Chrome
- Weight: 8 lbs 4 oz
- Modifications: 5-way switch installed (original 3-way included), upgraded string trees (originals included)
- Includes: Gig bag, original 3-way switch, original string trees, reproduction headstock logo
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value.
International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
