BARTOLINI (ITALIAN MFG.)

Italy, like many other European countries, experienced the 1960s pop music popularity that led to a larger demand for electric guitars. However, many electric guitar builders were also manufacturers of accordions. As a result, many guitars ended up with accordion-style finishes. Wacky or not, Leo Fender was using this same sort of heat-molded acetate finish on some of his lap steel models in the early 1950s. What Leo wasn't using was the accordion-style push buttons, however. Used guitars in excellent condition can be found between $400 and $600. Source: Tony Bacon, The Ultimate Guitar Book.