Charis (Bill Wise) Learn More +
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Add to Compare2011 Charis SJ Mun Ebony/Alpine
This 2011 Charis SJ evokes a particular feeling when you play it, we personally felt like we were in the misty hills of Ireland, mysterious and beautiful. This guitar is entirely enchanting. The voice is warm and full, the bass is open but not over powering the sublime trebles. Made from the unusual combination of Alpine Spruce and Mun Ebony this SJ is as sure to stun with its looks as it is its sound.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.63 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Alpine, Ebony - Mun 
Add to Compare2006 Charis SJ Brazilian/Western Red Cedar
Here we have a Charis SJ cutaway in Western Red Cedar and Brazilian Rosewood. Bill Wise is the Luthier behind Charis guitars, and he is a master of achieving a rich and consistent consistent tone. This SJ has a voice that says nothing but praise for Bills voicing skills. Each string is crisp and articulate making this guitar a strong instrument for melodies and difficult fingerstyle solos. We have had many Charis guitars come and go through the Dream Guitars shop, but this one has to be one of the most ornately appointed Charis’s we have seen yet, it is jaw dropping!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.688 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar - Western Red, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2006 Charis Dream Series SJ Brazilian/German
It’s back! This one is the third in our Dream Series from Bill and we are so lucky to have it back in our shop. It has had eight years to mature and blossom as an instrument and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Bill is a master builder who achieves his voice in every instrument he makes, and the set of Brazilian Rosewood on this guitar is magnificent. It’s very tight grained and has a dramatic theme in the center of the back. This guitar is dear to our hearts, but is in need of a good home. Call us today to give it one!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.63 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - German, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2002 Charis Indian/Cedar
Here we have a handsome medium-bodied Cedar and Indian Rosewood guitar by Bill Wise of Charis Guitars. Bill is well known for producing beautiful instruments that are consistently well-balanced and imminently playable. This fine example is no exception. On the first strum, the player is greeted with a focused voice that has a nice tight bass, sweet midrange, and luscious trebles that sparkle and dance before slowly fading. The warmth of the cedar top is beautifully balanced by the rosewood back and sides, and the Rosewood and Maple neck provides improved sustain. An excellent guitar that’s very hard to put down.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to CompareCharis SJ Dream Series Brazilian /Red Cedar
A one-of-a-kind instrument specially built for Dream Guitars. We gave Bill Wise license to use the absolute finest materials and collaborated on appointments that would allow the natural beauty of the woods to shine through. It is a gross understatement to say that we are thrilled with the results. This guitar is spectacular, the luscious voice and sweet overtones of Bill’s guitars are taken to new heights on this series. And the unique Makore wood trim gives it character. The pictures describe the beauty much more eloquently then we could so we invite you to behold the Charis Dream Series. This is a rare preowned Charis Dream, #2 of 10 ever made.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar - Red, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2008 Charis Dream Series SJ Cutaway Brazilian/Italian
Our Dream Series from Bill Wise/Charis Acoustics has been extremely well-received and was a highlight on our the latest Al Petteway CD, Dream Guitars Vol. 1. This one, #7 of 10, is quite special with it’s tight grained Brazilian which is some of the very best you can find today. For #7 Bill gave us his new armrest Bevel in Makore, a full fingerboard border and an inlay of wooden leaves in fall colors. The voice is full of rich color, brilliant highs and perfectly balanced lows. The Charis sound is very special as any current owner would tell you everyone loves his slim neck shape. The Brazilian here really is special, we rarely see it so tight grained and uniform anymore. Bill decided on an Italian top for this one which enhances the clarity and shimmer.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2009 Charis SJ-F Ziricote/Engelmann
This Custom Charis SJ once again proves that Bill Wise is a master builder who achieves his voice in every instrument he makes. That’s a sign of a great builder to us. Featuring a forearm bevel, side sound port, and impeccable and beautiful inlay work, this Ziricote wonder has a is an ideal fingerstyle guitar. The playability is simply superb! The back and sides are from a wonderfully figured piece of Ziricote that lends great focus to the bass and clarity to the mids. The Engelmann top adds warmth and plenty of volume even from a light touch. A sublime Charis!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Ziricote 
Add to Compare2006 Charis SJ Madagascar/Cedar
Here’s a gorgeous Charis SJ from Bill Wise in Madagascar Rosewood and Red Cedar. Charis acoustics are known for producing a big, gorgeous voice with little effort. Clearly inspired by Olson Guitars, Bill Wise has found his own voice that has captivated many of our clients over the years. This SJ is beautifully appointed with Flamed Koa Bindings, Brazilian Top Trim and a pair of Doves inlaid at the twelfth fret. A cutaway and Baggs Dual Source pickup complete this wonderful Charis Guitar.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Madagascar 
Add to Compare2006 Charis GC Cocobolo/Cedar Price Change
We commissioned this GC with the powerful combination of Cocobolo Rosewood and Red Cedar. The idea was to have a responsive guitar with a warm top end. Bill certainly delivered, the voice is tremendous and the woods look very elegant together. The Rosewood bindings finish it with class and Bill’s wonderful neck shape is one of our favorites.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Cocobolo 
Add to CompareNew Charis Dream Series Brazilian/Italian
We’ve been waiting anxiously for this next Dream Series from Bill Wise. We knew it would be special because we added a few new treats to the already outstanding design which features the best Brazilian Rosewood money can buy. For this one Bill gave us his new armrest Bevel in Makore, a full fingerboard border and a fingerboard inlay of wooden leaves in fall colors. The voice is full of rich color, brilliant highs and perfectly balanced lows. The Charis sound is very special as any current owner would tell you and the Brazilian here really is special, we rarely see it so tight grained and uniform anymore. Bill decided on an Italian top for this one which enhances the clarity and shimmer.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to CompareNew Charis SJ-V Indian/Engelmann
The Healdsburg Guitar Festival is the premiere trade show for the builders of high-end custom guitars. For this festival builders go all out to build eye (and ear) catching instruments that show their finest work. That is definitely true of the two Charis guitars we brought back from Healdsburg. This one is an SJ with Bill’s new soft, venetian cutaway, something we’ve been suggesting for years along with both an armrest and a ribrest. It is adorned with beautiful laser-cut marquetry work on the fingerboard, rosette, headstock and the stunning backstrip. All of the inlay material is wood and it is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Such beautiful detail and it is equalled by the glorious tone Bill Wise achieves from his Charis Acoustic Guitars. This one is special, straight from Healdsburg.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to CompareNew Charis SJ-F Brazilian/German
The Healdsburg Guitar Festival is the premiere trade show for the builders of high-end custom guitars. For this festival builders go all out to build eye (and ear) catching instruments that show their finest work. That is definitely true of the two Charis guitars we brought back from Healdsburg. This one is an SJ with very dramatic Brazilian Rosewood as the centerpiece along with a totally new Rosette design and laser cut fingerboard inlay. The tone is big and bold with classic richness from the proven combination of Brazilian Rosewood and German Spruce. Oh, and there is also an armrest and ribrest bevel, this one has it all…
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - German, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to CompareNew Charis Dream Series SJ cut. Brazilian /Red Cedar
The Dream Series is a very special collaboration with Bill Wise of Charis Acoustics. The goal of this series is to build a guitar with uncomprimised tone and to adorn it with understated wooden appointments. For this one, #4 of 10 to be made we selected a very old and rich set of Brazilian rosewood. It has very tight grain just a hint of wave to it, definitely quarter sawn for classic tone. This is a much higher grade of wood that most sets you see today. Combined here with Cedar for a deep, warm tone that is rich and glorious. The strummed sound is warm, shimmering and full. Played fingerstyle it’s very rich and powerful, lot’s of projection and sweet, sweet mids. Bill Wise is creating some very special guitars indeed.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar - Red, Rosewood - Brazilian
Music has always been a part of my life, from church choir as a youth, to band in Jr High and High school, to learning to play guitar in college. Woodworking has been a hobby since graduation from college. I’ve made various tables, bookcases, bunkbeds, and such. My father, like his father, was always tinkering with something in the shop and I can’t remember a time when dad wasn’t working on one project or another. It is hard to envision a future without a shop to tinker in, I’m just so at home there. Prior to lutherie, I spent 17 successful years (7 patents, a couple awards from GM and Delphi, and induction into the Delphi Automotive Innovation Hall of Fame) in the engineering profession.
Charis Acoustic began in my basement workshop in 1996 while looking for a nice guitar to play. After considering building my own guitar, the decision was made to give it a try. Like many others, I was hooked. There is a certain pride and accomplishment that occurs when you finish that first, second, and third instrument. To hold them in your hands and hear the music coming from your creations is a very satisfying experience that quickly becomes an addiction. The next six years were spent building and learning this craft in the evenings and on weekends. Encouragement from Michael Card and a quick visit to Jim Olson’s shop in Minnesota during this time especially inspired me. These early years and first few guitars were instrumental in developing the Character and Charisma that became Charis.