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Over the years Joe Veillette has worked for a long list of star clients which include the likes of Dave Matthews, Jorma Kaukonen, David Lindley, Kaki King, Ani DiFranco and many others. Often his work included designing unique instruments to fit the needs of pro musicians. One of our alltime favorite designs of his is this Gryphon high-tuned 12 string. The Gryphon is a 18.5″ scale 12 string guitar tuned up to high D, an octave below normal guitar tuning. This gives the Gryphon a mandolin-like sound, though much more colorful and musical, yet it can be played like a regular guitar. Our first reaction was utter amazement at the lush tone and we can see this being extremely useful in many settings from stage to recording. This beauty is Koa and Sitka Spruce.

If it’s good enough for Laurence Juber, you know it’s good enough for us. And here we’ve landed a 1998 Collings OM2BaA from the man himself! What better way to open up the premium Brazilian Rosewood body and Adirondack Spruce top than to have Mr. Juber’s hands at the helm? It’s certainly wide awake, with a quick and lively string energy across the registers, plus trebles that really cut through the mix. A venetian cutaway gives unrestricted access to those topmost frets, and herringbone trim throughout plus Ivoroid bindings for classic Collings aesthetics.

Other keywords: brazilain, adriondack, lutherie, bill collings, 4250

Greenfields are a category all their own. Michael has such a consistent touch with all his instruments; each one has great string-to-string balance, mixes up well, with equal richness and clarity to individual notes. And in 2011 the master outdid himself yet again with this G1. Upgraded with heirloom grade Brazilian Rosewood that’s over 200 years old, plus a 30-year-old German Moonspruce top–what more could a modern musician ask for? Why not a Laskin-style arm bevel and florentine cutaway, as well as a heel swoosh carved heel for lefthand comfort. The Brazilian Rosewood is so unique on this G1, it was salvaged from a center beam in Brazil and is midnight-dark with black-red warmth right in the center. Coincidentally, the voice has that in spades too with a rich, rich, rich midrange to pair up glass trebles and articulate bass.

This is a lifetime kind of instrument: the Greenfield G1.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, mike greenfield, andy mckee, fingerstyle, 163, bravarian

 

Other keywords: https://youtu.be/tEeRhuR4SSY

Opened up and singing like sweet baby James himself, this 2002 Olson SJ Cutaway is dressed up and ready for action. Indian Rosewood body with Cedar top, classic 5-ply neck and slinky setup, then upgraded with specs to match the James Taylor Signature model with Abalone trim, downward facing MOP doves on the fretboard to contrast the doves flying upwards from the bridge wings. We’ve only seen a few Olsons with these downward-facing doves, and the look is striking. Tone wise, this one has great balance across the registers, and an extra dose of sparkle not only in the trebles, but also the mids and a touch of the bass. Add an LB6 pickup and tweed case, and you’ve got the complete package.

Other keywords: lutherie, jim olson, james olson, fingerstyle, 1021, phil keaggy

Strong, oh so strong. Glassy response, and this glass is clearly tempered since it holds up well to a heavier attack just as well as a light touch. Bill Wise of Charis Acoustics, after working with the venerable Jim Olson, has had an excellent career of building premium modern flattops, and we’ve had nothing but great experiences with both Bill and his guitars. This 2009 SJ Cutaway is quite the sharp dressed number! African Blackwood body with Engelmann Spruce top, flamed bindings and arm bevel, 5-ply neck and silky setup. The voice has chocolatey darkness in the bass response, and a fully developed and articulate midrange that really fills the room. Sweet trebles have a slight blooming quality after the immedate attack, making this an exquisite instrument for fingerstyle.

Other keywords: james olson, fingerpicking, abalone, gotoh, accord case, 218

Soup up Taylor’s 814ce body with Brazilian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce? Yes, please! The use of such night-dark Brazilian Rosewood makes for added glass and bass response, separating this one from many other Taylors that have come through our shop without sacrificing any of the top end sparkle. Maple bindings throughout, Taylor’s Expression II pickup system with onboard EQ, and a striped wood pickguard to contrast the pale Spruce top.

Check out this additional video featuring Al Petteway on this incredible Taylor 814ce: https://youtu.be/uETcZoPzAqc

Other keywords: bob taylor, andy powers, brazilain, stika spruce, fingerstyle

Tom Doerr’s Solace model offers great volume and headroom, but without compromising on the ergonomics front at all. This 2008 Solace is just that: powerful, and effortless. Slim neck profile, Indian Rosewood body with Swiss Spruce top, K&K Pure Mini pickup–plus it’s opened up handsomely in the intervening years.

Here’s an additional video for this 2008 Doerr Solace, with Al Petteway: https://youtu.be/mU7HjUvoYLk

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, fingerpicking

Dressed up with striking tonewoods and Lowden’s trademark super thin satin finish, this 2019 S-50 cuts a fine figure with 50-style appointments, arm bevel, and Gotoh 510 tuners. The short 24 3/4″ scale is quite easy in hand, and that bevel ratchets up player comfort even more so. Lowden’s S body size is just so comfy. On the tone front, this S-50 has a dry and quick voice with snappy trebles and just a touch of sparkle. Thanks to an all-Tasmanian Blackwood body, no doubt. In 2019-2020, Lowden and co offered an exclusive series of all-blackwood instruments, and this S-50 14-fret is one of the select few from that run.

Here’s an addition demo on this Lowden S-50 with Al Petteway: https://youtu.be/pIMgaqUou9E

Other keywords: lutherie, george lowden, fingerstyle, 23388, acacia

2002 must have been a particularly good year for Kevin Ryan, because this Mission Grand Concert is nothing short of incredible. Brazilian Rosewood body with Bosnian Spruce top, Abalone appointments, and the glassy setups and play feel that Kevin is so well known for–plus this beauty has the added benefit of having been Laurence Juber’s personal Ryan. Needless to say, the mojo is there. Great note separation across the registers, and an extra meaty midrange really makes for a lively and fun playing experience. Great headroom on those glassy trebles, very tasty indeed.

Check out this additional video featuring Al Petteway: https://youtu.be/ag8PPAhmDYE

Other keywords: lutherie, fingerstyle, wings, m28958v, brazilain, abolone, calton

Powerhouse lutherie duo Claudia and Claudio Pagelli have been pushing the bleeding edge of guitarbuilding for decades now, yielding a fiercely independent and inventive body of work that completely stands apart from the crowd. We are so excited to be officially partnering up with them to bring you their latest and greatest!

This Gringobeat is a semihollow archtop with reimagined curves to maximize ergonomics without compromising an ounce of tone. Note the asymetrical bouts, which help position the guitar perfectly for your right hand; the silky setup and satin-finished Okoume neck; the aluminum arm rest and nickel hardware. The body is also Okoume, aged at least 25 years before use, and the top is a set of carved Swiss Alpine Moonspruce that is finished in the Pagellis’ 3D technique, which yields unique and different results each time. On this Gringobeat, the finish rises and falls across the surface, with lower layers letting the Spruce grain telegraph through. Running your hands over it is a delight. On the electronics front, we’re outfitted with triple Lollar Gold Foils plus a six-way switch for a wide, wide palette of tones (the first position towards the bridge actives the two outer pickups). Additionally, a KMS bridge plus Bigsby tailpiece, and Hipshot knobs, complete the package.

Other keywords: luthier, pagelli guitars, gringo beat, duane simpson, goldo,

The only way to make a Henderson better is to add time to the equation–and this 1984 Dreadnought has that in spades. Accordingly, the voice is wide awake and expressive, thanks in part to age but also of course from the Brazilian Rosewood body with Red Spruce top. 28-style appointments, plus Wayne’s fiddle headstock profile, make for a classic Henderson Dread. Looking for a slimmer neck? This beauty has a 1 5/8″ nut for a tighter, faster string spacing for the left hand.

Other keywords: lutherie, guitarbuilding, wayne henderson, 77, dreadnaught, brazilain, adirondack, appalachian

Here’s one you’ll struggle to put down. Logan spec’d out this powerhouse with Michael Kennedy with the goal of landing a resonant, responsive, engrossing multiscale guitar. Clearly, Mike nailed it. The voice is crisp and clear, with bell-like trebles and a resounding bass response. Instant success for fingerstyle. Soaks up C tunings like it was made for it (and it was). We paired a striking set of Ziricote for the back and sides with Sinker Cedar on top, a 26.25-25.5″ multiscale fretboard, beveled bindings, soundport, tornavoz–the works! If you’re looking for a livewire that holds its own in a wide range of tunings and attacks, our latest Michael Kennedy GC simply will not disappoint.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, bespoke guitar, 49, multi scale, multi-scale, fan fret, fanned fret, gotoh, cutaway

Here’s an Olson that stands out among even Olsons–a 1990 Dreadnought Cutaway with Indian Rosewood body and Sitka Spruce top. The intervening thirty years have seen lots of great music pass between the strings, and the voice is quite lively and wide awake. Quick and energetic, notes like to shoot up and away from the guitar in a way that would makes certain the player can shine through the mix. Herringbone trim and tortoise-style bindings, plus the ubiquitious MOP dove inlays, makes for a classic 90s Olson.

Here’s an additional performance with our own Allen Shadd: https://youtu.be/sYOJNZFcR_8

Check out this additional video featuring Al Petteway: https://youtu.be/o-9qjrwDFd8

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, james taylor, james olson, dreadnaught, stika, 258

Special, indeed. Here we’ve landed a gorgeous example of Kathy Wingert’s prowess at the bench that’s been dressed to the nines with gorgeous inlays along the fretboard, rosette, and headstock. Dramatic Black & White Ebony for the back and sides is the perfect contrast to German Spruce on top, giving the voice a smooth, smooth, smooth flavor with glassy definition throughout the registers. The top end has that sweet brand of sparkle that we see in so many of Kathy’s guitars. The lively string energy really draws in the player. On the visual side of things, Kathy has inlaid a series of flowers, vines, leaves, and a hummingbird, all rendered in vibrant Abalone and Pearl. Dark Ebony bindings contrast and set off the back and sides, and Kathy has also added a subtle arm bevel to the lower bout to make this 2017 Wingert EVC even easier to play.

 

*Not pictured Fishman Matrix Infinity Pickup has been installed

Other keywords: lutherie, wingert guitars, hoffee, gotoh, inlay art, pale moon ebony, b&w ebony, b/w ebony, evc.0317.bwe.g.4

 

Additional demo here: https://youtu.be/NogBRvhdM1c

Get ready for the most intonated Santa Cruz you’ve ever seen. This 2002 Vintage Jumbo VJ model has been upfitted with a True Temper fingerboard by the fine folks at Texas Guitars, making this Santa Cruz perfect for the pitch perfectionist out there who needs their flattop to be spot on, every time. The VJ body is their take on the classic slope shoulder dreadnought design, here executed with Mahogany body and Spruce top, dark sunburst, and Ivoroid bindings. Throw in a Fishman Matrix pickup system, and you’re ready for juuuust about anything on this True Temper Santa Cruz VJ.

Here’s an additional video of Billy Presnell playing this Santa Cruz VJ: https://youtu.be/dPai2jKQdFg

Other keywords: 3661, lutherie, richard hoover, dreadnaught, true tempered, pich perfect, flat top

Oh here’s one down with, turn off your phone and lock the door. This 2013 Flammang AJ75 is rich, engrossing, sweetly clear and glassy. African Blackwood for the back and sides with Adirondack Spruce on top mix for clarity and darkness, which works fantastically for both and Travis picking, to be honest. The top features a tight burst and tiger stripe pickguard, rectangular bridge, and checkerboard appointments. Mahogany neck is the perfect amount of well rounded C like a vintage J-45, and lightweight Waverly tuners at thre headstock complete the look.

Here’s an additional demo of this beautiful Flammang AJ75 with our friend Will Saylor! https://youtu.be/_0JXurFVi9o

Here’s an additional performance on this instrument with our own Allen Shadd: https://youtu.be/_gbE30qty38

Other keywords: lutherie, david flammang, 218, adriondack, abw

Here we’ve landed a quite played in, and quite wide awake, Crossover Classical with cutaway from two powerhouse Australian luthiers SImon Marty and Robin Moyes in a rare collaboration for virtuoso Slava Grigoryan. Indian Rosewood body with Spruce top, 650mm scale, and the aforementioned cutaway for easy access to the topmost frets. The pickup system combines an L.R. Baggs Anthem SL with an additional internal microphone, and the result is incredible plugged in. This was Grigoryan’s touring guitar for a number of years, and it’s got the marks to prove it–and we’re happy to report that all that playtime has rendered the voice wide, wide open.

Other keywords: lutherie, guitarbuilding, fingerstyle

Powerhouse lutherie duo Claudio and Claudia Pagelli have been pushing the bleeding edge of guitarbuilding for decades now, yielding a fiercely independent and inventive body of work that completely stands apart from the crowd. We are so excited to be officially partnering up with them to bring you their latest and greatest!

Here we’ve got one of their 40th Anniversary models outfitted with Ovangkol back and sides, Moonspruce top, and some really incredible soundhole and soundport design work. Note the twin offset soundholes at the upper bout of the top? Flip around back for a soundport that’s integrated below the neck, and head over to the bass side lower bout for a rectangular soundport to round it all out. Additionally, the top is braced with continuous brace stock that spreads out at the ends in a vinelike fan that we’ve never seen before. The result is a very energetic and chirpy voice, with treble strings that absolutely kill, very clean and crisp. Wenge neck with a satin finish? Makes for a gossamer lefthand experience. Throw in a unique pinless bridge design and negative space headstock, and you’ve got a whole new kind of beast in your hands.

Other keywords: luthier, guitarbuilding, anniversary guitar, fingerstyle, swiss, ameritage

A custom McConnell build always satisfies. This latest 15 Inch model comes upfitted with premium Tree Mahogany back and sides, German Spruce top, and a frailing scoop at the fingerboard extension executed with arcing purfling inlays that mirror the aesthetic at the rosette (and the curve of the cutaway too!).

Other keywords: lutherie, jordan mcconnell, fingerstyle, 000

Livewire! Quick, expressive, energetic, raring to go. Laurent Brondel builds an excellent modern flattop for all your fingerpicking, flatpicking, hybrid picking, strumming needs. This 2020 A2C is a lot of fun, rigged up with Cuban Mahogany body and European Spruce on top, gold EVO frets, a James May pickup system, cutaway, and upgraded Brazilian Rosewood bridge and fingerboard. Part of Brondel’s magic comes from his technique of arching the top, rather than the more typical radiusing approach, which results in added energy and projection on this A2C. The Hog body offers a crisp, woody fundamental that makes notes ring out clearly without turning into mud when played fast or hard.

Other keywords: lutherie, A2-C, hoffee, waverly, 200608

This is one to lose track of time with. Our first Fujii guitar in some years, and we’re so grateful to have it in the shop. Keisuke builds flawlessly with a modern eye for aesthetics, curve, and color. A master of the form. This Presentation OM features one of his incredibly detailed mosiac rosettes, carved bridge, plus the contoured and sculpted headstock–for tonewoods, Ancient Japanes Cedar on top with Ancient Keyaki back and sides. The neck is finished to be satin to the touch, with a soft V profile. The result is impossibly smooth, and oh so lovely in hand. The voice is characterized by sweetness and a blooming quality in the bass register; articulate midrange; trebles that linger. Excellent note to note balance.
We see so many incredible guitars come through our shop, but it’s only the rare handful that instantly make a lifelong impression at the first pluck of the strings. This Fujii Presentation OM is one such guitar.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, 2022141, fingerstyle, modern guitar, bam, evo fret

Ah, the sweetness that comes with age. This Paul Fischer Classical comes to us from 1998 and exhibits all the qualities we find only appear after years’ of music: breathy, expansive projection, an articulate and developed midrange, versatile response for a range of styles. It doesn’t hurt that Paul used a set of striking Brazilian Rosewood for the body and Spruce on top, plus french polish throughout. The detail work is cleanly executed throughout, especially at the flower and vine rosette and tieblock. Snakewood heelcap and buttons on Rodgers tuners are icing on the cake. Additionally, the provenance of this Fischer includes previous ownership from Douglas James, classical guitar professor of NC’s Appalachian State.

Here’s an additional video performance with Andy Jurik on this instrument: https://youtu.be/0xYOM6lHYTA

Other keywords: andy jurik, 987, brazilain, fingerstyle, nylon string

Kim Walker continues to be one of the most sought after modern makers. And why? Because each and every guitar of his contains a heaping spoonful of power, balance, clarity, and dynamic range. This 2012 OM, dressed up with Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce plus Curly Maple bindings, has all of that in spades. The high end has a rich, expressive quality that enriches the whole voice, and the bass is crisp, expansive, but perfectly balanced against the warmth of the midrange. In short, a perfect fingerstyle instrument. With a 25.4″ scale and Adi top, this Walker also has the headroom for flatpicking ands trumming work as well. The Brazilian Rosewood comes from a select stash that Kim acquired from Martin in the early 1970s, making this Walker even more desirable.

Other keywords: 232, brazilain, adriondack, fingerpicking, al petteway, hoffee

Now here’s an Olson that stands apart from the crowd! Very well-known for his Small Jumbos, Jim also has built a number of full-size Jumbos, and this gorgeous sunburst number from 1985 proves to us that he’s just as capable with the bigger size. Wide awake and quick! This one features a three-piece Indian Rosewood back, Sitka Spruce top, and some good-looking snowflakes in MOP at the fretboard and bridge wings. The red sunburst is an uncommon feature for an Olson, and we love how it lets the Sitka grain shine through. Being from 1985, this one has some play wear and the fine finish checks appropriate for a guitar of this age, and our repair staff recently went over it for a clean bill of health. Looking for the big centerpiece to your collection? This Olson Jumbo is just the supersized ticket.

Other keywords: james taylor, james olson, fingerstyle, 143