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Just when you think you day couldn’t get better, you pick up a piece of beauty like this 2008 Style 8 from Frankie Montuoro. Built under tension in the old way with the finest materials you can find: 105-year-old Adirondack Spruce, chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood, custom tuners from Willi Henkes of Blazer & Henkes fame. Together, in a 12-fret slope shoulder dreadnought package, makes for immense power. With a short scale setup, that power comes with great balance and warmth. 1 13/16” at the nut offers an extra comfortable and spacious lefthand experience; coupled with the short scale, this Montuoro Style 8 is oh so effortless to play.

Heres a performance of “Angelina Baker” on this instrument, played by Allen Shadd: https://youtu.be/LK94lK063pM

Click here for an additional demo with our own Allen Shadd in a funky C tuning.

And here for yet a third demo! This time with a spacious flatpicking piece performed by WIll Saylor.

Other keywords: montuoro guitar company, 1208, tkl, fingerpicking, 12 fret, abalone, ivoroid

Trebles have haunting overtones, very bell like and clear. Paired up with a warm midrange and bottom end thanks to the Redwood top, and throw in a few years’ music to make it sing, and the result is this wide open fingerstyle GA-C from Jason Simpson. This beauty comes to us from 2005 and has opened up handsomely, is trimmed out with Bloodwood appointments to set off the Ziricote body and Redwood top, and is outfitted with a B-Band pickup system to carry you into amplified territory. All wrapped up in a Cedar Creek case.

Other keywords: fingerstyle, 024, ziracote, red wood, petteway, grand auditorium, cutaway

Ready for an engrossing, enveloping tonal experience from a petite tenor ukulele? Look no further than this 2015 DeVine featuring Kasha-style bracing, Salvaged Redwood top, and Salvaged Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. Plus Koa bindings, MOP appointments, offset soundhole, and soundport. And Flamed Koa neck with Waverly tuners. Not to mention custom Ameritage case. Then there’s the slim 1.5lb build weight—to say nothing of the effortless setup.
What more can we say? This is an incredible feat of lutherie from one of the world’s premiere ukulele builders, and we can’t stop playing it.

Other keywords: uke, tu-0224, fingerstyle, wound C, brazilain, salvaged tonewood, flame, pearl

The Vintage Series embodies understated elegance. The traditional aesthetics of a spruce top fused with a robust unidirectional carbon soundboard is finished with an amber tint and supplemented with simple appointments.

To combine the stability and robustness of carbon fiber with the traditional aesthetics of wood, RainSong has developed SFT: Soundboard Fusion Technology. After careful experimentation, we are able to fuse a thin spruce soundboard and a unidirectional pre-impregnated carbon layer in a single molding step. The resulting SFT soundboard is a composite matrix that resonates as a single unit, like a solid wood soundboard. The physical properties of the carbon fiber far exceed those of the thin wood. Hence the SFT soundboard maintains the imperviousness to humidity and temperature of carbon fiber.

An SFT soundboard delivers rich crystalline carbon sound subtly colored by wood.

The RainSong Orchestra Model is the most refined of all RainSong shapes. It is our most comfortable and intimate guitar, with an immediacy of presence that makes it a favorite with the coffee house crowd. The treble, already a breathtaking attribute of RainSongs, and the carbon sound are simply sublime in this little guitar. A crystal bell clarity, balance, superb separation of individual notes, and an expansive dynamic range make the OM one of our most individually expressive guitars. Because of Projection Tuned Layering™, the OM is capable of strong projection. It won’t rattle windows like the Jumbo or the Dreadnought, but the OM, when driven, packs a lot of power and punch for a small bodied guitar.

The standard NS neck joins the body at the 12th fret rather than the 14th fret. This moves the bridge back on the soundboard towards the center of the lower bout resulting in improved sonic energy from the strings to the soundboard and enhanced bass response. The NS also has a shorter scale length (24.875”) making it a more comfortable neck to hold and play.

Brand new! Raring to go! Here’s a chance to land yourself a slice of the sweetest blueberry pie you’re likely to find. Tad Brown of California’s CC Blue is simply fabulous. Red Spruce top, Red Maple body, plus a CC Pickups ES250 Charlie Christian pickup and cobalt array, pale Maple bindings with an extra bevelled edge (and a subtle arm bevel introduced into the bindings and top itself at the lower bout); Rosewood appointments throughout; a slim build weight and 1 3/4” nut. The acoustic voice has heaps of projection, and a sweet clarity across the registers. Amplified, this Tad Brown becomes a force of nature, refined.

Other keywords: duane simpson, arched top, jazz box, 461221, adriondack, es-250, 2022, stainless, calton

Built for the 2019 Winter NAMM, so of course Dana Bourgeois and his team went out of their way to make this Dreadnought a showstopper. Not only that, but this is one of Dana’s Championship models—spec’d out just like the Dread Luke Lovejoy used to take first place at the 2018 Walnut Valley Flatpicking Championship with Sinker Mahogany back and sides and an Aged Tone Sitka Spruce top. That, along with torrefied brace stock and animal protein glue construction, makes for great balance across the registers and superb note definition. This is one you can really crank up the BPM on; no muddiness at high speeds here.

Other keywords: allenn shadd, bluegrass, 008369, ap glue, ’19 name, signature guitar, maine

A great example of the level of professionalism and skill at work in Collings team. This is a 2018 Collings D1 is a straightforward power player with Mahogany and Sitka Spruce, tortoise-style bindings, and nickel Waverly tuners plus squared off headstock for classic dread vibes. Four years old but looking like day one! This D1 has been well cared for and is itching for more action.

Other keywords: allen shadd, flatpicking, dreadnaught, 28622, bluegrass

The intervening years have treated this HD-28 well, indeed, Built in 1980, and with a fresh reset and refret by our own staff, this Martin Dreadnought is ready for more action, and has the added benefit of having opened up handsomely. Spruce over Indian Rosewood, plus a herringbone 28 package, and a rounded V profile neck.

Here’s an additional performance on this instrument by Three-time National Flatpicking Champion Allen Shadd! – https://youtu.be/XoeIYSyeoW0

Number 200 is a milestone, indeed, so why not celebrate it? Enter: Victor Baker’s archtop #200. Pulling out all the stops in 2007, baker carved 25-year-old Sitka Spruce for the top, pairing with tightly flamed Maple for the back and sides, as well as neck and bindings. The number 200 is inlaid at the top and back, and the fretboard is stamped no.200 at the bottom corner of the extension. Floating Kent Armstrong humbucker with volume and tone knobs, Ebony tailpiece reinforced with brass, and gold Gotoh tuners at the headstock. This 16” archtop weighs in at a little over six pounds, and plays very smoothly with a quick and lively response. The Armstrong bucker is rich and fat for plugging in, but this one holds its own when played acoustically as well.

Check out this additional video featuring Duane Simpson: https://youtu.be/HMO13OH-4_g

Other keywords: vb, duane simpson, flamed maple, tkl, mop, f holes

Who needs a soundhole when you’ve got a soundport like this! Our 2009 G2 from Tom Bills packs quite a punch with his soundhole-less design that maximizes the efficiency of the SInker Redwood top (plus Indian Rosewood body) for a voice that’s equal parts power, warmth, and punch. Additionally, the soundport offers a great in-ear experience for the player, making it much easier (and richer) to hear yourself. Flame Koa bindings throughout set off the Rosewood & Redwood combo, and an L.R. Baggs Lyric pickup system has been installed to carry all of that faithfully onto stage with you.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, sound port, gotoh, 0647

Tom Bills offers a fresh take on the classic flattop with this 2004 Genesis model. Eschewing the conventional wisdom of a central soundhole, Tom has redesigned the top bracing system with an upper bout soundport as the exclusive soundhole, making for maximum real estate from the top plate to vibrate and create tone. The result is added richness and definition, plus a powerful bass response. Ziricote back and sides adds clarity and transparency, and German Spruce on top for a touch of sweetness. Tom dressed this one up with a series of oak leaf inlays floating down the fretboard and bridge; otherwise, Tom lets the quality of the woods speak for themselvse. With an asymetrical shoulder design in lieue of a traditional cutaway, you still have great fretboard access all the way to the 21st fret.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, flat top, ziracote, gotoh, ameritage, 0454

The Black Ice Series embodies Artistry. Each instrument is unique. The soundboard on each guitar is meticulously crafted to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance without overbuilding it. Each soundboard is individually conceived so every guitar is unique. Unique in design and unique in tone.

Please note, each Black Ice Series guitar has variations in appearance. This listing represents examples of Black Ice, but not the actual instrument in stock. 

Coming to us wide awake and singing form 2008, this Litchfield C600 Classical’s design comes from the Smallman style of building, making the sides extra stiff to support a thinner, and more resonant/expressive top with the assistance of carbon fiber reinforcement. Here with Cedar on top, the result is a powerful warmth and dynamic response, with Indian Rosewood for the back and sides and a Gilbert-style, 12-hole bridge. An intricate crows feet rosette, executed in green, completes the picture of a modern classical designed for concert performance with clarity, power, and definition.

Here’s a second demonstration with our own Andy Jurik, playing a Ralph Towner classic: https://youtu.be/MIhmceFfYIE.

Here’s a performance video of “Un Dia de Noviembre” by Leo Brouwer played by our Andy Jurik on this instrument: https://youtu.be/wkrr04baE6M

Other keywords: andy jurik, fingerstyle, c600, gotoh

Ah, what sweet delights twenty years offer up. This 2001 Olson SJ is gorgeous from tuner to tail, and has a voice to match—Cedar over Indian Rosewood for the classic James Olson-James Taylor sound. Smooth, bell-like trebles fill out the voice with resplendent overtones that remain clear, rather than muddy. Very well-cared for, this 2001 Olson is looking fantastic for its age, and has a glassy setup to boot. The top is trimmed out with fine herringbone, while the fretboard position markers are actually snowflakes, a detail we don’t see as often on Olsons.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 981

The Black Ice Series embodies Artistry.  Each instrument is unique.  The soundboard on each guitar is meticulously crafted to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance without overbuilding it.  Each soundboard is individually conceived so every guitar is unique.  Unique in design and unique in tone.  The 25YR further enhances the Black Ice visual with a stunning “Blue Hawaii” tint over the entire body and neck.

The RainSong 25YR features the Orchestra Model body, which is the most refined of all RainSong shapes. It is our most comfortable and intimate guitar, with an immediacy of presence that makes it a favorite with the coffee house crowd. The treble, already a breathtaking attribute of RainSongs, and the carbon sound are simply sublime in this little guitar. A crystal bell clarity, balance, superb separation of individual notes, and an expansive dynamic range make the 25YR one of our most individually expressive guitars.  Because of Projection Tuned Layering™, the 25YR is capable of strong projection. It won’t rattle windows like the Jumbo or the Dreadnought, but the 25YR, when driven, packs a lot of power and punch for a small bodied guitar.

The neck of the 25YR joins the body at the 12th fret rather than the 14th fret. This moves the bridge back on the soundboard towards the center of the lower bout resulting in improved sonic energy transmission from the strings to the soundboard and enhanced bass response.

The sound-hole of the 25YR is located on the player’s side of the upper bout.  The proximity to the player’s ear produces a sense of increased volume.  The reduced size of the sound-hole combined with the uninterrupted larger vibrating surface of the soundboard accentuates the highs and the lows relative to the mids.

Top-of-the-line LR Baggs Stage Pro Anthem electronics with dual-source pickups and a built-in tuner makes the 25YR a stage-ready instrument.

Oh so lovely! And oh so gone. This glass-smooth stick of dynamite sold before we could even list it. Not surprising, considering it’s a 2018 Olson SJ Cutaway with heirloom grade Brazilian Rosewood and Cedar that’s trimmed out for the heavens.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4

Mervyn Davis offers all the playability of electric, but in an acoustic package that packs a punch. This is his newly redesigned SmoothTalker OM model, featuring African Kiaat body and a Swiss Spruce top. The body of the instrument is essentially a clamshell that can be easily disassembled, has an adjustable neck angle to keep the setup precisely where you want it, and comes with an L.R. Baggs Element pickup system installed to carry you into amplified territory with plug-n-play ease; note the volume knob integrated into the bass side lower bout. These SmoothTalkers have a very quick and woody attack, and play like grass fed butter.

Check out a video here where Paul walks us through the unique features in hand: https://youtu.be/CEBMhFb_DAk.

Other keywords: lutherie, davis guitars, justin johnson, fingerstyle

A work of art in quite its own category, and one which engages with the player and audience to create new sonic experience—the Borghino Shakti Deluxe. Designed in collaboration with John McLaughlin, this instrument couples a Jumbo flattop body with a fast neck and seven sympathetic strings strung diagonally across the soundhole. The fretboard is scalloped and set up with light strings to facilitate frictionless runs and added latitude for bending vertically and horizontally.
The sympathetic strings are also also to be strummed, or plucked depending on your attack and use of fingers or picks, in addition to serving to add sympathetic resonance. This latter effect leads to an intensely enveloping voice that is quite honestly a thing unto itself.
Borghino has installed a Barbera Soloist pickup system for both sets of strings to best capture the complexity of the Shakti sound (including several audiophile reference cables for maximum fidelity), and added dramatic arm & rib bevels to the body for added comfort when playing. Additionally, the body has been built with a subtle Manzer Wedge, meaning the bass side is narrower than the treble side, pivoting the top back towards the player and allowing for easier right arm access. Tightly figured Ziricote back and sides pair with Bearclaw Italian Spruce on top, extensive Abalone appointments, and a custom case to house this feat of lutherie.
In collaboration with John McLaughlin, Mirkho Borghino will donate $3000 of the sale of Shakti Deluxe #1 to the Cancer Institute of Miano, Italy: https://www.istitutotumori.mi.it/en/home.

Other keywords: fingerstyle, luthier, 1 of 10, modern guitar, indian jazz, indian classical, carnatic, 2019

Here’s one to lose track of time with. Our latest OM from Italy’s Noemi Schembri is simply fantastic—well balanced and responsive, mixing a rich bottom end with bell-like trebles, plus a gorgeous aesthetic. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pair up with Italian Spruce on top with Ebony bindings throughout, and a stunning burl wood rosette to set off the pale Spruce and modern angular cutaway. This one loves DADGAD as much as Standard, and has lots of dynamic range for playing softly as well as with a more aggressive attack. It’s got lots of gears, so to speak. And it’s ready for action!

Other keywords: lutherie, 121744, brazilain, 2021, gotoh 510

This is a custom build we spec’d out with one of our longtime builders and longtime clients, and the result is fantastic! Dontcho Ivanov’s Grand Salon OM is already very lightweight and easy to play, then Dontcho went one step further by adding a manzer wedge and florentine cutaway. Macassar Ebony back and sides pair up with Sinker Cedar on top for a sweet mixture of glassiness and warmth.

Let us know if you’re considering a custom build of your own–it’s one of our favorite things to do around here!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, bespoke guitar, 44, 2022, visesnut, client commission

Coming soon to a Dream near you! John Slobod is currently crafting another wonderful Circa OM-42. This one features Brazilian Rosewood plus Red Spruce. As a reminder, we have already spec’d this instrument out, and so is not available for additional customization. If you would like to commission a custom build of your own, please check our site for available build slots, or you can reach out to us through our contact page to discuss a build to your own specs here.

2006 must have been a good year for Victor Baker, if this 17 inch archtop is any evidence. Gorgeous tonewoods, dressed up with striking Snakewood appointments, capped with a Kent Armstrong hand wound humbucker. The back and sides are 5A tight flamed Maple, pairing up with a carved Sitka Spruce top, and Maple body bindings. The tailpiece is a combination of brass frame with a removable (via magnets) Snakewood top plate—simply pop the plate and swap your strings! Volume and tone knobs at the (also) Snakewood pickguard, which matches up with the (also also) Snakewood carved bridge. The neck is a super stable multiply laminated Maple number with flattened C neck.

Other keywords: vb, duane simpson, flamed maple, tkl, f holes, 158, snake wood, ken armstrong, schaller

Here’s a sweet little crooner from Chuck Moore of Moore Bettah Ukuleles that’s ready for more! Built recently in 2019, this Tenor is in great shape and has a lovely rope-style trim package for an cool, old school vibe. Combined with a slotted headstock arrangement and Bearclaw Spruce top plus Milo body.

In 2012 Dake Traphagen took on the task of replicating a nylon jazz crossover of famed luthier Jimmy D’Aquisto—and the results are fantastic. This beauty, dubbed the D’Aquisto Nylon Jazz, is quick and energetic, easy on the hands, and rigged with an L.R. Baggs Anthem SL microphone/UST dual pickup for easy, authentic amplification. European Maple back and sides pair up with German Spruce on top, 25.6” scale, and a slim 1 11/16” nut for quick lefthand work. This Traphagen has been lovingly played across the past ten years and has the marks to prove it, but it’s in great functional shape and ready for more action.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitar building, traphagen guitar, nylon string, fingerstyle, james d’aquisto, daquisto, xover, cross over, nylon string, andy jurik