Uncategorized Archives - Page 18 of 145

Brand New Stötzel SJ, Wenge/German Spruce

Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Stötzel Guitars

Here’s a wonderful example of Wilm Stötzel’s modern lutherie! This is a custom client commission decked out with Wenge back and sides (and bridge), plus German Spruce on top and Spalted Beech appointments throughout. A geometric headstock, combined with the partial rosette, makes a contemporary statement that perfectly accompanies the voice, itself the modern ideal with its mixture of power, clarity, and bloom.
Ready to commission one of your own? Give us a shout!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, bespoke guitar, 26, winge, hiscox

July 4, 2023/by

2006 M.J. Franks Herringbone OMS, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars MJ Franks Guitars

M.J. Franks knows how to pull off a powerful projection with balance across the registers—and all in an easy-playing OM package. This Herringbone OMS comes to us from 2006, has opened up sweetly, and is dressed to the nines with jaw dropping tonewoods. This Brazilian Rosewood is heirloom grade, beautifully wave figure throughout, and Adirondack Spruce on top with tight grain to boot. Tight herringbone trim on top and ringing in the rosette, plus a tight zigzag backstrip to tie together this classic, American traditional aesthetic.

Other keywords: mj franks, dreadnaught, flatpicking, 06-022, tkl

July 4, 2023/by

2020 Fender LTD American Professional Stratocaster, Desert Sand

Electric Guitars, Guitars, Instruments, Solid Body Fender

Often copied, but never surpassed, the Stratocaster is arguably the world’s most-loved electric guitar. Electrifying the music world since its debut in 1954, its natural, versatile sound made the Stratocaster the benchmark for exceptional guitar tones. The American Professional Stratocaster isn’t a re-imagining of the classic design; it’s the authentic original model, evolved.

Click here to hear this one played by our own Duane Simpson!

July 4, 2023/by

2017 Martin D-28 Authentic 1937 Aged, Madagascar Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Martin Guitars

Martin’s D-28 Authentic 1937 Aged may be a mouthful, but it’s worth it. The torrefied tonewoods make for added power, articulation, and balance, as well as the use of a forward-shifted X brace, and Martin’s light relic job to make it look the part. This beauty comes to us from 2017 and is already wide awake and ready for action (thanks for the pre-breaking in, Martin’s torrefaction team!). Full neck profile feels lovely in hand, with the slimmer 1 11/16” nut that’s familiar for flatpickers.

Other keywords: cf martin, lutherie, dreadnaught, allen shadd, 45 style, adriondack, pre-war, maddie, tkl, 2085017

July 4, 2023/by

2017 Nashville Guitar Company D-42, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

Dreadnought, Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Nashville Guitar Company

This one’s guaranteed to be the centerpiece of any collection. A 2017 NGC D-42 with Brazilian Rosewood and Spruce, plus snowflake position markers? Yes, please! Fit and finish are excellent across the board, and the voice is dialed in for a lovely balance across the registers. A very even response makes for a guitar that holds up well for strumming, and has the articulation to keep solos and lead work well defined. An easygoing setup to boot, and you’re looking at a powerhouse at your fingertips: our 2017 Nashville Guitar Co. D-42 from Marty Lanham.

Other keywords:, lutherie, dreadnought, allen shadd, 45 style, adriondack, pre-war, brazilain, tkl, 16204

Additional performance https://youtu.be/JAihsxNJ8s8

July 4, 2023/by KIM (not Walker)

2016 Blazer & Henkes D-42, Brazilian Rosewood/Alpine Spruce

Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Blazer & Henkes

When a good guitar calls, you answer. This 2016 B&H D-42 is such a guitar. Excellent projection and sustain, paired with great balance across the strings, makes for an extra articulate dreadnought. Sensitive enough for fingerstyle play, and with heaps of headroom for flatpicking. We’d expect no less! Alpine Spruce over Brazilian Rosewood with a shade top finish, 42-style Abalone appointments throughout, and gold Waverly tuners as the cherries on top. Build weight is 4.5lbs, and the neck has a full feel in hand with well-rounded V profile. This beauty was built in 2016!

Here’s an additional demo video of this B&H D-42, with the incomparable David Grier!: https://youtu.be/8XUpjM-8Cpk

Here’s a demo from the last time we had this beauty in the shop: https://youtu.be/L_J5ta-9FRg.

Other keywords: blazer&henkes, 537, brazilain, adirondack, bluegrass, dreadnaught, ivoroid,

July 4, 2023/by Greg Sipes

2013 Martin D-45 Custom Shop, Madagascar Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Martin Guitars

The Martin Custom Shop team knows how it’s done, and this 2013 D-45 Custom Shop proves it. They opted for a lovely set of Madagascar Rosewood for the back and sides with black ink lines (ditto with the headstock veneer), paired that with classic Adirondack Spruce on top for bell-like tonality and power, then dressed it all to the nines with a 45-style package. Complete with Abalone hexagonal inlays, rather than the more commonly seen diamonds & squares. So this Custom Shop model has the visual flair to match the quality and presence of its voice, which we love for its clarity and warmth, especially in the midrange where many other dreads would suffer a muddy response. Instead, this D-45 has lovely balance and note definition across the registers.

Other keywords: cf martin, lutherie, dreadnaught, allen shadd, 45 style, adriondack, pre-war, maddie, tkl, 1677996

July 4, 2023/by

2013 PRS Private Stock Cody Kilby, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Paul Reed Smith

Ricky Skaggs’ right hand guitar man with Kentucky Thunder, Cody Kilby, here teams up with the PRS Private Stock team on a powerhouse signature model that’s balanced to a T and handsomely wide awake. This beauty comes to us from 2013 and has opened up nicely, with jaw-dropping Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and Adirondack Spruce on top. The sides are shorter than PRS’s standard dimensions, making this guitar even more comfortable in hand, and the setup is delightfully effortless. Gives your fingers wings! Speaking of which, Kilby opted for Abalone position markers reminiscent of old school banjos rather than the more common PRS birds. Lastly, the PRS acoustic pickup array has been included with a volume knob inside the soundhole.

other keywords: prs guitars, custom guitar, paul reed smith, A131094, figured, bespoke, grand auditorium, ameritage

July 4, 2023/by KIM (not Walker)

2014 Musselwhite Dreadnought, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

Dreadnought, Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Musselwhite, David

A contemporary iteration of a prewar classic: a David Musselwhite D-28 from 2014 dressed up with Brazilian Rosewood and a shade top finish over Spruce. The dropdead gorgeous Brazilian came from the one and only Mike Longworth of Martin! Such a powerhouse, quick response and it mixes up great across the registers for both chords and leads. A full neck profile feels very solid in hand with a V shape throughout, and we’ve got the classic combo of Waverly tuners and Abalone diamonds and squares to dress up the neck. A tight herringbone trim pattern rings in the shade top, and pairs up perfectly with Ivoroid bindings and a zigzag center strip out back.

Other keywords: allen shadd, bluegrass, flatpicking, brazilain, 28 style, sunburst, tkl

July 4, 2023/by Greg Sipes

Brand New Klein 426, Myrtlewood/Torrefied Sitka

Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Klein & Kauffman

Our latest 426 from Steve Klein and Steve Kauffman is hands down a knockout. Gorgeous Myrtlewood back and sides with lovely dramatic figure, paired with a Torrefied Sitka Spruce top, makes for a quick, lively, and expressive guitar that’s equally at home with a pick as fingers. The 426 body fills the niche between their 396 and the full tilt 457, and that middle ground gives a great balance of projection and note definition. Add a soundport to the mix, plus all the usual Klein innovations like the integrated nut, access panel, and engineered bridge, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind modern guitar on your hands.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, klein & kauffmam, steve kaufman, fingerpicking, 426-152, ameritage

July 4, 2023/by

1995 Bown Baritone, Brazilian Rosewood/European Spruce

Baritone, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Bown, Ralph

Here we’ve landed a true gem! What better way to explore a whole new kind of flattop experience than a Baritone, especially one built by the one and only Ralph Bown? This beauty comes to us from 1995, so has had a few decades of music under its belt and it’s wide awake. 28.5” scale means massive power, yet the setup remains easy on the hands. Richly colored Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pairs up with European Spruce on top, plus MOP diamond position markers for a touch of classic class. A Highlander IP-1 pickup carries all this powerhouse tone faithfully onto the stage, and a strap button at the center of the heel means you can strap in and save your back a bit to boot.
Ready for this Bown Baritone to take you to new heights (lengths)?

Other keywords: clive carroll, fingerstyle, modern guitar, brazilain, ip1, barytone, fingerpicking, 135, calton

July 4, 2023/by

1998 Manuel Velazquez Concert Classical, Malaysian Blackwood/Spruce

Classical Guitars, Guitars, Instruments, Nylon String Guitars Velazquez, Don Manuel

One of the most revered classical luthiers of the 21st century, Manuel Velazquez’s career boasts decades of incredible work. This lovely number from 1998 comes to us towards the last epoch of that career, and it’s got all the benefits that a master’s touch can provide after so many years’ experience. Such a lovely example of Velazquez’s work, this Classical plays effortlessly and has a sweet mixture of velvety bass and crisp, clear trebles. This is truly a lifetime instrument for its next lucky owner, coming from a lifetime of experience at the hands of Velazquez.

Other keywords: andy jurik, fingerstyle, nylon string, concert classical, black wood, lutherie, luthier, crossrock

July 4, 2023/by

2008 Simon Marty Concert Classical, Pardo/Spruce

Classical Guitars, Guitars, Instruments, Nylon String Guitars Marty, Simon

This is our first Simon Marty, and we’re already eager for the next! Such a lovely example of the contemporary classical guitar from 2008. Pardo back and sides strike a rich red hue, and pair with Spruce on top and a Gilbert-style bridge plus arm rest. An intricate and colorful mosaic rosette pops very nicely; plus a slightly slender neck profile feels glossy and easy in hand. Gilbert tuners at the headstock are a plus, with a 650mm scale and 52mm nut. All wrapped up in a custom Karura case for maximum safety on those rare moments you aren’t playing it!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, andy jurik, nylon string, Daniel Christoffersen, arm bevel, modern guitar

July 4, 2023/by

Brand New Rein RJN-3, Macassar Ebony/Port Orford Cedar

Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Rein, Thomas

Such a powerful example of modern lutherie. The voice of this brand new Rein RJN-3 is exceptionally clear and smooth, with a lovely balance across the registers. Port Orford Cedar top pairs with Macassar Ebony back and sides (with dramatic dark and light bands of alternating grain); Tom’s ingenious adjustable neck angle system; Mahogany neck with a generous C profile carve and EVO frets. The PO Cedar is french polished for maximum resonance, and elsewhere Tom used a catalyzed urethane finish for a bit extra protection. A glossy neck never felt so smooth! If you’re looking for a guitar that’s responsive to a T, and well adapted to a range of tunings, this Rein RJN-3 is the one for you.

Other keywords: rein guitars, lutherie, luthier, 295, cedar creek, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, chechen

July 4, 2023/by

2001 Antonio Marin Montero Bouchet, Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

Classical Guitars, Guitars, Instruments, Nylon String Guitars Montero, Antonio Marin

A Bouchet model from Antonio Marin Montero from 2001, decked out with Brazilian Rosewood and Spruce, makes for an impressive guitar indeed. This beauty has been lovingly played in, and is wide awake with over 20 years under its belt. Build weight is a slim 3.5lbs, with 650mm scale and 52mm nut. A slightly fuller neck profile feels lovely in hand, especially if you have larger hands, and the setup is right in the pocket to boot. French Polish finish throughout, from such a master as Marin Montero, is fantastically transparent and keeps the soundboard as light and resonant as possible.

Other keywords: lutherie, guitarbuilding, nylon string, concert classical, 334, andy jurik

July 4, 2023/by

1971 David Rubio Concert Classical, Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

Classical Guitars, Guitars, Instruments, Nylon String Guitars, Vintage Rubio Guitars

It’s such a pleasure to have a Concert Classical that’s been played on stage and resonating in the hearts of many an audience since 1971. This David Rubio, originally commissioned by Mike Caruso who has owned it all along, is a prime example of the special alchemy that occurs when a guitar is played in extensively: it is wide, wide awake. Excellent clarity and power across the range, with a crispness in the top end that projects very smoothly. Side dots are a visual creature comfort to aid in lefthand orienteering to boot! The body is classic Spruce over Brazilian Rosewood and weighs in under four pounds. 650mm scale and 52mm nut on a somewhat slender neck profile. This beauty has the marks of a professionally played and maintained instrument, and is in great working shape for its next owner.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, andy jurik, brazilain, humicase

July 4, 2023/by

2021 Solveig & Andreas Kirschner Double Top Classical, Indian Rosewood/Cedar

Classical Guitars, Guitars, Instruments, Nylon String Guitars S&A Kirschner

This 2021 Double Top Classical from Solveig & Andreas Kirschner, here with a short 640mm scale setup, combines power and warmth with an easy playability and featherweight construction. Built as a collaboration with the fine folx at Siccas Guitars, this Double Top boasts Cedar up top with Indian Rosewood back and sides, an elevated fingerboard, and gold Pagos tuners at the headstock. Weighing in just over three pounds, this Double Top is resonant and responsive in hand. We love the slight C shape to the Spanish Cedar neck (though we still consider the profile overall to be a D shape), and French Polish throughout.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, andy jurik, nylon string, siccas, s&a, bam, dt cedar

July 4, 2023/by

1998 Huss & Dalton D-RH, Indian Rosewood/Spruce

Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Huss & Dalton

The powerhouse duo of Jeff Huss and Mark Dalton came together a number of years ago, and have been providing lovely American instruments ever since. Here’s a great example of their D-RH model from 1998 with Indian Rosewood and Spruce, herringbone trim throughout, and Maple bindings to set off the Rosewood and Spruce. Our repair staff recently dressed the frets—this H&D plays like glass. Fear not! This Dreadnought is wid awake and raring to go.

Other keywords: lutherie, guitarbuilding, huss & dalton, tkl tweed, 109, bluegrass, dreadnaught

Click here for a recording with our own Nick Dauphinais!

July 4, 2023/by

1995 Humphrey Millennium Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

Classical Guitars, Guitars, Instruments, Nylon String Guitars Humphrey, Thomas

Here we’ve landed a great example of Thomas Humphrey’s Millenium design from 1995, rigged up with Brazilian Rosewood under Spruce, a 650mm scale, and 51mm nut. At the soundhole we have a flower mosaic rosette which offers some color, pairing nicely with the warmly aged surrounding Spruce. A full neck profile with a slight C shape, terminating at the body with the elevated fingerboard extension design ubiquitous to the Millenium. This beauty has been lovingly played in since 1995 and has the marks to prove it, and for us this helps explain the wide open, powerful voice—you only sound this good when you’ve had a lot of music pass through your strings.

Other keywords: millenium, tkl, andy jurik, fingerstyle

July 4, 2023/by

2005 Maingard OM, Brazilian Rosewood/Italian Spruce

Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Maingard, Marc

Built in 2005 and played in since then! Wide awake and raring to go. Ready for this Maingard OM? You’d better be. Dramatically figured Brazilian Rosewood back and sides (a classic Maingard move) pairs with Italian Spruce on top, a 25.4” scale, and slim build weight of four pounds for a lightweight, responsive, agile fingerstyle machine. The OM proportions also hold up well under a flatpick, but we had the most fun taking this one into fingerstyle territory with dropped tunings—hardly surprising, given the responsiveness across the range with this Maingard. Soundhole is ringed in with a zigzag rosette and at the headstock we have gold Waverly tuners plus another spot of dramatic BRW with the headplate veneer.
All told, this 2005 Maingard OM is a well-oiled machine. We’d recommend this one to, frankly, anyone.

Other keywords: south africa, lutherie, hiscox, brazilain, euro spruce, 195, fingerstyle

July 4, 2023/by

1995 Collings D3BaaaA, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

Default Category, Flattop, Guitars, Instruments, Steel String Guitars Collings Guitars

The D3 is one of Collings’ top of the line dreadnoughts, and this D3BaaaA comes upgraded with AAA Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Adirondack Spruce on top, and an intricate flowerpot rendered in Abalone to offset the gold Waverly tuners. Such a voice on this one! Expansive projection, very lively and articulate bottom end, plus trebles that cut right through the mix. Truly, playing this Collings give you the sensation of holding a living thing. Built in 1995, this D3BaaaA has opened up heaps in the intervening years; ready for more action. Additionally, this dreadnought comes wrapped up in a sturdy Calton flight case to keep it safe and sound.

Other keywords: bill collings, 1608, ’95, dreadnaught, brazilain, adriondack, bluegrass

July 4, 2023/by

2021 Pepe Romero Jr. Concert Classical, African Rosewood/Spruce

Classical Guitars, Guitars, Instruments, Nylon String Guitars Pepe Romero Jr

From famed luthier Pepe Romero Jr., we’ve got a 2021 Classical that’s raring to go. Gorgeous figured African Rosewood body with four piece back and Spruce on top, braced in the Rodriguez reverse fan style. 640mm scale and 51mm nut with a well rounded neck profile, plus a slim build weight at 3lbs 12oz. The African Rosewood has some lovely dark ink lines for a bit of drama, and Pepe’s excellent French Polish finish really makes it shine. The voice is made up of a great mixture of quick response and crisp string energy.

Here’s an additional performance video with Andy Jurik playing this instrument: https://youtu.be/_cEVHKLdfmE

Other keywords: andy jurik, lutherie, nylon string, hoffee, fingerstyle, 341

July 4, 2023/by Greg Sipes

2020 Delarue Concert Classical, Indian Rosewood/Spruce

Classical Guitars, Guitars, Instruments, Nylon String Guitars Dominique Delarue Guitars

Such a lovely example of modern French lutherie. The bar is set high with such work from Dominque Delarue! Straight-grain Indian Rosewood body with Spruce on top, 650mm scale and 51mm nut, and a slim play weight right at 4lbs—this Concert Classical feels natural and organic in hand, and responds handsomely to a wide range of attacks. The Spanish Cedar neck is carved out to a medium thickness throughout with a U-shaped profile, and the body is bound with Rosewood to match the headstock veneer and bridge. Gold Alessi tuners with Snakewood buttons are an added touch of elegance to go with Delarue’s intricately carved headstock, and at the soundhole we find a similarly intricate mosaic rosette with red purflings to spruce up the Spruce top, so to speak. Built in 2020 but already wide awake, expressive, and powerful.

Other keywords: andy jurik, fingerstyle, nylon string, 408, leona, French polish

July 4, 2023/by

2018 Francois Leonard Concert Classical, Maple/Spruce

Classical Guitars, Default Category, Guitars, Instruments, Nylon String Guitars Leonard, Francois

Featherweight build making for a powerful voice. Our 2018 Francois Leonard is a fantastic example of modern French lutherie with Flamed Maple back and sides plus Spruce on top, a 650mm setup, and 3.5lb build weight. Quick and lively voice with a bright, expressive string energy across the registers, thanks to a lattice bracing system and doubled sides, and Leonard’s masterful French Polish technique throughout to keep the tonewoods as light and resonant as possible.

Other keywords: andy jurik, fingerstyle, nylon string, fp, humicase, mosaic, marquetry

July 4, 2023/by

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Brand New Stötzel SJ, Wenge/German Spruce

2006 M.J. Franks Herringbone OMS, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

2020 Fender LTD American Professional Stratocaster, Desert Sand

2017 Martin D-28 Authentic 1937 Aged, Madagascar Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

2017 Nashville Guitar Company D-42, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

2016 Blazer & Henkes D-42, Brazilian Rosewood/Alpine Spruce

2013 Martin D-45 Custom Shop, Madagascar Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

2013 PRS Private Stock Cody Kilby, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

2014 Musselwhite Dreadnought, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

Brand New Klein 426, Myrtlewood/Torrefied Sitka

1995 Bown Baritone, Brazilian Rosewood/European Spruce

1998 Manuel Velazquez Concert Classical, Malaysian Blackwood/Spruce

2008 Simon Marty Concert Classical, Pardo/Spruce

Brand New Rein RJN-3, Macassar Ebony/Port Orford Cedar

2001 Antonio Marin Montero Bouchet, Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

1971 David Rubio Concert Classical, Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

2021 Solveig & Andreas Kirschner Double Top Classical, Indian Rosewood/Cedar

1998 Huss & Dalton D-RH, Indian Rosewood/Spruce

1995 Humphrey Millennium Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

2005 Maingard OM, Brazilian Rosewood/Italian Spruce

1995 Collings D3BaaaA, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

2021 Pepe Romero Jr. Concert Classical, African Rosewood/Spruce

2020 Delarue Concert Classical, Indian Rosewood/Spruce

2018 Francois Leonard Concert Classical, Maple/Spruce

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