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2007 McCollum Slope Dreadnought, Sapele/Adirondack Spruce

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The late, great Lance McCollum has left us with an impressive body of work from terz guitars to double necks, harp guitars to wonderful flattops like this Slope D from 2007 in Sapele and Adirondack Spruce. Build weight is a slim 4lbs 4oz, which makes for an easy playing experience, and Lance outfitted this number with a slim neck profile and slotted headstock veneered with more gorgeously figured Sapele, plus gold Gotoh tuners. Scale length is 25 3/4” for added tension, pop, and power—all of which this McCollum has in spades—and a 1 13/16” nut for a little extra lefthand room. Herringbone trim throughout, plus Maple bindings to contrast with the Sapele and Ady.

Other keywords: 312, lutherie, luthier, slope dreadnought, slope shoulder, allen shadd, flatpick, bluegrass, sapale, tonewood, adriondack

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2015 Huss & Dalton MJ Custom, Flame Mahogany/Bearclaw Sitka

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The must be doing something right over there in Staunton, Virginia. The Huss & Dalton team knocks it out of the park with this 2015 MJ Custom, dressed to the nines with a tuxedo-dark aesthetic. Flamed Mahogany body with Bearclaw Sitka on top, rope style appointments plus Koa bindings and pickguard—and rigged up with a K&K Pure Mini to boot. This big boy is actually a lightweight in hand at just under four pounds, and that translates into a lot of projection and power equally at home with flatpicks as fingertips.

Other keywords: fingerstyle, 4334, fingerpicking, tweed
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2013 Bourgeois Aged Tone D, Brazilian Rosewood/AT Adirondack

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A modern classic with prewar motifs: our 2013 Bourgeois Custom Aged Tone D. Upgraded with premium Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides and topped with a set of Dana’s finest Aged Tone torrefied Adirondack Spruce, this Dreadnought has a leg up over the competition right out of the gate. The voice is characterized by even response, a touch of extra sweetness in the mids, and enough projection under the hood to keep other players at a safe distance. Classic appointments include herringbone trim and a squared of headstock, plus Ivoroid bindings and a traditional-style belly bridge. Hide glue construction, plus a varnish finish, tie it all together, literally. And to boot, the neck is finished in satin for a lovely play feel.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, maine, bourgois, fingerstyle, 006410, waverly

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1992 Olson SJ Cutaway, Indian Rosewood/Cedar

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Here’s a special throwback for all you Olson fans. This beauty comes to us from 1992 with Indian Rosewood body and a Cedar top, florentine cutaway, and some lovely Abalone dove inlays along the fretboard to match the Abalone top trim and MOP rosette. We love how much this Olson has opened up; it’s got an incredible amount of projection and dynamic range, with good headroom for a flatpick, and also sensitive to a lighter fingerstyle approach as well.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 394

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Brand New Robbins R.1ca, Madagascar Rosewood/Italian Spruce

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Resonant magic. Here we have an exquisite example of Tyler Robbins’ formidable lutherie chops—this R.1ca is dressed to the nines with Madagascar Rosewood back and sides, Italian Spruce on top, and a one-of-a-kind appointment package with pearlescent resin inlays crossing from the headstock onto the fretboard, ringing in the soundhole, and setting off the Maddie back and sides with an interrupted backstrip.
Alas, this beauty has already flown onwards to its happy new home, but if you’re interested in snagging the next one coming down the line from Tyler let us know!

other keywords: 2201, 2022, calton, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, 13 fret

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Brand New Rein Concert Classical, Cocobolo/Swiss Moonspruce

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Thomas Rein is one of several of our builders who manages to thread the needle when it comes to building both steel string and nylon string instruments with equal skill. Accordingly, this brand new Concert Classical is fantastic: powerful, balanced, and elegant. Dark red Cocobolo body pairs with a Swiss Moonspruce top for lovely overtones and a chocolatey midrange, and Rein adds a slightly elevated fingerboard as well. 650mm scale on a Spanish Cedar neck feels velvet smooth to the touch—indeed, Tom used a sturdy Catalyzed Urethane finish for the body and neck that’s glass-smooth to the touch, while saving French Polish for the top to maximize resonance. The bridge and headstock veneer are both Brazilian Rosewood for an added touch of class.

Other keywords: 273, nylon string, andy jurik, fingerstyle, 2016, humicase, 52mm, gotoh

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2019 Kostal OMC, Amazon Rosewood/German Spruce

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Here we’ve landed a Kostal OMC from 2019 which is begging for action. Amazon Rosewood body with chocolate-dark coloration like primo old-growth BRW; German Spruce on top with one of Jason’s famous stained glass rosettes. At the headstock we find his two-tone headplate design rendered with Ebony and Rosewood and outfitted with Gotoh 510 tuners, plus a scalloped nut. 14 frets to the body with a florentine cutaway and a 25” scale makes for an effortless playing experience that’s loose enough for some bends but still crisp and punchy. The trebles have a quick and lively quality that really sings out, especially in lowered tunings.

Other keywords: jason kostal guitars, lutherie, luthier, 164, hoffee, modern fingerstyle, stained glass rosette, somogyi, finger style, fingerpicking

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2019 Matsuda M1, Cocobolo/Italian Spruce

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Michi Matsuda makes another dream come true with this 2019 M1. Cocobolo back and sides with rich ruddy reds, paired with Italian Spruce on top in a tasteful sunburst—then a splash of pearl inlaid at treble upper bout, add a voluptuously carved heel, and cap it all off with Larry Robinson maple leaf inlays along the fretboard. This M1 is dressed to the nines, and on the tone front it goes all the way to 11. The body is roughly an OM in proportion (15 5/8” across the lower bout), here with a 25 1/4” scale and 1 3/4” nut on a darkly toned Mahogany neck. Setup is effortless, and with a build weight of five pounds this Matsuda M1 feels solid and very real in hand.
A work of art from 2019 that is already fantastically wide awake: Matsuda M1 #119.

Other keywords: lutherie, ervin somogyi, somogyi, fingerstyle, flattop, brazilain, gotoh, scalloped nut, om, cedar creek

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2014 PRS Tonare Grande, The Tree Mahogany/Adirondack Spruce

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There’s Private Stock, and then there’s Private Stock. This 2014 Tonare Grande is what happens when all the stops are pulled. The Tree Mahogany body with Red Spruce on top for starters, and then the Private Stock team outfitted it with a tree of life and celtic knot motif in premium materials ranging from 14K gold to several species of Abalone and even Red Coral. The result is perfectly balanced against such gorgeous tonewoods for an awe-inspiring viewing experience. On the acoustic front, this PRS has a unique blend of warmth in the mids and dry, quick trebles that really sings out when you lean in with a more aggressive attack. PRS’s proprietary PRS Acoustic Pickup System carries all that faithfully onto the stage.

Here’s an additional fingerstyle and tapping demo with our own Billy Presnell: https://youtu.be/NAN_1pLMpWQ.

other keywords: prs guitars, custom guitar, paul reed smith, a141319, figured, bespoke, grand auditorium, ameritage

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2011 PRS Tonare Grande Private Stock, Indian Rosewood/European Spruce

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2011 PRS Private Stock, anyone? We’ve got a livewire Tonare Grande in the shop that’s ready for more action. Fantastically figured Indian Rosewood back and sides pair up with European Spruce on top, sparkling Abalone appointments, and the PRS Wide neck carve for a powerhouse playing experience that’s as easy on the eyes as it is the ears. Figured Koa bindings at the body, neck, and headstock tie it all together, plus the trademark PRS bird inlays soaring along the fretboard.

Here’s an additional demo with our own Billy Presnell: https://youtu.be/MwLHl9uk20A.

Check out another video with Al Petteway: https://youtu.be/Tk71F0y1AA8

other keywords: prs guitars, custom guitar, paul reed smith, A11-0599, figured, bespoke, grand auditorium, ameritage

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1998 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar

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A powerhouse SJ from the one and only Jim Olson that’s opened up handsomely since 1998—spruced up with a tree of life vine inlay and an effortless setup. Straight-grain Indian Rosewood with Cedar and Jim’s five-play neck; additional Pearl trim to make it pop; and tortoise-style bindings for a bit of a vintage nod. This Olson sounds, frankly, gorgeous. The treble overtones are powerful and articulate in particular, and the voice overall has incredible balance across the registers.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 745

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2008 Froggy Bottom H12 Deluxe, Madagascar/Adirondack Spruce

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This one’s wide awake and ready for more: our 2008 Froggy Bottom H12 Deluxe. Gorgeous Madagascar Rosewood body with dramatic ink lines and grain, an Adirondack Spruce top that’s opened up handsomely since ’08, and a 12-fret, 25” scale setup that mixes up great across the registers for both fingerstyle and flatpicking. One of those Froggy Bottoms that does it all, and does it all exceedingly well!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, michael millard, fingerpicking, guitar, adriondack, waverly, tkl avs, h1249

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2014 Lowden F-35, Koa/Redwood

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Today’s Lowden of choice is our 2014 F-35 decked out in Koa and Redwood with Maple bindings. And what a powerhouse it is! This one’s wide awake and as easy on the hands as it is on the eyes. Effortless setup for fingerstyle or flatpicking, and Lowden’s F body for added depth and projection without going full tilt jumbo—this F-35 strikes all the balances. We’ve got this one outfitted with an L.R. Baggs Lyric pickup system to carry you faithfully right onto the stage, and a Hiscox case to keep it safe in the meantime. Snag it while we’ve got it!

Other keywords: 18621, fingerstyle, F35, F35, lowdon, hiscox, red wood, fingerpicking,
abalane

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1995 Olson Parlor, Brazilian Rosewood/German Spruce

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This is a special treat for all you Olson fans! Jim only ever built about 11 Parlors, and has stated several times that he won’t ever build any more—and this is the only example we know of with both a Brazilian Rosewood body and a florentine cutaway. German Spruce on top, plus the tree of life fretboard plus headplate inlays, further set it apart. This is a powerful, punch-above-its-weight Parlor with a wide, wide open voice and easy playability. 25.4” scale with a 12 fret neck for that sweet spot between power and warmth, and the right amount of round pop to the trebles in true Parlor style. This one’s been played in since 1995, originally owned by Nashville Hall of Fame singer-songwriter Pat Alger to make sure it’s opened up handsomely, and also comes with a dual source Fishman pickup plus Fishman Pocket Box external preamp which sounds gorgeous and accurate right out of the gate.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 582

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2002 Steve Grimes Nylon Cutaway, Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

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Hawaii-based luthier Steve Grimes knows how to make nylon string sing. This 2002 Cutaway model is a lovely number dressed up with Brazilian Rosewood and Spruce, Koa bindings, and a tasty Abalone palm tree inlaid at the 12th fret—plus the aforementioned cutaway for better access to those dusty top frets. Blue purflings set off the amber colors of the top and Koa bindings, and add a bright spice to the overall aesthetic. Combined with an elliptical rosette of Koa, and this Grimes Nylon String Cutaway stands apart from the crowd in all the right ways.

Other keywords: fingerstyle, crossover guitar, andy jurik, 0667, ameritage, flamed, side dots

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Brand New Robbins R.1c, Chechen/Italian Spruce

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Brand new! And already sold to boot. We simply can’t keep Tyler’s guitars in the shop for longer than it takes to shoot a demo and some photos. This Robbins R.1c is decked out with Chechen back and sides, Italian Spruce on top, and a unique aesthetic package with hexagonal motifs and an arm bevel. 15 7/8” across the lower bout makes this a Grand Auditorium in size, and with the addition of that arm bevel it remains an effortless player. Yes, this beauty is already gone. But the next Robbins will be coming soon! Give us a shout if you would like to be notified when it becomes available.

Other keywords: lutherie, inlay, luthier, guidry, galloup, resin, fingerstyyle, caltan, gotoh, cutaway, 2106, 2021, calton

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2020 Buscarino Cabaret Crossover, Indian Rosewood/Carpathian Spruce

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Anyone fancy a like new 2020 Cabaret from our own John Buscarino? We thought so! John’s nylon crossover is an exercise in effortless playability and powerful projection, thanks to creature comforts in the form of cutaway, soundport, and radiused fretboard, plus a carved Indian Rosewood back to add interior space and projection. The Carpathian Spruce top is trimmed out with lovely Curly Koa, and at the headstock we find a smooth-turning set of Schaller tuners with Snakewood buttons. The bridge and headplate veneer are upgraded with Brazilian Rosewood, and John adorned the soundhole with one of his intertwining ribbon-style rosettes that’s just stunning. Plus this beauty is rigged up with a James May Ultra Tonic to carry you faithfully on to the stage.

Other keywords: xover, classical guitar, nylon-string, fingerstyle, crossover guitar, bn05126020

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1979 Gibson Flying V2, Walnut & Maple

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The iconic Gibson Flying V—here in its rare V2 form, made only 1979-1982. The V2 was engineered by Tim Shaw to add a sculpted, three dimensional effect to the classic V shape, as well as his unique boomerang humbuckers. This one from 1979 plays handsome as butter with a fretless wonder setup, and comes wrapped in it’s original case to boot.

Other keywords: 72869077, blues guitar, v 2, electric, duane simpson, schaller

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2008 Mustapick OM Multiscale, Brazilian Rosewood/Bearclaw Spruce

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Matt Mustapick’s work with multiscale designs have yielded some incredible results, like this wonderchild OM from 2008. Gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pair up Bearclaw Spruce plus Cocobolo appointments throughout. Koa bindings transition gracefully into a Ryan-style arm bevel on top, and match up with the rosette and fingerboard bindings. Tonally, this Mustapick has a great dynamic range and a wide color palette from solid, powerful trebles to a warm and intimately expressive bottom end. The multiscale range offers a spread from 26 1/4” at the bass to 25 1/2” at the trebles, perfect for Standard, DADGAD, C9, and beyond.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, kevin ryan, fan fret, fanned fret, multi scale, multi-scale, 57, cedar creek

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2007 Martin D-18 Shade Top, Quilted Mahogany/Spruce

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We’ve landed a Martin D-18 Custom Shop from 2007 that’s wide awake and raring to go—and dressed up for a night on the town to boot. A lovely shade top finish on top adds drama to the Spruce, and pairs up handsomely with Rosewood bondings and lovely Quilted Mahogany back and sides. Nickel Waverly tuners feel fondly familiar in hand, as does the soft V neck and 1 3/4” nut plus 2 5/16” saddle spacing. The voice has great balance across the registers, and frankly holds up quite well for fingerpicking when you aren’t leaning in with a flatpick (which of course it handles with aplomb). Well cared for and in great playing shape—nab it while you can!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, c.f. martin, martin guitars, 1236435, dreadnaught, dread, tkl, allen shadd, sunburst, tobacco burst

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2002 Martin D-45V, Indian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce

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Here we’ve landed a 2002 Martin D-45V that’s wide open! And beautiful to boot. Indian Rosewood back and sides pair up with Sitka Spruce and feature a lovely 45-style treatment in Abalone along the entire instrument. Snowflakes & diamonds along the fretboard, plus the rosette and even the bridge pins (and the end pin!). V neck with 1 11/16” nut for easy lefthand work, plus a solid setup with great break angle at the through saddle for easy playing and powerful response. Snag this Martin D-45 Vintage Series before it’s gone, baby gone!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, c.f. martin, martin guitars, 846962, 45 style, dreadnaught, dread, vintage series

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2001 Sobell Model 1, Cocobolo/German Spruce

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Stefan Sobell’s Model 1 design is a fantastic example of a desert island guitar: it handles a wide range of musics, can be played hard or soft, and projects powerfully without being a full tilt jumbo guitar. This particular example from 2001 is proof of all that and more, here decked out with a three-piece Cocobolo back and German Spruce top, crows’ feet appointments, and a slinky low setup that’s effortless under your fingers. A Highlander IP-1 pickup will take you right up to the stage, and a Calton flight case will keep this Sobell safe and sound on those rare moments you aren’t playing it. Built in 2001, this Model 1 has had some good playing time under its belt and is oh. so. wide open.

Here’s an additional demo from Al the last time we visited with this beauty: https://youtu.be/NAOsg2BBweo

Other keywords: finger style, fingerpicking, crow’s feet, crow’s foot, purfling, lutherie, luthier, 3201, cocabolo, rosewood, nk forster

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Brand New Pogreba Resonator, Aluminum

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Montana’s one and only Larry Pogreba brings us a lovely number in cobalt blue that’s an effortless player, souped up with a Tiesco pickup and ’55 Oldsmobile hubcap resonator cover, and a handcrafted Mokume-gane tailpiece comprised of over 40 layers of brass, bronze, and copper. Plus the case comes as the best of Larry’s stock! (It’s got a Cadillac hubcap added to the lid).

Other keywords: resanator, tiesco, blues guitar, burl, burl wood, al petteway

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2009 Lowden O-35c, Indian Rosewood/Spruce

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Now here’s a big box that knows how to fill a room! We love Lowden’s O body size for its power, but also the balance and clarity that George’s team coaxes out of the braces. This O-35c from 2009 is decked out with Indian Rosewood back and sides and a Spruce top that’s opened up nicely in the intervening years—but this beauty has been very well-cared for so it’s looking pretty damn minty. Figured Maple bindings round out the understated aesthetic, plus an Abalone rosette to ring it all in.

Other keywords: 15687, fingerstyle, 0-35c, o35c, lowdon, hiscox

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Showroom (by appointment only):

108 Monticello Road, Suite 400,
Weaverville NC, 28787

Store Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm EST

Contact Us
Make an Appointment

ABOUT

COMMUNITY

POLICIES

EDUCATION