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A dream machine if ever we’ve seen. Our latest Musser build is a powerful SJ in the spirit of Gibson’s slope shoulder, but here with Don’s own aesthetic touches, and of course premium tonewoods. The back and sides are figured The Tree Mahogany, with a Colorado Engelmann Spruce top. Spanish Cedar neck plus Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge (ditto for the headstock veneer, bindings, and heelcap + end graft). The voice works for just about everything, from fingers to picks, and does so with a crisp and well defined and balanced response.

Other keywords: fingerstyle, small jumbo, 366, dreadnaught, allen shadd, al petteway

Limited to only three pieces, the Ltd. WS Concert “Birds” combines the warm, nuanced sound of Rainsong’s Unidirectional Carbon Fiber top with a stunning appearance unique to each guitar. A custom “Birds” motif covers the entire instrument, and a K&K Pure Mini pickup is included.

Every Concert Series guitar is equipped with a unidirectional carbon top. While that sounds like science lab stuff – and it is – what results is the thinnest, lightest tops we make.

Jim Redgate is phenomenal, hands down. This 2016 Lattice model is no less than stunning–Brazilian Rosewood body with an arched back, thin and responsive Cedar top, plus arm rest, and an almost frightening amount of projection, without sacrificing sweetness.

Other keywords: ana vidovic, fingerstyle, andy jurik

Amazing. This is among the rarest, and finest, Gibson mandolins we’ve had the pleasure of hosting: a 1923 F-5 Lloyd Loar. All original, right down to the virzi inside, and still in great playing shape today, 100 years later. That in itself is amazing–this beauty is still going strong! This ’23 Loar comes to us with serial number 72857, carved body of Maple body with Spruce top, light sunburst finish, smooth tuner operation and weighs in just over two pounds.

The Loar era has forever changed the definition of the American mandolin, and here we have a pristine example of his early magic that’s inspired so many generations of builders and players.

Check out this link through Mandolin Central to learn more about the provenance of this piece of Gibson history: http://www.mandolincentral.com/lloyd-loar-mandolin-zeibarth

Other keywords: loyd, f5, f 5, verzi, drew matulich, f-style

The 000-28 Eric Clapton model is one of Martin’s all-time bestselling signature models. But how much better to have the Brazilian Rosewood version! Here we’ve got one such 000-28ECB, number 49 of an exclusive 500 built in 2002. Sitka Spruce on top, 28-style herringbone appointments rendered with MOP at the rosette, plus diamonds & squares position markers.

Other keywords: signature guitar, brazilain, adriondack, 873920, fingerpicking

Here we’ve got the Preston Thompson team firing on all cylinders. This 2022 DSBA is a force to be reckoned with, stocked with premium Shipwreck Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce, a light burst top, 42-style Abalone trim, and Ivoroid pickguard to stand out from the crowd. Their take on the classic diamonds & squares position markers is a modern, understated aesthetic–gorgeous–and pairs up nicely with the silvery headstock inlays.

Other keywords: dreadnaught, allen shadd, flatpicking, blue grass, 1870, brazilain, adriondack

Here we’ve landed a wide awake and expressive Redgate from 1996! Brazilian Rosewood body (with arched back) and Cedar top, lattice braced, 650mm scale, and the play marks to show for hundreds of hours of play time. The voice is expressive and clear, and the setup is extra dial-in-able with the inclusion of an adjustable truss rod. Slightly slender neck profile with a flattened U shape; original hardshell case plus case cover.

Other keywords: andy jurik, fingerstyle, concert classical, brazilain

Gone before we could even list it! Jim Merrill packs a punch with this 2010 C-18 Dread. Mahogany and Adirondack, quick and punchy and lively, plays like so much butter–it’s like it’s living and breathing in your arms. Jim’s approach is to recreate the prewar ideals in modern form, and to that end we’ve got Adirondack Spruce on top, 18-style appointments, and a sub-four pounds playing weight. This cannon sings.

Other keywords: allen shadd, bluegrass, dreadnaught, hog/adi, pre-war, 1937, 384

What better way to celebrate 150 years in the field than with their flagship D-28? Martin nailed it with the 150th Anniversary D-28 model in 1983. This example features Sitka Spruce on top, Brazilian Rosewood body, and a slim V neck with 1 11/16″ nut on an unbound fingerboard. Great setup for both heavier Bluegrass attack and a lighter touch, an overall well-preserved example of Martin carrying the torch in the 1980s.

Other keywords: lutherie, brazilain, stika, allen shadd, blue grass, 445020

A premium example of German lutherie duo Blazer & Henkes–this 1999 Déjà-Vu Phoenix D-45 is as stunning to the ears as it is to the eyes. Straight grained and light-colored Brazilian Rosewood back and sides is set up with a tight-grained Alpine Spruce top; extensive 45-style Abalone appointments throughout–and a fantastically wide open and colorful voice. This instrument sings with every single note. The neck has just a touch more girth for that proper prewar hard V profile (feels great), and the setup is, frankly, perfect. Fine finish checking only adds to the impression that this is a prewar powerhouse.

Other keywords: brazilain, b&h, will saylor, dreadnaught, dreadnought, bluegrass

Don Musser nails it again with The Tree Mahogany and Engelmann Spruce. This our latest OM is a stunner for both eyes and ears! Striking figure in the Tree body, plus flamed Bigleaf Maple bindings, and dressed up with some sparkling, extra green Abalone trim and rosette.

Other keywords: lutherie, bespoke guitar, fingerstyle, orchestra model

This Collings D2H MRA comes to us from 2010 with some good music already under its belt, and a hungry eye for more tunes to consume. Madagascar Rosewood body with Adirondack Spruce top and herringbone trim, Ivoroid bindings, Waverly tuners, and a hard V neck profile that will feel right at home for many a bluegrasser. Additionally, we’ve got a K&K Pure Mini pickup installed that’s ready to go, and all of this comes wrapped up in a Collings TKL case with green interior.

Other keywords: blue grass, dreadnaught, allen shadd, flatpicking

Tyler Wells of LHT Guitars’ Cadenza model is a nod to the more traditional proportions of the classic archtop, while still maintaining a very modern and fresh aesthetic and ergononics. This 2022 build is like new, dressed with a rose burl appointment package and finish for the Flame Maple body and Spruce top, understated white-black-white purflings, and Kent Armstrong humbucker. Unlike his other offerings, this guitar features a non-multiscale fingerboard, with 25″ scale and 1.75″ nut. Comes wrapped in a Hoffee fiberglass flight case.

Other keywords: fingerstyle, duane simpson, ken armstrong, 4006

The Kenny Hill Master Series are serious instruments. This Fleta model from 2007 is no exception–premium figured Brazilian Rosewood back and sides plus European Spruce top, French Polished, lightweight and responsive. Moreover, this features an adjustable truss rod in its Spanish Cedar neck, 650mm scale, and a sweetly opened up and expressive voice.

Other keywords: lutherie, concert classical, andy jurik, 2596, brazilain

Here we find ourselves with David LaPlante’s 40th Anniversary Classical, built in 2006 with old growth Brazilian Rosewood body and Italian Alpine Spruce top. An interweaving mosaic and chevron center at the headstock offer an intricate aesthetic to complement such premium tonewoods. Tuners are Landstorfers with MOP buttons; 650mm scale but a 49mm nut width and slender neck profile for an extra comfortable playing experience.

Other keywords: lutherie, andy jurik, fingerstyle, concert classical, 85, brazilain, italian spruce

Paul McGill’s Concert Classical number 160 comes to us from 1995 but has been well preserved and is in excellent condition. Indian Rosewood body with Spruce top, 650mm scale, six hole tieblock with a drop in saddle, and a slim playing weight of 3.5lbs. Additionally, the fingerboard features subtle side dots at the 5th, 7th, and 9th frets for easier lefthand orienteering.

Other keywords: lutherie, andy jurik, fingerstyle, mcgill guitars, tkl

We’re huge fans of Preston Thompson Guitars over here, ditto for Jake Workman of Skaggs’ Kentucky Thunder fame, so when those two came together you know the result is going to be special. In 2017 Jake spec’d this model out with Thompson’s Shipwreck stash of Brazilian Rosewood (basically unavailable today) and some tight-grained Adirondack Spruce on top, then combined that with a hybrid of 21 and 18-style appointments. K&K Trinity dual source pickup system and EVO frets are the icing on the cake. Moreso, the PKT team built this beau with a slender play weight which makes the guitar feel extra alive and singing in your hands. Add to that a fast neck and great setup, and this PKT DBA-JW is one of those rare guitars that can immediately take you out of yourself to get lost in the music.

Here’s an additional demo video with Dustin Furlow: https://youtu.be/XNJbnH-nBE4

Other keywords: lutherie, brazilain, adriondack, 1346, signature model, waverly

Simon Fay’s Model One perfectly fills the niche for a flattop that does it all, very well, and plays easy at the same time. This 2015 is the proof in the pudding: chocolate-rich, fantastically balanced, and effortlessly playable. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with Adirondack Spruce on top, subtle arm bevel, and a unique panel-shaped soundport next to the heel. A tiled rosette matches the headstock veneer and Alessi tuners.

Other keywords: fingerstyle, om, may, brazilain, adriondack

Tyler Wells continues to impress! This is the latest model we’ve had the pleasure of offering here at the shop, and we’re frankly on the fence about selling it at all–we just want this one for ourselves. The LHT Fifth is a thin hollowbody with offset F holes/integrated soundports, finished with a hot-under-the-collar black and red sunburst, and simply wired with a Righteous Sounds humbucker. It’s the little details that set this LHT apart from the rest, like the bridge carve with added mass on the bass side, the flawless fit and finish, and most importantly volume and tone knobs that go to eleven. Figured Maple back and sides against a Sitka Spruce top; Mahogany neck plus 24 fret Ebony fingerboard; and a little over five pounds soaking wet.

Other keywords: lutherie, ribbecke, duane simpson, fingerstyle, single cut, crossrock, 5001

Mark Blanchard’s Bristlecone is one of those models that always feels comfortable, and always sounds great. This 2008 Bristlecone is no less than any of that! Carpathian Spruce top with Mahogany back and sides offers a crisp voice with great transparancy and clarity across the registers; ergonomics include a venetian cutaway and a Manzer body wedge. A K&K Pure Mini pickup has been installed (sounds fantastic), ditto for gold EVO frets and a strap button.

Other keywords: lutherie, fingerstyle, blanchard guitars, 10-07

The Froggy Bottom team definitely knows how to make a jumbo sing! This Model K Deluxe comes to us from 2005 with 5A Brazilian Rosewood back and sides plus Adirondack Spruce on top, Curly Maple bindings, and a tasteful hawk scrimshawed into the heelcap. 1 3/4″ at the nut with a slightly slender neck profile; K&K Pure Mini pickup installed–and all of this comes wrapped up in a custom Hoffee flight case. The position markers are fleur de lis style, rendered in sparkling Abalone that matches the ubiquitous Froggy frog at the headstock (bound to match the body bindings). Gold Waverly tuners round it out.

Here’s an additional video performance with Dustin Furlow playing this Froggy Bottom Model K!: https://youtu.be/vKhVQt7HwHw

Other keywords: millard, fingerstyle, brazilain, adriondack, k & k, braz, mop, k1008

Rainsong’s PA model combines a traditional, compact parlor shape with a modern Venetian cutaway for a perfectly proportioned, intimate playing experience. Though a little guitar, it packs a full, bright sound with RainSong’s trademark depth. With this custom build, they’ve gone two steps further by combining a nylon string setup with their Soundboard Fusion Technology (SFT) Cedar/Carbon Fiber hybrid top. Add an L.R. Baggs StagePro Element pickup system and you’ve got a custom Rainsong for all applications.

Other keywords: fingerstyle, nylon-string, classical crossover,

We’ve had a blast every time we’ve seen one of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Signature Martins—they really pull out all the stops. This particular beauty from 2013 is part of the Madagascar Rosewood 45 series, second only to the rare BRW 000-45EC. Madagascar can match Brazilian for glassy definition and resonance, and this set doesn’t disappoint in the least. Adirondack Spruce on top (a nod to the holy grail 000; ditto for hide glue construction), snowflake inlays, and custom Clapton crossroads symbol flanking the saddle on either bridge wing. This one’s in great shape, and currently has a pickup jack installed (the previous pickup was removed), and comes wrapped in the custom Crossroads TKL case.

This Traugott R Cutaway has opened up handsomely since 2013–and we suspect it was already a showstopper at day one. Wide dynamic range, a very textured voice that also manages to remain crisp and clear. A fingerstylist’s dream. The German Spruce top has been dressed up with a sparkling Abalone top border and rosette, plus BRW bridge, and the back and sides come from one of Jeff’s brick-red and straight grain sets of Brazilian Rosewood.

Other keywords: lutherie, fingerpicking, brazilain, r-000-206-013