This 2016 Bourgeois D Custom stands out from the pack with a sick Redwood top and Cocobolo body, figured Koa bindings, Ziricote bridge and fingerboard. Excellent playing shape, ready for more action, and outfitted with an L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup to carry you into amplified territory with ease.
Other keywords: will saylor, dana bourgeois, bourgeoius, dreadnought, dreadnaught, red wood, 007459
Take a great dreadnought and add time, and you get a power player like this 2008 Santa Cruz Tony Rice Pro. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with European Spruce top and enlarged soundhole, 25.25″ scale, herringbone appointments, and a slender neck plus 1 11/16″ nut width. The voice is quick and crisp, mixes up great across the registers, and has heads of headroom. This particular SCGC TR Professional was customized with Adirondack Spruce bracing and hide glue construction, plus nickel Waverly tuners. This guitar was originally spec’d out with a Brazilian Rosewood set from then production manager Dan Roberts, and the top is french polished. This beauty came about no longer after Tony’s personal guitar was built in 2007.
Other keywords: richard hoover, dreadnaught, bluegrass, 5577rp, brazilain
Classy, glassy, and effortlessly playable. This 2022 Å-OM from Ted Åstrand is a treasure of modern lutherie. Not only is it outfitted with some of the world’s best tonewoods, Brazilian Rosewood and Swiss Moonspruce, it’s further appointed with a fresh, clean green-hued aesthetic and silky play feel for a unique guitar experience, both in hand and for the eyes. Satin finish on a Mahogany neck, high gloss nitrocellulose elsewhere; gold EVO frets set off the Ebony fingerboard perfectly. There are understated green purflings throughout the trim package, as well as at the side dots, and for the back plate of the headstock Ted opted for a matching green veneer which creates an exciting contrast with the gold Rodgers tuners. Just above the fingerboard extension, two parrots are inlaid with simple MOP This comes to us as a The North American Guitar build.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, åstrand guitars, astrand, fingerstyle, brazilain, bespoke, 57
Wide open, singing all the way to the back of the music hall, and looking the part of the road worn and road tested. This 2016 Slope Shoulder from the Pre-War Guitar Co. is exciting, easy to play, and just plain old fun. Mahogany back and sides with Torrefied Adirondack Spruce top, nitro finish, and a level three distress job to make it look the part of a proper vintage piece–add a round C neck and slim weight (under four pounds), and you’ve got a livewire itching to go.
Other keywords: allen shadd, fingerpicking, dreadnought, dreadnaught, shade top, sunburst, sun burst, 66002, relic’d
Here’s something you don’t see every day. This is one of the exclusive run of 100 limited edition guitars that Martin built in 1997 to commemmorate Mr. Blue Yodel himself, the one and only Jimmie Rodgers–number seven of that exclusive 100, in fact. Martin has recreated Rodgers’ 1928 000-45 that he custom ordered, right down to “Blue Yodel” and “Jimmie Rodgers” inlaid along the fingerboard and headplate, and of course Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and Adirondack Spruce on top. The pearl work is exquisite throughout! The only modern touch is the inclusion of an adjustable truss rod in the neck. Otherwise, this is old school through and through.
Other keywords: signature guitar, fingerstyle, ooo, 45-style, brazilain, adriondack
A modern rendition of a vintage classic. We’re stoked to have this powerhouse D-18 from Japanese luthier Hiroshi Suda—Honduran Mahogany with Adirondack Spruce, 18-style appointments, and an immediately vibrant and expressive voice. What’s not to like? The neck profile is just a touch fuller than average, which totally fits the vintage inspiration, and the overall build weight is a svelte 4lbs 3oz, making this 2016 Suda D-18 exceedingly comfortable to play. It’s incredible to hear how wide open the Adi top sounds after just a few years, and we can only imagine the heights its bound for in the future.
Other keywords: al petteway, allen shadd, d18, kenny smith, bluegrass, dreadnought, dreadnaught
One of those rare instruments that does it all so well, this 2000 Model R from Jeff Traugott excels on all metrics. Smooth playability and neck profile, premium tonewoods, wide awake voice with a dancer’s balance and a mathematician’s precision–the question is, how do you get anything else done with this beauty in your life? Those aforementioned tonewoods are Jeff’s classic combination of Brazilian Rosewood and German Spruce, but here we have the added distinction of a set of his coveted Kentucky Stash Brazilian Rosewood. It’s brick red, straight grained, and offers glassy clarity and depth in a lightweight playing package.
Seriously, we tried to make bad music with this Model R. Couldn’t do it. Even the wrong notes sang out right.
Here’s an additional video featuring Al Petteway with this 2000 Traugott Model R: https://youtu.be/8WsBowddLOg
Other keywords: traugott guitars, fingerstyle, brazilain, kentucky brazilian, r.000.83.110, calton
Balanced power. This 2018 Lowden Baritone is one of George’s BAR-50 F/F models, boasting an expansive multiscale fan fret setup of 28 inches down the 26 3/8 inches. The result is lots of power on the bottom end, but sweetness and easy playability on the top–the best of both worlds for a baritone. Moreover, the Lowden team upfitted this model with master grade African Blackwood back and sides and master grade Adirondack Spruce, which is one of our alltime favorite tonewood combinations. The result is glassy note definition and lots of power. The body is tied up with Tasmanian Blackwood everywhere for a striking look. Satin finish throughout for excellent neck feel, and a body that won’t blind your audience under the glare of the bright lights.
Other keywords: lutherie, lowden guitars, bartione, 22386, fingerstyle, ameritage
Dontcho Ivanov spares no detail with this brand new 00 in Koa and Cedar. Fit and finish is flawless, rendered in high gloss to best show off the flame figuring on the Koa back and sides, as well as the rich Red Cedar top. Lacewood trim sets off those woods perfectly. The 00 body is paired with a 12-fret neck and 25″ scale for sweetness and warmth, with a lively and energetic response. In a word, very fun! And it’s the little things that really set this one apart for us. Dontcho carves his headstock plates with a unique relief, and at the wings of the bridge you’ll find a similar treatment.
Here’s an additional video of this beautiful Koa and Cedar Ivanov 00 in action!: https://youtu.be/niKTN7sPCZY
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, 42, ivanov guitars, oo, parlour
This 2009 Charis SJ is the one for you, if what you’re looking for includes the following: note separation, powerful bass, expressive mids under bell-like trebles, player ergonomics, as well as premium tonewoods. Bill Wise built this beauty with African Blackwood back and sides, Engelmann Spruce on top, and then went one step further by adding a soundport to the upper bout and an arm bevel at the lower (and even a second bevel at the back waist). Combined with his slim neck profile, the result is an exercise in effortless playability. All of this comes wrapped up in a custom Calton flight case to keep things safe and sound.
Other keywords: charis acoustics, 226, abw, englemann
For one of the last guitars Manuel Rodriguez Sr. ever built, of course he went for the good stuff. The back and sides on this 2005 Concert Classical are wildly colorful and figured Brazilian Rosewood, and on top he opted for a set of tight-grained Alaskan Cedar. There are extensive chevron trim inlays along the top and body, as well as the back of the neck, plus Ebony bindings and Rosewood fingerboard. 650mm scale with a slightly curved neck profile that feels more modern than the traditional U shape; and is very comfortable in hand. Build weight is right at four pounds! The Honduran Cedar neck certainly helps out there. Gold Gotoh tuners with pearloid buttons and a high gloss finish throughout.
Other keywords: david stevenson, rodriguez guitar, 799, brazilain, red cedar, fingerstyle
A knockout D-28 from inimitable lutherie duo Blazer & Henkes. This 2014 build is like a complete meal: balanced, full, and a great talker. The voice is wide awake, with a particularly expansive midrange that very much fills it out. Superb. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Austrian Alpine Moonspruce top, Honduran Mahogany neck, and all of this comes as a rendition of the classic Martin 1937 D-28.
Other keywords: b&h, tkl, herringbone, allen shadd, brazilain, moon spruce
Sweet and expressive, with understated appointments, this 2014 Blazer & Henkes OM-28 is an absolute gem. The voice has lots of headroom, and is sensitive for fingerstyle play but has enough snap and projection for flatpicking as well. Truly, a does-it-all kind of guitar. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pair with Austrian Alpine Moonspruce on top, and the 28-style appointments are based on the 1932 Martin original. The Spanish Cedar neck has a full soft V profile that is immediately comfortable for the left hand, and overall this B&H OM-28 weighs in under four pounds! And all that lightweight translates into added responsiveness and power.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, wilm, brazilain, brw, fingerpicking, orchestra model, 28 style
Mario Beauregard’s crossover guitars are perfect, if you’re looking for a lightweight, responsive, stage ready instrument that practically plays itself. This beauty was built between 2008 and 2011 with a carved Indian Rosewood back, Spruce top, and a dual source K&K pickup system (combining a Pure Classic with a FanTaStick UST). This Beauregard MB Nylon Jazz weighs in right at four pounds, has a slightly radiused fingerboard and semi-hemispherical fret ends (plus side dots) for ergonomics, and a smart venetian cutaway to maximize fretboard access to the highest notes. This guitar is for the serious gigging musician, or frankly anyone who just wants an effortless nylon string playing experience.
Other keywords: lutherie, beauregard guitars, fingerstyle, andy jurik
Additional demo: https://youtu.be/xbeum-X2l38
This 2013 Doerr Legacy Select is one smooth operator. Indian Rosewood body with Cedar top, a subtle arm bevel for added playing ease, and a slim neck profile to complete the picture. Dark Abalone trims out the top and the rosette, and adds some pop to the sharp aesthetic. The voice is crisp and quick, with a round midrange that is excellent for fingerstyle. With a 15 5/8″ lower bout, this Doerr Legacy Select also has enough headroom for some flatpicking and strumming as well. This beauty was Plek’d in 2020, and the frets are still looking perfect today.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, tom doerr, ls130396, fingerpicking, ir, red cedar, gator
The latest Model F to come our way does so with an understated but engaging aesthetic, top shelf tonewoods, and the glassy playability we expect from every on of Kathy Wingert’s guitars. This 2021 Model F is outfitted with premium Brazilian Rosewood back and sides plus Italian Spruce top, and features a lovely custom woods-to-metals, lines-to-curves rosette that grabs the eye but doesn’t overpower the overall look of the guitar. Additional upgrades include a venetian cutaway that transistions smoothly into the neck heel, and a subtle arm bevel on the lower bout that maximizes player ergonomics without sacrificing a lot of real estate on the top.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, fvc.2013.b.i.4, brazilain, mainstage
A sumptuous feast is this 2011 Olson SJ. Chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood, rich Red Cedar top, and aodrned from head to tail with extensive and well-executed Abalone inlays. The fingerboard is replete with a tree of life vine; the headstock and top are trimmed out; and the rosette ties together Brazilian Rosewood with Abalone at its center. This beauty has been well cared for and is in excellent shape. A masterstroke from the man himself, Jim Olson.
Other keywords: james olson, james taylor, 1374, fingerstyle, petteway, brazilain, fingerpicking
Here’s an Olson SJ to set you apart from the crowd–outfitted with Presentation Grade Koa back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood bindings (plus rosette), and Koa/Maple fleur-de-lis position markers all along the fingerboard. We’ve seen so many Rosewood/Cedar Olsons over the years, and we’ve loved every one of them, but it’s great to see a new wood combination from Jim to spice things up with this 2004 build. Accordingly, the voice is quick and punchy, has a bump in the mids that really sings out when you play big chords, and all that while maintaining the sparkle in the trebles that Olsons are all known for. The result is an energetic SJ that manages to play and sound familiar and fresh at the same time.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, james olson, james taylor, stika, 1117, calton
This 2017 Salutation model from Bill Comins feels right at home in your hands after the first chord. 16 inches across the lower bout with a 6 pound playing weight, this Salutation is extra comfortable and comes setup for fast action with the 25″ scale and 1 11/16″ nut. Flame Maple back and sides (and neck), with Sitka Spruce on top plus an upgraded black chrome Kent Armstrong pickup and gold Waverly tuners with Snakewood buttons. This Salutation model comes with smooth S holes to match the curvaceous lower bout and cutaway. The Salutation stripe motif extends from the headstock veneer to the pickguard, tailpiece, and heelcap.
Other keywords: comins guitars, duane simpson, lutherie, luthier, 0289, fingerstyle jazz
Additional demo here:https://youtu.be/L691SQlYxvM
D-45 Deluxe from Wayne Henderson, built in 2008 with Brazilian Rosewood and Red Spruce, plus additional tree of life vine inlays along the fingerboard. Extensive 45-style pearl work throughout, gold Waverly tuners, well preserved and sure to be the centerpiece of your collection.
Other keywords: henderson dreadnought, allen shadd, will saylor
We’re so excited to be working with Patrick Morrissey of Morrissey Guitars, and this brand new SJ is just the first of a series of builds we commissioned from Patrick. Chocolate rich Madagascar Rosewood pairs with Swiss Moonspruce on top, plus arm bevel, soundport, and florentine cutaway for all the modern playability. Further, we upgraded this beauty with a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge to make that Swiss Spruce pop. At the rosette you’ll find a geometric motif, and Abalone diamond position markers along the fingerboard.
Other keywords: lutherie, sj0030j22, visesnut, brazilain, maddie rosewood
Stephen Marchione’s 16 Inch Archtop is a complete instrument. Silk smooth playability, gorgeous tonewoods, and an expressive and dynamic acoustic voice that translates faithfully into amplified tone thanks to a custom collaboration between Stephen and DiMarzio. Maple body with Spruce top and Ebony tailpiece, bridge, and pickguard. Locking Sperzel tuners in black match up perfectly with the Ebony headplate, rendered in Marchione’s trademark headstock shape. A slim 1 11/16″ nut allows for deft lefthand work, and the relatively light build weight under six pounds makes this 16″ archtop from 2003 exceedingly comfortable in hand.
Here’s an additional video with Tim Fischer playing this Marchione 16″ Archtop!: https://youtu.be/LEuoR6pwCio
Check out another video featuring this gorgeous archtop: https://youtu.be/o-82AEA3AOQ
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, duane simpson, fingerstyle, 093003
Stephen Marchione manages to make a 17 inch archtop play as easy as a much smaller guitar–without losing the projection and power and resonance of the big box. The 3″ sides help with this, as well as the silky setup and neck carve. Back and sides are cello-grade Curly Maple, and on top Stephen opted for a set of European Spruce that matches perfectly. Ebony hardware throughout, and the pickup has been more recently upgraded with a custom Marchione-DiMarzio PAF collaboration–and this humbucker sings!
Check out this additional video featuring Duane Simpson on this magnificent Marchione Archtop: https://youtu.be/8QY6ML2LtAY
Other keywords: marchione guitar, lutherie, luthier, duane simpson, 012899, fingerstyle jazz, 17-inch
Mario Beauregard’s touch with chisel and plane, sandpaper and file, is unparalleled. This 2018 Facettes Archtop 16″ is an absolute feat of modern lutherie! Sumptuously figured Maple back and sides, Spruce top, gold Lollar pickup with volume and tone at the pickguard; upper bout soundport; effortless playability and response. This instrument is like inspiration in wood form. Mario engineers the top with these arcing facets that feature subtle soundholes integrated into their centers–we can’t imagine how he pulls this off so well–which you’ll also find across the carved Maple back for continuity. Note how the pickguard descends to a point above the bridge, its outside edge matching the curves of the facets. Setup is butter smooth and slinky, and this 2018 Beauregard comes wrapped up in a custom Hoffee case for maximum protection.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, duane simpson, fingerstyle, evo, gotoh
