Jayne Henderson is a good friend of the shop, we love her work. The apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. Speaking of trees, this guitar used to be a White Oak, or well at least the back and sides of the instrument were. This is an uncommon tonewood, but in the right hands it is every bit as incredible as any of your standard “dry” tonewoods. This OM-18 is dressed in Carpathian Spruce on top– Donning the name “DOC” on the heel cap is an homage to the late great Doc Watson. Need we say more? If you’re looking to get into an incredible and unique OM that can do practically everything? Look no further.

Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, wayne henderson, fingerstyle, flatpicking, bluegrass, 31

Lots of volume for a little package—our 2015 E.J. Henderson Nick Lucas. Across the neck and body, a lovely dark sunburst. Celtic inlays sprawling along the fretboard. Waverly tuners, bone nut and saddle, 24 3/4” scale on 14-fret neck. Maple + Adirondack Spruce = crisp and loud.

This is the sort of guitar that really sings if you dig in a bit, but the crunchy bass response can be just as easily accessed with a lighter touch. The V neck has vintage written all over it. If you’re looking for an extra dose of warmth in the mids, this guitar fits the bill, and adds focused, bright trebles to the mix for an excellent balance.

The waiting list for these guitars is already pretty steep; this is a great opportunity to snag one ahead of the curve!

Here we have a tremendously versatile OM from Luthier Hiro Ebata of Japan. Hiro is known for having studied with Ervin Somogyi and the lineage is easy to see and to hear. This OM is superb, we all really love it. The voice is very strong and full with sincere trebles that really sing out. Hiro’s OM shape, like Somogyi’s, is slightly oversized so the bass response is slightly enhance compared to typical Martin size OM guitars. The shorter 25″ scale and fingerstyle nut and saddle make it a joy to play. Hiro’s craftsmenship is nothing short of spectacular, clean lines and perfect joints. The Adirondack Top adds power and headroom to the clarity and sparkle of the Indian Rosewood box. Super guitar in every way. If you’ve longed for a Somogyi here is a direct descendant of that wonderful family.

Ryohei Echizen is quickly becoming one of our favorite builders, because his guitars are uniformly spectacular in tone, build, and aesthetics. This is the Echizen R3 model in Ziricote back and sides and a stunning Bearclaw European Spruce top. As we have come to expect from Ryohei, the build quality is top notch, with well designed and executed motifs. Apart from the beautiful looks, this R3 has the tone to knock out almost any thing you put up against it. This guitar is truly inspiring. The bass is proud and present, rumbling at the slightest touch, while the trebles sing with a distinct crispness and choral sound. Ryohei is one to keep an eye on, and surely before long it will be hard to get your hands on an Echizen guitar.

Playing one of Ryohei Echizen’s guitars is like picking up your favorite book: each time, you feel the same rush of excitement you felt when you first opened the cover. These guitars sing with an almost elemental force, all lightning-strike response with a muscular fundamental and a silk-smooth setup. Here we have a new R2 with Madagascar Rosewood and Bearclaw European Spruce, and folks, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a finer example of either tonewood. Bent into the elegant and timeless curves of his R2, their song is precision-balanced and ferociously articulate; a fingerstylist’s dream.

Further, Echizen’s craftsmanship is almost as astounding as the quality of his voicing: French Polished body, understated Madasgascar Rosewood rosette, Boblen tuners Jescar EVO frets, hide glue, you name it, he’s done it. Despite the fact that he’s only been building by himself for a short period of time after his apprenticeship with Sergei de Jonge in Chelsea, Canada, Echizen’s guitars already possess the presence and confidence of our contemporary masters’ instruments.