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Add to Compare2009 Circa 000 Cutaway, Koa/Adirondack Spruce
We’re tempted to keep this one on as a shop guitar forever—this 2009 Circa 000 Cutaway is a petite force of nature. Gorgeous Koa back and sides paired up with Red Spruce on top and a cutaway + 12-fret neck. The responsiveness is dialed in for fingerpicking for sure, and it handles a pick well to boot; we love the whip crack clarity from string to string. Especially considering the 000’s dimensions, this Circa has a powerful bass response, and it teams up with strong middle and upper ranges for excellent power and projection.
Weighs in just under four pounds, packs a wallop, and is more than ready to keep making music: make this Circa from John Slobod yours before we make it ours.Other keywords: circa guitars, ooo, 000 cutaway, wavily, ameritage, 12 fret, fingerstyle, american guitar
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Koa 
Add to Compare2009 Circa Steve Baughman 7/8 Dreadnought Cocobolo/European
We’re not talking about your papa’s junkyard strummer. This 2009 Steve Baughman 7/8 Dreadnought from John Slobod is nothing short of mesmerizing, nothing more than flawless. You know how some guitars just grab you the second you pluck a string, how once in a long while an instrument just says, “Here we go!” and you’d better hold onto your pick before you lose it? That’s what sort of guitar we’re looking at here. Not to wax hyperbolic, but this 7/8 Circa Dreadnought sings unlike any angel you’ve heard.
The Cocobolo Rosewood and European Spruce, in John’s hands, come together for a voice that’s opened up in a way to invoke the envy of an old school Martin. From the bottom of the bass to the canopy of treble overtones, each note rings with the kind of clarity you could cut diamonds with. The 12-fret neck warms up the bass just enough to make it enveloping but not overwhelming, and makes the already easy play feel even more effortless. Altered tunings? Excellent choice. This Steve Baughman Dread was built with just such a fingerstylist in mind–drop it down to C and the clarity and articulation is still there, unadulterated. This Circa can go wherever you’d like, can murmer as subdued as you want or as energetically as you need. Smooth as goose feathers! If it sounds like we’re gushing, it’s because we are: this Circa has stolen all our hearts.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.28 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - European, Rosewood - Cocobolo 
Add to Compare2003 Circa Dreadnought, Cocobolo/Adirondack Spruce
Now that’s what a Dreadnought is supposed to sound like! This incredible beauty from John Slobod comes to us from 2003, serial number 0004. We’re happy to report the past 15 years have treated it well. John’s trebles are three parts glass and two parts razor; clean clarity that cuts through the mix. The Cocobolo back and sides are straight-grained and chocolate-dark, and we think that’s part of the reason the bass response is so rich yet balanced. Of course, Adirondack Spruce on top with a light sunburst. Slobod’s guitars are some of our all-time favorites, and this 2003 Dread is right up there at the top of the list.
The V neck flattens out a bit as you approach the heel block, and elsewhere an 28-style appointment package sets off the vibrant hues of the Cocobolo and burst. Waverly open back tuners in true Americana fashion, and great playing shape from toe to tip. This is the kind of Circa you write home to the folks about. It’s a game changer.
Other keywords: dreadnaught, cocabolo, cocobolo rosewood, rosewood, adi, johnslobod
Here’s an additional demo with Paul at the helm: https://youtu.be/RwkaNssKUgM
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.22 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Cocobolo 
Add to CompareNew Circa 7/8 Dreadnought Madagascar/German
John Slobod of Circa Guitars outdoes himself again! This brand new 7/8 Dreadnought was custom built for one of our clients who wanted the full Dreadnought presence and aesthetic but in a slightly easier to play package. To look at this Dread, you’d hardly know it wasn’t regulation size. However, once you actually lay hands on the instrument you’ll feel the difference when you play that first chord. Accordingly, this 7/8 Dread in Madagascar Rosewood and German Spruce is voiced lightly enough for fingerstyle, for when (and if) you tire of the rich roar under a flatpick. John’s attention to detail is profound: right down to the ghost of a sunburst within the outside edge of the Koa rosette. While the bass has an easy richness and clear sustain, it’s the trebles with their breathy overtones that really set this Circa apart from the herd.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.38 in Nut Width 1.72 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods xx, Rosewood - Madagascar 
Add to Compare2008 Circa 00-28 Brazilian/Adirondack (Red)
We’ve had a slew of gorgeous Circa guitars through our shop, each a masterpiece of traditional form, and this 00-28 fits right in! From the perfectly-laid Herringbone trim and Abalone torch headstock, to the chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce top, you’re looking at perfection in a 00 body.
Built in 2008, this 00-28 has had plenty of time to open up, but it’s still got that new guitar smell every time you crack open the case! We found the setup to be splendidly silky and low, and the thunderous growl we experienced tuned up to standard rang just as clearly in lowered tunings. The middle registers notes are vibrant and expressive, and pair sweetly with the bell-like trebles to round out the voice for a guitar optimized for fingerstyle arrangements. Plus, once you consider that this Circa comes with a B-Band pickup system with an A2.2 preamp, and a Calton flight case, you’re looking at an instrument ready to travel to the ends of the earth in safety for your next gig.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.38 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to CompareCirca 000-28 Brazilian/Adirondack (Red)
John Slobod’s Pre-War style guitars are in a category unto themselves. This 2015 Circa 000-28 lives up to that legendary reputation in its flawless fit and finish, its cozy size and playability, and its simple, modest appointments. Slobod used a set of richly figured Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides, and voiced the 000 with Adirondack Spruce; the resulting tone is dynamic, articulate, and exceedingly well balanced.
Fingerpickers, listen up! If you can think of it, this guitar can play it, from a soft ballad to a bloodboiling Kottke-like arrangement. The 12-fret neck is made in the traditional style of the 1920’s and 1930’s–which means there is no truss rod–so the profile is a soft V to compensate for the string tension. This guitar already sounds absurdly beautiful, and it’s still opening up!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.78 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2011 Circa OM Brazilian/Adirondack (Red)
If it’s a guitar from Al Petteway’s personal stable of instruments, you know you’re looking at one of the finest pieces of stringed art on the market. This 2011 Circa OM has been on of Al’s favorite guitars for several years now, but it’s time to pass the torch to the next player. John Slobod broke the mold with this OM: exhibiting an incredibly focused voice that manages to combine megalithic bass notes with sparkling trebles, this guitar remains lightly built, and ready for action. The sort of guitar which responds magnificently to both flatpicks and fingertips, this Circa can breathe new life into your Irish fingerstyle arrangements or add some lightning to your Bluegrass licks–again, with a lightweight build that’s effortless to play.
Worried about sheer volume? Worry be gone: this Brazilian-Rosewood-and-Adirondack-Spruce OM projects as though it had its own PA system, without losing any smoothness of the articulation when driven hard. If you’re interested in adding a lion to your own musical menagarie, you won’t find one with quite so rich a roar as this 2011 Circa OM, straight from Al’s hands to yours.
Watch this video for a lesson about playing “Banish Misfortune” with Al: www.youtube.com/watch
Watch this video for a lesson about using E-Bows with Al: www.youtube.com/watch
Watch this video for a lesson about bending strings with Al: www.youtube.com/watch
Watch this video for a lesson about harmonics from Al: www.youtube.com/watch
Watch this video for a lesson about creating acoustic reverb from Al: www.youtube.com/watch
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to CompareNew Circa Custom 12 Fret 000 Cutaway Panamanian/Palo Escrito/Adirondack (Red)
Came through the door in the morning and flew right back out again that same afternoon: this newest offering from Mr. John Slobod gave us beautiful music, and disappeared before we had the chance to play it a second time! Decked out with Panamanian Rosewood back and sides and an Adirondack Spruce top, this Custom 12-fret 000 Cutaway packed enough power under the unassuming Spruce hood to practically play itself.
This guitar is love at first sight to any fingerstylist–and believe us, we were crying as it disappeared out the door on its way to its lucky new owner. Come back! Don’t leave so soon!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.69 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red) 
Add to CompareNew Circa Dreadnought Makore/Adirondack (Red)
Here we have a brand new Circa Dreadnought in Adirondack (Red) Spruce and Makore. John Slobod is the Brains and Luthier behind these exquisite Circa guitars. John has garnered quite a following among the pre war style guitar enthusiasts, pick one up and you will have no questions why. His guitars are light and responsive, just like the good old Martins. This Dreadnought will make any flatpicker proud with its open and loud voice. Single note leads just bark out of this thing, the people in the back will have no problem hearing you. John departed slightly from tradition by using Makore for the back and sides, apart from having beautiful figure, we find this would has a Rosewood like presence along with a mahogany like warmth.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Makore 
Add to Compare2001 Circa D-28H Shaded Top Cocobolo/Adirondack (Red)
Here we have a Circa D-28 Shaded Top in Cocobolo Rosewood and Adirondack (Red) Spruce. John Slobod is the man behind Circa guitars and we believe he is building some of the most outstanding pre war martin Style guitars you can find. This D-28 has a unique voice with all the power of the old Martins and a slightly modern complexity of tone that lends itself surprisingly well to fingerpicking. Playability is smooth and fast, the action is set low and the low profile shape of the neck really make playing this guitar a breeze. If you are looking for an all around guitar, with a huge complex voice, we think this one will suite you perfectly.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.77 in String Spacing 2.22 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Cocobolo 
Add to Compare2012 Circa D-28 Madagascar/Adirondack (Red)
John Slobod, the luthier behind Circa Guitars is one of the top builders in pre war style instruments. Great players from all over the world choose Circa and it isn’t hard to tell why. We recently had a house concert with Steve Baughman where he played his own Circa guitar and it sounded gorgeous. This D-28 in Red Spruce and Madagascar Rosewood is a great representation of the incredibly high bar that John sets in his building, being flawless in tone and build quality. The basses roar and are tempered expertly by the fat singing trebles. This is an exceptional pre war style dread from a builder at the very top of the game!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.28 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Madagascar 
Add to CompareNew Circa D-28 Madagascar/Adirondack SOLD
This fine Circa Dreadnought was custom made for one of our clients, so it isn’t for sale presently, but you can order one of your own to your tastes! Give us a call or message and we’ll be happy to talk to you about how you can get your very own custom instrument made by John Slobod or any of our other fine luthiers.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.38 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Madagascar 
Add to Compare2010 Circa D-42S AAA+ Koa/Adirondack
John Slobod and his Circa Guitars have become a hot commodity in the guitar world. Slews of pro players have purchased Circa guitars including our own Al Petteway, Steve Baughman, Tony McManus, Ed Dodson and many others. These players are the best in the world and they choose guitars for tone, playability, reliability and quality, in that order. John Slobod has all of that in every guitar. This Circa D-42 is a stunner in AAA+ Flamed Koa and Adirondack Red Spruce. Power to spare and clear sweet trebles, this one is perfect for lead or accompaniment. John Slobod is one of the few builders that can truly capture the essence of a pre-war Martin. This guitar is a shining example of his work.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Koa 
Add to CompareCirca OM Flamed Koa/Engelmann
Here’s an exquisite OM from John Slobod at Circa Guitars. The Flamed Koa back and sides on this beauty speak for itself. The voice is big, open and mature. The Engelmann Spruce top pairs nicely with Koa to create a versatile voice suitable for many style. The cutaway is Brazilian Rosewood for an interesting contrast. Excellent playability, excellent tone; an excellent instrument.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.38 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Koa 
Add to CompareCirca 7/8ths Dread Cocobolo/Adirondack Red
John Slobod, builder of Circa Guitars, has made many instruments with Julius Borges and Dana Bourgeois and is one of the modern luthiers building guitars as good or better than the prewar giants. Here is this 7/8th Dread, John has designed a versatile guitar that can handle both flatpicking and fingerstyle duties with ease and is more comfortable to hold. The Cocobolo and Adirondack body put forth a strong voice, at once clear and warm. There is nothing this guitar cannot do. The craftsmanship is impeccable, something else Slobod is known for. These tend to fly out the door, so don’t miss your chance.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Cocobolo
Luthier John Slobod began his career in 1993 at the Timeless Instruments guitar building intensive in Moosejaw, Canada. When John left Timeless, he went to work for Dana Bourgeois at Pantheon Guitars in Lewiston, Maine. At Pantheon, he hand carved many necks, voiced hundreds of tops, and did the binding work and final voicing on almost 4000 guitars. John left Bourgeois to work with Julius Borges and Eric Schoenberg in 1998. He also began his own line of vintage inspired instruments using traditional materials and construction methods under the name Circa Guitars.
Our own Al Petteway got a Circa Guitar from John a while back and we were very impressed with the tone and the craftsmanship. John Slobod has some of the finest skills we've seen and build a precise and clean guitar. But he also has amazing tone and is able to draw from the great guitars of the past to create his modern voice.