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Mark Blanchard has been making some of the finest steel string and classical guitars in the country since the mid nineties out of his one-man shop in Los Gatos, California. The Pinyon, a stunning small-bodied guitar constructed from Lucky Strike Redwood and straight-grained Brazilian Rosewood reflects the builder at the very top of his game. It boasts a twelve-fret body join, which places the bridge in the middle of the sweet spot of the lower bout, while also offering a generous contoured cutaway, for those who want the best of both worlds — tonal superiority and full-fretboard access. The results are nothing short of magical — the legendary responsiveness of ultra-rare Lucky Strike Redwood is complimented perfectly by an absolutely exceptional set of Brazilian, and in Mark’s hands, the results are greater than the sum of the parts — superb balance, crisp response, and a full, robust voice that belies it’s small size. This just might be the perfect guitar.

James Goodall has been building world-class instruments since the seventies, and they just keep getting better. Here’s a Concert Jumbo cutaway in Indian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce that is the very definition of balanced tone. The size of this guitar is a major factor in achieving that balance — the Concert Jumbo was designed for players who want a smaller body dimension than the Goodall Standard, with the result heard in the focused lower-mids and sparkling highs that flow from the instrument. The responsiveness of Adirondack Spruce pairs perfectly with the richness of Indian Rosewood to produce a versatile instrument that’s equally at home in the hands of a fingerstyle player or a coffee shop chord-strummer.

Here we have another outstanding guitar from Nick Kuckich and company at Franklin Guitars. This one is a slightly oversized OMC model in Adirondack Spruce and stunning Quilted Mahogany. Words hardly do this guitar justice, but the tone is nothing short of heavenly. The voice is masterfully balanced — notes seem to dance from the soundboard then take flight, lingering in the air before slowly fading. Highs are sweet and crisp, and the lows are punchy and strong, benefitting from the slightly larger lower bout. An excellent mid-sized instrument from a veteran American builder.

Australian maker Chris Melville counts as his clients Tommy Emmanuel and Tony McManus, so you know this is a worldclass guitar. This 000 is skillfully crafted from premium Indian Rosewood and Master Grade Italian Spruce. The top wood is key to any guitar’s voice and this top is lovely. Flamed Maple bindings and gold tuners add just a touch of panache that makes this guitar shine on the wall as well. This is a guitar for the player seeking a precise and versatile guitar that can be coaxed into expressing any way you like. Superb.

Thomas Humphrey was one of the most innovative classical guitar builders of the modern era, and his instruments are known for their power, projection, and upper treble response. This lovely, and well-loved, Humphrey Concert classical in Indian Rosewood and Spruce is truly a player’s guitar. It’s voice is vibrant and commanding, with excellent balance and sustain all the way up the neck. Tuners have been upgraded to Gilberts. This one is fully played-in, and there’s no need to worry about putting a scratch in the top — the play wear attests to a life of creative expression inspired by this wonderful guitar.

Apprenticing to legendary builder Ervin Somogyi is a goal to which many luthiers aspire, but only the select few are chosen to do so. In this guitar, we can see exactly why Ray Kraut is one of the hand-picked elite builders to have gone through Ervin’s training. Every aspect of this Amazon Rosewood and European Spruce OM Cutaway is crisp, clean, and perfectly executed. Yet for all the work that goes into its build quality and aesthetics, this one is about tone first, and everything else is an afterthought. Reactive and balanced, it responds splendidly to both the lightest touch and the heaviest hand. Notes ring out like chimes, distinct and separate, yet whole and full. An incredible build from an outstanding luthier.

Breedlove has been making superb instruments in their Bend, Oregon shop for over twenty years, and their custom shop continues to wow us with their inventive designs and creative use of unusual tonewoods. Such is the case here, with this outstanding Jumbo twelve-string in Sitka Spruce and breathtaking Striped Ebony. Outfitted with the distinctive Breedlove florentine cutaway and JLD bridge truss, this bad boy has a huge bass response and shimmering mids and trebles that seem to sing all the way up to to the heavens.

Here’s an exceptionally rare, all black Olson Dreadnought model. James confirmed that he’s only built one or two of these gorgeous black guitars. This one is adorned with custom Abalone inlays including the full name ‘Olson’ on the headstock and a full top border, rosette and backstrip of Abalone as well. This beautifully maintained guitar has a stellar voice, clear and full of that Olson sparkle, but with a big Dread timbre that makes it a rare instrument capable of anything from fingerstyle to flatpicking and strumming. This is a singular and special guitar with a look that’s all it’s own. Includes a Calton Flight Case.

We are happy whenever we get in a Franklin guitar. There’s a great reason why John Renbourn, Woody Mann and so many other top fingerstylist own Franklin guitars. Nick Kuckich has an uncanny ability to create the ‘old’ sound we all yearn for in every guitar he makes. This Franklin OM features German Spruce and old and straight Brazilian Rosewood, the kind we wish we still had to build with. It’s #123, which has to mean something! It sure has a lot of mojo! We are all hoping someone buys it before Paul or Al does!

The Woodbridge model from Jim Merrill falls between a Grand Concert and Grand Auditorium size and is perfect for fingerstyle play. This one is highly figured Walnut topped with perfect straight grained Redwood. Together these woods produce a very rich and lush sonic character with plenty of power and a real singing quality. Melody notes are sublime and beautiful and the bass is warm and clear. Curly Koa bindings and rope perflings complete the natural look and let the woods shine.

One of 36 Limited Edition Martin D-45 Celtic Knots ever made! This extremely rare and special Martin guitar is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful they ever created. Unique features include the C.F. Martin signature inlaid in the Brazilian Rosewood back in Abalone, custom etched Celtic Knot Tuners, intricate Abalone C.F. Martin headstock inlay with Abalone borders around the lettering, the amazing Celtic Knot fretboard inlays and 45 style Abalone trim on the top, sides and back!

This one sold before we were able to list it, but be sure to view the photos and listen to the audio, it sounds as good as it looks!

Some of the prettiest Birdseye Maple makes this Shaded Top Wayne Henderson A-5 Mandolin something special. Built in 2005 the aged Spruce top really sings like a bird. Great chop, punchy midrange make this Henderson Mando a great choice for Bluegrass, Old Time or Americana styles. The dark 1930’s style sunburst, classic torch inlay and ivoroid bindings give this one has a great vintage vibe as Henderson is known for. It’s mint condition and ready for someone to mark it up good…

Here’s a 1999 Shaded Top D-28 from Wayne Henderson, the guitar maker captured in the book, Clapton’s Guitar: Watching Wayne Henderson Build the Perfect Instrument. This Henderson guitar is crafted from quarter sawn Brazilian Rosewood and Appalachian Spruce. The classic shaded top finish gives it the look of a 1930s Martin dread. The voice is all Henderson and it vibrates hard in your arms. Smiles guaranteed!

If you’ve ever wanted a parlor guitar that packed a punch, this Snow Parlor by Doncho Ivanov is the one for you. It is light and reactive, but puts out the notes you play with such force that you feel them resonate in your chest. Masterfully crafted from perfectly straight-grained European Spruce and some of the finest Fiddle-Backed Maple you’ll ever see, this guitar has a rare and pure aesthetic that is matched only by its outstandingly balanced tone. A rare gem of a guitar.

Here’s a terrific Applegate SJ with Brazilian back and sides and a Western Red Cedar top for wonderful, classic acoustic tones with shimmering highs, well articulated bass and excellent balance between individual strings. Thanks to the Cedar top, this guitar has opened up fully, and the voice has a strong fundamental with subtle overtones. The neck has a great shape that’s very slender and comfortable. There’s also a full abalone top border and rosette treatment. Brian Applegate is known for his attention to detail and superb craftsmenship, this gorgeous SJ is a wonderful example of modern lutherie.

Here we have a stunning 614ce from Taylor in Curly Maple and Sitka Spruce. Taylor’s typical high production standards are evident in every detail, and this one includes a gorgeous sunburst and Venetian cutaway for comfort when playing in the higher registers. And of course, the voice is all Taylor — brilliant, shimmering trebles and authoritative bass really help cut through the mix. At this price point this guitar is a terrific value for the beginning to mid-level player.

Here we have a well-cared for Goodall Standard in Mahogany and Sitka Spruce. Born in 2000, this great guitar is really opening up nicely. It has the powerful bass and excellent balance that Goodalls are known for, and the neck shape is very comfortable and easy to play. James has said that he feels the Standard represents the crowning achievement of his lutherie career, and we’re inclined to agree.

This 2005 Goodall Parlor was built as a custom order with AAA Quilted Mahogany and a Master Grade Adirondack top. It is accented with Bloodwood bindings and fossil Ivory pins nut and saddle. The satin finished 12 fret neck offers a great feel that will beg you play it time and time again. This is one of the biggest sounding Goodall Parlors we’ve ever heard, very strong and alive with trebles that are colorful and expressive. A true gem.

With this well-cared for Sheppard Ave Maria, beautiful straight-grained Brazilian Rosewood is paired with a highly figured bearclaw Sitka Spruce top, resulting in a guitar with power and articulation in spades. Bass notes are strong and resonant, and are balanced perfectly by strong shimmering trebles. From the rose inlay on the headstock to the gorgeous presentation-grade abalone rosette and body trim, the craftsmanship is wonderful as we’ve come to expect from Gerald Sheppard. With the included pickup, this is an excellent choice for fingerstyle performance.

Here’s a great open-back banjo by Joe Mendel of Chesterfield, MO. It features solid Maple construction, with an integral tone ring. It’s perfect for clawhammer-style playing, and has excellent projection and sustain, thanks, in part, to the laminated maple neck. It’s a whole lotta banjo for not much scratch!

Here’s a great open-back banjo by Joe Mendel of Chesterfield, MO. It features solid Maple (reclaimed from a 100 year old Michigan farmhouse) construction, with and integral tone ring. It’s perfect for clawhammer-style playing, and has excellent projection and sustain, thanks, in part, to the laminated maple neck. It’s a whole lotta banjo for not much scratch!

Here we have a beautiful Mendel octave mandolin in Granadillo and Sitka Spruce. As the name suggests, this wonderful instrument is intended to be tuned an octave below standard mandolin tuning, but is equally happy in alternate tunings. The sound is at once familiar yet refreshing. The unison-string chime of the mandolin family is present, but the strident, higher-pitched wail of the mandolin is replaced with a warmth and intimacy that harkens back to the Old World. And because of the larger air volume within the body, notes ring out and sustain like a church bell. An exquisite instrument that’s different in all the right ways.

Here we have a handsome medium-bodied Cedar and Indian Rosewood guitar by Bill Wise of Charis Guitars. Bill is well known for producing beautiful instruments that are consistently well-balanced and imminently playable. This fine example is no exception. On the first strum, the player is greeted with a focused voice that has a nice tight bass, sweet midrange, and luscious trebles that sparkle and dance before slowly fading. The warmth of the cedar top is beautifully balanced by the rosewood back and sides, and the Rosewood and Maple neck provides improved sustain. An excellent guitar that’s very hard to put down.

Here we has a Muiderman Steel String in Bearclaw Sitka Spruce and Macassar Ebony. Kevin Muiderman is known building exceptionally powerful and responsive guitars, both Steel string and Classical. Kevin has quite the progressive design when it comes to his bracing scheme, he uses a a small brace profile topped with carbon fiber. We find this gives excellent projection, sustain and articulation. If you are looking for a powerful fingerpicking guitar that can fill up an auditorium with ease, we think this is the one for you.