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1987 Franklin Prairie State Koa/Sitka

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Here we have a guitar from one of the shop favorites, Franklin Guitars. This is a1987 Prairie state model in Curly Koa back and side and a Sitka Spruce top. One of the defining features of the Prairie state model is the wide upper and lower bouts, providing the guitar with a large sonorous sound. The Curly Koa used on this guitar is of a super high quality with intense figuring running the entire length of the back and sides. We find that apart from being beautiful, the Koa wood lends a great midrange punch, evening out the tonal response of what could have been a bass heavy guitar. Another great instrument fro the Franklin Guitar company.

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2005 Bown OM Cuban Mahogany/Spruce

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When we tell you an instrument is just about perfect, you know we’re not kidding. This 2005 Bown OM? In order to be more dynamic, it’d have to two guitars. For the singer-songwriter looking for an OM-size guitar that accompanies their voice with a strong, vigorous tone that doesn’t upstage their own pyrotechnics, this Bown fits the bill. For the accomplished fingerstylist who needs pianistic articulation and crisp resonsiveness, look no further. For the session player at the local Jazz or Blues jam, this Bown’s got room for smoking solos on the trebles, and a meaty low-end for vamping and steady basslines.

One of England’s finest luthiers, Ralph Bown’s work is always welcome here–but the problem is they keep running back out the door! If you’re even remotely interested in this Cuban Mahogany-and-Spruce OM, strike while the iron’s hot (if you’re thinking about taking it home, chances are someone else is, too).

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New Emerald X7 Artisan Series Black High Gloss Carbon – Black/Carbon Fiber

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In our quest for great sounding instruments that can handle any environment, we have tried the full gamut of makers available on the market. Of the makers that we tested, we have only found a few that meet the needs of our discerning players. Emerald Guitars based out of the UK continually impresses us with not only the quality of construction of their incredible Carbon Fiber instruments, but also with their responsive voice and ideal price point.

The X7 is one of their small body Travel guitars with a Venetian cutaway and an offset soundhole. Lightweight in build, but a heavyweight in durability and tone, this guitar comes standard with B-Band electronics and a great, heavy duty gig bag. These guitars have a full 24″ scale length so it feels very normal to go between this guitar and your “regular” 25″-25.5″ scale length instruments. Comprised entirely of space age Carbon Fiber, this piece is ready for anything you throw its way. Great for the stage and the outdoors alike!

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2011 Collings 01SB Mahogany/Sitka

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Here we have a Sunburst Collings 01SB in Sitka Spruce and Mahogany. Collings and Co. certainly know how to build a great guitar, the tone is incredible and the bang for the buck is phenomenal. Tonally this little guitar is all sweet tones and woody growl. Play it softly and it will sing sweetly, dig in for some blues and you will have a bull dog on your hands! If you are looking for a serious instrument for playing out or just for the sheer enjoyment of playing, this one will not let you down.

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1988 Santa Cruz Tony Rice Signature Master Grade Indian/Adirondack (Red)

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Here we have a real sweet heart from the Santa Cruz Guitar Co. This is a 1988 Tony Rice model in Master grade East Indian Rosewood and Adirondack (Red) Spruce. There is one thing instantly recognizable about the Tony Rice model, the enlarged soundhole, it is a feature lifted directly from Tonys own unique Martin guitar. We find the large soundhole helps to even out the tonal palette from bass to trebles, the bass is more controlled and even, while the trebles gain more power and punch. Another nice feature on this guitar is the low profile “V” neck which makes playing scorching fast licks a breeze!

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1998 Ehlers 16J European Maple/Engelmann

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We have a great fingerpicker here for you, an Ehlers 16J in Flammed European Maple and Engelmann Spruce. There isn’t much you can throw at this Ehlers that it can’t take, blues? It will play that just fine. Jazz? oh yes it can do that. How about some more modern pieces or even classical? Don’t even worry about it, you are covered. This guitars has tone to spare, and we think that is what makes it so versatile. Play it lightly or really get into it, the dynamic range is huge. We dare you not to enjoy this one.

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Late 40s Gibson LG-1 Mahogany/Spruce

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Old instruments have a vibe to them that can’t be quenched. They have seen the years and miles pass before them and continued playing, strong as ever, into the modern era. And in the case of this Gibson LG-1, we are particularly glad that it made it into our hands. This ladder braced beauty has a beautiful burst finish that appears to have been oversprayed with a clear coat at some point in its past to preserve its integrity (and since has been played some more!). The Mahogany and Spruce pair perfectly for a boxy, bluesy sound. Try a fingerstyle blues, slide, or ragtime piece on this guitar and you’ll be sold on it then and there! Come get it before Al does!

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2011 Henderson D-42 Brazilian/Adirondack (Red)

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We have had the immense good fortune to have had quite a few Henderson guitars come through our shop, they don’t hang around long, but we sure enjoy them while they are here. Each Henderson that comes along is a gem and has something special to say about Wayne and his passion for the craft, but this one in particular has a little something extra special built in to it, and we love it. This is a D-42 model in highly figured Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack (Red) Spruce. Wayne added a few special appointments to this guitar like abalone purfling on the fingerboard, floral headstock inlay and etched gold Waverly tuners. True to form this dread has power and headroom to spare, plenty of bass and round trebles to be had here. Another fine guitar from the Wizard of Rugby.

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2013 Petros T-13 Gold Standard, Claro Walnut/Tunnel 13 Redwood

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We’ve got another Tunnel 13 Gold Standard from Bruce and Matt Petros in the house! Number 22 in the series, this 2013 Petros GC has a sweet voice wrapped up in a gorgeous Walnut-and-Redwood package with Pearwood trim throughout. As you probably already know, the Redwood that Bruce and Matt have acquired for these guitars came from the Southern Pacific Railroad’s Siskiyou Summit Tunnel #13, where they were originally railroad ties. With the characteristic warmth and balance of Redwood, plus the dry crackle of the Claro Walnut back and sides, this Tunnel 13 has a splendid, well-balanced voice with articulate lows and mids, making big chords sound rich and full with each string ringing clearly.
For both fingerstyle and flatpicking, the Gold Standard is comfortable and responsive–and the wider nut makes those big chords a cakewalk. Wrapped up in a Hoffee carbon fiber flight case, this powerhouse from Petros Guitars is your next favorite instrument.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, bruce petros, fingerpicking, butternut, tunnel 13 redwood, gotoh

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New Beauregard Concert Flamed Maple/Italian

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Mario Beauregard is an extremely talented and world renowned luthier whose fingerstyle instruments are in high demand, thanks to his top-tier voicing and drop dead gorgeous aesthetics. We have worked with Mario in the past and are happy to host one of his brand new instruments featuring his all new headstock design here in our shop. You can watch the brilliant fingerstyle virtuoso Antoine Dufour put this guitar through it paces in this video here.

This instrument is one with excellent focus and distinction between the strings thanks to the 12 fret body joint, as well as superior sustain for those who like to draw out their notes. The highly figured Flamed Maple and Italian Spruce are reactive and extremely well suited to precise playing styles, but in Mario’s hands they have a subtle complexity and warmth that open new possibilities to players seeking inspiration in unexplored directions. This is a guitar that evokes change in the player, giving you perspective as you play.

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1930 Weissenborn Style 1 Koa/Koa

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We have a rare instrument here, a 1930 Weissenborn Style 1. lap Steel in all Koa. The Weissenborn guitar has long been the gold standard in the non resonator slide guitar scene. With that classic woody growl it is hard not to fall in love with the Weissenborn sound, just playing a few licks conjurs up memories of the delta blues or the beautiful beaches of Hawaii. this Weissenborn is in spectacular shape, with only some discrete finish checking and the stray ding or two on the back and sides.

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1949 Gibson L-5 Birdseye Maple/Spruce

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The Gibson L-5 is the genisis of great archtop guitars, it was the forerunner to the extremely popular Super-400, and inspired many changes in the way archtops were built. The L-5 was one of the first archtops to have a fully carved top and back, producing great tone and clarity. With its slightly smaller body, this L-5 has a bit more brighter tone and is easier to hold than its sibling the Super-400. This 1949 L-5 in Birdseye Maple and Spruce is in great shape with only slight wear on the top and back, incredibly impressive shape for its age. Tonally this guitar is smooth and buttery in the midrange with a bright and bell like treble section, all reined in with a tight and controlled bass strings.

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2012 Collings CJMhMhSB Mahogany/Mahogany

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This Collings All Mahogany, All Burst, Haircut Headstock CJ is a guitar with something to say, and multiple means of expressing itself. Starting with the dark, smoky burst finish, you feel pulled towards it as soon as you enter the room. Taking it off the wall, the Mahogany box sings low and sweet, making you want to listen ever more closely as you get to know one another.

But that soft, smooth voice is only one half of the coin: dig in and strum and this guitar sounds like it’s ready to tear down a drag strip at full throttle. Seriously, it seems like there is no end to how loud this thing can get!

Formerly owned by Jim Lauderdale, there are videos of Jim playing this guitar all over the web. It’s a killer instrument, and one that deserves to be played. Will the next one to try it be you?

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C. Fox Sonoma Indian/Spruce

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C. Fox was a production brand by Charles Fox in the 1990s, and this Sonoma model is an ideal representation of the quality of instrument offered by that label. Made from nicely striped Indian Rosewood and tight, fine-grained Spruce, this guitar has all the feel and sound that a fingerstylist is looking for. Could be a great recording guitar, with good clarity and presence overall. The red pinstripe appointments make this one a classy piece to set your heart a-beating!

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2002 Henderson D-28 Brazilian/Sitka Spruce

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With this guitar Wayne Henderson has taken the time tested legend, the D-28, and managed to keep up with or even outdo the Prewars that so many of us covet and cherish. This here D-28 is a guitar with gumption. The chocolatey Brazilian Rosewood gives it a sustaining and rich low end, with the clear and present mids and sweet, fat trebles vaulting forth from the silky Sitka Spruce top. It has a spirit and energy about it, picking quick and strong for the group player in all of us. But sit back in a quiet room and you’ll be caught, enraptured within the voice of this delicate powerhouse you hold in your hands. Come bear witness to the work of a man whose voice has captured us all, player and collector alike.  

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1995 Gibson ES-335 DOT Figured Maple/Flamed Maple

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There is one thing for certain, the Gibson 335 holds a lofty position in the minds and hearts of many players, most people that have been through the shop recently and have seen this Gibson hanging up on the wall have had a story or two about their own 335. It is easy to understand why so many people have been partial to this model of guitar, it looks great, sounds great , and is quite versatile. From Rock to Jazz this guitar will be able to handle the job very ably. This is a 1995 ES-335-DOT in beautiful Curly Maple Top, back, and sides. This 335 definitely deserves to make some lucky player happy for many years to come.

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2016 Henderson D-45, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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If you are a follower of Wayne Henderson guitars you know that they are all rare, wonderful, and highly sought after. What we have here is the rarest of Hendersons, a D-45 Deluxe Tree Of Life in Brazilian Rosewood and Red Spruce which comes to us from 2016. You are certain to gasp and drool over this one, we certainly have been. Wayne makes precious few of this model of guitar, the sheer amount of time, material and skill that goes into building such a guitar is impressive, and certainly limits the opportunity to make many of them. This is the true collector’s dream guitar! While this guitar certainly has the looks, that isn’t the only trick in its bag. The Henderson tonal pedigree is in full show here, big open basses, barking mids, and smooth trebles. This is the definition of a once in a lifetime guitar, don’t miss out!

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1984 Contreras I Concert Brazilian/Spruce

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There are few things we love more around the DG shop than a well balanced Classical guitar, this 1984 Contreras Sr. Concert is the definition of balance, and we are head over heels for it. This Concert model is built from Brazilian Rosewood and Spruce and has a voice that will melt butter, it is balanced perfectly from bass to treble. Without question the ‘G’ string is one of the best sounding we have heard in the shop, usually the G can be thunky or underwhelming, not so here on this Contreras. Time has been kind to this instrument, imparting it with all of the mature voice and tone, but with few of the battle wounds that usually come with it. A fantastic guitar!

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1992 Olson SJ Indian/Cedar

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Here we have a near perfect 1992 Olson SJ in East Indian Rosewood and Red Cedar. If you are looking for a low number (364) Olson in pristine shape and that has a killer voice, look no further, this is your guitar. The voice of this guitar is sweet and warm with a pleasant roundness to the trebles that is hard to find in brand new guitars. Considering this guitar is twenty three years old, it is astounding that it is in such great shape, this really is like getting a new guitar but even better as it has that broken in voice!

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2010 Brandt Concert Brazilian/European

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Here we have a stunning 2009 Greg Brandt Concert in Brazilian Rosewood and European Spruce. This is the cream of the crop, rarely do we see a guitar of this quality and refinement. Everything from the extreme high quality of the woods to the execution of the workmanship exudes Gregs passion and finesse for guitar building. This Concert has a strong and powerful treble section accompanied by incredibly smooth and round bass strings. Without a doubt this guitar will make a fine concert performance guitar, the sound and tone will fill up the room while the ease of playability will make sure the performance goes off without a hitch. As always, we think Greg Brandt is one of the premier builders in the classical guitar scene, this Concert guitar only helps to affirm that.

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2014 Thorell Red Sky Curly Maple/Spruce

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Here we have a 2014 Thorell Archtop in Curly Maple and Adirondack (Red) Spruce. This is a well built and enjoyable guitar in every respect. Playability is fast and smooth up and down the neck, while the body shape is extremely comfortable to hold standing up or sitting down. The real meat of this guitar lies in the tone, it is punchy through the mids and trebles with great sustain, with a nice and round bass presence, which is a refreshing surprise for an archtop. This is a beautiful instrument to look at, listen to and play. Your Jazz licks have never sounded so good!

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Fender 1960 Relic Custom Alder/Alder

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If you are looking for the vintage vibe and tone, but don’t want to fork out the small fortune it would take to get it, this is your ax! What we have here is a Fender Relic 1960 Custom Shop and it feels like your favorite pair of old jeans! That powerful stratocaster tone is up front and present here, with three single coil Custom Shop “1960” pickups and period correct three way selector switch, you will be able to recreate the tones of the Rock n’ Roll age. The relicing has been handled expertly by the Custom Shop, you would be hard pressed to tell this one apart from an actual 1960 Strat. In spite of its appearance, this strat doesn’t play like an old guitar, the set up is perfect and smooth, ready for many years of great Rock to be played on it.

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New National Resophonic All Steel Body ResoRocket

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The National ResoRocket Steel Body is a modern version of the popular single cone resonator that offers a familiar 12 Fret neck but adds a cutaway for great access to the high registers. The all Steel body supplies enormous headroom and that can take you anywhere from sweet and smooth soul to dusty, gritty, gravely blues. It’s Ebony Fingerboard and bone nut, Pearloid headstock and ivoroid bindings give it a classic, vintage vibe that pay tribute to its ancestry. There’s nothing quite like a National for slide or fingerstyle blues!

*We offer an upgrade with the Hotplate pickup system on all National Single Cone Guitars. Just ask.

Click here to see Steve James demo his personal ResoRocket WB!

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New Mountain Song Guitars Odalisque – Tasmanian Tiger Myrtle /Alpine

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We are extremely pleased to bring you this incredible custom ordered Mountain Song Odalisque in Tasmanian Tiger Myrtle and Alpine Spruce. We have known Ken for a long time, he has worked with us here at the shop behind the scenes for years, and has grown to be a truly great friend, Luthier, and repairman. We count on Ken. Ken’s evolution as a guitar builder has been a great joy to watch, he was building great guitars when we first met him, certainly, but now he is building a different kind of beast altogether. So good in fact that Dream guitars owner Paul Heumiller decided he even needed a Mountain song guitar for himself! This Odalisque represents everything we like to see in a custom built guitar, Incredible tone and playability of course and a great synthesis between builder and client. Ken and his client thought the Tiger Myrtle looked unusually like a Tasmanian Tigers pelt. They decided to run with that idea and included some great inlays of Tiger paws on the fingerboard and a Tasmanian Tiger on the head stock.

Now lets get to fun part, the tone. This Odalisque has trebles that will melt butter, they are powerful and warm without any shrillness, while the bass through mids are expertly balanced like few builders are able to achieve. This instrument is a wonder, we are sad that we didn’t get to keep around the shop a while longer! Without question Ken Jones is one of the up and coming “Big Boys” in the Luthiery community, keep both eyes on Mountain Song guitars, we sure are.

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CONNECT WITH US

Showroom (by appointment only):

108 Monticello Road, Suite 400,
Weaverville NC, 28787

Store Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm EST

Contact Us
Make an Appointment

ABOUT

COMMUNITY

POLICIES

EDUCATION