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2020 Michaud OM-R, Amazon Rosewood/Master Moonspruce

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A 2020 build from Joel Michaud that’s already wide awake, dressed to the nines, and playing effortlessly? That’s what we’re fortunate enough to have in the shop today. Such a feat of modern lutherie. Amazon Rosewood back and sides, pencil straight and ruddy red, plus master grade Moonspruce on top and a multiscale design at 26 inches down to 25.4 inches, makes for an incredibly resonant fingerstyle guitar that’s equally at home in Standard as it is in DADGAD or C tunings. It’s the kind of guitar where even flubbed notes sound good. Additionally, Michaud added twin arm & rib bevels for creature comfort, and an eliptical soundport to boot. Plus EVO frets for longevity! And the cream on top is Joel’s addition of oxidized metal appointments at the rosette, headstock, and endgraft.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, orchestra model, omr, 86, visesnut

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2019 PRS Modern Eagle V Limited Run, Northern Lights

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Such a joy to visit with this gem from 2019. A PRS Modern Eagle V, one of only 120 from an exclusive U.S. Limited Run—dressed to the nines with a Northern Lights finish package, Brazilian Rosewood fretboard and headstock veneer, and ripple Abalone bird inlays. The pickups are 408B-Narrowfield-408B from neck to bridge, and the electronics include a 5-way rotary switch and three mini switches. The paired mini toggles turn the humbuckers into TCI-tuned single coils, plus the push/pull tone control to activate both humbuckers when engaged. The remaining mini switch changes the volume pot value from 500k to 250k, which opens up a whole new range of tones.

other keywords: prs guitars, duane simpson, brazilain, pattern neck, 19-284900, paul reed smith

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Brand New Klein 426, Myrtlewood/Torrefied Sitka

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Our latest 426 from Steve Klein and Steve Kauffman is hands down a knockout. Gorgeous Myrtlewood back and sides with lovely dramatic figure, paired with a Torrefied Sitka Spruce top, makes for a quick, lively, and expressive guitar that’s equally at home with a pick as fingers. The 426 body fills the niche between their 396 and the full tilt 457, and that middle ground gives a great balance of projection and note definition. Add a soundport to the mix, plus all the usual Klein innovations like the integrated nut, access panel, and engineered bridge, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind modern guitar on your hands.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, klein & kauffmam, steve kaufman, fingerpicking, 426-152, ameritage

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1995 Bown Baritone, Brazilian Rosewood/European Spruce

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Here we’ve landed a true gem! What better way to explore a whole new kind of flattop experience than a Baritone, especially one built by the one and only Ralph Bown? This beauty comes to us from 1995, so has had a few decades of music under its belt and it’s wide awake. 28.5” scale means massive power, yet the setup remains easy on the hands. Richly colored Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pairs up with European Spruce on top, plus MOP diamond position markers for a touch of classic class. A Highlander IP-1 pickup carries all this powerhouse tone faithfully onto the stage, and a strap button at the center of the heel means you can strap in and save your back a bit to boot.
Ready for this Bown Baritone to take you to new heights (lengths)?

Other keywords: clive carroll, fingerstyle, modern guitar, brazilain, ip1, barytone, fingerpicking, 135, calton

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2020 Fender LTD American Professional Stratocaster, Desert Sand

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Often copied, but never surpassed, the Stratocaster is arguably the world’s most-loved electric guitar. Electrifying the music world since its debut in 1954, its natural, versatile sound made the Stratocaster the benchmark for exceptional guitar tones. The American Professional Stratocaster isn’t a re-imagining of the classic design; it’s the authentic original model, evolved.

Click here to hear this one played by our own Duane Simpson!

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2017 Martin D-28 Authentic 1937 Aged, Madagascar Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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Martin’s D-28 Authentic 1937 Aged may be a mouthful, but it’s worth it. The torrefied tonewoods make for added power, articulation, and balance, as well as the use of a forward-shifted X brace, and Martin’s light relic job to make it look the part. This beauty comes to us from 2017 and is already wide awake and ready for action (thanks for the pre-breaking in, Martin’s torrefaction team!). Full neck profile feels lovely in hand, with the slimmer 1 11/16” nut that’s familiar for flatpickers.

Other keywords: cf martin, lutherie, dreadnaught, allen shadd, 45 style, adriondack, pre-war, maddie, tkl, 2085017

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2017 Nashville Guitar Company D-42, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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This one’s guaranteed to be the centerpiece of any collection. A 2017 NGC D-42 with Brazilian Rosewood and Spruce, plus snowflake position markers? Yes, please! Fit and finish are excellent across the board, and the voice is dialed in for a lovely balance across the registers. A very even response makes for a guitar that holds up well for strumming, and has the articulation to keep solos and lead work well defined. An easygoing setup to boot, and you’re looking at a powerhouse at your fingertips: our 2017 Nashville Guitar Co. D-42 from Marty Lanham.

Other keywords:, lutherie, dreadnought, allen shadd, 45 style, adriondack, pre-war, brazilain, tkl, 16204

 

Additional performance https://youtu.be/JAihsxNJ8s8

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2016 Blazer & Henkes D-42, Brazilian Rosewood/Alpine Spruce

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When a good guitar calls, you answer. This 2016 B&H D-42 is such a guitar. Excellent projection and sustain, paired with great balance across the strings, makes for an extra articulate dreadnought. Sensitive enough for fingerstyle play, and with heaps of headroom for flatpicking. We’d expect no less! Alpine Spruce over Brazilian Rosewood with a shade top finish, 42-style Abalone appointments throughout, and gold Waverly tuners as the cherries on top. Build weight is 4.5lbs, and the neck has a full feel in hand with well-rounded V profile. This beauty was built in 2016!

Here’s an additional demo video of this B&H D-42, with the incomparable David Grier!: https://youtu.be/8XUpjM-8Cpk

Here’s a demo from the last time we had this beauty in the shop: https://youtu.be/L_J5ta-9FRg.

Other keywords: blazer&henkes, 537, brazilain, adirondack, bluegrass, dreadnaught, ivoroid,

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2013 Martin D-45 Custom Shop, Madagascar Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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The Martin Custom Shop team knows how it’s done, and this 2013 D-45 Custom Shop proves it. They opted for a lovely set of Madagascar Rosewood for the back and sides with black ink lines (ditto with the headstock veneer), paired that with classic Adirondack Spruce on top for bell-like tonality and power, then dressed it all to the nines with a 45-style package. Complete with Abalone hexagonal inlays, rather than the more commonly seen diamonds & squares. So this Custom Shop model has the visual flair to match the quality and presence of its voice, which we love for its clarity and warmth, especially in the midrange where many other dreads would suffer a muddy response. Instead, this D-45 has lovely balance and note definition across the registers.

Other keywords: cf martin, lutherie, dreadnaught, allen shadd, 45 style, adriondack, pre-war, maddie, tkl, 1677996

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2013 PRS Private Stock Cody Kilby, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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Ricky Skaggs’ right hand guitar man with Kentucky Thunder, Cody Kilby, here teams up with the PRS Private Stock team on a powerhouse signature model that’s balanced to a T and handsomely wide awake. This beauty comes to us from 2013 and has opened up nicely, with jaw-dropping Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and Adirondack Spruce on top. The sides are shorter than PRS’s standard dimensions, making this guitar even more comfortable in hand, and the setup is delightfully effortless. Gives your fingers wings! Speaking of which, Kilby opted for Abalone position markers reminiscent of old school banjos rather than the more common PRS birds. Lastly, the PRS acoustic pickup array has been included with a volume knob inside the soundhole.

other keywords: prs guitars, custom guitar, paul reed smith, A131094, figured, bespoke, grand auditorium, ameritage

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2014 Musselwhite Dreadnought, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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A contemporary iteration of a prewar classic: a David Musselwhite D-28 from 2014 dressed up with Brazilian Rosewood and a shade top finish over Spruce. The dropdead gorgeous Brazilian came from the one and only Mike Longworth of Martin! Such a powerhouse, quick response and it mixes up great across the registers for both chords and leads. A full neck profile feels very solid in hand with a V shape throughout, and we’ve got the classic combo of Waverly tuners and Abalone diamonds and squares to dress up the neck. A tight herringbone trim pattern rings in the shade top, and pairs up perfectly with Ivoroid bindings and a zigzag center strip out back.

Other keywords: allen shadd, bluegrass, flatpicking, brazilain, 28 style, sunburst, tkl

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1971 David Rubio Concert Classical, Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

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It’s such a pleasure to have a Concert Classical that’s been played on stage and resonating in the hearts of many an audience since 1971. This David Rubio, originally commissioned by Mike Caruso who has owned it all along, is a prime example of the special alchemy that occurs when a guitar is played in extensively: it is wide, wide awake. Excellent clarity and power across the range, with a crispness in the top end that projects very smoothly. Side dots are a visual creature comfort to aid in lefthand orienteering to boot! The body is classic Spruce over Brazilian Rosewood and weighs in under four pounds. 650mm scale and 52mm nut on a somewhat slender neck profile. This beauty has the marks of a professionally played and maintained instrument, and is in great working shape for its next owner.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, andy jurik, brazilain, humicase

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2021 Solveig & Andreas Kirschner Double Top Classical, Indian Rosewood/Cedar

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This 2021 Double Top Classical from Solveig & Andreas Kirschner, here with a short 640mm scale setup, combines power and warmth with an easy playability and featherweight construction. Built as a collaboration with the fine folx at Siccas Guitars, this Double Top boasts Cedar up top with Indian Rosewood back and sides, an elevated fingerboard, and gold Pagos tuners at the headstock. Weighing in just over three pounds, this Double Top is resonant and responsive in hand. We love the slight C shape to the Spanish Cedar neck (though we still consider the profile overall to be a D shape), and French Polish throughout.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, andy jurik, nylon string, siccas, s&a, bam, dt cedar

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1998 Huss & Dalton D-RH, Indian Rosewood/Spruce

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The powerhouse duo of Jeff Huss and Mark Dalton came together a number of years ago, and have been providing lovely American instruments ever since. Here’s a great example of their D-RH model from 1998 with Indian Rosewood and Spruce, herringbone trim throughout, and Maple bindings to set off the Rosewood and Spruce. Our repair staff recently dressed the frets—this H&D plays like glass. Fear not! This Dreadnought is wid awake and raring to go.

Other keywords: lutherie, guitarbuilding, huss & dalton, tkl tweed, 109, bluegrass, dreadnaught

Click here for a recording with our own Nick Dauphinais!

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1995 Humphrey Millennium Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

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Here we’ve landed a great example of Thomas Humphrey’s Millenium design from 1995, rigged up with Brazilian Rosewood under Spruce, a 650mm scale, and 51mm nut. At the soundhole we have a flower mosaic rosette which offers some color, pairing nicely with the warmly aged surrounding Spruce. A full neck profile with a slight C shape, terminating at the body with the elevated fingerboard extension design ubiquitous to the Millenium. This beauty has been lovingly played in since 1995 and has the marks to prove it, and for us this helps explain the wide open, powerful voice—you only sound this good when you’ve had a lot of music pass through your strings.

Other keywords: millenium, tkl, andy jurik, fingerstyle

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2005 Maingard OM, Brazilian Rosewood/Italian Spruce

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Built in 2005 and played in since then! Wide awake and raring to go. Ready for this Maingard OM? You’d better be. Dramatically figured Brazilian Rosewood back and sides (a classic Maingard move) pairs with Italian Spruce on top, a 25.4” scale, and slim build weight of four pounds for a lightweight, responsive, agile fingerstyle machine. The OM proportions also hold up well under a flatpick, but we had the most fun taking this one into fingerstyle territory with dropped tunings—hardly surprising, given the responsiveness across the range with this Maingard. Soundhole is ringed in with a zigzag rosette and at the headstock we have gold Waverly tuners plus another spot of dramatic BRW with the headplate veneer.
All told, this 2005 Maingard OM is a well-oiled machine. We’d recommend this one to, frankly, anyone.

Other keywords: south africa, lutherie, hiscox, brazilain, euro spruce, 195, fingerstyle

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1998 Manuel Velazquez Concert Classical, Malaysian Blackwood/Spruce

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One of the most revered classical luthiers of the 21st century, Manuel Velazquez’s career boasts decades of incredible work. This lovely number from 1998 comes to us towards the last epoch of that career, and it’s got all the benefits that a master’s touch can provide after so many years’ experience. Such a lovely example of Velazquez’s work, this Classical plays effortlessly and has a sweet mixture of velvety bass and crisp, clear trebles. This is truly a lifetime instrument for its next lucky owner, coming from a lifetime of experience at the hands of Velazquez.

Other keywords: andy jurik, fingerstyle, nylon string, concert classical, black wood, lutherie, luthier, crossrock

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2008 Simon Marty Concert Classical, Pardo/Spruce

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This is our first Simon Marty, and we’re already eager for the next! Such a lovely example of the contemporary classical guitar from 2008. Pardo back and sides strike a rich red hue, and pair with Spruce on top and a Gilbert-style bridge plus arm rest. An intricate and colorful mosaic rosette pops very nicely; plus a slightly slender neck profile feels glossy and easy in hand. Gilbert tuners at the headstock are a plus, with a 650mm scale and 52mm nut. All wrapped up in a custom Karura case for maximum safety on those rare moments you aren’t playing it!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, andy jurik, nylon string, Daniel Christoffersen, arm bevel, modern guitar

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Brand New Rein RJN-3, Macassar Ebony/Port Orford Cedar

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Such a powerful example of modern lutherie. The voice of this brand new Rein RJN-3 is exceptionally clear and smooth, with a lovely balance across the registers. Port Orford Cedar top pairs with Macassar Ebony back and sides (with dramatic dark and light bands of alternating grain); Tom’s ingenious adjustable neck angle system; Mahogany neck with a generous C profile carve and EVO frets. The PO Cedar is french polished for maximum resonance, and elsewhere Tom used a catalyzed urethane finish for a bit extra protection. A glossy neck never felt so smooth! If you’re looking for a guitar that’s responsive to a T, and well adapted to a range of tunings, this Rein RJN-3 is the one for you.

Other keywords: rein guitars, lutherie, luthier, 295, cedar creek, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, chechen

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2001 Antonio Marin Montero Bouchet, Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

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A Bouchet model from Antonio Marin Montero from 2001, decked out with Brazilian Rosewood and Spruce, makes for an impressive guitar indeed. This beauty has been lovingly played in, and is wide awake with over 20 years under its belt. Build weight is a slim 3.5lbs, with 650mm scale and 52mm nut. A slightly fuller neck profile feels lovely in hand, especially if you have larger hands, and the setup is right in the pocket to boot. French Polish finish throughout, from such a master as Marin Montero, is fantastically transparent and keeps the soundboard as light and resonant as possible.

Other keywords: lutherie, guitarbuilding, nylon string, concert classical, 334, andy jurik

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2020 Åstrand Å-OM, Brazilian Rosewood/European Spruce

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Hands down, every time an Åstrand comes to our shop it’s a good day. And with this particular Å-OM from 2020, it’s an exceptional day. Such a powerful, balanced, responsive OM! Ted is one of our alltime favorite builders for all these reasons, plus his instruments are flawlessly executed with his master craftsperson’s attention to detail. No detail is skimped, from the dramatically colorful Brazilian Rosewood body and European Spruce top to the contemporary fretboard inlays compliments of Magnus Ramel and half satin neck for effortless playability. Every aspect of this 2020 Å-OM works together in harmony. Please, take this one home to find out for yourself! And do it before we have to take it home for ourselves instead.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerpicking, fingerstyle, 482020

 

Additional Demo :https://youtu.be/kEIs-Z-339Y

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2021 Strahm 00, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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Wide awake! Raring to go! and nearly new from 2021. Here’s a chance to land a powerful 00 from Stephen Strahm that’s dressed to the nines in understated tonewood glory. Gorgeous, dramatically figured Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pair up with a special set of Adirondack Spruce on top that Stephen acquired from his days with the Santa Cruz Guitar Co, and he used that same set of BRW to furnish a lovely rosette and headstock veneer. Not much pearl on this one; Strahm’s aesthetic lets the quality of the woods speak for themselves. We’re very excited to have this one in the shop—give us a shout before it’s gone!

Other keywords: traugott, fingerstyle, petteway, fingerpicking, modern guitar, 201417, brazilain, adriondack, mainstage, 14-fret, gotoh

 

Additional demo: https://youtu.be/ZaaFn1og1lo

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1988 Stelling Staghorn, Tony Pass Lost Timber Rim

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This Stelling Staghorn might have fewer strings than a standard guitar, but we can’t hold that against it for long: it’s got a helluva sound. And it’s still looking fantastic after its 1988 build date, here updated in 2008 with a Tony Pass Lost Timber rim. Nickel hardware throughout, plus extensive MOP position markers and the ubiquitous stag horns at the headstock. D-tuners are installed, fine, and functional and ready for action!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, allenn shadd, bluegrass, scruggs, banjo, 3426

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1992 Olson SJ, Single Owner, Indian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce

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Here we’ve landed an early Jim Olson SJ, this time from 1992! Of course Jim was already at guitar #406 by then. This beauty has been well cared for by its single owner in all that time and is in great playing shape. Indian Rosewood body with Sitka Spruce on top sets it apart from the Rosewood-Cedar Olson sound, and this one has a bit extra oomph and power as a result. It’s still excellent for fingerstyle, but holds up well under a flatpick too. Upgrades include a forentine cutaway, Abalone trim plus Tortoise-style bindings, and Jim’s signature O headstock inlay plus MOP dove fretboard inlays. And the classic L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup to round it all out!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 406

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Weaverville NC, 28787

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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