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2016 Martin Custom Shop 000-14F, All Fiddleback Mahogany

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Here we’ve landed a great example of Martin Custom Shop chops with a 2016 000-14F decked out all in Fiddleback Mahogany and bound in Maple. Rope style rosette and trim? Yes, please! While designated as a 000 at the heelblock, this Custom Shop has a long scale setup that works well with the all-Mahogany construction, giving a nice edge to the woody warmth. Quick decay lends itself well for blues or rags, and we had a blast getting into it here. We love the Maple torch inlaid at the headstock, rather than the typical Abalone, for a more understated effect that looks gorgeous and makes this 000-14F stand out even more.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, c.f. martin, martin guitars, 2007623, ooo

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Brand New Pogreba Resonator, Aluminum

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This is the definition of fun. Montana’s Larry Pogreba only builds part of the year, and he only builds things that are out of the ordinary. This flaming hot red reso is brand new, boasts a ’55 Olds hubcap resonator cover (a Pogreba staple), and screams with Teisco pickup when amplified. Slick playability with a fingerpicking setup, Belize Mahogany neck (and Belize Rosewood fretboard with some dramatic figure); and an über cool mokume gane tailpiece made up of 40 layers of Brass, Bronze, and Copper. There’s enough going on here to keep you coming back for more for years to come. Larry only builds a few a year, so snag it while you can!


Other keywords: resanator, tiesco, blues guitar, burl, burl wood, al petteway

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2015 Thorell FV Premier, Myrtlewood/Sitka Spruce

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Here we’ve landed a sharp-dressed archtop from Utah’s own Ryan Thorell that’s raring to go. This is a 2015 FV Premier (Frank Vignola model) rigged out with some mouth watering tonewoods. We’ve got lovely Figured Oregon Myrtle back and sides with a carved Sitka Spruce top, Indian Rosewood bindings, and lovely Ebony throughout. Schertler tuners in a slotted headstock arrangement with Black Cherry neck and a slightly U/C-shaped profile that’s somewhat reminiscent of a Gypsy Jazz feel. A soundport at the upper bout gives the player a little more “me in the monitor,” and the custom Kent Armstrong humbucker is rigged with volume and tone knobs under the Ebony pickguard.

Other keywords: hiscox, 135, duane simpson, stika, myrtewood, myrtlewood, fingerstyle, fusion

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2022 Tippin Forte, The Tree Mahogany/Alpine Moonspruce

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Bill Tippin’s Forte model for the win. This flattop is a feat of lutherie from one of our all-time favorite builders, and Bill does not disappoint. The Tree Mahogany back and sides plus Alpine Moonspruce top makes for a unique blend of snappy bass and bell-like trebles. A natural choice for fingerstyle, and with the larger Forte body style this one is also right at home with a flatpick as well. One of those rare guitars that makes everything sound just a bit better. Creature comforts include an arm bevel, contoured heel carve, soundport, and Scheller tuners. Aesthetic dressings include the wildly figured Tree Mahogany, African Blackwood bindings and engraft, and tasteful Abalone inlays throughout.
Want to commission a sweet dream machine from Bill Tippin for yourself? Give us a shout!

Other keywords: bill tippin, tippin guitars, , mop, lutherie, fingerpicking, main stage

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Brand New Galloup G.2c, Brazilian Rosewood/Italian Spruce

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Brand New and already oh so awake. Our latest G.2c from Bryan Galloup is phenomenal, and dressed to prove it. Brazilian Rosewood body with Italian Spruce on top, 25.5” scale, and some tasty appointments with interrupted profilings and geometric motifs. Playability is glass smooth, as is the voice. The top end has a lovely bell quality and some insane overtones; this Galloup has a rare quality of natural reverb that fills the room. It’s frankly haunting. Equally at home with Standard tuning as it is with DADGAD, or even C9.

other keywords: fingerstyle, brazilian, 2012, 2022, handmade, lutherie, waverly, calton

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2017 Jang OM, Cocobolo/Swiss Spruce

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Sugar sweet with power to match. Now this is the one for you, if you’re looking for one flattop that’ll handle everything. Our 2017 Jang OM is just that good. Chocolate-dark Cocobolo back and sides paired up with Swiss Spruce on top, a glassy setup that’s effortless under the fingers, and a gorgeous blue purfling package to set off these lovely tonewoods. Moreover, Isaac built on a beveled cutaway, along with his Subtle Manzer Wedge design, for added ergonomic ease. And this guitar does play easily—it’s as easy as breathing. The voice is crisply balanced across the registers, with just enough fire in the bottom end to warm it all up, and articulate trebles for added definition. Grab this one while you can! It won’t linger, and Isaac has a multi-year wait list so who knows when your next chance will come.

Other keywords: wingert, lutherie, guitarbuilding, modern guitar, cocabolo, fingerpicking, mainstage, IxOMMV.015SwCo.1017

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2009 Petros Applecreek D, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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Once Adirondack Spruce has been played in enough, the woke tones it’s capable of are a thing to behold. Enter: this Petros Applecreek D model from 2009 with Brazilian Rosewood to boot. The voice is easy, smooth, and velvety rich; in the bass you have the perfect amount of emotive darkness, while the trebles remain cool and round and defined. The midrange is present and articulate to bridge the gap. What a fabulous fingerstyle instrument! The Adirondack soundboard has truly bloomed into a powerhouse since ’09, and paired with BRW and the large Petros D body (16” at the lower bout) the result is a big, energetic voice plus excellent string-to-string balance. What more could you ask for?

Check out this additional demo with our own Al Petteway for a treat to the tune of DADGAD: https://youtu.be/F_IzryRpcT0

Other keywords: bruce petros, matt petros, fingerpicking, apple creek, brazilain, adriondack, maple, tkl avs, 32319

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2015 PRS Angelus Private Stock, Brazilian Rosewood/European Spruce

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Pull all the stops, and you land a powerhouse like this 2015 PRS Private Stock. Figured Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, creamy (and dreamy) European Spruce top, with caramel Koa bindings and dark Abalone trim. The Private Stock team then went one step further by using Brazilian Rosewood for the fingerboard, bridge, tuner buttons, even the neck. The result is the definition of beautiful. The setup is slinky and smooth, and the bass and trebles mix up sweetly with a very warm and articulate midrange. The voice is rich, rich, rich.

other keywords: prs guitars, custom guitar, paul reed smith, brazilain, a151568, koa

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2017 Tippin Forte, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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Bill Tippin repeatedly ranks in our top ten. Why? Consistency. Consistency in build quality, and consistency in tone: his guitars are fantastically balanced across the registers. This 2017 Forte is such a powerhouse! The Forte model is a slightly enlarged Crescendo, here upgraded with Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce with Koa bindings and a soundport plus arm bevel. The Adi top really opens up after you play for a few minutes, lending a lively and organic quality to the player experience; you’ll remark that this particular guitar is quite wide awake. As mentioned, the balance is splendid across the range, and Bill’s managed to inject the same amount of power and presence into each note, making this an exquisite fingerstyle instrument. Plus it comes wrapped up safe and sound in a Calton case on those rare occasions when you aren’t playing it.

Here’s an additional demo with our own Billy Presnell: https://youtu.be/g2d3JVbkNug.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, bill tippin guitars, al pettaway, fingerpicking, 0217008, ooo, 000, finger style

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Brand New Applegate SJ Crelicam Ebony/Tunnel 14 Redwood

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It’s one of our favorite pleasures, commissioning custom builds for clients. This Applegate SJ came together so well! Tunnel 14 Redwood plus Crelicam Ebony for a sweet mixture of warmth and clarity; subtly dressed up with a bound headstock and fingerboard plus arm bevel and florentine cutaway. EVO frets help insure the playability remains clean for a long time to come, and we sprung for an upgraded Hoffee Roadie fiberglass flight case to keep this beauty safe when not in use–though we suspect the owner will be hard pressed to put it away for any length of time.

Interested in a custom build of your own? Give us a shout!

Other keywords: lutherie, bespoke guitar, 215, 2013, fingerstyle, small jumbo 

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Brand New Peggy White Premier, Brazilian Rosewood/Italian Spruce

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Another example of why we do this: a custom build with a longtime client and one of our talented builders. This time we spec’d out a Premier model from Peggy White as a full time DADGAD fingerstyle guitar, outfitted with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and Italian Spruce on top. That combination is definitely part of where the glassy top end and chocolate-rich midrange come from, plus Peggy’s chops with the chisel and the rasp. A geometric motif at the rosette offers a fun contrast to the svelte curves of the waist and venetian cutaway, and the very subtle arm bevel at the lower bout.
Excited to commission your own? We are! Give us a shout, we’d love to help make your guitar dream become a guitar reality. You can reach out to us through our contact page to discuss a build to your own specs here.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, bespoke guitar, 4054, hoffee, fingerpicking, gotoh, petteway

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2013 Hooper Dreadnought, Honduran Rosewood/Carpathian Spruce

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Ken Hooper’s been blowing up the scene for a few years now, and we’re exited to have landed this lovely 28-Style from 2013 that’s opened up handsomely in the intervening years. Honduran Rosewood back and sides pair up with Carpathian Spruce on top, and the resulting tone blends sweet warmth at the bottom end, a lively midrange, and focused trebles to cut through the mix and project outward. 28-style Herringbone trim on top, plus tortoise-style pickguard, rounds out the image of a modern traditional Dreadnought that’s raring to go!

Other keywords: henderson, bluegrass, hooper guitars, allen shadd, flatpicking, 037, tkl

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Brand New Rainsong N-JM3100 12-String, Carbon Fiber/Hybrid Spruce & Carbon Fiber

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The Nashville is a bold stage guitar. The unidirectional carbon/spruce SFT soundboard is finished in an attractive 3-ton tobacco sunburst finish and supplemented with eye-catching appointments.

To combine the stability and robustness of carbon fiber with the traditional aesthetics of wood, RainSong has developed SFT: Soundboard Fusion Technology.  After careful experimentation, we are able to fuse a thin spruce soundboard and a unidirectional pre-impregnated carbon layer in a single molding step.  The resulting SFT soundboard is a composite matrix that resonates as a single unit, like a solid wood soundboard.  The physical properties of the carbon fiber far exceed those of the thin wood.  Hence the SFT soundboard maintains the imperviousness to humidity and temperature of carbon fiber.
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An SFT soundboard delivers rich crystalline carbon sound subtly colored by wood.
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The RainSong N-JM3100 Jumbo 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar combines the large-sized sound chamber with lightweight carbon-fiber/spruce construction to deliver extra-loud and deep tone that superbly counterbalances the extra treble strings. This is a 12-string guitar that is great for strumming and finger style, full of power and delicacy, and ready to hit the road. The RainSong N-JM3100 12-string is able to stay in tune at concert pitch and to withstand temperature and humidity variations; qualities that every seasoned 12-string player has long pined for.
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Brand New Bouchereau MJ.C, Honduran Mahogany/Alpine Spruce

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Loïc Bortot of Bouchereau Guitars is here with a powerhouse MJ.C small jumbo in Honduran Mahogany and Alpine Spruce that’s a force to be reckoned with. Smooth balance across the registers, plus precise trebles to cut through the mix; a dynamic color palette in the mids that really blooms in lowered tunings; and a crisp bottom end to tie it together. The woods are gorgeous, especially the tightly figured Honduran Mahogany back and sides, which Bortot pairs up with Rosewood bindings for an understated look. The body and headplate are buffed to a clear gloss, but the neck is satin smooth, velvet to the touch. We’re very much fans of this neck. The rosette features an interlocking motif for centerpiece. Throw in an arm bevel for creature comfort, and you’ve got a brand new MJ.C that’s as easy on the eyes as it is on the ears, and even the hands.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, modern guitar, cutaway, gotoh, 024, elevated fingerboard, hiscox

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2020 Kostal MDW, Figured Mahogany/German Spruce

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Jason Kostal plus Michael Watts—the result is delicious indeed. These two have collaborated for a unique take on the Somogyi Modified Dreadnought body: shrink by 15%, then add a 12-fret neck and new bracing scheme, and the result is this piece of magic, the MDW. The smaller body dimensions make for an easy and effortless playing experience, as does the 12-fret neck join and 25” scale. Paired with Fiddleback Mahogany and German Spruce, the result is a combination of a quick fundamental and a sweet warmth in the overtones. It’s exquisite for fingerstyle thanks to those qualities and a crisp, easy balance from string to string and across the registers. This MDW (or MD Watts if you like) was recently finished in 2020 and is like new, but already quite wide awake and singing. Plus, that means this Kostal is only going to get better from this point forward—and it’s already so strong.

Other keywords: jason kostal guitars, lutherie, luthier, signature model, signature guitar, 12 fret neck, fiddle back mahogany, 167, hoffee, modern fingerstyle, stained glass rosette

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2001 Lozano 1a Rio, Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

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This 1a Rio graduated at the top of its class in 2001 from Casimiro Lozano—and it’s gone up, up, and up since then. We love the powerful, warm, present and awake flavor of this Lozano, especially in the articulate, defined bass register. Trebles and mids pair up smoothly to fill out the voice, with a sweetness in the upper mids that comes out under a light attack. Being Lozano’s Rio model, this 1a has been upgraded with lovely Brazilian Rosewood and a Spruce top, 650mm scale, Spanish Cedar neck, and French Polish finish throughout for maximum resonance. Being 20 years old, this 1a Rio has opened up oh so handsomely, and has been well cared for with only some play marks on top.

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, cazimiro, lozano guitar

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1998 Boaz/Majkowski Kasha-Schneider, Brazilian Rosewood/Redwood

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In 1998, Boaz and Majkowski embarked on a project to build several Kasha-Schneider Classicals to honor the passing of Majkowski’s teacher, Richard Schneider. The result is something truly unlike anything else out there. The body is constructed with Redwood top—and back—with Brazilian Rosewood sides; the bridge and top thicknesses are engineered to maximize bass response from the left and treble on the right; and the Redwood back is designed to operate as an active speaker diaphragm. Offsetting the soundhole to the sonically dead treble upper bout area frees up the rest of the top to be more optimally braced, and the neck is fretted with Brass to add mass and rigidity, thus minimizing the amount vibrational energy lost in the neck. Gilbert tuners and an Ameritage case round out the package of a one-of-a-kind Classical.

Other keywords: andy jurik, fingerstyle, michael kasha, nylon string, Cecilia

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2000 Blanchard Bristlecone, Indian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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Mike Blanchard’s Bristlecone weighs in a touch larger than a traditional OM, and that extra depth adds presence and power to the voice, without launching full tilt into a large guitar. Instead, the Bristlecone is easy in hand and a lively singer. Great string energy and responsiveness, with a voice characterized by balance and clarity, makes for a fine fingerpicking experience. This lovely number from 2000 has Indian Rosewood back and sides, paired with Adirondack Spruce on top, plus Curly Maple bindings to really set it off. Setup is slinky and smooth, with a lovely neck carve that feels comfortable from nut to heel.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, dream guitar, bristle cone, blanchard guitars, tkl avs, fingerstyle

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2010 PRS Tonare Grand, Pernambuco/Adirondack Spruce

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If it’s good enough for the likes of Tony McManus and Ricky Skaggs, it’s good enough for us. In fact, this 2010 PRS Tonare Grand was built for Mr. Skaggs himself! Here dressed to the nines in Pernambuco (back, sides, neck, fingerboard, bridge, rosette, bindings) with Adirondack Spruce on top for added power and cut. The voice is crisp and dry, with a quick decay that lends itself especially well to maintaining good note definition when playing faster passages. Setup is slick and smooth, and with a 1 11/16” nut and 25 1/4” scale it feels comfortable for long sessions at the wheel. 16 inches across the lower bout makes for added projection and sheer volume, which this PRS uses to great effect. MOP doves adorn the fretboard, terminating at the rosette and matching up with the inner MOP ring there, as well as MOP trim along the top.

Other keywords: lutherie, paul reed smith, custom guitar, fingerstyle, altered tuning, martin simpson, a100410

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2012 PRS Private Stock Brazilian Custom 24, Mahogany/Quilted Maple

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Dressed to the nines with Brazilian Rosewood and 14K shine—our 2012 Private Stock Custom 24 is ready to cut some serious rug. The BRW roll call is as follows! Neck, fingerboard, headplate, tuner knobs, pickup rings, control knobs, and pickup switch tip. On the gold front: etched gold birds along the fretboard and headplate, stoptail tailpiece, plus Phase II locking tuners. Pickups are the classic PRS 59/09 humbuckers, and this Custom 24 is wired with a three-way switch, plus volume and push-pull tone knob. The burst on this beauty is a special brand, indeed. Faded Aquamarine under acrylic urethane looks gorgeous and really makes the Quilted Maple top pop. The body is a dense South American Mahogany, and a PRS Pattern Regular neck carve feels oh so effortless in hand.

other keywords: prs guitars, duane simpson, custom guitar, 126924, paul reed smith, brazilain, 3-way switch, aqua burst

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2011 Alembic Further, Purpleheart/Quilted Maple

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The team at Alembic prepare for every possible application with their Further model. Purpleheart body with a neck-through design (Maple/Purpleheart/Cherry neck); 5A Quilted Maple top; electronics with volume, tone, filters, effects loop, LED position markers; 25.5” scale; Alembic single coil, humbucker, humbucker pickups. Basically, the kitchen sink. With so many options at the taps, this 2011 Further allows you to sculpt your tone like a painter their palette. This one is ready to go wherever you need to go, and the flawless fit n finish plus dynamite woods means you’ll look good while you’re at it. Playability is silk smooth to boot, with a neck carve that’s 0.815” deep at the first fret.

Other keywords: flg6, 11f14164, purple heart, g&g, duane simpson, electric guitar, custom guitar, lutherie, luthier

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2018 Klein 457, Brazilian Rosewood/Engelmann Spruce

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Taking this 2018 457 for a spin, and you lose track of time right out of the gate. This big boy fills your lap and vibrates your chest at first strum, and quickly sets the room to vibrating with the force of its voice. This 457 is a fantastic example of the expansive, enveloping, sonorous Klein sound—with some top shelf upgrades to set it apart. Mouth-watering gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood back and sides (chocolate-dark and black ink lines) with Spruce on top and a multiscale setup oof 26 1/4” on the bass and 25 1/8” on the treble. Moreover, the neck, bridge, and fingerboard are all also Brazilian Rosewood—this neck is a special rarity, and adds smooth sustain to the midrange that really helps fills out the voice. The expansive 18” lower bout loves, loves, loves to tune down to altered tuning territory (Cadd9) is a particular sweet spot.
Ready to land this big slice of lutherie life? Give us a shout!

Other keywords: custom guitar, custom build, lutherie, luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, klein & kauffmam, steve kaufman, fan fret, fanned fret, multi scale, multi-scale, fingerstyle

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Brand New Buendia Jumbo Cutaway 12-String, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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Brand new! And built as a client commission. Leo Buendia is one of our all-time favorite builders, and we’re so excited to have helped bring this 12 String Jumbo Cutaway into the world. Chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood with Adirondack Spruce on top; and beautiful red-dyed appointments at the rosette and back of neck. Interested in commissioning a build of your own? Give us a shout! We’re more than excited to help make it happen.

Other keywords: bespoke, somogyi, lutherie, custom guitar, 072, hoffee 12-string, fingerstyle

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2020 Froggy Bottom M Deluxe, Mahogany/Adirondack Spruce

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This Froggy may be nearly new from 2020, but it’s wide eyed and wide awake. What a fun model M Deluxe! Adirondack Spruce over Mahogany makes for quick attack, crunchy bottom end, and a lively projection that’s equally at home with a flatpick or fingernails. The M body fits into the Grand Concert camp of playability and comfort while maintaining a sizable air cavity for volume and depth of tone. Throw in a short scale setup to warm it up a bit and keep those strings easy on the fingers, and you’ve got a Froggy Bottom that’s effortless and incredibly fun. Being their Deluxe appointment package, this M has a lovely Abalone rosette which sets off the sunburst top, paired with an Abalone backstrip and Curly Maple bindings to round it out. Fit and finish are (as always) top notch. We’re excited to have this little(ish) Froggy in the shop! And we’re excited to get it into your hands next.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, michael millard, fingerpicking, guitar, adriondack, waverly, tkl, m2220

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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