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1959 Masaru Kono, Rosewood/Spruce

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Smooth to a T and balanced like a dancer. This 1959 Masaru Kono performs with precision and elegance, with a lovely balance across the registers and a bell-like clarity in the mids and trebles. We love this evenness, which makes this an excellent Classical for recording, or the artist who needs the string-to-string balance to be dialed in. Going strong since 1959, this Kono has had a few repairs and is in great playing shape. Indian Rosewood body with Spruce on top, 650mm scale with a Rosewood fingerboard, and a Spanish Cedar neck that features more of a C-shaped profile than the U shape commonly found on nylon string instruments.

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, 805, humicase, kohno

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1969 Manuel Contreras I 1A, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar

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Such a powerful, expressive, and engrossing 1A model from Manuel Contreras I—we’re in love with this powerhouse from 1969. Gorgeously figured Brazilian Rosewood back and sides are paired with Cedar on top (retopped by the inimitable R.E. Bruné in ’86) and a long scale, 663mm setup to marry power and precision with warmth and colorful overtones. And that’s precisely what we find when playing this 1A. The trebles have a quick and energetic quality that’s instantly attractive, and it’s that lively flavor which animates the voice and gives this Contreras an immediacy and dynamic presence. It’s a big sound, but sweet at the same time. At least part of that is pairing up Cedar with a longer scale, and the rest is Manuel’s unique touch with the chisel and the saw. This 1A is a superb concert instrument.

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, re brune, richard brune, ramirez

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1975 Ramirez 1A, Rosewood/Cedar

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These Ramirez 1As from the 70s are hot tickets! And we’ve got front row seats with a well preserved number from 1975 here today. Cedar over Rosewood with a meaty neck profile that feels solid in hand; weighs in below four pounds; even comes wrapped up in the original case. The voice has blossomed handsomely since ’75, and today it’s loud, clear, and delightfully dynamic.


Other keywords: jose ramirez, classical guitar, andy jurik, fingerstyle, nylon string, 8650

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2000 Antonio Raya Pardo Torres, Brazilian Rosewood/German Spruce

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Antonio Raya Pardo’s Torres model combines lovely tonewoods with petite body dimensions for a warm, intimate playing experience and voice. Chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood with German Spruce on top, 645mm scale, and a slim 3lbs 4oz playing weight brings added warmth and roundness to the trebles. The strings mix up very evenly across the registers. This Torres model comes to us from 2000, and has opened up handsomely. We found that after a few minutes, it woke up even more—a responsive guitar, indeed.

Here’s an additional demo/performance video with Andy Jurik on this Antonio Raya Pardo Torres model: https://youtu.be/yXYJe_xiOvI

Check out this additional performance featuring David Stevenson: https://youtu.be/PnhkIdMDZoU

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, 149, hiscox

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2017 Sergio Perez Segovia, Madagascar Rosewood/Cedar

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Sergio Perez, building his own Classicals alongside his father Teodoro Perez, offers poise, balance, and sweetly defined power with his instruments—and we’ve landed a 2017 Segovia model that’s got all that and more. Named after the city and not the musician, this Segovia model boasts a dramatic set of Madagascar Rosewood for the back and sides, paired with Cedar on top for added warmth, and French Polished to maximum resonant effect. Rubner tuners with white rollers are smooth and efficient, which are also descriptors we find perfect for the voice: this Perez Segovia is precise across the registers, energetic when you lean in and mellow when pull back. Smooth playability matches the good looks found in an intricate mosaic rosette and rope-style top purflings. The Cedar top has already opened up handsomely since 2017, and it’s only going to get better from here.

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, perez guitars, spanish guitar, madrid, 68

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2007 Humphrey Millennium, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar

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The Classical guitar community lost the great Thomas Humphrey too soon in 2008, and that loss has been felt ever since. We’re grateful and honored to have one of his last Millenium models, built in 2007, here to offer. The Millennium design, now ubiquitous in contemporary Classical construction, features Humphrey’s elevated fingerboard, dramatic body taper, and hybrid X bracing. The results are felt in both playability and tone: this Humphrey Millennium is easy on the hands and has an incredibly distinct voice. The treble register pushes out and away from the soundhole with great clarity and weight; the voice has a visceral quality that is mesmerizing. The body boasts chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with Cedar on top and a floral mosaic rosette.

Other keywords: millenium, humicase, andy jurik, steve newbrough, 650

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2011 Greg Byers, Indian Rosewood/European Spruce

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Greg Byers’ Classicals are defined by a taste of innovation that’s based in tradition. With this bent top model from 2011, that’s fully on display. Byers combines a European Spruce top that’s ‘bent’ towards the heel with an elevated fingerboard to preload the top with tension and provide easier lefthand access to the uppermost frets. The result is handsome, distinct, and oh so easy on the hands. Sides are made up of straight-grain Indian Rosewood, with a 12-hole tieblock on top, 650mm scale, and a fantastically transparent French Polish finish throughout. The voice is characterized by a dark, emotive definition that really sings in the bass and mids, with a focused top end to tie it all together. We love the colors Byers employs in the rosette, paired up with wheat purflings, for a subtly dramatic effect that’s echoed with the marquetry at the center of the headplate.

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, perez guitars, fernando troche, 265, tkl

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2020 Stephan Connor Everest, Walnut/Cedar

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Stephen Connor’s Everest model combines mouth-watering Figured Walnut with Cedar for awesome power and an articulate warmth. Elevated fingerboard and soundport for player creature comforts, 650mm scale, 51mm nut for a touch extra lefthand space. This lovely number was sold before we could even list it!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitar building, classical guitar, backstrap, thomas humphrey, sound port, mosaic

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Brand New Preston Thompson 0000-BA, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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The extra O in this 0000 stands for “Ooooh yeah.” We’re excited to land a brand new 0000-BA in Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce from the fine folks at Preston Thompson Guitars, here with a lovely chocolate burst on top plus Bloodwood appointments to set off the fretboard and headstock. The voice is quick, lively, and expressive (we honestly can’t decide if we enjoyed fingerpicking or flat picking more, it handles both so well), with a punchy, direct quality that fires right out the soundhole. Projection is crisp and even across the registers, as is note decay. The BRW back and sides add color to the bottom end while keeping the trebles glassy, and the slim 0000 sides keep the midrange punchy and articulate. Basically, whatever you throw at it, this PKT soaks right up and offers it back to you, plus interest.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, flatpicking, bluegrass, dreadnaught, preston thompson guitars, pkt guitars, oregon, blue grass, flatpicker, 1818

i

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1924 Hauser I Vienna Model, Maple/Spruce

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Herman Hauser I needs no introduction to the classical world. However, aside from the family of Spanish guitars for which he is best known, Hauser I also built a number of other instruments according to the musical trends of the turn of the twentieth century, among them zithers and even lutes. Here we have an example of his Vienna Hybrid model, a design favored in the Munich music scene with Maple body over Spruce, an adjustable neck, mustache bridge, and zero fret. The sound is lively and quick, with a punchy, bright treble register that cuts through the mix. The bass register is energetic and brassy and projects with a crisp sweetness. Playability is superb, plus this Vienna model with its thin sides (only 3” at the tail) weighs in just over three pounds.
A remarkable example of one of traditional lutherie’s giants, this Hauser I Vienna model is a testament to his enduring legacy.

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, 339867, viena, veinna, russell cleveland

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2019 Bastien Burlot Alkemia Chartres, Indian Rosewood/Engelmann Spruce

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Bastien Burlot has been a staple of French lutherie for years, having built guitars for such giants as Thomas Viloteau and the late Roland Dyens, cultivating a unique voice that combines the power and presence of modern styles with the warmth and elegance of tradition for a simultaneously fresh, and timeless, flavor. Recently, Burlot launched a new project that ties these two ideas even more snugly: the Alkemia Series. These Classicals are inspired by the most famous cathedrals in France, with the first in this series being the Alkemia Chartres Cathedral (found about an hour outside of Paris). The tightly patterned mosaic rosette is modeled directly after the stained glass windows of the church, and inside the guitar the label features a labyrinth in homage to the floor of the cathedral’s nave. Here pilgrims have gathered for hundreds of years to walk the labyrinth in contemplation.

Here’s an additional video with Andy Jurik playing the lovely “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (J.S. Bach) on this Burlot Classical: https://youtu.be/3vq-Wdupyek

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, hiscox, 118

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2010 Kazuo Sato Prelude, Indian Rosewood/Alpine Spruce

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This 2010 Prelude model from Kazuo Sato offers a smooth, even voice with lovely articulation across the registers; we’re smitten. Indian Rosewood back and sides paired up with Alpine Spruce on top (aged 20 years beforehand! making this a 30-year-old top today), Mahogany neck, and Alessi tuners for added elegance. This lovely number has opened up handsomely in the intervening years, and we’re excited to report it has a lively projection waiting just under the surface with a heavier attack. French Polish throughout, plus an under-four-pounds play weight, makes for an easy, responsive playing experience. We’re excited to see where the next 10 years takes this one!

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

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2019 Lorenzo Frignani, Indian Rosewood/Italian Spruce

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The Italian voice of lutherie is strong, indeed, if this 2019 Classical from Lorenzo Frignani is any indication. We were immediately struck by the power and presence of the voice, paired with a lively bass register and a lovely mixture of roundness and precision in the trebles. The Italian Spruce top (from the Val di Fiemme, rumored to be the valley where Stradavarius harvested his timbers) responds handsomely to a range of attacks, offering up a wide dynamic palette of colors depending on the piece. Indian Rosewood back and sides pair it up with Rosewood bindings, Alessi tuners at the headstock, and a Spanish Cedar neck with gorgeous light flame for a touch of drama. A high gloss French Polish finish lets all these woods shine at their best, and this Classical weighs in at a slim playing weight of just over three pounds.

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, eastman, 231

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2020 Jakob Lebisch Double Top, Indian Rosewood/Italian Spruce

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Jakob Lebisch suffuses poise, presence, and a sumptuously diverse tonal palette throughout the voice on this 2020 Double Top. Simply incredible. We’re flabbergasted by the velvetness of the trebles; there’s an alluring blooming quality, with cool overtones, that’s rarely seen. That top end mixes up flawlessly with a warm, articulate midrange—and the bass response fill out the voice with an easy warmth and roundness that hangs in the air. Lebisch’s double top construction adds power for the concert hall, but not at the cost of elegance and tonal range which many double top designs suffer from. On the tonewood front, Lebisch is working with classics, a combination of Indian Rosewood body with a doubled Italian Spruce top, Spanish Cedar neck, and a unique Ebony rosette inlaid with brass that further sets this guitar apart. The build weight is an incredible 2lbs 15oz! And gold Scheller tuners to round out the image, plus a gloss-finished 12-hole bridge.
Jakob Lebisch has built a lifetime concert instrument with this one, and we’re so excited to get it into your hands.

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

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2020 Jochen Röthel, Cocobolo/Cedar

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German luthier Jochen Röthel wields his chisels like a chef his knives, coaxing a work of functional art that charms the senses with a myriad of flavors and textures, tones. This 2020 Classical is a feast most sumptuous. Gorgeous Cocobolo back and sides with rich reds and dramatic figure pairs with Red Cedar on top, Ebony bindings, and a mosaic rosette of diamonds in Rosewood. Gold Scheller tuners (also of Germany) add a touch of elegance to the headstock; otherwise Röthel leaves the woods to speak for themselves. And what a voice they wield. The trebles have an immediacy and power that draws the ear in, without overpowering the bass or mids. The bottom end is deliciously warm and adds a richness and presence in which we lost track of time each time we sat down to play. Delicious, indeed.

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade

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2017 Kenneth Brogger, Madagascar Rosewood/Bearclaw Spruce

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Gorgeous from tuner to tail, this 2017 Kenneth Brogger looks as great as it plays. Madagascar Rosewood back and sides pairs up with an incredibly figured Bearclaw Spruce top for a stunning look, plus Kenneth ties it all together with crow’s feet top trim and Rosewood bindings. The slim build weight of 3lbs 12oz keeps this concert instrument comfortable in-hand, and the neck-to-body weight ratio makes for an easy balance when played on either leg. The voice is smoothly balanced across the registers, with a consistent responsiveness and note definition that we found reliable all along the fretboard. This is a fabulous example of a concert quality build, especially dressed up to look the part.

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, hiscox, 174

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2011 Dominique Delarue, Malaysian Blackwood/Cedar

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Considered by many to be the heir to the Daniel Freiderich legacy, french luthier Dominique Delarue offers builds which marry a strong fundamental in the bass with clean, defined trebles and a colorful midrange—qualities this beauty from 2011 has in spades. We love the power and projection, paired with added warmth and presence in the mids. The body is Malaysian Blackwood, here with Red Cedar on top and Alessi tuners at the headstock for a touch of elegance. Delarue’s intricate mosaic rosette ties it all together at the soundhole, with a high gloss French Polish finish throughout to really set it off. 650mm scale with 51mm nut; seventh fret side dot; a slim playing weight of 3lbs 13oz.

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, france, humicase, 347

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2018 Bertrand Ligier, Indian Rosewood/German Spruce

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French builder Bertrand Ligier brings together flawless fit and finish, an eye for the details, and an ear for mixing energy and elegance with this number from 2018. Straight-grain Indian Rosewood back and sides pair up with German Spruce on top (one of our favorite sets we’ve seen in some time), a gorgeously clear French Polish finish throughout, and intricate mosaic rosette for understated good looks. The voice is simply a delight. Lively and energetic strings mix up clearly and dynamically across the registers, with a layer of sweetly cool overtones in the top end that adds a level of bloom and presence to slow passages. We also love the responsiveness of the bass register, which suffuses a warmth across the voice.
Bertrand Ligier’s work is on a top shelf all of its own, reminiscent of both Friederich and Bouchet but all his own.

Here’s a great demo performance with our own Andy Jurik putting the 2018 Bertrand Ligier through its paces: https://youtu.be/Wk9r2FskPzU
Here’s an additional demo on this Betrand Ligier with guitarist David Stevenson: https://youtu.be/H2KybtIzwmw

Other keywords: classical guitar, classical, nylon string, luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, marquetry, handmade, french polished, steve newbrough, andy jurik, hiscox, 68

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Brand New Rainsong CO-WS3000 12-String, Carbon Fiber, Concert Series

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The Concert Series is all about Warm Tone.  These are the lightest soundboards built by RainSong using unidirectional carbon.  Unidirectional carbon mimics the tight grain of a fine spruce soundboard.  Thus, it is not surprising that this line produces a warmer tone.

The RainSong CO-WS3000 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 CO-WS3000 12-string acoustic-electric guitar 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 Bresnan OM, Brazilian Rosewood/Swiss Moonspruce

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We just can’t keep these on the shelf! Or in the case, as it turns out. Dan and Sean Bresnan are just killing it these days with the new builds they’re sending our way. We’re caught between a rock and a hard place: keep this 2021 OM for ourselves, or do the right thing and find it’s happy new home. A crisis! But we think you should have it. This features another set from Dan’s old Brazilian Rosewood stash, and is here paired with Swiss Moonspruce on top for that characteristic glassy sound and smooth clarity we’ve come to expect from Bresnan Guitars. The setup is also silk smooth and effortless, and with a long scale 25.4” setup this OM has just the right amount of pop and snap in the bass and mids to really make it sing. The rosette is a gorgeous number win BRW and Koa, and elsewhere Bresnan lets the quality of the woods speak for themselves, rather than inlay a ton of pearl. We love the understated aesthetic that that brings about. It’s like every facet of this guitar, tonally and visually: graceful and effortless.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, bresnan guitars, modern guitar, brazilain, fingerstyle, om2002, ameritage

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1977 D’Aquisto 16″ Deluxe Flattop, Maple/Spruce

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James D’Aquisto aficionados will want to see this one. Several years back we had one of D’Aquisto’s rare nylon string prototype models, and now we’ve landed a steel string that’s wooed us even more. This Deluxe 16 Inch Flattop was built in 1977 (signed 12/23/77 inside), featuring tight-flame Maple back and sides with equally tight-grained Spruce on top, a chunky neck (at 1 15/16” nut width), and Jimmy’s signature inlaid at the headstock. An oval soundhole is trimmed out with Ivoroid to match the body and neck bindings, pairing with an irregular rectangular Ebony bridge and through saddle. The body is deep (just over 5” at the tail), and the added depth gives a powerful push to the voice that really opens up under a flatpick. That said, this D’Aquisto Flattop is also a fabulous guitar to play with fingers; in spite of its capacious dimensions this ones responds beautifully to a lighter attack, and has excellent clarity and sustain.
We’re proud to offer this rare piece of D’Aquisto history for its next happy home; please reach out with any and all questions.

Other keywords: daquisto, 106, petteway, archtop

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Brand New Musser Dreadnought, The Tree Mahogany/Colorado Blue Spruce

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Don Musser, well damn. This Dread is an articulate beast, a mix of crackling livewire energy and crisp note definition and smooth decay. Brand new to boot! Part of Don’s secret (aside from his invaluable voicing techniques) is his life as a tonewood dealer, giving him access to the best materials. Take the woods on this number: The Tree Mahogany back and sides, Colorado Blue Spruce top, Honduran Mahogany neck plus BRW headplate. And Curly Maple bindings to tie it all together (and a lovely sunburst on top to offset the Pearl trim and rosette). The setup is silk smooth and responsive to a light touch just as much as a heavier attack. It’s a powerhorse (that’s a powerhouse workhorse).

Other keywords: tone wood, fingerstyle, abalone, mop, mother of pearl, fingerpicking, dreadnaught, 25.5, 354, quilted mahogany

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2004 Contreras II 10th Anniversary Premium Series, Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce

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Cream of the crop, an even mixture of sweetness and power—the Contreras 10th Anniversary model is a lifetime guitar. How could it be anything else? This piece of functional art is part of the Contreras II Premium Series, with their finest woods and appointments on display, and their patent double back design. Gorgeous-figured Brazilian Rosewood over Spruce; an intricate mosaic rosette pairs with mosaic tiled top trim and herringbone at the headplate; French Polished top for maximum resonance and Lacquer body for added protection. The voice is characterized by an even balance across the registers, with a touch extra pop in the top end, and we love the smooth sustain. There’s plenty of power under the hood, made possible by their doubled back design that allows the backplate to resonate more freely—adding volume and projection as well as sheer strength. This particular 10th Anniversary is from 2004 and has opened up handsomely between then and now. Snag this beauty before it’s gone!

Other keywords: classical guitar, nylon string, manuel contreras, andy jurik, steve newbrough, 108, road runner, brazilain

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2016 Lowden S-32J Jazz, Indian Rosewood/Alpine Spruce

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Easy as breathing, rich as royalty! Lowden’s crossover Jazz series marries the warmth, responsiveness, and playability of nylon strings with the creature comforts enjoyed by steel strings for a box that boasts the best of both worlds. A radiused fingerboard, plus cutaway, makes for easy lefthand work, and Lowden outfits this S32J with a 14-fret neck for even more fretboard access. A Fishman Matrix Infinity pickup system carries you straight onto the stage to boot. The 32 series is done up with Alpine Spruce over Indian Rosewood back and sides, plus Maple bindings to set it off. Schaller Hauser-style tuners round out the package in gold.

Other keywords: hiscox, lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, fingerpicking, liteflite, xover guitar, guitar, small guitar, fingerstyle, 20031

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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