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We’ve played a number of Greenfields over the years, and have always been impressed by the power, dynamic range, and beauty of his builds. And here we’ve got just such a build from 2016 with some incredible tonewoods! “Fallen Giant” Guatemalan Mahogany back and sides adds clarity and liveliness to the bass, but with an Alpine Moonspruce top Michael pulls out sweet, sweet overtones in the treble register and some sumptuously colorful mids. Michael manages to thread the needle between dry and juicy, giving this G2 a wiiiide dynamic range for both fingers and picks. A 25.78” scale means you can tune down into D or C and still get good snap and string feel. A Laskin-style arm bevel and “heel swoosh” neck heel are the creature comforts of choice here, plus Michael’s silk-smooth setup for effortless playability.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, fingerpicking, canadian guitar, modern guitar, bespoke guitar, klein, 263

Cream of the crop, and then some. And then some more. This is what happens when Sergei de Jonge shoots for the moon, and nails it. His Chelsea Presentation model from 2005 fires on all cylinders, from voice to visuals. Extremely rare Birdseye Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pair up with Adirondack Spruce on top; Figured Snakewood appointments wrap the body and are used for both the bridge and the fingerboard; gold Rodgers tuners with Black Pearl buttons; Fossilized Ivory nut & saddle. After just one strum, we were struck by the immediacy and clarity of the voice. There’s crisp note definition from bass to treble, and a smoothness to the bottom end that really fills out the voice. It’s lovely in Standard, and also holds up handsomely tuned down—plus the silky smooth setup is an exercise in effortlessness. From tuner to tail, inside and out, this de Jonge Chelsea Presentation model is a work of art that stands in a category all its own.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbulding, fingerstyle, bird’s eye, brazilian, adriondack, abalone, 509

The inimitable Bruce Sexauer brings so much to the table, we had to pick up a few extra legs to support it. His guitars are characterized by a modern sound with an emphasis on balance across the registers, and ergonomics that make for an effortless playing experience. This 2009 FT-14 displays both—with some premium tonewoods to boot. The FT-14 body is medium-small and very comfortable (weighs under four pounds), and Bruce tricked this one out with his collectible “Church Bell” Cocobolo for the back and sides, and an Engelmann Spruce top bound with Snakewood. This beauty was originally built for the 2009 Healdsburg Guitar Festival, and it has opened up so, so handsomely. The voice is responsive to a T, and really sings out with a crispness and precision in the trebles that sets this Sexauer apart.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, sexauer guitars, fingerpicking, 1780509

Eric Skye and Santa Cruz—would could be finer than such a collaboration? Portland’s Jazz phenom worked together with Richard Hoover to bring the world their signature 00~Skye model, a powerhouse 00 built with Cocobolo and Adirondack Spruce, 12-fret neck for added warmth, and 24.9” scale for fat, juicy trebles. The body on this 2012 number is subtly deeper to enhance the bass pop (which it has in spades); we love playing this little gem in a wide range of fingerstyle settings. Soft V neck plus a silky smooth setup make for an effortless playing experience, and the petite dimensions kept this guitar in our arms for long periods of time. It definitely had an impact on our productivity, but we consider it a worthwhile price to pay, in order to play such a sweet Santa Cruz.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, acoustic jazz, ameritage, adriondack, scgc, 00 Skye, cocabolo

Playing this one is an exercise in joy. Dake Traphagen brings the sensitivity of classical guitars to bear with his steel string builds—marrying responsiveness with power and clarity. This 2015 BRS 000 is a marvel. The treble strings have a sweet blooming overtone quality that’s engrossing, and pairs perfectly with a warm midrange and powerful bottom end. We love this Traphagen for fingerstyle in Open G, as much as we loved flatpicking jazz progressions back in Standard. It’s exceptionally versatile, and has a myriad of flavors depending on your attack. When we play this BRS 000, we’re reminded of the concept of a do-it-all guitar: so many builders strive to build guitars which can handle whatever the player throws at it, but only a handful like Dake Traphagen manage to pull it off. With this beauty in your hands, that’s exactly what you get. And we haven’t even talked specs! This one is upgraded with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and Carpathian Spruce on top for added power; French Polished for maximum resonance. 12 frets to the body and decked out with gorgeous Abalone trim, position markers, and rosette. The slotted headstock is outfitted with gold Waverly tuners, and the fretboard is rocking gold EVO frets for longevity.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, finger style, brazilain, capathian, varnished, enass

We’re excited to offer this single owner Montero built in 2016 with Spruce over Rosewood and 650mm scale. The voice is lively and rich in equal measure, and responds handsomely to a range of attacks. The fan-braced top is light and expressive (the overall build weight is a touch under 3.5lbs), with Montero’s use of French Polishing keeps that weight down and the string energy up. Spanish Cedar neck with Rubner tuners, and understated Rosewood body bindings to tie the package together. Antonio Marin Montero is one of the most revered Granada builders, and his Classicals are coveted by collectors and players alike—this beauty is the instrument of a lifetime.

Other keywords: lutherie, guitarbuilding, nylon string, concert classical, 1350

A real deal slice of history from the man himself, Eddie Van Halen. This Peavey EVH Wolfgang Special bears Van Halen’s signature sprawled across the body in gold, offset by the untouched black gloss package throughout. Documentation with the original packing slip proves this one was sent to Van Halen’s Fifty-One Fifty Studios in December of 1998; we even have the original box and packing materials! Here’s an opportunity to land a piece handled by Eddie himself, with the signature to back it up.

Other keywords: signed guitar, VH, basswood, 0091013161, autographed guitar

Like new from 2019 and raring to go! This is a livewire lil 0002H Cutaway from the crack team at Collings Guitars. Part of that is their use of a torrefied Adirondack Spruce top, and the rest is their finely-honed skills at maximizing the potential of each scalloped brace. Indian Rosewood back and sides, straight-grained and stable, with Ivoroid bindings and Herringbone trim for classic aesthetics—plus a venetian cutaway for modern playability. Smooth, effortless playability as we’ve come to expect from Collings.
Ready for a 000 that sings out like it should have a few more zeroes in its name? Our Collings 0002H Cutaway will do nicely, nicely indeed.

Other keywords:, lutherie, luthier, bill collings, mahagony, 30424, ooo, fingerstyle, american guitar

The cream of the crop never tastes so sweet as when you play this Signature Series from Kevin Ryan. And sweet is the word here! Premium Brazilian Rosewood from Kevin’s exclusive stash held aside for his Signature Series builds (this one is #033), plus Swiss Spruce on top added creaminess and velvety bass. The voice is smooth and handsomely defined; an exquisite piece for the modern fingerstylist, or anyone who needs maximum definition and detail in every note. The setup is effortless in hand, and Kevin’s use of a longer 25.75” scale adds pop and sizzle to those trebles to really sing out. Kevin’s already surgical-grade precision is cranked to eleven on this one. Fit and finish is flawless, as are the Select Blue Paua Abalone appointments and bevel and intricately interwoven inlay around the 12th fret.
When a builder as good as Kevin really lets the throttle run wide open, you get powerhouses like this Signature Series Nightingale—a once in a lifetime guitar.


Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerpicking, grand auditorium, brazilain, venetian cutaway, calton, #487.61

Oh, we love it when a guitar’s woken up, wide-eyed and singing. This Olson from 1996? Belts it right out. The voice is rich and quick, lively—energetic and velvety at the same time. The mid 90s are some of our favorite Olson SJs, and this one is no exception. There’s just something special about the string energy and overall projection that’s particularly engrossing. And of course, this beauty is upgraded with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with Engelmann Spruce on top for added power, plus Abalone appointments for good looks. Weighs in a little over four pounds, and still rocking the same glassy setup from when it rolled off Jim’s bench in ’96. Get it while you can!

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, tweed, 654

Serious powerhouse on the scene; hard to put this beauty down for any length of time. Simon Fay knocked it right out of the park with this OM from 2009—lively and energetic, crisp with great pop!, fires right out of the soundhole. This one takes to a flatpick like a natural, and has enough sensitivity to respond great under fingers as well. This exemplifies the attributes of the OM, namely, well-rounded and equally at home in every setting. Additionally, the setup is silky smooth, and Fay pulled out gorgeous tonewoods to dress it up. Flamed Claro Walnut back and sides (elements of crisp and woody tone) with Sinker Redwood on top (and the warmth and color that fills out the rest of the voice), plus Snakewood bindings and a soundport for creature comforts. The sides are double thicknessed with Zebrawood interiors, and Simon braced the Redwood top with his unique T bracing pattern.

Other keywords: orchestra model, lutherie, luthier, traugott, fingerstyle, ziricote, bootee, ameritage, 12

An exercise in smoothness, that’s what you get with this Ryan Nightingale in Madagascar Rosewood & Spruce. The play feel, smooth; bass register, velvety; trebles, round and full. Right down to Kevin’s fit-n-finish, this 2010 Nightingale operates like a well-oiled machine. It’s easy to lose track of time when you tune this beauty up to Standard (or down to C9) and get into it with your fingerstyle repertoire. The note separation is exquisite, such that individual notes are clearly defined and distinct but work together harmoniously to create a rich voice. The visual presentation is equally flawless; we love Kevin’s integrated acoustic flutes arm bevel, and tasteful Abalone appointments.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerpicking, kevin ryan guitars, paua, gotoh, 713.194.44

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.

Here’s something we don’t see every day! Our friend and fine luthier Joe Mendel has brought us a punchy and powerful flattop-style octave mandolin upgraded with a multiscale fretboard for easy lefthand work. Combined with the guitar-style body’s smooth waist, this makes for a very comfortable playing experience—no more fighting to keep the neck up like you’d have to with a traditional mandolin-shaped design! Joe outfitted this beauty with EVO frets, Maple back and sides, plus Sitka Spruce on top, and Curly Maple bindings throughout.

Other keywords: al petteway, mandalin, octo, fan fret, multi scale, multi-scale, flat top, flat-top, mendel stringed instruments, 017098

With this vintage-style workhorse from Bourgeois and co, the name of the game is balance. That comes in the voice, matching a crisp treble register with sweetness and warmth in the mids and bottom end. It also comes in the setup, long scale plus a spacious 1 3/4” nut and 2 5/16” saddle spacing for comfortable left and righthand work. It even comes in the balance of aesthetics: classic Ivoroid bindings and nickel Waverly tuners match up with a Ziricote head plate. This 2020 OM Vintage Professional stands apart from the other Vintage Pros with an upgraded Adirondack Spruce top for added power and projection, here paired with Indian Rosewood back and sides. When we described this Bourgeois as a workhorse, we meant it: this OM Vintage Professional is equally at home with fingers as with flatpicks, and fits right into a wide range of music.

Other keywords: dana bourgeois, modern guitar, tkl, fingerstyle, orchestra model, 000, 008947

Now here’s one to write home about! The voice on this 1998 Collings OM42BaaaA is pure heaven. Velvety rich bass response matches up with a lively and present midrange, and these trebles! sing oh so sweetly. There’s a real heft and presence that creates a particularly emotive and engrossing sound here. This is what happens when top notch craftsfolk work with top shelf tonewood—and then it marinates for over 20 years—a rich, lively, wide open guitar. Being from 1998 when Collings still offered Brazilian Rosewood, this OM42 is outfitted with a gorgeous AAA set with Adirondack Spruce on top and flawlessly executed 42-style Abalone appointments. Very well cared for, and very ready to keep on making music!

Other keywords: bill collings, bluegrass, lutherie, luthier, collings guitars, 3667, brazilain, adriondack, orchestra model, om-42

Here, we hardly need to introduce you to either Dana Bourgeois or Bryan Sutton. Just know that these two titans have been collaborating for years, with one result being this rare, powerful, gorgeous Limited Edition model. The 2015 Bryan Sutton LE was an exclusive run of only 30 guitars based on Bryan’s personal D-150, here outfitted with premium Brazilian Rosewood and Aged Tone Adirondack Spruce. According to Dana, “To say that the original is now well-played is something of an understatement. The idea behind the Limited Edition is to get as close as possible to that same elusive, broken-in sound. The new version will still require some playing to achieve the fullness, immediacy and ‘old friend’ feel of the original, but we are convinced it will not require seventeen years of playing by a picker as prolific as Bryan!” The setup is velvet-smooth and effortless, and oh so comfortable with a 1 23/32” nut. Aged Tone finish plus AT bracing; hide glue construction; through saddle plus Antique Walrus Ivory pins.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, bourgeois guitars, hot hide glue, fossilized ivory, dreadnaught, 007095 d-150

Here’s a special treat from the fine folks at Taylor Guitars! Under the guidance of Andy Powers, they’ve moved in some pretty awesome directions, including this 2020 Custom GC 12-Fret with Queen’s Walnut and Sinker Redwood! The pairing of those two makes for a warm midrange and crisp trebles, plus an even note decay across the registers, made possible with Andy’s new V Class bracing system. Visually, the rich reds on top complement the dramatic and colorful figuring on the back, and Taylor finished this beauty in satin to let them both pop. Abalone top trim ties into the rosette for a tasteful touch of sparkle. 12 frets to the body plus a short scale setup make for an effortless playing experience—another hallmark of Taylor guitars. This one also features a slotted headstock to further set it apart.

Other keywords: bob taylor, fingerstyle, 12-fret, v-class, 1203180099

What better way to celebrate 10 years in the business than a no-holds-barred 10th Anniversary model from PRS! Here we’ve landed #93 of an exclusive 200 in Teal Black finish over a Mahogany body and tight-flamed Maple top. Custom Pearl dove inlays along the fretboard and headstock pair up with gold hardware, McCarty electronics plus coil tap tone knob, locking tuners, wide-thin neck (feels oh so buttery smooth in hand). This beau weighs in a little over eight pounds with a great neck-body balance that keeps the guitar comfortable on either leg when played seated. The trem is currently set up with five springs for a smooth play feel. Comes wrapped up in the original case.

other keywords: prs guitars, duane simpson, bespoke guitar, 523146, paul reed smith

Veteran of the field Peter Oberg has been handcrafting concert-grade Classicals for a number of years, and here we’ve landed a single owner example of his work from 2011 that proves why we rarely see these come up on the used market: the voice. A strong and vigorous fundamental pairs with quick response and lively projection, round bass register, and crisp trebles. Soundports flank the neck heel and keep the player keyed in to their tone, and Peter included side dots at the fifth and seventh frets for creature comfort. Straight-grain Indian Rosewood back and sides, Engelmann Spruce top, French Polished for maximum resonance, and bound in Figured Maple for a gorgeous presentation. Weighs in under four pounds; well balanced between neck and body to rest comfortably on the right leg, as well as up on the left. Build quality is top notch, which is hardly surprising when you consider that Oberg studied with both Ervin Somogyi and Robert Ruck.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, nylon string, 126, aguilar, englemann, gotoh

For this our latest custom Laskin build, Paul collaborated with Grit on a concept exploring the therapeutic effects of nature and music in the light of our recent global pandemic. The result is this meditative piece sprawling along the fretboard, with a blue sea of present day issues offset by a sunset-clad musician seated at the headplate veneer.
The body features chocolate-dark, Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood and AAAA Sitka Spruce on top, plus Grit’s trademark Laskin arm and rib bevels for creature comfort. A stadium-shaped soundport at the upper bout; florentine cutaway; silver Gotoh tuners to round out the package.
The tone of this Mid-Size build is balanced and articulate, with great balance across the registers. There’s a sweet bump in the lower mids that makes the voice pop. In addition to the artistry up top, this Laskin has a gorgeous, engrossing sound that is an excellent option for fingerstyle work in Standard, as well as altered tunings.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, inlay, marquetry, inlay art, cv-19, covid, fingerstyle, bespoke guitar, 280920, hoffee

When a client comes to us looking for their dream guitar, we listen. This time we paired up with Matthias and Matthew of Casimi Guitars for na bespoke C2S build that is a masterstroke of modern lutherie. Premium African Blackwood body with Alpine Moonspruce on top gives the voice great depth and dynamic range, with an incredible palette of overtones in the upper register. It’s perfect. They designed, and flawlessly executed, a phoenix soundport to further make this one a one-off instrument, and implemented a geometric rosette and appointment package in metal. From tuner to tail, this Casimi C2S is a dream come true—let us know what yours is and we can help you make it a reality.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, bespoke guitar, 2021, 0.35, moon spruce, hoffee

Are you ready for this? Take a seat before you pick this brand new beauty up, because it’s going to floor you otherwise. John Slobod of Circa Guitars offers up this dynamite 00-28 with his newest hybrid X bracing system, combining the best parts of vintage Martin and Gibson for an articulate, powerful, and compelling new sound. The voice is handsome, chock full of warmth and roundness from the small 00 body, with great note separation between the registers and lovely individual note definition. It plays like grass-fed butter and feels just as smooth. Dark, straight-grained Madagascar Rosewood back and sides are paired with Adirondack Spruce on top, all built with hide glue in the old world style, and outfitted with herringbone trim on top, zigzag backstrip on back, and Ivoroid bindings to tie it all together.

Other keywords: american guitar, circa guitars, fingerstyle, oo, 206, brazilain, adriondack, ameritage

Fender tried—and Fender succeeded. Their custom shop phenoms pulled off a real showstopper with the 2014 Artist Series Merle Haggard Signature Tele, a gorgeous tribute to the Hag himself. This Telecaster Thinline is modified with chambered Alder wings, laminated Maple top (gorgeous figure) and a Maple center block and set-neck setup, gold hardware throughout, and powerhouse Texas Special pickups at the bridge and neck. Four-way switching gives the player even more options, and the play feel of the Figured Maple neck is like organic, grass-fed butter.

Other keywords: fender custom, electric, us11080970, chicken picking