2014 Fender Custom Shop time! This Strat is based on ’57 NOS specs with a red sunburst, gold hardware, and lots of cool case candy. G&G tweed hardshell case, 1 5/8″ nut and weighing in at 7lbs 4oz.
Other keywords: stratocaster, electric guitar, custom electric, clapton, new old stock,
The Vintage Series embodies understated elegance. The traditional aesthetics of a spruce top fused with a robust unidirectional carbon soundboard is finished with an amber tint and supplemented with simple appointments.
A little guitar that packs a full, bright sound and a rich depth of tone typical of RainSongs.
The Parlor body combines the traditional compact shape with a modern Venetian cutaway for a perfectly proportioned intimate guitar with excellent access to the upper frets. A lower bout of 13-1/3” and depth of 4-1/8” makes it RainSong’s smallest body. The small size of the Parlor belies full and rich sound.
2019 Huss & Dalton T-0014 Custom, anyone? A 00 which handles fingerpicking and strumming, is easy to handle, and handsome to boot. Sinker Mahogany back and sides paired with Spruce on top, Mahogany bindings and a short scale fretboard. A TKL tweed case will keep is safe and sound for those rare moments when you won’t have it in hand, and we love how lightweight and agile this T-0014 feels and plays!
Other keywords: H&D, T-OMR, Huss&Dalton
Firecrackers come in red! This 2019 McPherson MG-4.5 is a real livewire with Ebony back and sides and Redwood on top; warmth wrapped around a clean, crisp core. We love this one for just about everything, fingerstyle, flatpicking, strumming—it adapted well for every genre we threw at it. Plus it’s got an L.R. Baggs RTS II pickup to carry you right on to the stage. This beauty is like new from 2019, and is more than ready to get down to the business of making music!
Other keywords: flatpicking, ameritage case, baggs pickup, offset soundhole, schaller, m.g.-4.5
A feat as only Ervin could achieve. Modified Dreadnought #500, Ervin’s “Diospyros” (Latin for Ebony) guitar, is comprised of over 500 pieces of Ebony and Yellowheart in a tiled spread along the back and sides. The effect, to mirror the paving stones Ervin once saw in a photograph of a Mexican village street, is rendered by painstakingly inlaying irregularly sized and shaped tiles, each with purflings.
According to Ervin, it was “an anonymous street somewhere in Mexico, that was made of paving stones that had been arranged and fitted together by some past work crew. The stones were not fitted together in a grid pattern but were instead set in randomly as far as size and shape went. The entire thing gave a sense of Order in Chaos that very much appealed to me.”
The tiles (none of them perfectly square) are shaped to fit the exact curvature of the body—all 500 of them. Between the tiles, Ervin inlaid over 3000 “grout” segments of green veneers, and this doesn’t include the inlays along the back of the neck. For the top, Ervin picked out a pale European Spruce top and carved a pattern of 13 celtic hounds around the soundhole (eyes of Abalone, backed by handmade Japanese washi paper).
There simply isn’t anything quite like this anywhere else. We looked. It’s a pinnacle of the art form of modern lutherie.
Other keywords: somogyi guitar, lutherie, luthier, the responsive guitar, hoffee, fingerpicking, dadgad, schaller, modified dreadnought, dreadnaught, mod d, md, collection
We’re tempted to keep this one on as a shop guitar forever—this 2009 Circa 000 Cutaway is a petite force of nature. Gorgeous Koa back and sides paired up with Red Spruce on top and a cutaway + 12-fret neck. The responsiveness is dialed in for fingerpicking for sure, and it handles a pick well to boot; we love the whip crack clarity from string to string. Especially considering the 000’s dimensions, this Circa has a powerful bass response, and it teams up with strong middle and upper ranges for excellent power and projection.
Weighs in just under four pounds, packs a wallop, and is more than ready to keep making music: make this Circa from John Slobod yours before we make it ours.
Other keywords: circa guitars, ooo, 000 cutaway, wavily, ameritage, 12 fret, fingerstyle, american guitar
Handsome as only Michi Matsuda can make it, with a voice like velvet on the ears. This 2013 M1 is a well-oiled fingerstyle machine, the very image of the modern flattop with top notch tonewoods and Michi’s unique aesthetic to tie it all together. (Gorgeous) Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pair up with an Italian Spruce top and an appointment package of arcing purflings and an interrupted, segmented rosette. A thing of beauty.
The trebles are characterized by weightiness and depth, and really ring out. Overtones are lush and replete across the registers. It responds especially well to a fingerstylist’s touch; DADGAD and even C9 are both exquisite on the 25.25” scale.
Includes brand new Hoffee carbon fiber flight case
Other keywords: lutherie, ervin somogyi, somogyi, fingerstyle, flattop, brazilain, gotoh, scalloped nut
Paradise on earth which fits beneath your fingertips: the Kim Walker Master Series OM. Kim’s guitars are, quite frankly, in their own category. This 2019 OM is precise proof of that: incredible tonewoods, incredible tone, incredible playability. Heirloom-grade Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with an Italian Spruce top, dark Abalone appointments around the body and inlaid as flowers at the headstock—high gloss finish, slinky playability to match. The voice is powerful, complex, balanced to a T. This one is a part of Kim’s Master Series, meaning only the finest of his materials, and the voice has been honed with an exquisite attention to detail.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, walker guitars, waverly
Additional demo: https://youtu.be/a6Q4zOJswcY
Tom Doerr brings a lot to bear on this Brazilian-and-Cedar beauty. The 2017 Legacy Select is dressed to the nines, and really shines when you put finger to string (or flatpick, this Doerr really handles both with aplomb). Dramatically figured Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with a Cedar top—and Tom marries the Cedar warmth with an incredibly crisp and explosive bass and middle register that makes this stand apart from the regular Cedar crowd. The Legacy Select has a lot to say, and isn’t afraid of raising the decibel ceiling to do it. Additionally, Tom added an arm bevel for creature comfort, as well as micro beveling the entire binding package for a touch of extra ease. Really, we’re impressed by the quality of every. single. detail. And there are a lot of details on hand here, from those bevels to the inlaid bridge, dramatically swooping heel, and the channel routed out of the center of the backplate of the headstock to let the neck’s Maple center pass through in plain sight.
We can’t recommend this Doerr Legacy Select more highly: it does it all, and it does it all exceedingly beautifully.
Other keywords: luthier, lutherie, guitarbuilding, doerr guitars, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, modern guitar, gotoh, cedar creek
Bob Anderson is a one-of-a-kind maker. His banjos are works of art, every one, and this handsome fretless 5-string is no exception. 12” Dobson style pot with goatskin head, Maple rim, and Cherry neck. Rickard hardware throughout. Then there’s the etched inlay art. Oh, boy, there’s that. The fretboard features incredibly intricate Pearl and Sea Snail shell inlays, all hand etched by Robert. At the headplate and backplate Bob rendered statues he saw on a recent trip he took to Japan—it’s easy to lose track of time tracing the minute details of his painstaking etching work as it brings them to life.
Other keywords: lutherie, old time, old tyme, 5-string, 5 string, open back, dobson-style, snail abalone, fret less
From longtime luthier Michael Keller, we’ve got a dynamite 12-String guitar in the shop from 2012 in Indian Rosewood and Spruce. This beauty takes the cake for clarity and dynamism on the 12-string front; here there’s none of the tinny jangle that’s given them a bad rep, just meaty, powerful tone. Additionally, Michael added an arm bevel for creature comfort, and a soundport to the upper bout to keep the player dialed in to their sound, plus a sharp florentine cutaway for getting to those pesky uppermost frets. The neck-to-body weight ratio is excellent by normal standards, even better so for a 12-string. We found playing this Keller 12 was very easy, and we didn’t have to waste precious left hand energy holding up the neck.
Other keywords: finger style, fingerpicking, tkl case, purfling, lutherie, luthier, 12 string, double course, gotoh, mop
Timeless, indeed: our 2020 Preston Thompson D-14TMA Custom from their ultra exclusive Timeless Series. The Tree Mahogany back and sides—with extravagant turtleback figure—is here paired with Adirondack Spruce with Ebony bindings. Along the fretboard and headplate, recurring geometric marquetry with Mountain Mahogany, Brown Lip Shell, Black Pearl. Waverly tuners, 1 3/4” nut, EVO frets. A work of functional art.
The voice is distinctly smooth, even, and elegant. This doesn’t sound like your standard Mahogany Bluegrass strummer, although it performs fabulously in that capacity. We find the voice equally suited for fingerstyle work, letting individual notes really ring out. The clarity from string to string is really something you need to experience in person for maximum effect. This Timeless PKT Dreadnought is in its own category.
Here’s an additoiinal demo with our own Allen Shadd: https://youtu.be/Our2k9s3WO4
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, flatpicking, allen shadd, bluegrass, dreadnaught, preston thompson guitars, pkt guitars, oregon, blue grass, flatpicker, heirloom guitar
Kevin Caton’s latest Sullivan comes to us with straight-grain Guatemalan Rosewood and Italian Spruce, Kevin’s unique Bevel Port, and a wide open voice that’s dialed in for maximum resonance. Brand new! And already wide awake. Great sonority in the bass and mids, with a sweet amount of bloom to the trebles that has a subtle, lingering effect. A Ryan-style arm bevel on top, plus venetian cutaway, make for easy playability, and the flawless fit and finish means this one looks as good as it plays, and that’s saying something.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, kevin caton guitars, finger style, fingerpicking, tkl, gotoh, 66, 2021
Strong yet balanced, this 2019 D-SBA from Preston Thompson is a powerhouse Dreadnought, hands down. They used a lovely set of their coveted Shipwreck Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides, pairing it with a sunburst Adirondack Spruce top and herringbone trim for a classic, timeless look. The top is pretty tight grained for Ady, and looks so lovely with the shaded border.
This PKT is nearly new, and has a richer, more energetic tone than we were expecting from a guitar built so recently in 2019. No complaints! Abalone torch inlaid at the headstock, Waverly tuners with Snakewood buttons, and a snug-fitting Harptone case to wrap it all up. Are you ready for a guitar to blow you away, every time you pick it up? Look no further: inspiration has arrived.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, flatpicking, allen shadd, bluegrass, dreadnaught, preston thompson guitars, pkt guitars, oregon, blue grass, flatpicker
Loud as life itself. We are head over heels with this M-42 David Bromberg Signature from Martin! The M body with its 16 inch lower bout has added power and projection, while still playing as easily and intimately as an OM—the best of both worlds, in our opinion. Indian Rosewood is paired up with Italian Alpine Spruce and a sparkling 42-style appointment package, plus a block lettered C.F. Martin headstock logo nodding to Bromberg’s original Martin archtop conversion from the 1960s. This is number 68 of 83, has been well maintained since 2005, and is ready for plenty more action!
Other keywords: geib, fingerstyle, blues guitar, 0000, cf martin, signature guitar, ivoroid 42 style
We’ve seen a number of incredible Olsons over the years, and lately we’ve been lucky to see even more. This one is a particularly juicy gem, the only guitar Jim built in commemoration of his 40th anniversary as a builder! Accordingly, only the highest grade Brazilian Rosewood was used for the back and sides, paired with a golden-brown Sinker Cedar top and 42-style Abalone trim. Flamed Koa bindings pair up with a full vine inlay along the fretboard and headplate, with a Brazilian Rosewood backplate to set off the Gotoh tuners. The classic L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup was installed by Jim at the time of construction, and this fantastic SJ Cutaway has been lovingly cared for these past three years.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilidng, james olson, james taylor, red cedar, 5-ply, fingerstyle, bespoke guitar, anniversary guitar, fortieth anniversary, fingerpicking, paua abalone, MainStage
Additional demo: https://youtu.be/kIjRNsGBP0c
R.M. Anderson’s latest #2 5-string is in! Curly Maple neck, and the Fairbanks Electric/Whyte Laydie pot features a Maple rim and Goatskin head. Rickard hardware throughout. Hand-etched and inlaid diamonds and stars along the fretboard, and a gryphon head at the headplate pointing towards a final star. The inlay and etching work is in a category all of its own: we don’t know anyone else who’s working at this level in the banjo world than Bob Anderson.
Other keywords: lutherie, old time, old tyme, 5-string, 5 string, open back, mop, abalone, pearl
This 2020 Robbins comes to us in a smaller, more intimate package—with all the power and dynamism we’ve come to expect from Tyler’s guitars. This is our first R.2ca, a petite 12-fretter with a 15 inch lower bout, boasting twin arm and rib bevels, primo Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, and a creamy German Spruce top. Additionally, Tyler adorned this one with a uniquely geometric rosette, florentine cutaway, and silver-trimmed resin position markers. And it all comes wrapped up in a lightweight Hoffee flight case.
The voice is characterized by clear and articulate note definition, and an even decay. We find this translates to a particular clarity when playing swiftly, or with complex chords; notes don’t get lost in a muddle. Rather, this Robbins has a crisp, oh-so-clear voice that’s a delight. We can’t recommend this one more highly than that.
Other keywords: lutherie, inlay, luthier, guidry, galloup, resin, pearlescent, fingerstyyle, caltan, gotoh, cutaway, exclusive
Martin’s custom shop crafts a cut above the rest of the Martin line. Our latest Custom Shop is a beautiful little powerhouse 0-14 from 2015 that’s got the looks to match its voice: simply gorgeous. Quilted Bubinga back and sides are paired with a Carpathian Spruce top, Curly Maple bindings, and vintage-style rectangular bridge. 14 frets to the body, with MOP position markers and a slinky smooth setup to boot (the previous owner got this baby Plek’d to perfection).
Other keywords: tkl, parlor guitar, parlour guitar, fingerstyle, blues guitar, 0, 00, custom guitar, slot head
Livewire! This lil Baby 1 from Collings is a firecracker that’s supremely comfortable, crackling loud and proud, and easy on the eyes with classic curves and angles. Honduran Mahogany back and sides paired with a tight-grained Sitka Spruce top, Waverly tuners and a 14-16” compound radius fretboard; easy playing indeed, with a 1 11/16” nut and 24 1/8” scale! This 2015 Baby 1 is the petite player you can bring just about anywhere, and it’s been Plek’d to playability perfection to boot!
Other keywords: bill collings, flatpicking, bluegrass, lutherie, luthier, collings guitars, collings mandolin, parlor guitar, travel guitar, mini guitar
Dressed to the nines with black to spare! We’ve landed a lovely little Custom Shop 0-14 from Martin that’s sharp dressed and fun. Mahogany back and sides with Sitka Spruce on top, hardly any marks since its birth in 2016, and a setup Plek’d to perfection for the previous owner, this Custom Shop is a powerful little cannon. Claro Walnut bindings (and pickguard) set off the high gloss black finish nicely, and the sub four pound playing weight makes this Custom Shop 0-14 a feather in your hands.
Other keywords: tkl, parlor guitar, parlour guitar, fingerstyle, blues guitar, 0, 00, custom guitar, slot head
Dan Bresnan is back in business, with his son Sean right beside him at the bench. We are excited for our first brand new 2020 Bresnan GS! Jaw-dropping beautiful Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with a pale German Spruce top—yes, please. This GS is a fabulous fingerstyle instrument; deep and enveloping bass response paired with a full and potent treble register, and sweet clarity in between. It soaks up DADGAD like butter to bread, and tastes twice as rich. The short scale neck sweetens up the voice and keeps playability smooth and easy. Custom Alessi tuners are easy on the hands and the eyes, as is the Fossilized Walrus Ivory used for the nut, saddle, and bridge pins. The crown to this beauty? Bresnan’s interwoven mosaic rosette with Brazilian Rosewood, Koa, and Walnut.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, bresnan guitars, ameritage, fingerpicking, modern guitar, 24.9
Matsuda, Matsuda, Matsuda. You slay us every time. Our latest preowned M1 is a work of art from every angle. Built in 2007 with a Brazilian Rosewood and Italian Spruce body, this M1 features etched feather MOP inlays and Michi’s distinctive two-tone bridge (Rosewood sandwiched over Ebony), along with an interrupted Wenge rosette with black purflings tracing across the horn of the cutaway. A stunning Rosewood fingerboard pairs perfectly with Rosewood bindings and a segmented headstock veneer. Additionally, this Matsuda boasts custom Rodgers tuners plus Fossilized Ivory nut and saddle. Curvaceous and effortlessly playable.
The voice is designed to fill a room, and it does so without even trying. We love the sonority and presence of the bass register, which pairs so smoothly with clear and even trebles. It is, hands down, a fingerstylist’s dream come true.
Other keywords: lutherie, ervin somogyi, somogyi, fingerstyle, flattop, brazilain, gotoh, scalloped nut
As Tom Ribbecke approaches retirement (not just yet!), we’re excited to see that he’s 100% on top of his game, and building the best pieces of his career. This new Testadura Gold Top cements his reputation for innovation, tone, and playability—in a strikingly beautiful package. For this 15 inch semi-hollow/hollow body, Tom paired Ebony sides with an air-dried, cello grade Bigleaf Maple back and Sitka Spruce on top. Koa bindings throughout, 24 3/4” scale and a comfortable 1 3/4” nut plus glossy neck and effortless playability with a compound radiused fretboard from 12 to 15. Golden Age PAF reproductions with a three-way switch, stop tailpiece, and Ebony pickguard for an extra touch of elegance (note the Koa-bound F holes, too). A work of functional art, indeed. And this Testadura is so, so functional.
Other keywords: cedar creek, electric guitar, jazz, rock guitar, gibson, gotoh, double cutaway, tom ribbecke guitars
