Kim Walker is one of our desert island builders–each guitar from him is as good as it gets. This 2015 OM comes with beautiful Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, German Spruce on top, and an understated Style A Special appointments package.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, walker guitars, brazilain, 256
Famed French builder Daniel Friderich requires no introduction here. This particular example of his work comes to us from his late period in 2005 with Cedar top over Indian Rosewood back and sides, 650mm scale, and an orchestrally pianisitic voice. This Concert Classical weighs in under four pounds, in part from the thin and resonant french polish finish throughout. Fifth and seventh fret side dot position markers are a nod to modernity, but elsewhere this Friederich is a classic Classical, including a full neck profile with U-shaped carve, fan bracing, and Rodgers tuners. Comes in a custom carbon fiber flight case.
Other keywords: lutherie, andy jurik, fingerstyle, 799
Here at Dream Guitars we hold Ervin Somogyi, the grandfather of modern fingerstyle lutherie, in the highest esteem. How could we not? His designs and techniques have helped pave the way for an entirely new style of responsive guitar. So it comes as a special honor to have this 2016 000 Cutaway in our hands today. This is the first of a trio of bespoke builds Ervin crafted for a client, each featuring a unique patio stone headplate with Rodgers tuners, carved rosette, and sail boat inlaid at the heel. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pairs with Sitka Spruce on top, plus a 26-25″ multiscale setup and 12 fret neck. The carved rosette is an incredibly intricate series of knots backed with red washi paper.
Other keywords: lutherie, contemporary guitar, fan fret, fanned fret, 463, brazilain, hoffee, cutaway
Here at Dream Guitars we hold Ervin Somogyi, the grandfather of modern fingerstyle lutherie, in the highest esteem. How could we not? His designs and techniques have helped pave the way for an entirely new style of responsive guitar. So it comes as a special honor to have this 2016 Jumbo in our hands today. This is the third of a trio of bespoke builds Ervin crafted for a client, each featuring a unique patio stone headplate with Rodgers tuners, carved rosette, and sail boat inlaid at the heel. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pairs with Sitka Spruce on top, plus a 26-25″ multiscale setup and 12 fret neck. The carved rosette is an incredibly intricate series of celtic hounds backed with red washi paper.
Here at Dream Guitars we hold Ervin Somogyi, the grandfather of modern fingerstyle lutherie, in the highest esteem. How could we not? His designs and techniques have helped pave the way for an entirely new style of responsive guitar. So it comes as a special honor to have this 2016 OM model in our hands today. This is the second of a trio of bespoke builds Ervin crafted for a client, each featuring a unique patio stone headplate with Rodgers tuners, carved rosette, and sail boat inlaid at the heel. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pairs with European Spruce on top with subtle bearclaw figuring, and vertical Abalone bar inlays along the fingerboard. The carved rosette is a carp arcing along the top, backed with red washi paper.
Other keywords: somogyi guitars, fingerstyle, orchestra model, brazilain, hoffee
Here we’ve landed a truly unique piece with this left-handed Model One from Simon Fay. Built in 2015 with figured Bois de Rose back and sides plus Red Spruce top, cutaway, EVO frets, and a unique rosette plus segmented appointments, it stands out to us as one of the finest examples of a south paw flattop we’ve seen. This is definitely a premium option for fingerstyle, with great note separation across the range. All wrapped up in a custom Hoffee flight case for maximum security.
Here’s an additional demo with our own Al Petteway: https://youtu.be/-UaSBN5_Huw.
Other keywords: lefty guitar, fay guitars, fingerpicking boisderose, rosewood
John Arnold needs no introduction here. If you know about John, you know how rare this instrument is. His guitars simply don’t come up for sale. It’s not only that rarity that makes this guitar exceptional–it’s also the effortless setup, the powerful voice with its clear, balanced response, the insanely figured Koa body and extra tight-grained Adirondack Spruce top. It’s the experience. Some guitars feel alive in your hands. This 1999 John Arnold D42S Deluxe does it every time you pick it up.
Other keywords: lutherie, slope shoulder, 12 fret, flame koa, 42-style, 55, dreadnought, dreadnaught
A few years back, Martin ran a limited series of Golden Era models that were absolute powerhouses, and have since been followed by the established Authentic line (also great guitars!). Today we’ve got one such model, a D-28GE from 2000 that is accordingly wide awake and singing. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with Adirondack Spruce top, herringbone trim and zigzag backstrip, soft V neck with proper prewar girth, and open back Waverly nickel tuners on a squared off headstock. Slim playing weight under five pounds; forward-shifted and scalloped bracing.
Other keywords: dreadnaught, dreadnought, bluegrass, allen shadd, brazilain, adriondack
Martin has put together a lot of unique models over the years–but this D-50 Deluxe might just take the cake. This is number 32 of only 50 such guitars ever built, complete with Brazilian Rosewood body and heavily bearclawed Sitka Spruce and a sprawling panoply of inlays along nearly every surface. The fingerboard boasts an intricate tree of life vine that extends onto the headplate (itself trimmed in Abalone that ties into the fingerboard bindings and trim). The vine motif continues across the pickguard, and flanks the heel at both sides, as well as below the heelcap, and at the endgraft. The top is trimmed with Abalone herringbone–the first we’ve ever seen; ditto at the rosette and the back center strip. An additional perk? Star sapphires bound in 14-karat gold at the bridge pins and end pin. And all of this comes wrapped in a custom genuine, top hide leather hardshell case.
It’s amazing to us that Martin managed to build 50 of these D-50 Deluxes. The sheer amount of time and energy that went into this guitar beggars the imagination. An exquisite opportunity to acquire the center of your lifetime collection.
Other keywords: lutherie, cf martin, brazilain, deluxe guitar, 874399, allen shadd, bluegrass
A 2008 collaboration between Eric Schoenberg and James Russell brought about this 000 with Cocobolo and Red Spruce that is an absolte gem. Wide dynamic response, great string energy, and dressed up with colorful Abalone top trim (a detail Eric swears by for tone). 1 25/32″ nut offers a touch more room for your left hand, and the 25.4″ scale keeps strings crisp and punchy. Other details include a pyramid bridge, Ebony bindings, and open back Waverly tuners.
Other keywords: fingerstyle, ooo, fingerpicking, 12-fret
Bruce Sexauer’s Companion flattops manage to coax 1.5 guitars worth of presence out of 0.8 guitars worth of real estate! This single 0 FT-0 JB2 is fantastic, dressed up with added Abalone trim on top and interweaving rosette, plus Brazilian Rosewood body and Adirondack Spruce top. A subtle 25.7-25.4″ multiscale fingerboard and soundport are additional creature comforts; ditto for EVO frets and a custom Hoffee flight case.
Other keywords: lutherie, sexauer guitars, fingersyle, fan fret, multi-scale, multi scale, fanned fret, 2270912
In a word, gorgeous. Howard Klepper pulled off an excellent conversion job with this 2013 00-40 which began life in 1960 as a Martin 00-28G. Accordingly, quarter sawn Brazilian Rosewood with some delectable feathered figuring at the bout ends, with a new Red Spruce top and 14-fret neck. Klepper added 40-style Abalone trim along the top, as well as diamonds & snowflakes position markers, Rosewood bridge, and Ivoroid bindings. A light brown shade top finish pairs up with the richness of the Brazilian sides to a T.
Here’s an additional demo with David Grier playing and reacting to this Klepper Conversion: https://youtu.be/yXg_DWEIhdc
Other keywords: fingerstyle, 173364, brazilain, conversion guitar, adirondack, fingerpicking
Here we’ve landed a 2002 Claxton EM model that’s wide awake and setup for just about anything. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pairs with Adirondack Spruce on top, 25.4″ scale, 1.75″ nut, and 2.25″ saddle string spacing. A pickup was previously installed and has been removed, leaving the input jack at the tail should you want to wire this guitar for a new pickup; Ebony button at the heel to strap into. The neck carve is a gentle C profile with hints of a soft V, and the setup is superb. All wrapped up in a custom Calton flight case.
Other keywords: lutherie, claxton guitars, brazilain, adriondack, 60/114
The sweets of time pairs with extensive appointments and custom inlays by Dave Nichols in this 1987 Martin D-45 Tree of Life. Indian Rosewood body with Spruce top; white bindings; black (inlaid!) pickguard; original case. Not only does this Martin benefit from all of the Abalone trim along the top, sides, back, and heel–this beauty is adorned with a sprawling Tree of Life vine along the fingerboard, a motif that continues onto the bridge and even across the pickguard. A prodigious amount of work from one of the inlay industry’s household names, Dave Nichols. This instrument has been well cared for and is still in great playing shape. Good saddle height left, frets well rounded, and a 1 11/16″ nut for a slender lefthand feel.
Check out this additional video featuring the legendary Allen Shadd: https://youtu.be/Ykv21KQ3_F0
Other keywords: 45-style, david nichols, d45, 474764
If there’s another guitar quite like this one, we haven’t heard of it. This 1930 Martin 000-45 Deluxe is the prewar collector’s sweetest dream, preceding the extremely rare 11 OM-45 Deluxes in 1930 and, as some suggest, acting as the de facto inspiration for those rarest of Martins. This instrument has Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with the diagonal mill marks that we associate with our all-time favorite 30s Martins, paired with Adirondack Spruce on top, and all the painstakingly applied 45-style appointments along the top, sides, back, heel, and of course the inlaid pickguard. (Fun fact, in 1931, Martin stopped supplying these pickguards). Very well cared for, this 000-45 Deluxe is a lifetime instrument, and we are humbled to have it here.
Other keywords: pre-war, cf martin, duane simpson, allen shadd, al petteway, ooo, 45 style, brazilain, holy grail guitar, 42714
This is the model that has inspired millions of players across a number of generations. The 1930 Martin OM-45 Deluxe. Brazilian Rosewood plus Adirondack Spruce, 45-style Abalone trim along the top, fingerboard extension, heel, and back; torch headstock; flower inlaid pickguard. #44068 was the sixth built in 1930, of a believed only 11 in total.
It is an honor to have this instrument in our hands for a time. To describe this as a holy grail guitar honestly doesn’t do it justice.
Other keywords: cf martin, orchestra model, allen shadd, duane simpson, al petteway, de luxe,
Martin’s Director of Research and Development, Tim Teel, brings us a fantastic example of top shelf conversion work in this 2007 00-45, previously a 00-28G from 1961. Perfect Brazilian Rosewood is finely quartersawn with some spiderweb figuring, against an Adirondack Spruce top that was harvested from the Smoky Mountain National Park after it fell during Hurricane Opal in 1995. Tonewood maestro John Arnold acquired the salvaged Red Spruce and processed some incredible sets, like the exceedingly tight-grained one used here. The original 28-style appointments have been eschewed in favor of the full 45 treatment, complete with Abalone along the top, back, and sides, snowflakes & diamonds position markers, and headstock torch (cut by well-known mandolin builder and inlay artist Tom Ellis of Precision Pearl Inlay fame). A light-chocolate, full-size pickguard completes the picture. One final note, this conversion includes a new 14-fret neck with modified V profile, and a particularly thin Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish.
Here’s a performance video with Muriel Anderson (“A Fine Pickle”) playing this Martin/Teel Conversion: https://youtu.be/v4pOg0m5Jf0
Other keywords: fingerstyle, conversion guitar, oo, waverly, brazilain
This is a spec build for Dream Guitars from C.F. Holcomb. It sure went beyond our expectations! Lovely Flamed Maple all around, with a Righteous Sounds Pickup that really brings this already vivid and powerful Resonator to life. Whether you’re a old time player or you’re into the blues this machine will deliver! Cocobolo appointments that provide an exquisite contrast to the maple. This guitar is ready for the road, studio, or collection.
Other keywords/misspellings: Lutherie, luthier, reso, slide, cedar creek, electric, beard, k23059
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.
The Dreadnought is the traditional workhorse of acoustic guitar music. With a large, deep body and wide waist, RainSong’s DR has the powerful bass and ringing treble of a great rhythmic guitar, but still maintains a wonderfully balanced sound, with clear distinction among individual notes. From rhythm to lead, the DR makes its presence known. Capable of cutting through admirably in any acoustic setting, the DR is loud enough to compete with banjoes, mandolins and other traditional volume hogs.
Note, these photos represent this model from Rainsong, not the specific guitar we have in stock.
Rainsong’s PA model combines a traditional, compact parlor shape with a modern Venetian cutaway for a perfectly proportioned, intimate playing experience. Though a little guitar, it packs a full, bright sound with RainSong’s trademark depth. With this custom build, they’ve gone two steps further by combining a nylon string setup with their Soundboard Fusion Technology (SFT) Cedar/Carbon Fiber hybrid top. Add an L.R. Baggs StagePro Element pickup system and you’ve got a custom Rainsong for all applications.
Other keywords: fingerstyle, nylon-string, classical crossover,
This Gibson Tal Farlow signature model is smartly appointed and ready for action. Built in 2000, it’s in excellent shape with Figured Maple body and top, twin humbuckers plus toggle switch, nickle hardware, Rosewood fingerboard, and the ubiquitious faux scroll cutaway design. 1 11/16″ nut and currently setup with flatwound 13s, but you would also have a blast with roundwounds.
Other keywords: duane simpson, jazz box, archtop, 21240004
This 2001 L-5CES Wes Montgomery is a powerhouse, elegantly appointed and set up for glassy playability. Maple body with Spruce top, ’57 Classic PAF humbucker plus gold hardware, and being from 2001 this has Jim Hutchins‘ signature at the label. Looking for a classic Gibson L-5? The Wes Montgomery will do quite nicely.
Other keywords: duane simpson, fingerstyle, arch top, jazz, 23021003
Rudolph “Rudi” Blazer (of Blazer & Henkes fame) is a fantastic luthier, and this Jumbo from 2000 proves it. Gorgeous Birdseye Maple back and sides with Spruce top, and overall featherweight construction, make for an extremely energetic and snappy voice. It’s one you can really lean in to–in fact, we find we’re hardpressed to not lean on the gas as soon as we pick this one up. The Maple/Moon combo, with the big Jumbo curves, is bright but not shrill, powerful but not overpowering. This one grabs you and doesn’t want to let go.
Other keywords: b&h, mop, milwaukee, pyramid, bird’s eye, moon spruce
John Buscarino’s Cabaret model is the ideal crossover instrument: easy to play, easy on the eyes, chock full of modern features, and clear and powerful to boot. This 2021 Cabaret Custom is decked out with Red Cedar top, Sapele back and sides, cutaway, and an oak leaf-shaped soundport. A James May Ultra Tonic pickup brings you into amplified territory with ease, too. The back is carved to give the body more air to move, without making the sides deep and inhibiting playability. The result is a deceptively effortless playing experience.
Other keywords: crossover classical, andy jurik, fingerstyle, jazz, DS04128421
