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2016 Ryan Nightingale Grand Soloist, Indian Rosewood/Cedar

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Now here’s a Ryan with extra headroom for a range of attacks. This 2016 Nightingale Grand Soloist comes with Indian Rosewood back and sides, Cedar top (one which has great warmth and clarity, even for a heavier right hand), and Kevin’s suite of ergonomic and design features like the arm bevel-acoustic flutes combo, venetian cutaway, and titanium bridge pins. The voice has a strong, punchy bass and midrange to complement the classic Ryan treble sparkle, which further makes this beauty stand out to us from other Ryans. Looking for a do-it-all (and do-it-all well) flattop? The Ryan Nightingale is ready to sing.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, kevin ryan guitars, 865.274.71

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1991 Gibson L-4 CES Master Model, Mahogany/Spruce

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Black as night and sweet as sin. This 1991 Gibson Master Model L-4CES is a tall, dark drink of water with a wide range of tones under the hood. Warm neck position down to a quacky bridge position with strong motown vibes; it does it all, and so well at that. Mahogany body with Spruce top, three-way toggle, twin humbuckers, and gold hardware throughout. Parallelogram position markers, 1 1/16″ nut width, tortoise-style pickguard.

Other keywords: duane simpson, fingerstyle, jazz, arch top

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Brand New Halland Signature Series 000-H, Ziricote/Cedar

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Coming soon! This is the top-of-the-line for Gage Halland, a 000-H Signature Series rendered in Ziricote plus Cedar, and extensive pearl inlays throughout. Additional upgrades include the arm bevel and hand bevel (in lieu of a cutaway), both executed flawlessly with intricate lambs tongue terminations.This 000-H has a crisp quality to the voice, it feels very precise and focused. The 000 size, with Ziricote back and sides, contributes to that added glassiness/punchiness. All of Gage’s guitars look and play flawlessly, but this one goes the extra mile with lots of shell along the body and the neck, plus those lovely dual bevels on top. Pretty much as close as you can get to perfect while still existing in the actual world.

Other keywords: lutherie, guitarbuilding, ooo, fingerstyle, sig series, 021-21

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1997 Olson SJ Cutaway, Indian Rosewood/Cedar

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Mid-to-late 90s Olsons all have an extra expressive quality, and this 1997 SJ Cutaway is no exception. It’s been played in and opened up too, and is wide awake and singing today! Indian Rosewood body with Cedar top, micro herringbone trim plus MOP dove inlays. An installed L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup system, plus Calton flight case, are added bonuses. Additionally, this 97 Olson has been upfitted with modern Gotoh 510 tuners for added tuning ease. The original Schallers are included in the case.

Other keywords: lutherie, james olson, jim olson, james taylor, 701

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2016 Bourgeois D Custom, Cocobolo Rosewood/Redwood

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This 2016 Bourgeois D Custom stands out from the pack with a sick Redwood top and Cocobolo body, figured Koa bindings, Ziricote bridge and fingerboard. Excellent playing shape, ready for more action, and outfitted with an L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup to carry you into amplified territory with ease.

Other keywords: will saylor, dana bourgeois, bourgeoius, dreadnought, dreadnaught, red wood, 007459

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2008 Santa Cruz Tony Rice Pro, Brazilian Rosewood/European Spruce

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Take a great dreadnought and add time, and you get a power player like this 2008 Santa Cruz Tony Rice Pro. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with European Spruce top and enlarged soundhole, 25.25″ scale, herringbone appointments, and a slender neck plus 1 11/16″ nut width. The voice is quick and crisp, mixes up great across the registers, and has heads of headroom. This particular SCGC TR Professional was customized with Adirondack Spruce bracing and hide glue construction, plus nickel Waverly tuners. This guitar was originally spec’d out with a Brazilian Rosewood set from then production manager Dan Roberts, and the top is french polished. This beauty came about no longer after Tony’s personal guitar was built in 2007.

Other keywords: richard hoover, dreadnaught, bluegrass, 5577rp, brazilain

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Brand New Ivanov 00, Koa/Western Red Cedar

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Dontcho Ivanov spares no detail with this brand new 00 in Koa and Cedar. Fit and finish is flawless, rendered in high gloss to best show off the flame figuring on the Koa back and sides, as well as the rich Red Cedar top. Lacewood trim sets off those woods perfectly. The 00 body is paired with a 12-fret neck and 25″ scale for sweetness and warmth, with a lively and energetic response. In a word, very fun! And it’s the little things that really set this one apart for us. Dontcho carves his headstock plates with a unique relief, and at the wings of the bridge you’ll find a similar treatment.

Here’s an additional video of this beautiful Koa and Cedar Ivanov 00 in action!: https://youtu.be/niKTN7sPCZY

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, 42, ivanov guitars, oo, parlour

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2009 Charis SJ, African Blackwood/Engelmann Spruce

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This 2009 Charis SJ is the one for you, if what you’re looking for includes the following: note separation, powerful bass, expressive mids under bell-like trebles, player ergonomics, as well as premium tonewoods. Bill Wise built this beauty with African Blackwood back and sides, Engelmann Spruce on top, and then went one step further by adding a soundport to the upper bout and an arm bevel at the lower (and even a second bevel at the back waist). Combined with his slim neck profile, the result is an exercise in effortless playability. All of this comes wrapped up in a custom Calton flight case to keep things safe and sound.

Other keywords: charis acoustics, 226, abw, englemann

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2005 Manuel Rodriguez Classical, Brazilian Rosewood/Canadian Cedar

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For one of the last guitars Manuel Rodriguez Sr. ever built, of course he went for the good stuff. The back and sides on this 2005 Concert Classical are wildly colorful and figured Brazilian Rosewood, and on top he opted for a set of tight-grained Alaskan Cedar. There are extensive chevron trim inlays along the top and body, as well as the back of the neck, plus Ebony bindings and Rosewood fingerboard. 650mm scale with a slightly curved neck profile that feels more modern than the traditional U shape; and is very comfortable in hand. Build weight is right at four pounds! The Honduran Cedar neck certainly helps out there. Gold Gotoh tuners with pearloid buttons and a high gloss finish throughout.

Other keywords: david stevenson, rodriguez guitar, 799, brazilain, red cedar, fingerstyle

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2014 Blazer & Henkes D-28, Brazilian Rosewood/Alpine Moonspruce

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A knockout D-28 from inimitable lutherie duo Blazer & Henkes. This 2014 build is like a complete meal:  balanced, full, and a great talker. The voice is wide awake, with a particularly expansive midrange that very much fills it out. Superb. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Austrian Alpine Moonspruce top, Honduran Mahogany neck, and all of this comes as a rendition of the classic Martin 1937 D-28.

Other keywords: b&h, tkl, herringbone, allen shadd, brazilain, moon spruce

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2014 Blazer & Henkes OM-28, Brazilian Rosewood/Alpine Moonspruce

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Sweet and expressive, with understated appointments, this 2014 Blazer & Henkes OM-28 is an absolute gem. The voice has lots of headroom, and is sensitive for fingerstyle play but has enough snap and projection for flatpicking as well. Truly, a does-it-all kind of guitar. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pair with Austrian Alpine Moonspruce on top, and the 28-style appointments are based on the 1932 Martin original. The Spanish Cedar neck has a full soft V profile that is immediately comfortable for the left hand, and overall this B&H OM-28 weighs in under four pounds! And all that lightweight translates into added responsiveness and power.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, wilm, brazilain, brw, fingerpicking, orchestra model, 28 style

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2008-2011 Beauregard MB Nylon, East Indian Rosewood/Spruce

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Mario Beauregard’s crossover guitars are perfect, if you’re looking for a lightweight, responsive, stage ready instrument that practically plays itself. This beauty was built between 2008 and 2011 with a carved Indian Rosewood back, Spruce top, and a dual source K&K pickup system (combining a Pure Classic with a FanTaStick UST). This Beauregard MB Nylon Jazz weighs in right at four pounds, has a slightly radiused fingerboard and semi-hemispherical fret ends (plus side dots) for ergonomics, and a smart venetian cutaway to maximize fretboard access to the highest notes. This guitar is for the serious gigging musician, or frankly anyone who just wants an effortless nylon string playing experience.

Other keywords: lutherie, beauregard guitars, fingerstyle, andy jurik

 

Additional demo: https://youtu.be/xbeum-X2l38

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2013 Doerr Legacy Select, Indian Rosewood/Cedar

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This 2013 Doerr Legacy Select is one smooth operator. Indian Rosewood body with Cedar top, a subtle arm bevel for added playing ease, and a slim neck profile to complete the picture. Dark Abalone trims out the top and the rosette, and adds some pop to the sharp aesthetic. The voice is crisp and quick, with a round midrange that is excellent for fingerstyle. With a 15 5/8″ lower bout, this Doerr Legacy Select also has enough headroom for some flatpicking and strumming as well. This beauty was Plek’d in 2020, and the frets are still looking perfect today.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, tom doerr, ls130396, fingerpicking, ir, red cedar, gator

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2000 Traugott R, Kentucky Stash Brazilian Rosewood/German Spruce

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One of those rare instruments that does it all so well, this 2000 Model R from Jeff Traugott excels on all metrics. Smooth playability and neck profile, premium tonewoods, wide awake voice with a dancer’s balance and a mathematician’s precision–the question is, how do you get anything else done with this beauty in your life? Those aforementioned tonewoods are Jeff’s classic combination of Brazilian Rosewood and German Spruce, but here we have the added distinction of a set of his coveted Kentucky Stash Brazilian Rosewood. It’s brick red, straight grained, and offers glassy clarity and depth in a lightweight playing package.

Seriously, we tried to make bad music with this Model R. Couldn’t do it. Even the wrong notes sang out right.

Here’s an additional video featuring Al Petteway with this 2000 Traugott Model R: https://youtu.be/8WsBowddLOg

Other keywords: traugott guitars, fingerstyle, brazilain, kentucky brazilian, r.000.83.110, calton

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2018 Lowden BAR-50 F/F Baritone, African Blackwood/Adirondack Spruce

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Balanced power. This 2018 Lowden Baritone is one of George’s BAR-50 F/F models, boasting an expansive multiscale fan fret setup of 28 inches down the 26 3/8 inches. The result is lots of power on the bottom end, but sweetness and easy playability on the top–the best of both worlds for a baritone. Moreover, the Lowden team upfitted this model with master grade African Blackwood back and sides and master grade Adirondack Spruce, which is one of our alltime favorite tonewood combinations. The result is glassy note definition and lots of power. The body is tied up with Tasmanian Blackwood everywhere for a striking look. Satin finish throughout for excellent neck feel, and a body that won’t blind your audience under the glare of the bright lights.

Other keywords: lutherie, lowden guitars, bartione, 22386, fingerstyle, ameritage

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2021 Wingert Model F, Brazilian Rosewood/Italian Spruce

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The latest Model F to come our way does so with an understated but engaging aesthetic, top shelf tonewoods, and the glassy playability we expect from every on of Kathy Wingert’s guitars. This 2021 Model F is outfitted with premium Brazilian Rosewood back and sides plus Italian Spruce top, and features a lovely custom woods-to-metals, lines-to-curves rosette that grabs the eye but doesn’t overpower the overall look of the guitar. Additional upgrades include a venetian cutaway that transistions smoothly into the neck heel, and a subtle arm bevel on the lower bout that maximizes player ergonomics without sacrificing a lot of real estate on the top.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, fvc.2013.b.i.4, brazilain, mainstage

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2011 Olson SJ, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar

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A sumptuous feast is this 2011 Olson SJ. Chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood, rich Red Cedar top, and aodrned from head to tail with extensive and well-executed Abalone inlays. The fingerboard is replete with a tree of life vine; the headstock and top are trimmed out; and the rosette ties together Brazilian Rosewood with Abalone at its center. This beauty has been well cared for and is in excellent shape. A masterstroke from the man himself, Jim Olson.

Other keywords: james olson, james taylor, 1374, fingerstyle, petteway, brazilain, fingerpicking

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2004 Olson SJ, Koa/Sitka Spruce

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Here’s an Olson SJ to set you apart from the crowd–outfitted with Presentation Grade Koa back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood bindings (plus rosette), and Koa/Maple fleur-de-lis position markers all along the fingerboard. We’ve seen so many Rosewood/Cedar Olsons over the years, and we’ve loved every one of them, but it’s great to see a new wood combination from Jim to spice things up with this 2004 build. Accordingly, the voice is quick and punchy, has a bump in the mids that really sings out when you play big chords, and all that while maintaining the sparkle in the trebles that Olsons are all known for. The result is an energetic SJ that manages to play and sound familiar and fresh at the same time.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, james olson, james taylor, stika, 1117, calton

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2017 Comins Salutation Archtop, Flamed Maple/Sitka Spruce

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This 2017 Salutation model from Bill Comins feels right at home in your hands after the first chord. 16 inches across the lower bout with a 6 pound playing weight, this Salutation is extra comfortable and comes setup for fast action with the 25″ scale and 1 11/16″ nut. Flame Maple back and sides (and neck), with Sitka Spruce on top plus an upgraded black chrome Kent Armstrong pickup and gold Waverly tuners with Snakewood buttons. This Salutation model comes with smooth S holes to match the curvaceous lower bout and cutaway. The Salutation stripe motif extends from the headstock veneer to the pickguard, tailpiece, and heelcap.

Other keywords: comins guitars, duane simpson, lutherie, luthier, 0289, fingerstyle jazz

 

Additional demo here:https://youtu.be/L691SQlYxvM

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2008 Henderson Dreadnought 45 Deluxe, Brazilian Rosewood/Red Spruce

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D-45 Deluxe from Wayne Henderson, built in 2008 with Brazilian Rosewood and Red Spruce, plus additional tree of life vine inlays along the fingerboard. Extensive 45-style pearl work throughout, gold Waverly tuners, well preserved and sure to be the centerpiece of your collection.

Other keywords: henderson dreadnought, allen shadd, will saylor

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1998 Marchione 17″ Archtop, Curly Maple/European Spruce

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Stephen Marchione manages to make a 17 inch archtop play as easy as a much smaller guitar–without losing the projection and power and resonance of the big box. The 3″ sides help with this, as well as the silky setup and neck carve. Back and sides are cello-grade Curly Maple, and on top Stephen opted for a set of European Spruce that matches perfectly. Ebony hardware throughout, and the pickup has been more recently upgraded with a custom Marchione-DiMarzio PAF collaboration–and this humbucker sings!

Check out this additional video featuring Duane Simpson on this magnificent Marchione Archtop: https://youtu.be/8QY6ML2LtAY

Other keywords: marchione guitar, lutherie, luthier, duane simpson, 012899, fingerstyle jazz, 17-inch

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2018 Beauregard Facettes Archtop 16,” Quilted Maple/Spruce

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Mario Beauregard’s touch with chisel and plane, sandpaper and file, is unparalleled. This 2018 Facettes Archtop 16″ is an absolute feat of modern lutherie! Sumptuously figured Maple back and sides, Spruce top, gold Lollar pickup with volume and tone at the pickguard; upper bout soundport; effortless playability and response. This instrument is like inspiration in wood form. Mario engineers the top with these arcing facets that feature subtle soundholes integrated into their centers–we can’t imagine how he pulls this off so well–which you’ll also find across the carved Maple back for continuity. Note how the pickguard descends to a point above the bridge, its outside edge matching the curves of the facets. Setup is butter smooth and slinky, and this 2018 Beauregard comes wrapped up in a custom Hoffee case for maximum protection.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, duane simpson, fingerstyle, evo, gotoh

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2015 Tom Bills Cremona 16″, Curly Maple/Sitka Spruce

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Tom Bills‘ status as a premier builder of archtop guitars is manifest in this gorgeous Cremona 16 inch from 2015. Not only is the fit and finish perfect, the setup glassy, and the neck-to-weight ratio dialed in–the voice, both acoustic and electric, is rich and warm and immediately envelops you. This instrument is an absolute treasure to play. Bigleaf Maple body with Sitka Spruce top, Tom’s custom French Polish shellac finish throughout, and on this Cremona Tom spec’d a rare short scale neck that makes left hand work effortless, and allows for easy bends. Falling across the fingerboard you’ll find several oak leaves rendered in MOP, and elsewhere this Bills Cremona is trimmed in flamed Maple and appointed with Ebony hardware. The humbucker is a custom Lollar with Ebony cover that ties into the pickguard.

If you’re looking for a 16 inch archtop that can keep up with you, that offers new avenues of play, is plain inspiration, this Tom Bills Cremona should fit the bill nicely.

Check out another video of this Tom Bills featuring Duane Simpson: https://youtu.be/pVcltKcVuS0

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, art of lutherie, 1825, duane simpson, fingerstyle, jazz box

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2018 Borghino Mirragio 7 String, European Maple/Italian Spruce

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We’re no strangers to Mirko Borghino’s work here at Dream Guitars. Not only is he the maker of John McLaughlin’s Shakti (here we’ve got one of his McLaughlin Signature Series in right now, check it out: https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/builders/borghino-guitars.html), he also builds a wide range of steel and nylon string instruments. And then there’s creatures like the Mirragio 7. An archtop engineered for the veteren 7-string player, but also accessible and appealing to the 7-string-curious-6-string player. Effortless is the experience of playing this beauty from 2018. We currently have it set up with roundwounds, and it would also be a beast with flats–but currently it’s got a bit extra bite in the voice, which the custom I-Spira Replica Vintage pickup takes to handsomely. The body is figured European Maple with Ziricote bindings and appointments throughout; Italian Spruce top; and a flame Maple neck that manages to retain a C profile even as wide as it is with the added seventh string. That in itself is a feat.

Hands down, this 2018 Borghino Mirragio 7 is a complete instrument, designed for extended range while maintaining playability and comfort. Sky’s the limit.

Other keywords: lutherie, borghino guitars, miragio, 7 string, duane simpson

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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