12 Fret
- Display 15 Products per page
-
Add to Compare
2006 Tippin DST, Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
Here we have a 2006 Tippin DST in Sitka Spruce and Brazilian Rosewood. This is a rare body size for Bill, usually we see smaller fingerstyle sized guitars from him. Seeing a bold slope shoulder dread come out of the Tippin workshop is a real treat. This is the most sophisticated slope shoulder dread you are ever likely to see, the appointments are nothing short of perfection and exactly what we expect from Bill. Tonally this is one of the loudest Tippins we have had in the shop in some time, and that’s while excelling at both fingerpicking and flatpicking. The voice is lush and articulate with a controlled presence on every string.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.281 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2007 Tippin Staccato Pink Lady, Pink Ivory/Italian Spruce
In 2007, this Tippin Pink Lady was inspired when we happened upon some rare Pink Ivory wood. This wood grows in southeast Africa and is rarely found in sizes suitable for guitars. Its beautiful vibrant color and amazing tone set us on a course to build this unique guitar. The body shape is Bill’s Staccato, which is an updated 0 sized small guitar. We worked closely with Bill Tippin on the tonal and cosmetic details. We chose premium Italian Spruce for the top, a Flame Maple neck and Bois de Rose for the fingerboard and matching bridge. Bill Tippin and Glenn Nichols created a stunning headstock hibiscus inlay with carefully selected materials to bring it to life. They even included the water droplets that formed while initially photographing the flower, and there is one corresponding pedal on the back of the guitar.
The fine folks at Tippin Guitars didn’t stop there. They added very fine Mother of Pearl sparkle trim bordering the fingerboard and the entire top. It is very subtle and beautiful with fine Bloodwood lines framing. The backstrip echoes this treatment and the entire guitar is bound in Flame Maple. The tuners are adorned with Ivoroid buttons. Our favorite feature is the gem quality Opal necklace rosette. But what we and Bill and are most proud of is the tone of this guitar. It is simply bewitching, complete in every register with fullness and wonderful sparkle.
Now the guitar has come back to us, and we’re more than excited to offer it to you!
Here’s the original demo with Al Petteway from 2007: https://youtu.be/mLFsPdkjCoM
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, bill tippin guitars, al pettaway, fingerpicking, dadgad, 0307002
SOLD Read moreScale Length 4.25 in - 24.9 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Pink Ivory Add to Compare2003 Tippin 000T12-C, Brazilian Rosewood/Alpine Spruce
The only thing better than a Tippin? A Tippin that’s had a few years and a few thousand notes under its belt—this 2003 000T12-C is a petite-proportioned powerhouse. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides here to add malty warmth and overtones to the voice (with some lovely figure to boot), and an Alpine Spruce top for smooth projection and balance. Bill’s 000 is a natural fingerstyle guitar, here with a 25.4” scale + 12-fret neck (and cutaway) for a sweet mixture of power and warmth. Long scale meant we were able to tune down to DADGAD and keep the power and clarity, and we honestly didn’t want to put this one down afterwards. Slotted headstock with gold Waverly tuners, V neck; understated aesthetics with Abalone side dots and Ivoroid bindings. This Tippin has been well cared for and is in stellar condition.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, bill tippin guitars, al pettaway, fingerpicking, 0903140, ooo, tkl
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Alpine, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2018 Traphagen 000-12 BRS, Brazilian Rosewood/Carpathian Spruce
This 2018 Traphagen 000-12 BRS is just what we’ve come to expect from Dake: enveloping overtones, smooth response, and clarity, clarity, clarity. We have great respect for a luthier who’s equally at home with steel strings as nylon strings, because we find that the skills required for one complement the other in interesting ways.
This 000-12 has an easy, round quality to its voice that is reminiscent of the bass strings on a classical, but with added bite in the mids and trebles. The neck is a flattened C shape, and is Spirit Varnished liked the rest of the guitar to a glossy sheen. French Polish leaves the top extra resonant and responsive. Dake chose an ancient, 250-year-old set of Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides, and lined the sides with a thin layer of Spanish Cypress (stained brown to match) for extra stiffness without adding much mass. A creamy set of Carpathian Spruce on top, with a gorgeous Maple Burl rosette, completes the package.
A guitar of this calibre, it’s love at first pluck.
Other keywords: traphagan, masckela, ooo-12 fret, 000 12-fret
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Carpathian, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2015 Traphagen BRS 000, Brazilian Rosewood/Carpathian Spruce
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
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.375 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Carpathian, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2011 Traphagen 000-BRS 12 Fret Brazilian/Adirondack
This is a Traphagen 000-BRS 12 Fret in Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce. This small body guitar has a huge voice, big warm bass well beyond what you might expect from the smaller body. The only thing better are the strong and beautiful trebles that really make melodies sing with ease. This guitar is very balanced in a powerful way. You can emote gentle passages and drive it for blues and rags. If you are after an easy to hold small body that has near dread like volume and power, this Traphagen guitar is for you.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare1996 Traugott RT 12-Fret, Brazilian Rosewood/German Spruce
A rare and special treat, even among such unique pieces we’ve come to expect from Jeff Traugott: our 1996 Traugott RT 12-fret in Brazilian Rosewood and German Spruce. Originally built for Martin Simpson, this RT combines a long 25 1/2” scale with a 12-fret neck for clarity and projection, and has sides which are slightly narrower than a regular R to sweeten up the bass response, to say nothing of keeping the guitar lightweight and easy to play. There’s a certain kind of intimacy to the tone that we haven’t found in many of Jeff’s 14-fret models, one that lends itself handsomely to open tunings and a wide range of fingerstyle approaches. In 2002, Jeff installed a new neck with double graphite rods. Wrapped up in a Calton flight case, this gorgeous RT is safe and sound. It’s ready for action at the drop of a hat.
Check out our original demo of this beauty the last time it came through the shop here: https://youtu.be/bh7r1vxG-jU.
Other keywords: traugot, traugett, traguett, model r, lutherie, luthier, brazilain, paua abalone, cutaway, venetian cutaway
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - German, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to CompareBrand New Turnstone TM, Indian Rosewood/German Spruce
We met Rosie Heydenrych of Turnstone Guitars at the 2023 Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase, in upstate New York. The entire Dream Guitars team was blown away by the quality of craftsmanship. This 12 fret TM which is reminiscent of the OM body style has charming tone and musical clarity. Gold Evo Fretwire, ensuring a long lasting fret life. The elegant fit and finish of this instrument really summarizes the total quality of the workshop of Turnstone Guitars. From the fingerboard extension to the carved headstock, this guitar is stunning. Also worth noting the bracing of the Reserve Grade Indian Rosewood back and sides has cleating along the centerstrip made of mahogany, this is a unique and cutting edge design to both reinforce the structure and enhance the tone of this instrument. While we’re on the subject of woods the top is a stunning set of Master Grade German Spruce. No matter what style of play you’re after, whether it be the most traditional flatpicking or modern fingerstyle–anywhere in between–This guitar can and will deliver.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, england,uk, hiscox, 1523
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - German, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2001 Kim Walker 000-42, Cocobolo/Adirondack Spruce
Kim builds ‘em right. We just landed a 2001 000 decked out in 42-style Abalone appointments, Cocobolo, and Adirondack Spruce that’s a 100% dream machine. Fingertips or flatpicks don’t matter; this gorgeous Kim Walker fills the room with excellent clarity and note separation, not to mention sustain. The Mahogany neck is finished in half satin, and the left hand glides oh so easily. 12 frets to the body, combined with 25.4 long scale, makes for a nice balance between warmth and attack, and we love just how easily the Walker plays. For safety’s sake, we’re selling this powerhouse with a form-fitting Calton flight case.
Here’s our original demonstration and chat with Paul: https://youtu.be/9Rk7P58yO3I.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, k walker, fingerstyle, ooo, 000-42, rosewood
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.1875 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Cocobolo Add to Compare1999 Walker Style C Special 12-Fret, Mahogany/Aged Sitka
We’d take this Kim Walker 000 over an ice cream sundae any day of the week—twice as sweet and no risk for cavities. Looking about as pretty as a fresh-minted penny but played in like a 50s silver dollar, this handsomely opened up slice of traditional taste from Kim is a dyed-in-the-wool home wrecker to your current collection. Aged Sitka Spruce top, light caramel-stained Mahogany back and sides, and a dark tortoise-style pickguard with bits of Spruce peaking up through the clear bands in the guard.
The 12-fret neck carve is generously curved in the C persuasion, and the Waverly tuners operate like the well-greased machines they are. While yes, this 12-fret Style C is from 1999, it’s in superb condition with but the faintest of fret wear, great playing action, and heaps of meat left in the saddle. Kim Walker’s guitars almost never crop up on the used market, so when’s the next time you’re like to see a piece of Mahogany and Sitka juicy tone to spare like this? So are you interested yet in the intersection between treble bells and woody bark, a dash of 12-fret richness and a propensity for open tunings? Congratulations: you have arrived at your destination. Don’t forget to breathe when you play this guitar; we don’t want anyone fainting on account of our little ole’ Kim Walker 000.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.38 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Mahogany Add to Compare2015 Wilborn Parlor, Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
So much sweetness and power, packed into a slender package. Ben Wilborn makes a modern parlor guitar to compete with its bigger brethren—and this one is up to the task. Enlarged soundhole plus soundport add to the liveliness and projection, while the Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce combo fills the entire voice with easy richness and clarity. Trebles have a particularly sweet and shimmering quality that draws you in. The Braz is gorgeous stuff, ruddy and with some dramatic figuring, while the Sitka is heirloom stock harvested in the mid 1900s. Elsewhere this beauty is dressed for a night on the town with Leopardwood bindings and rosette, plus dark Abalone purflings throughout. Rosewood bridge and fretboard, headplate; really, this 2015 Wilborn Parlor looks as good as it sounds.
Other keywords: wilborn guitar, lutherie, luthier, boutique guitar, fingerstyle, 80
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.9 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to CompareNew Wilborn Bantam East Indian/Adirondack (Red)
Looks like a firecracker, explodes like a cannon. This brand new 2016 Bantam from Ben Wilborn is the answer to every guitarists’ prayer for a small instrument with a larger-than-life voice. Featuring Ben’s taste for jaw-dropping colors, this Bantam has one of the most beautiful sets of Indian Rosewood we’ve ever seen, and the Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge exhibit a striking contrast of chocolate depths and vanilla-colored sapwood. Add to that an Adirondack Spruce top, Peruvian Walnut neck, and Koa bindings, and you’re looking at the hottest guitar on the block.
The voice of little lion is equally impressive, with a fierce projection and fast response that’ll have you playing in double time in no time at all. As if that wasn’t enough to propel this guitar into stardom, Wilborn also added a soundport, so you’ll always have a personal taste of the flavor of your playing. If this guitar was any finer, you’d have to pay a fee just to play it.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.88 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Indian Add to CompareBrand New Wilborn Ellie Belle, Cuban Mahogany/Adirondack Spruce
We wish more guitars sounded as good as this brand new Ellie Belle from Reno-based luthier Ben Wilborn. Part of his new lineup of body styles, this 2016 Ellie Belle is lightweight but rich, and adorned with a sharp sense of style. Cuban Mahogany never sounded so good as here for the back and sides, and Ben applied a light burst to the Adirondack Spruce top to match that gorgeous Mahogany set–with figured Koa bindings dividing them.
The voice is crisp and lightning responsive, holds up beautifully under a flatpick in a way that many similar-sized guitars can’t compete with. Add to that an excellent string-to-string balance and glass-smooth setup, and you’re looking at a dynamic instrument equally at ease for DADGAD fingerstyle arrangements or Bluegrass solos. Wilborn’s fit and finish is surgeon-precise: we challenge you to find an imperfect miter joint or seam anywhere across the body. Heck, you can peek under the hood through the soundport to confirm that even the braces are flawlessly manicured! In the market for a guitar that can do it all? The Ellie Belle from Ben Wilborn.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Mahogany - Cuban Add to Compare2005 Williams Kiwi, Taraire/Kauri
Laurie Williams made his claim to fame several years ago when he discovered his legendary “Whitebait” Kauri log, which he then converted into billets for instrument making, but that’s not the only local wood (exotic for us) that Williams employs in his powerful stringed instruments. In addition to Kauri, with its warmth and great projection (like the difference between Cedar and Redwood, but amplified), he chose to construct the back and sides on this 2005 Kiwi with Taraire, a New Zealand species similar to the Rosewood family with its rich, balanced tone and workability. Under Williams’ painstaking care, these woods have been transformed into an instrument with amazing action and response, which is deeply resonant in lowered tunings like DADGAD, and has trebles with a clear, focused tone. Fingerstylists will love the easy playability of the OM-size body and the 12-fret neck and 24.9 inch scale, allowing arrangements to ring flawlesssly smooth. Safe in its Ameritage hardshell case, the Kiwi is ready to go anywhere with its rich, resonant voice.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, fingerpicking, alternative tonewood, gotoh