Kevin Caton fits a whole case of tone in a six-pack body—the petite HJ is a lively number with 14” lower bout, Honduran Rosewood body, and Torrefied Adirondack Spruce on top. The pre-aged Adi adds power and crunch to the voice, giving the bass response more kick than you’d expect. The build quality is top notch, and featherweight (under three pounds) with great neck-to-body balance for playing on either leg. This beauty comes to us from brand new from 2019, so it’s had a little extra time to open up on top of the Torrefied Adirondack.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, kevin caton guitars, finger style, fingerpicking, tkl, schaller, 53

A beautiful pairing: Larry Robinson’s inlay wizardry and Bill Wise’s guitarbuilding masterwork. This is a gorgeous SJ model from 2016, hands down. Indian Rosewood back and sides with Sinker Redwood on top come together for warmth and sweet overtones, and the setup is typical Charis—smooth and glassy. Larry’s inlays take the form of a series of birds and branches sprawling across the fretboard and headstock veneer, and Bill trimmed the body out with flamed Koa (really making the arm bevel pop!). Upper bout soundport to bring it all together. Our repair folks recently installed a K&K Pure Mini pickup too, so this one is stage ready to boot!

Other keywords: jim olson, charis guitars, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, open tuning, art guitar, gotoh, arm bevel, inlay art, abalone, calton

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

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

Came through the door in the morning and flew right back out again that same afternoon: this newest offering from Mr. John Slobod gave us beautiful music, and disappeared before we had the chance to play it a second time! Decked out with Panamanian Rosewood back and sides and an Adirondack Spruce top, this Custom 12-fret 000 Cutaway packed enough power under the unassuming Spruce hood to practically play itself.

This guitar is love at first sight to any fingerstylist–and believe us, we were crying as it disappeared out the door on its way to its lucky new owner. Come back! Don’t leave so soon!

Ed Claxton’s Malabar model strikes a fine balance between Parlor and OM: intimate and colorful dynamic range, plus added power and projection. This particular example is a beauty with Brazilian Rosewood and Engelmann Spruce, 12 fret neck, and a 1 7/8” nut for comfortable lefthand work. The setup is slinky and smooth, holding up well for dropped and altered tunings, and with a sub-four-pounds playing weight it’s so comfy to boot.
The voice is lush and smooth, with an easy blend between bass, mids, and treble. Big chords sound out sweet and envelop you; a perfect instrument for spacious airs. Built in 2003, this Claxton is still in excellent shape, with the added bonus of having opened up for going on two decades.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, handbuilt, brazilain, wavily, fingerstyle, parlor, small-bodied, calton,

Take this lil Collings 001Mh for a spin, and you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with bigger, bulkier guitars. Measuring in at only 14 1/4” at the lower bout, this petite 00-size Collings is easy on the hands with a 24.9 inch scale and 12-fret neck, plus the spot-on setup for which Collings is famous. This guitar was built in 2007, comes with a K&K Pure Mini pickup to boot, Waverly tuners set in a slotted headstock, and has an all-around All-Mahogany body for a voice that’s equal parts crisp and crunch.

Other keywords: lutherie, bill collings, oo, all mahogany, mahogany guitar, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, parlor guitar, guardian

So much fun! We don’t want to put it down! But then there’s the incredible tree of life inlays to look at, so we’re forced to alternate between staring and plucking. This 2015 Collings 000-42 is a work of art, inside and out. East Indian Rosewood back and sides, German Spruce top, and painted black from headstock to tailblock, this Collings is tall, dark, and handsome—and sings like a Sunday choir. 12 frets to the body gives a touch of added warmth to the lively voice, and we love how easily this one plays for fingers or picks. Even our guy who doesn’t like 000s is smitten. It’s just that good, with a quick response and energetic projection that leaps out of the soundhole. Added features include Adirondack Spruce braces, Waverly tuners, and a Collings TKL case with green interior.

Other keywords: bill collings, collings guitar, ooo, 42-style, tree-of-life, abalone, fingerstyle