Now this is what world-class lutherie is all about! We’ve got a stunner OM-H from Gage Halland that sings like lightning converted into wood. Mahogany back and sides with old growth Sitka Spruce on top, weighing in at a touch over four pounds, and playing oh so smoothly with a glassy setup. We adore this Halland. It’s energetic and lively, well balanced between trebles and bass, and when combined with easy playability it makes for a guitar that’s easy to lose track of time in. EVO frets, pinless bridge in the Greenfield style, and a Hoffee flight case to keep it safe and sound—this Halland OM-H is the complete package.


Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, fingerstyle, holland guitars, 2017, gotoh

This is our first instrument from Gage Halland’s Portland, Oregon shop—and we don’t want to let it go. This brand new OMC-H is loud, it’s crisp, and it is an absolute pleasure to play. Here’s the skinny: Honduran Mahogany back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, tasteful sunburst, and an arm bevel with lamb’s tongue ends. Pinless Ebony bridge, bone nut and saddle, deep Florentine Cutaway, and a Hoffee flight case for maximum protection. The fit and finish on this guitar is flawless—we’d expect no less from a builder who apprenticed under Michael Greenfield—and the setup is like spreading warm butter over steaming toast; you melt right in.
The tone of this Halland OMC-H is equal parts clarity, Mahogany crunch, and smooth projection. We had a blast in standard tuning, as well as DADGAD, and we’re more than happy to report that this beauty holds up so well to picks, we almost forgot to test its mettle as a fingerstyle guitar. On that front, the Halland excels. Isn’t this guitar brand new? You wouldn’t notice by the tone alone: it already sounds wide open and chock full of energy.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, handmade, contemporary guitar, abalone, gotoh

Kent Hamblin’s 100th guitar is a phenomenal fingerstyle machine. And it’s decked out with appropriately wonderful tonewoods: highly figured The Tree Mahogany and Adirondack Spruce in Kent’s Grand Concert body size. The balance from bass to treble, frets one to 20, is oh-so-crisp; fingerstyle tunes in Standard or DADGAD are rich and complex, and at the same time precise. Playability is effortless with a slinky setup to boot, and when not in play this Hamblin is lovely to behold: these tonewoods are the cream of the crop, and the Snakewood bindings set off the Spruce and Mahogany handsomely.
We can’t recommend this Hamblin more highly: it’s the perfect combination of beauty and power, with the looks to back it up.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, gc, gotoh, ameritage, snake wood, evo frets, cutaway

Now this is a real treat. We’ve landed a lively 2005 Hamblin GC with primo tonewoods and an exquisitely balanced voice that’s available now. Brazilian Rosewood pulled from Jeff Traugott’s own personal stash, here paired with a Carpathian Spruce top and 25.4” scale, makes for extra clarity and sustain. This Hamblin’s string to string balance is such that all the registers work together very evenly, with no emphasis of one over the other, allowing big chords and multi string solos to ring out crisply. It holds up very well under a pick in standard tuning, as well as DADGAD, and the lightweight build (4lbs on the nose) and glassy setup make for a smooth ride every time we pick up the instrument.
This 2005 Hamblin GC is the guitar for you, if you’re looking for balance, clarity, and playability.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, brazilain, grand concert, waverly, cedar creek

Here we have a very strong SJ from Kent Hamblin crafted in Cocobolo Rosewood which provides a big push of rich power. It’s topped with Cedar for added warmth and outfitted with a cutaway and naturally beautiful wood appointments. There are curly Maple bindings from top to bottom, a spalted rosette and a K&K pickup. This guitar was owned by recording artist Jim Tozier and seems to have matured nicely under his fingers, it’s wide open and alive. It has a driving sound that we really like and can also be polite and beautiful when asked..

Kent Hamblin has worked with Charles Fox and taught at the Roberto-Venn school of luthery so it’s little surprise that his guitars are well crafted and elegantly designed. We particularly like his sense of style, how the small elements create his look. This SJ was originally made for recording artist Jim Tozier and is defined by it’s stunning fiddle back Flamed Mahogany and Red Cedar top. These woods give it a boisterous voice that is clear and warm. The 25.6″ scale invites Drop D and DADGAD or is home in Standard and the wider spacings are perfect for fingerstyle. Framed in curly Maple from top to bottom this is a sophisticated guitar that is stunning on many levels. This instrument features: