Instruments
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2008 Southwell A Series Special Edition, Brazilian Rosewood/German Spruce
They don’t build ‘em like this anymore. Literally. Gary Southwell no longer builds with Brazilian Rosewood, and not only does this A Series boast one of the last sets of Brazilian he’s ever used, but it also features an exquisitely tight-grained German Spruce top given to Gary by none other than Julien Bream. This is Gary’s 250th guitar, built in 2008 and featuring the distinct headstock and Rodgers tuner arrangement of his A Series, as well as engraved bone appointments, an arm rest, and Florentine Cutaway.
The Maple neck has a slim profile that’s easy on the hands, and thanks to the cutaway and elevated fingerboard, all the frets are quickly beneath your fingertips. The bass response has an extra helping of clarity and definition to really let those bass notes stand out in the mix, without overpowering the other registers. Gary’s custom Rodgers tuners glide effortlessly, and the overall lightweight build (only 3lbs 12oz) and slim neck make for an exercise in easy playability. In short, this Southwell A Series excels on both fronts, ergonomic and tonal. And there won’t be any more quite like it from Gary.Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, anniversary guitar, commemorative guitar, nylon string, classical music
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.94 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Spruce - German, Rosewood - Brazilian 
2010 Southwell A, Brazilian Rosewood & German Spruce
Gary Southwell’s A Series cuts a fine figure in Brazilian Rosewood and German Spruce with a voice that’s equal parts elegance and energy. Loaded with unique features, from the cantilevered neck and Smallman armrest to offset tuners and Florentine Cutaway, this A Series is a deliciously fresh take on the nylon string guitar.
Gary has only built a handful of Brazilian Rosewood A Series, so our #265 from 2010 is a rarity even among its brothers and sisters—and what gorgeous Rosewood it is! Rich, brick-red hues and a little bit of dramatic grain. The German Spruce top is satin finished for maximum resonance. The setup is delightfully smooth for allegro passages, and the combination of cutaway and cantilevered fretboard make for easy access to the entirety of the board. Powerful sonority in the bass response, and the mids have some added punch to make for lush and colorful arrangements.
Unfettered by convention, the Southwell A Series offers a timeless voice to contemporary music, and a vibrant flair to the traditional.
Other spellings: soutwhell, garey, gremlin spruce, brazilain
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.97 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - German, Rosewood - Brazilian 
New Spalt Nouveau Series 12 String Mahogany/Various
Just off a showing at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California. The Nouveau Series is a special project developed by author and musician Paul Schmidt and luthier Michael Spalt. A series of electric guitars that transcend the six string and blend it seemlessly with true art. The series was inspired by Art Nouveau and these instruments are at once art and the most serious of musical tools. Michael Spalt and Paul Schmidt spent several years developing the idea, finding artwork and artifacts, sketching, collaborating and finally building these exquisite gems.
The pieces are based on the Klein acoustic shape with inclusions of art nouveau artifacts, natural woods, bone and the finest hardware. Not only are these instruments stunning visual works of art, but they are ergonomic masterpieces as well. The bodies feel immediately familiar and the solid Rosewood necks, with there flat sheen, feel played for 50 years. The BoneTop pickups are extraordinary – Gorgeous hand crafted Bone bobbins died in a variety of colors with Alnico magnets for the Bridge and Ceramic for the Neck. They voice is stellar, clear and loud with other-worldly sustain. Each instrument also has it’s own custom case that continues the guitars individual statement as well as a signed copy of the book ‘The Nouveau Series’ by Paul Schmidt.
‘Nouveau 12 String’
“The only 12 string built in this collaboration.”
Click here to read about the Nouveau Series on builder Michael Spalt’s website.
Click Here to view the book ‘The Nouveau Series’ by Paul Schmidt.
Click Here to view photos from the Museum Showing at the Museum of Making Music.
New Spalt Nouveau Series Spinning Arachnid Mahogany/Various
Just off a showing at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California. The Nouveau Series is a special project developed by author and musician Paul Schmidt and luthier Michael Spalt. A series of electric guitars that transcend the six string and blend it seemlessly with true art. The series was inspired by Art Nouveau and these instruments are at once art and the most serious of musical tools. Michael Spalt and Paul Schmidt spent several years developing the idea, finding artwork and artifacts, sketching, collaborating and finally building these exquisite gems.
The pieces are based on the Klein acoustic shape with inclusions of art nouveau artifacts, natural woods, bone and the finest hardware. Not only are these instruments stunning visual works of art, but they are ergonomic masterpieces as well. The bodies feel immediately familiar and the solid Rosewood necks, with there flat sheen, feel played for 50 years. The BoneTop pickups are extraordinary – Gorgeous hand crafted Bone bobbins died in a variety of colors with Alnico magnets for the Bridge and Ceramic for the Neck. They voice is stellar, clear and loud with other-worldly sustain. Each instrument also has it’s own custom case that continues the guitars individual statement as well as a signed copy of the book ‘The Nouveau Series’ by Paul Schmidt.
‘Spinning Arachnid’
“Like our L’Image-themed instrument, the glass selected to theme this instrument was not signed but was still selected for its beauty and uniqueness. The yellow-green glass of swirling brown lines and blue stripes suspended over gold-leaf inspires the startling fingerboard image – a pearl web, abalone arachnid, coloured bone green leaf and orange berries. The spider was also a favoured image for Nouveau for its indefatigable spinning and weaving. Like the serpent, its image is significant to many cultures’ mythologies – Asian, Greek, West African, and Indo-European.”
Click here to read about the Nouveau Series on builder Michael Spalt’s website.
Click Here to view the book ‘The Nouveau Series’ by Paul Schmidt.
Click Here to view photos from the Museum Showing at the Museum of Making Music.
New Spalt Nouveau Series Loetz Gilded Serpent Mahogany/Various
Just off a showing at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California. The Nouveau Series is a special project developed by author and musician Paul Schmidt and luthier Michael Spalt. A series of electric guitars that transcend the six string and blend it seemlessly with true art. The series was inspired by Art Nouveau and these instruments are at once art and the most serious of musical tools. Michael Spalt and Paul Schmidt spent several years developing the idea, finding artwork and artifacts, sketching, collaborating and finally building these exquisite gems.
The pieces are based on the Klein acoustic shape with inclusions of art nouveau artifacts, natural woods, bone and the finest hardware. Not only are these instruments stunning visual works of art, but they are ergonomic masterpieces as well. The bodies feel immediately familiar and the solid Rosewood necks, with there flat sheen, feel played for 50 years. The BoneTop pickups are extraordinary – Gorgeous hand crafted Bone bobbins died in a variety of colors with Alnico magnets for the Bridge and Ceramic for the Neck. They voice is stellar, clear and loud with other-worldly sustain. Each instrument also has it’s own custom case that continues the guitars individual statement as well as a signed copy of the book ‘The Nouveau Series’ by Paul Schmidt.
‘Loetz Gilded Serpent’
“The glass chosen for this instrument features contrasting iridescent to opaque golden hues and organic shapes expressing the vitality and boldness of nature’s pervading strength and wildness. This is some of the most strident art glass from the period. The serpent theme, derived from the shapes found in the glass, is consistent with Art Nouveau’s attentions to the power and mystery of nature. The symbology of the serpent is vast and was often used to represent the sacred primal energy of matter. It was an inspiring figure in the mythologies and rituals of Africa, Ancient China, and many cultures, most notably the Greek gods of poetry, music, healing, and divination. The obvious serpentine shapes in the glass invite the blonde flamed Maple serpent images for the body, which, though softer in colour than the golden and light green glass, speak through their size, shape, and historical reference. The earthen-toned spalted Maple that comprises much of the top offers a texture and vibrancy that enhances the vividness of both the serpents and the glass. Additional woods are Redwood burl, and Rosewood. The inlays are artfully rendered in silver and pearl, and the knobs and switch are resin and Catalin respectively. Perhaps the most aggressive instrument of the Nouveau Series brimming with boldness, gold, and more boldness.”
Click here to read about the Nouveau Series on builder Michael Spalt’s website.
Click Here to view the book ‘The Nouveau Series’ by Paul Schmidt.
Click Here to view photos from the Museum Showing at the Museum of Making Music.
2023 Spohn OM, Ebony/Swiss Moonspruce
This Spohn OM comes to us nearly new from 2023, coupling a straight-grain set of Ebony for the back and sides with a tight-grained Swiss Moonspruce top. A fantastic example of modern lutherie, we’d pair this OM with any kind of player, but in particular a modern fingerstylist or someone who needs maximum clarity and separation across the registers. Great headroom allows for a range of attacks; this Spohn has the gears for light play and more driving stuff too. Short scale and a 1 3/4” nut width make for an easy playing experience, as does the fantastic weight balance between neck and body. All wrapped up in a lightweight BAM case.
Other keywords/misspellings fingerpicking, ebany, max spohn, 52
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Moonspruce, Ebony 
Brand New Spohn 00 12-Fret, Birdseye Maple/Swiss Moonspruce
We just love Max Spohn’s contemporary flair, his expressive voicing, and great eye for tonewood. Even more, we love collaborating with Max on custom builds for our clients like this bespoke 00 12-Fret. Lovely figuring across the Birdseye Maple back and sides (matching up with the headstock veneers); Swiss Moonspruce on top with an offset geometric rosette and Ebony bindings—plus a sweet cardinal inlaid at the heelcap. Brass Scheller tuners round it out.
The voice is a delight. Small body roundness to the trebles, and there’s a meaty midrange (much more than we usually find on smaller bodies) that really fills it out. Note definition is crisp and smooth, with great balance across the registers. In short, it’s a helluva lot of tone from a petite package. It’s headed to its eager new home now! Give us a shout when you’re ready to commission your own.other keywords: fingerstyle, 2021, handmade, lutherie, rosette, spohn guitars, mainstage, 34, 12 fret, fingerstyle, luthier, guitarbuilding, custom guitar, bespoke guitar.
Brand New Spohn OM, Cocobolo/Swiss Moonspruce
Our own Max Spohn’s latest build comes to us as a bespoke piece for one of our clients! We settled on pairing Cocobolo with Swiss Moonspruce and a 25 inch scale on Max’s OM body for a balance between intimacy and power—both of which this beauty has in spades. We love the smoothly executed and colorful geometric inlays at the soundhole and headstock, which set this Spohn apart from the crowd in a polished, professional way that catches the eye. German Scheller tuners offer silky operation, and the setup is velvet, too. This instrument is just easy, from tuner to tail.
We deeply enjoy working with our clients and our builders to bring about custom builds. It’s one of our favorite aspects of this whole enterprise. Interested in one for yourself? Give us a shout!other keywords: fingerstyle, 2021, handmade, lutherie, rosette, spohn guitars, hiscox
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Moonspruce, Rosewood - Cocobolo 
Brand New Spohn OM-C, Cocobolo/Swiss Moonspruce
Powerful in an effortless-playing package: our latest OM-C from Max Spohn of Germany. This is a fantastic instrument for fingerstyle work, can hold up for strumming and flat picking too, and is oh. so. lovely to behold both visually and acoustically. Gorgeous Cocobolo back and sides for richness and overtones, Swiss Moonspruce on top for evenness and clarity—the voice is quick, crisp, smooth. An excellent candidate for open tunings. Scheller tuners set against a Spruce headstock veneer, and geometric inlays of purflings and horn. You’ll find that ringing in the soundhole as well (itself with a flat edge on the bass side to parallel the rosette). Tight waist, and pinless Ebano bridge with a scalloped saddle.
This Spohn OM-C stands apart from the crowd of modern guitars with Max’s particular aesthetic, and exceptionally precise voice.Other keywords: fingerstyle, fingerpicking, moon spruce, swiss spruce, modern guitar
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Moonspruce, Rosewood - Cocobolo 
Brand New Spohn 00, Madagascar Rosewood/Italian Spruce
Max Spohn’s 00 model is smooth, smooth, smooth. We love the balanced voice from bass to treble, the clarity and precision from note to note, and the sheer presence and dynamic range. Sweet, indeed. Gorgeous Madagascar Rosewood back and sides are paired with an Italian Spruce top, Scheller tuners, and a unique Fossilized Mammoth rosette and endgraft. Ebano pinless bridge and bindings, Honduran Mahogany neck, and a slinky playability that makes this 00 about as easy playing as breathing.
Max’s 00 model is sweet, powerful, and intimate at the same time. A fabulous fingerstyle instrument.Here’s an additional demo with our own Duane Simpson: https://youtu.be/OB43E1kH_-8.
Other keywords: fingerpicking, oo, modern guitar, 14-fret, hiscox, germany
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Rosewood - Madagascar 
Brand New Spohn MD-C, Quilted Sapele/Swiss Moonspruce
Modern lutherie maestro Max Spohn brings real weight to bear in this brand new MD-C model in Quilted Sapele and Swiss Moonspruce. Max’s take on the Modified Dreadnought shape exhibits a tight waist, trim upper bout at 10 7/8”, and here a florentine cutaway for maximum fretboard access. Eschewing a traditional rosette, Max laid down some geometry with right angles, diagonals, and a blue purfling to join up with the Maple top trim. This motif is echoed across the headstock with its Spruce veneer as well.
The voice is dialed in for quick response and an even note separation from string to string; we love the clarity and definition. Smooth, smooth, smooth.Other keywords: fingerstyle, fingerpicking, moon spruce, swiss spruce, modern guitar
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Moonspruce, Sapele 
Brand New Spohn OM, Pau Ferro/Swiss Moonspruce
An exciting new piece has just fallen into our lap. Enter: Max Spohn, German luthier with a fresh aesthetic and voice. Paul met Max at the 2019 Vancouver International Guitar Festival, and was immediately struck by the curvaceous OM here with its baby blue appointments (and matching Calton case!). Max crafted this guitar as an homage to Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. The back and sides are Pau Ferro/Bolivian Rosewood, and Max picked out a creamy-white set of Swiss Moonspruce for the top, and opted to adorn his headstock with a matching Spruce veneer—something we don’t know if we’ve ever seen before. Scheller tuners, a micro arm bevel on the lower bout, and if you look closely you’ll find the heel curves in on itself as it meets the body of the instrument. The voice is lively and agile, with a clean treble response and sustain. The short 25” scale fretboard adds a touch of warmth to the mids that really comes out when we dropped the strings down into DADGAD and beyond. This is the very first Spohn OM we’ve had in the shop, and it’s causing quite a stir among the Tippins and the Ryans and the Wingerts.
Other keywords: fingerstyle, fingerpicking, orchestra model, pau ferro rosewood, moon spruce, swiss spruce, blue guitar, modern guitar
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Moonspruce, Rosewood - Bolivian (Pau Ferro) 
2008 Stelling Virginian, Maple
2008 Stelling Virginian comes upgraded with a Tony Pass Old Wood rim, Maple resonator and flame neck, a slim neck profile, and extensive bird-and-flower inlays rendered in MOP and Abalone.
Other keywords: billy presnell, bluegrass, claw, 6544
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.125 in Nut Width 1.281 in String Spacing 1.75 in Woods Coated Banjo Head, Maple - Figured 
1988 Stelling Staghorn, Tony Pass Lost Timber Rim
This Stelling Staghorn might have fewer strings than a standard guitar, but we can’t hold that against it for long: it’s got a helluva sound. And it’s still looking fantastic after its 1988 build date, here updated in 2008 with a Tony Pass Lost Timber rim. Nickel hardware throughout, plus extensive MOP position markers and the ubiquitous stag horns at the headstock. D-tuners are installed, fine, and functional and ready for action!
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, allenn shadd, bluegrass, scruggs, banjo, 3426
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.125 in Nut Width 1.25 in String Spacing 1.75 in Woods Skin - Fiber, Maple 
2004 Stelling Crusader, Mahogany
Stelling’s first Mahogany model, the Crusader, has been going strong since the 70s! This beauty comes to us from 2004 with a Tony Pass Lost Timbre rim with Stelling Wedge Fit flathead tone ring, nickel hardware, and Mahogany resonator. Long scale at around 26 1/2” for added power (see: sizzling trebles), and playing smooth as butter with an easy setup, and railroad spikes already installed.
Other keywords: bluegrass, al petteway, fingerpicking, mahagony, 5803
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.5 in Nut Width 1.25 in String Spacing 1.69 in Woods Skin - Fiber, Mahogany