Instruments
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New Kerry Char Tenor Ukulele Brazilian/Adirondack
Kerry Char is a well known Luthier from Portland, OR where he crafts amazing Harp Guitars, Lyres, Six Strings, Classics and Ukuleles. Born in Hawaii he has Ukes in his blood and we can attest that he builds some of the very best. Crafted like fine concert guitars, every detail is perfectly executed and he employs only the finest tonewoods. This Brazilian Rosewood Ukulele has an Adirondack top for a powerful sound with headroom to spare. The Martin Style 5K fingerboard inlays in abalone and the torch on the headplate, also in abalone, make it shine.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 17 in Nut Width 1.38 in String Spacing 1.69 in Woods xx, Rosewood - Brazilian 
New Kerry Char Concert Ukulele Figured Mahogany
Kerry Char is a well known Luthier from Portland, OR where he crafts amazing Harp Guitars, Lyres, Six Strings, Classics and Ukuleles. Born in Hawaii he has Ukes in his blood and we can attest that he builds some of the very best. Crafted like fine concert guitars, every detail is perfectly executed and he employs only the finest tonewoods. This Concert Uke features gorgeous Curly Mahogany, bound body, neck and headstock, Mastodon Ivory Nut & Saddle and lovely appointments.
2020 Charis SJ, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
A beautiful example of Bill Wise of Charis’s work in the shop! This is a recent build from 2020, 13 frets to the body with Cedar on top and figured Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. Creature comforts include a soundport, arm bevel, cutaway, and of course Bill’s trademark slender and agile neck profile. The feather in the cap here comes in with the delicately rendered flower inlaid with the fingerboard. All wrapped up in a custom Mainstage flight case.
Other keywords/misspellings – main stage, fingerstyle, brw, brazilain, 13-fret
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
2009 Charis SJ, African Blackwood/Engelmann Spruce
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
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.625 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Blackwood - African 
2009 Charis SJ Cutaway, African Blackwood/Engelmann Spruce
Strong, oh so strong. Glassy response, and this glass is clearly tempered since it holds up well to a heavier attack just as well as a light touch. Bill Wise of Charis Acoustics, after working with the venerable Jim Olson, has had an excellent career of building premium modern flattops, and we’ve had nothing but great experiences with both Bill and his guitars. This 2009 SJ Cutaway is quite the sharp dressed number! African Blackwood body with Engelmann Spruce top, flamed bindings and arm bevel, 5-ply neck and silky setup. The voice has chocolatey darkness in the bass response, and a fully developed and articulate midrange that really fills the room. Sweet trebles have a slight blooming quality after the immedate attack, making this an exquisite instrument for fingerstyle.
Other keywords: james olson, fingerpicking, abalone, gotoh, accord case, 218
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.625 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Blackwood - African 
2012 Charis Signature Series SJ, Figured Myrtle/Engelmann Spruce
Bill Wise of Charis Acoustics offers up an exquisitely articulate voice, lifetime adjustable neck design, and playing ergonomics on this Signature Series SJ from 2012. Complete with highly figured Myrtlewood back and sides, Engelmann Spruce on top, plus Wenge bindings and a Ryan-style arm bevel. Soundport at the upper bout to offer the player a little more “me in the monitor,” opposite a soft venetian cutaway and multi-laminated neck. The rosette is executed in an intricate double helix of Makore and Mahogany over Wenge. This Charis SJ Signature has been very well cared for since its birth ten years ago, and is here with us today bearing a gorgeous expressive and organic voice.
Other keywords: fingerstyle, cedar creek, myrtle, 346, tonewood
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Myrtlewood 
2013 Charis SJ, Cocobolo/Cedar
Wide awake and singing oh so clear, our Charis SJ from 2013 is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a guitar that can do it all while looking good at the same time. This number is dressed to the nines with Red Cedar on top, brick-red Cocobolo back and sides with Tzalam bindings, and capped with a colorful, modern tree of life vine inlaid along the fretboard. Add to that a venetian cutaway, soundport, arm bevel, and L.R. Baggs Lyric pickup system, and you’ve got an exercise in effortlessness. The sides are deep enough to enhance projection and round out the bass response, but the lower bout is still only 15 3/8” wide in Bill Wise’s SJ configuration, so this beauty is very comfortable in hand.
Other keywords: jim olson, charis guitars, fingerpicking, open tuning, gotoh, inlay art, abalane, 378
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.625 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Cocobolo 
2015 Charis SJ The Music Box, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
The 2015 Charis Music Box performs exactly as its name implies: it keeps singing, all of its own accord. Bill Wise’s steady hands have teamed up with the artistic eye of his daughter, Rebecca Wise, to produce a startling feat of inlay across the guitar’s body and neck in the form of cogs, nuts, bolts, and keys. Bill picked out a figured Brazilian Rosewood set for the back and sides and a uniquely colored Cedar top for a lush, incredibly complex tonal palette. Every inch of this guitar resonates with the individual properties of each of so many different materials–and the result is orchestral, grand, absorbing. The Music Box will eat up all of your favorite altered tunings and still maintain Wise’s characteristic articulation and balance. Moreover, the 13 fret design renders so much sound into a slightly smaller, more intimate package which is effortless to fret. Comes wrapped up safe and sound in a Calton case.
Other keywords: jim olson, charis guitars, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, open tuning, art guitar, 13-fret, gotoh, arm bevel, koa, guitarbuilding
Here’s an additional demo with our own Al Petteway when we first had this lovely instrument: https://youtu.be/8-8FedBlMaU
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.78 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Cedar - Red, Rosewood - Brazilian 
2014 Charis “The Everbloom” SJ, The Tree Mahogany/Sinker Redwood
Real strength. That’s what The Everbloom SJ Charis from 2014 exudes. The voice is strong, vigorous, quick and rich at the same time. We love the power of individual notes flatpicked, and how at the same time big chords mix up and blend smoothly. It holds up handsomely for fingerstyle work, and in defiance of popular opinion about Redwood tops this Charis is a great strummer under a flatpick as well. Part of Bill Wise’s success here comes from his eye for tonewood. The fabled “The Tree” Quilted Mahogany, pairing up with Sinker Redwood, makes for that balance between warmth and crisp note decay, as well as overall power. A soundport in the upper bout adds a little more “me in the monitor” to the player’s ear, and sprawling across the fretboard, headstock, and rosette we find a series of delicate vine and flower inlays. Hence, The Everbloom. This Charis is a tonal work of art, with a visual aesthetic to match.
Other keywords: jim olson, charis guitars, fingerpicking, open tuning, art guitar, gotoh, inlay art, abalone
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.625 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Redwood - Sinker, Mahogany - The Tree 
2008 Charis Overo SJ, Brazilian Rosewood/Redwood
Guitar as canvas, that’s what we’re looking at here. Bill Wise’s “Overo” SJ, bedecked in a gorgeous array of marquetry depicting a paint horse rearing up before a rattlesnake, with badlands and mountains in the background. The woodworking and attention to detail is flawless and so on point; we really haven’t seen a piece quite as complex as this one from Bill before. All this marquetry work is on top of a set of gorgeous salvaged Brazilian Rosewood from Bill’s personal stash. Flip the guitar over, and you find a dramatically flamed Redwood top and Koa bindings. 13 frets to the body with a cutaway and soundport, plus a 25 inch scale for added warmth. Additionally, Bill installed twin arm and rib bevels for creature comfort, and an adjustable neck which keeps the setup dialed in precisely where you want it, just one twist of a wrench.
The 2008 Charis Overo SJ is a beauty, hands down, in pristine shape and equally suited to wow with both looks and sound.Other keywords: jim olson, charis guitars, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, open tuning, art guitar, gotoh, inlay art, abalone, calton, florentine cutaway, bespoke
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.78 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Redwood - Flamed, Rosewood - Brazilian 
2016 Charis SJ, Indian Rosewood/Sinker Redwood
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
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Redwood - Sinker, Rosewood - Indian 
2008 Charis Grand Concert, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Tonewood maestro Bill Wise has been crafting world class fingerstyle guitars for years now, and he’s nailed the sweet spot between easy playability and projection, sustain, and dynamic response. This 2008 Charis Grand Concert comes to us with Indian Rosewood back and sides, Cedar top, 5-ply Rosewood neck, and a glassy setup that practically plays itself. Additionally, there’s a K&K Trinity Pro pickup system installed, which is one of our favorite dual source systems of all time.
This Charis has an exquisitely well-tempered response that’s even from string to string and all the way up to the tiptop frets. Cedar gives a little more warmth and presence to the upper mids and trebles to round things out, and it really loves to go down to altered tuning territory, thanks to a 25 5/8” scale length. The voice has opened up nicely since 2008, and we’re happy to report that the condition is superb.Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, IR, red cedar, fingerpicking, tkl, k & k, gotoh, abalone
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.625 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
2009 Charis SJ, Amazon Rosewood/Cedar
A Bill Wise masterpiece. 2009 Charis SJ in Amazon Rosewood and Cedar, 5-ply Mahogany neck, Wenge arm and rib bevels for added player comfort, 25.5” scale for crisp, powerful response—the list goes on. This is a fabulous fingerstyle instrument, and with the addition of a Florentine Cutaway and a soundport in the upper bout keeps you in tune with your tunes. Bill’s guitars are famously easy to play, a nod to Jim Olson’s builds with a slim neck carve and SJ body dimensions, and this 2009 SJ is no exception. Silky smooth and quick. Gotoh Delta tuners, Calton flight case, and custom diamond fretboard inlays round it all out.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbulding, olson guitar, fingerpicking, amazonian rosewood, clear pickguard
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Amazon 
2013 Charis SJ, Macassar Ebony/Redwood
A Bill Wise treasure! Our 2013 Charis SJ is a beauty to both the ears and the eyes, with Macassar Ebony back and sides and a rich Redwood top and T’Zalam bindings. 13-fret neck with a 25 inch scale makes for easy playability and a touch extra warmth in the trebles, and the Florentine Cutaway makes sure you can still get all the way to that pesky 20th fret without breaking a sweat. Overall, this Charis can be characterized by a smooth response, and even smoother playability. The string-to-string balance makes for an excellent fingerstyle guitar, and it handles dropped tunings like a champ.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerpicking, abalone, 13 fret, cedar creek, gotoh
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Redwood, Ebony - Macassar 
2007 Charis Dream Series – SJ Brazilian/Italian
Support for Puerto Rico has been skyrocketing, but they’re going to continue to need help for a long time to go. We’re keeping that support going strong in our own small way by offering another incredible guitar at a great price. This week we’ve got two beauties on the block: our 1987 Franklin Prairie State and our 2007 Charis Dream Series SJ.
As before, a portion of the proceeds will go the the United For Puerto Rico fund spearheaded by Puerto Rico’s first lady, Beatriz Rosselló. They’ve been able to donate over 36,000 units of water, almost 11,000 units of food—but much of the island is still without reliable power and water. Please email your bids to [email protected], and we will keep you informed as to the current bid during the auction. This auction is scheduled to close on 12pm EST, December 3rd.
This Charis was originally priced at $8,795, but we’re starting bidding at just $4,995. Domestic bids only, please.
As sweet as a banana split, but rich as cheesecake, this 2007 Charis SJ has all the toppings to make any fingerstylist happy: glassy low action, articulate string-to-string balance, and resounding basses paired with bell-like trebles. This is number five of ten guitars that Bill Wise built exclusively for us as a part of our Dream Series, so we were able to pick out a fabulous set of Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides and an Italian Spruce top for added creaminess to the voice.
The low end is warm and very present, but with a well-defined edge that contributes an enveloping quality to your arrangements. With a few years under its belt, this Charis has opened up nicely, and responds well to even a delicate touch. If you’re a fan of altered tunings, you’ll be well served by this one, especially if Celtic stylings are more to your liking.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.63 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Rosewood - Brazilian