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2004 Circa Dreadnought, Cocobolo/Adirondack Spruce
John Slobod: one of the most dedicated and skilled builders of vintage-style guitars alive. The Circa we have here today is the happy child of those years of dedication and hard work. The power of this cannon is almost intimidating, and the strong, complex voice sounds like it should come from a guitar seven times as old. The Cocobolo back and sides and the Adirondack Spruce top both exhibit ramrod-straight grain, and give the guitar its bold voice and thick, enveloping low-end. The upper registers have subtle, sweet overtones to balance out that fearsome bottom-end, and the mids have lots of headroom in between. This is a hallmark Dreadnought, with miles of sustain and projection enough to fill any room; and John’s supreme craftsmanship to tie it all together with perfect fit and finish, Grained Ivoroid bindings, and Herringbone trim.
Other keywords: dreadnaught, dread, flatpicking, traditional guitar, Circa Guitars
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Madagascar 
2007 Circa Dreadnought, Madagascar Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce
If we had to count our favorite traditional builders on one hand, John Slobod would be one of the first fingers on the list. John’s instruments are built with a lifelong passion that’s honed by his wonderful ear and razor’s edge lutherie skills. It should come as no surprise that we’re head over heels for this 2007 Circa Dreadnought with 28-style appointments, Madagascar Rosewood, and Adirondack Spruce.The setup is responsive and easy: you can dig in with a pick without fighting the action. John’s carved out a sweet spot for the bass response with plenty of articulation and just enough boom to fill out the room. It’s hard to find a more responsive, expertly crafted, and just downright fun to play dread than from John Slobod’s Portland, Maine workshop.
Other keywords: dreadnaught, d-28, d28, d 28, maddie rosewood, adrondack, adriondack, flatpicking, bluegrass, cannon
Here’s a demo with Paul behind the wheel: https://youtu.be/aCpjVE9aaYc
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Madagascar 
2016 Circa 000-28, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce
John Slobod does it again. We’ve landed a smooth talker from 2016 that’s wide awake and crooning. This Circa 000-28 is upgraded with the crème de la crème of all tonewoods, gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood, and topped with Adirondack Spruce (sweetly opened up in the past five years for power and push). 12 fret neck (with slotted headstock) adds warmth and roundness to the trebles to match the responsive and present bottom end, plus the setup on this Circa is smooth to the touch and easy as breathing. Ivoroid bindings and tight herringbone trim, combined with a pyramid bridge, make the classic American guitar aesthetic proud.
Other keywords: american guitar, circa guitars, fingerstyle, ooo, 139, brazilain, adriondack, ameritage, 00, 28-style, 28 style
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian 
Brand New Circa 00-28, Madagascar Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce
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
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Madagascar 
2012 Circa OM-42, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce
John Slobod brings it home with this one, and we’re so excited to offer it to you now. This 2012 Circa OM-42 epitomizes the OM ideals of versatility, dynamism, playability. The voice is lively and wide open, with a warm and transparent bass that pairs handsomely with the glassy trebles. Great note separation across the registers; really lovely string energy gives a vibrant quality to the voice that’s particularly engrossing. Visually, this is 42-style done right. Perfectly executed Abalone trim borders the top and fretboard extension, pairing with Abalone at the rosette and along the fretboard in the shape of snowflakes, diamonds, and squares—with an MOP “Circa” inlaid at the headstock suggestive of the prewar C.F. Martin block inlay. Gold Waverly tuners (engraved at the knobs), creamy Grained Ivoroid bindings throughout, rectangular pyramid bridge to round it out. On the tonewood front, the classic combination of Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce. Our Circa OM-42 is expressive and elegant in equal measure.
Other keywords: american guitar, circa guitars, fingerstyle, orchestra model, 133, brazilain, adriondack, ameritage
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian 
2009 Circa 000 Cutaway, Koa/Adirondack Spruce
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
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Koa 
2009 Circa Steve Baughman 7/8 Dreadnought Cocobolo/European
We’re not talking about your papa’s junkyard strummer. This 2009 Steve Baughman 7/8 Dreadnought from John Slobod is nothing short of mesmerizing, nothing more than flawless. You know how some guitars just grab you the second you pluck a string, how once in a long while an instrument just says, “Here we go!” and you’d better hold onto your pick before you lose it? That’s what sort of guitar we’re looking at here. Not to wax hyperbolic, but this 7/8 Circa Dreadnought sings unlike any angel you’ve heard.
The Cocobolo Rosewood and European Spruce, in John’s hands, come together for a voice that’s opened up in a way to invoke the envy of an old school Martin. From the bottom of the bass to the canopy of treble overtones, each note rings with the kind of clarity you could cut diamonds with. The 12-fret neck warms up the bass just enough to make it enveloping but not overwhelming, and makes the already easy play feel even more effortless. Altered tunings? Excellent choice. This Steve Baughman Dread was built with just such a fingerstylist in mind–drop it down to C and the clarity and articulation is still there, unadulterated. This Circa can go wherever you’d like, can murmer as subdued as you want or as energetically as you need. Smooth as goose feathers! If it sounds like we’re gushing, it’s because we are: this Circa has stolen all our hearts.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.28 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - European, Rosewood - Cocobolo 
2003 Circa Dreadnought, Cocobolo/Adirondack Spruce
Now that’s what a Dreadnought is supposed to sound like! This incredible beauty from John Slobod comes to us from 2003, serial number 0004. We’re happy to report the past 15 years have treated it well. John’s trebles are three parts glass and two parts razor; clean clarity that cuts through the mix. The Cocobolo back and sides are straight-grained and chocolate-dark, and we think that’s part of the reason the bass response is so rich yet balanced. Of course, Adirondack Spruce on top with a light sunburst. Slobod’s guitars are some of our all-time favorites, and this 2003 Dread is right up there at the top of the list.
The V neck flattens out a bit as you approach the heel block, and elsewhere an 28-style appointment package sets off the vibrant hues of the Cocobolo and burst. Waverly open back tuners in true Americana fashion, and great playing shape from toe to tip. This is the kind of Circa you write home to the folks about. It’s a game changer.
Other keywords: dreadnaught, cocabolo, cocobolo rosewood, rosewood, adi, johnslobod
Here’s an additional demo with Paul at the helm: https://youtu.be/RwkaNssKUgM
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.22 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Cocobolo 
New Circa 7/8 Dreadnought Madagascar/German
John Slobod of Circa Guitars outdoes himself again! This brand new 7/8 Dreadnought was custom built for one of our clients who wanted the full Dreadnought presence and aesthetic but in a slightly easier to play package. To look at this Dread, you’d hardly know it wasn’t regulation size. However, once you actually lay hands on the instrument you’ll feel the difference when you play that first chord. Accordingly, this 7/8 Dread in Madagascar Rosewood and German Spruce is voiced lightly enough for fingerstyle, for when (and if) you tire of the rich roar under a flatpick. John’s attention to detail is profound: right down to the ghost of a sunburst within the outside edge of the Koa rosette. While the bass has an easy richness and clear sustain, it’s the trebles with their breathy overtones that really set this Circa apart from the herd.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.38 in Nut Width 1.72 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods xx, Rosewood - Madagascar 
2008 Circa 00-28 Brazilian/Adirondack (Red)
We’ve had a slew of gorgeous Circa guitars through our shop, each a masterpiece of traditional form, and this 00-28 fits right in! From the perfectly-laid Herringbone trim and Abalone torch headstock, to the chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce top, you’re looking at perfection in a 00 body.
Built in 2008, this 00-28 has had plenty of time to open up, but it’s still got that new guitar smell every time you crack open the case! We found the setup to be splendidly silky and low, and the thunderous growl we experienced tuned up to standard rang just as clearly in lowered tunings. The middle registers notes are vibrant and expressive, and pair sweetly with the bell-like trebles to round out the voice for a guitar optimized for fingerstyle arrangements. Plus, once you consider that this Circa comes with a B-Band pickup system with an A2.2 preamp, and a Calton flight case, you’re looking at an instrument ready to travel to the ends of the earth in safety for your next gig.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.38 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian 
Circa 000-28 Brazilian/Adirondack (Red)
John Slobod’s Pre-War style guitars are in a category unto themselves. This 2015 Circa 000-28 lives up to that legendary reputation in its flawless fit and finish, its cozy size and playability, and its simple, modest appointments. Slobod used a set of richly figured Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides, and voiced the 000 with Adirondack Spruce; the resulting tone is dynamic, articulate, and exceedingly well balanced.
Fingerpickers, listen up! If you can think of it, this guitar can play it, from a soft ballad to a bloodboiling Kottke-like arrangement. The 12-fret neck is made in the traditional style of the 1920’s and 1930’s–which means there is no truss rod–so the profile is a soft V to compensate for the string tension. This guitar already sounds absurdly beautiful, and it’s still opening up!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.78 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian 
2011 Circa OM Brazilian/Adirondack (Red)
If it’s a guitar from Al Petteway’s personal stable of instruments, you know you’re looking at one of the finest pieces of stringed art on the market. This 2011 Circa OM has been on of Al’s favorite guitars for several years now, but it’s time to pass the torch to the next player. John Slobod broke the mold with this OM: exhibiting an incredibly focused voice that manages to combine megalithic bass notes with sparkling trebles, this guitar remains lightly built, and ready for action. The sort of guitar which responds magnificently to both flatpicks and fingertips, this Circa can breathe new life into your Irish fingerstyle arrangements or add some lightning to your Bluegrass licks–again, with a lightweight build that’s effortless to play.
Worried about sheer volume? Worry be gone: this Brazilian-Rosewood-and-Adirondack-Spruce OM projects as though it had its own PA system, without losing any smoothness of the articulation when driven hard. If you’re interested in adding a lion to your own musical menagarie, you won’t find one with quite so rich a roar as this 2011 Circa OM, straight from Al’s hands to yours.
Watch this video for a lesson about playing “Banish Misfortune” with Al: www.youtube.com/watch
Watch this video for a lesson about using E-Bows with Al: www.youtube.com/watch
Watch this video for a lesson about bending strings with Al: www.youtube.com/watch
Watch this video for a lesson about harmonics from Al: www.youtube.com/watch
Watch this video for a lesson about creating acoustic reverb from Al: www.youtube.com/watch
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian 
New Circa Custom 12 Fret 000 Cutaway Panamanian/Palo Escrito/Adirondack (Red)
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!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.69 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red) 
New Circa Dreadnought Makore/Adirondack (Red)
Here we have a brand new Circa Dreadnought in Adirondack (Red) Spruce and Makore. John Slobod is the Brains and Luthier behind these exquisite Circa guitars. John has garnered quite a following among the pre war style guitar enthusiasts, pick one up and you will have no questions why. His guitars are light and responsive, just like the good old Martins. This Dreadnought will make any flatpicker proud with its open and loud voice. Single note leads just bark out of this thing, the people in the back will have no problem hearing you. John departed slightly from tradition by using Makore for the back and sides, apart from having beautiful figure, we find this would has a Rosewood like presence along with a mahogany like warmth.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Makore 
2001 Circa D-28H Shaded Top Cocobolo/Adirondack (Red)
Here we have a Circa D-28 Shaded Top in Cocobolo Rosewood and Adirondack (Red) Spruce. John Slobod is the man behind Circa guitars and we believe he is building some of the most outstanding pre war martin Style guitars you can find. This D-28 has a unique voice with all the power of the old Martins and a slightly modern complexity of tone that lends itself surprisingly well to fingerpicking. Playability is smooth and fast, the action is set low and the low profile shape of the neck really make playing this guitar a breeze. If you are looking for an all around guitar, with a huge complex voice, we think this one will suite you perfectly.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.77 in String Spacing 2.22 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Cocobolo