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Well, well, well: Small sized guitar realizes big box ambitions. This 2013 Claxton Malabar has great depth and resonance, clean and easy trebles, and a well-balanced midrange that ties it all together. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Italian Spruce on top, Mahogany neck, Ebony bindings; Ed’s eye for fine wood hasn’t led him astray yet. And a Calton flight case for safe keeping!
The voice is characterized by clarity and sustain, with a full-throated projection that we’d expect from a guitar with a few more square inches across its top. With light gauge strings we were able to tune down to C# and still have enough string tension to play comfortably and intonate properly, and we imagine you could substitute a heavier low E string to go all the way into C tuning territory.
We see heaps of builders who want a full-size voice to come out of their smaller guitars—but the handful who achieve this feat is slim, and Ed Claxton is right there at the top. We can’t recommend this Malabar highly enough.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, handbuilt, brazilain, gotoh, fingerstyle, parlor, small-bodied, flightcase, 13-fret, 13 fret

If your billfold can’t stomach a prewar OM-28, try this 2015 OM-28 Authentic 1931 on for size—built spec-for-spec after the quintessential version. Here with Madagascar Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce, scalloped bracing, and a forward-shifted X, the OM-28 Authentic is a testament to the classic Martin sound we’ve all grown up on. This one’s got the playability of a new guitar and the voice of a much older beast: focused trebles, a clear and open middle register, consistent sustain and balance.
This particular example has been well-cared for, with hardly a mark to be found. The guitar feels lightweight and responsive in your hands, be it fingerpicked or strummed. This Martin OM-28 Authentic is a powerhouse, plain and simple.

Other keywords: lutherie, orchestra model, OM 28, 28 style, 28-style, herringbone, harptone, waverly, vts s

Simply delicious. We’re here to offer one of the most painstaking examples of Bourgeois craftsmanship in this 2016 L-DBO Presentation model. Number nine of an exclusive ten, this is the only guitar in the collection with Ziricote and Aged Tone Adirondack Spruce, an exciting blend of classic and contemporary tonewoods, and you’ll find that the rest of the instrument has been done up in high style with a rich bounty of Abalone and Pearl. The Ebony fretboard is almost completely covered with Pearl blocks, themselves inlaid with floral Abalone patterns; a motif you will also find on the wings of the bridge and the heelcap. Antique Walrus Ivory pins, Waverly tuners, and a tiger stripe pickguard for a flash of something off the menu.
A dark and moody sunburst spans the top, which sets off the Abalone trim, and the fact that this Bourgeois comes in a custom fit Hoffee flight case lets us know that this guitar will be safe for the long haul. In spite of this guitar’s trim dimensions, there is a fierce and lively quality to the L-DBO Presentation’s voice that gives the impression of a larger instrument. Instead of a plunky picker, we found real power and dynamism.
It’s an incredible find, to have an instrument whose gorgeous aesthetic is only matched by its voice. We cannot recommend this exclusive Bourgeois L-DBO Presentation more highly.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, 9/10, 9 of 10, waverlies, age tone top, torrefied top, torrefication, brazilian rosewood, dana bourgeois

This is one of Caleb Smith’s most recent builds from 2017, D-28 #58 in Brazilian Rosewood and 350-year-old Adirondack Spruce. Some of our all-time favorite luthiers are also full-tilt performing musicians, and there’s an obvious connection between the virtuosity of plucking notes and of shaping wood. This is a handsome 28-style Dreadnought with a quick V neck, 1 11/16” nut, and seriously ancient Adirondack Spruce on top for that extra ounce of awesome.
Now, the voice is something else entirely. This is not your average honkin’ Dread. This Caleb Smith has a smooth, expressive, and very musical tonality that renders notes in full technicolor glory. The trebles and middle register are particularly crisp and present; perfect for giving solos and lead work a bit more sizzle to stand out from the crowd. Gold EVO frets will ensure you won’t need a fret dress any time soon (even though you’ll be putting serious hours on this guitar in no time), and we guarantee that this guitar, as incredible as it sounds now, will continue to open up even more over time.
Caleb’s reputation is sterling, and we’re excited to be able to offer this 2017 beauty to all of you. Get it while it’s hot!

Other keywords: dreadnaught, balsam range, flat picking, flatpicking, bluegrass, traditional guitar, herringbone, waverly, waverlies

Our very first instrument from Baron Guitars come to the party dressed in black and with a voice that cuts right through the riff raff. Here decked out with Flamed Maple back and sides and an Italian Spruce top, we found the voice had an easy balance across the registers, but cut very well through the mix. The treble response is crisp and well-defined, and the bass and midrange response are characterized by a dry woodiness that keeps the tone articulate and straight-to-the-point with clean attack and swift decay.
A gorgeous matte black finish on the body is set off by Maple appointments, from the top trim, rosette, and bridge, to the Maple neck and fretboard itself. Gold EVO frets for longevity. The neck is also finished in satin, and offers zero resistance to the left hand while fretting, and it remained so even after we turned up the heat with some faster tunes.
Quick and lively, this 2018 Baron OM is the right choice if energy and attack are at the top of your list.

Other keyword: lutherie, luthier, canada, flame maple, matt finish, gotoh, hiscox, finger picking, fingerpicking, finger style, flat picking, orchestra model