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2001 Martin D-28 Custom, Brazilian/Adirondack Spruce
Consecutive Martins with matching Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack? Yes, please! This 2001 D-28 Custom is #803860, built just before 000-28 #803861with the exact same woods. This Dread has opened up handsomely with powerful response and great string-to-string balance. The neck comes to us with a satin finish and a smooth C profile that’s really easy on the hands, and with a 1 11/16” nut you know it’s a fast and easy player. Gold hardware, 42-style Abalone snowflakes on the bridge and fretboard, and an Abalone C.F. Martin inlaid into the headstock.
Other keywords: dreadnaught, brazilain, flatpicking, bluegrass
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4000 in Nut Width 1.6875 in String Spacing 2.1250 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian 
2018 Somogyi Modified Dreadnought, Brazilian Rosewood/European Spruce
No one builds a guitar like Ervin Somogyi, period. He’s inspired several generations of luthiers to push the envelope to its furthest reaches, to voice their guitars for maximum resonance and clarity. It’s humbling for us to see one of his most recent builds, to see what kind of guitar stands at the root of our modern luthier renaissance. This Mod D has some of the prettiest Brazilian Rosewood we’ve ever seen (and we’ve seen a lot of Brazilian to make your mouth water), and Ervin adorned the European Spruce top with an intricate chip-carved rosette in the style of a celtic knot, which you’ll also find in the endgraft. Vertical bars of Abalone on the bass side of the fretboard, Rodgers gold tuners with black pearl knobs—and a headstock that’s a study in color and marquetry. Although the label says 2017, Ervin actually finished this guitar this year in 2018.
The tone is 100% Somogyi. Bass response has a warm fundamental with great definition; clear string to string balance to articulate fingerstyle voicings; sustain you can hang your coat on. This guitar has an elegant presence, and a velvet smoothness that’s easy to lose track of time in. Ervin’s Modified Dreadnoughts are in a category all their own. It’s a guitar like this that reminds us of just how far a luthier can stretch their abilities in the pursuit of tone and their individual aesthetic.
Other keywords: MD, brazilain, ervinsomogyi, esomogyi, contemporary guitar, dreadnaught
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.1250 in Nut Width 1.7500 in String Spacing 2.2500 in Woods Spruce - European, Rosewood - Brazilian 
2006 Martin 1833 Custom D-42, Madagascar/Italian Spruce
This is a rare Martin 1833 Custom D, one of just 14 ever made. These were originally distributed through only 14 special Martin dealers. This stunning shade top Martin Dreadnought features premium Madagascar Rosewood and an Italian Spruce top. It is adorned with 42-style Abalone trim and fret markers, bridge inlays, and a gorgeous alternate torch headplate. Flame Maple bindings wrap it all up beautifully. The voice of this one is magical, shimmering, big and confident. Everyone here just loves it. It really stands out and shows how much premium woods effect the voice of a fine instrument.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4000 in Nut Width 1.7200 in String Spacing 2.1250 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Rosewood - Madagascar 
2001 Lucas Kenny Smith, Mahogany/Adirondack Spruce
If we could only describe this guitar in two words, they would be “clear and clean.” Visually, this 2001 Dreadnought from famed Indiana luthier Randy Lucas is impeccable, with hardly any evidence of play wear across the Adirondack Spruce top, tortoise-style pickguard, or Mahogany back and sides. That degree of cleanness extends to its tone as well: played softly or with a robust attack, this Lucas maintains a bell-like fundamental that’s instantly responsive.
Even by ordinary standards this is a superb Dreadnought, but this is hardly an ordinary Dread. Randy worked with Kenny Smith (of the Lonesome River Band) to recreate Smith’s 1935 D-18–a feat Lucas achieved by matching the specs point for point, right down to air brushing the “grain lines” in the Ivoroid tuner knobs to match Smith’s–for a 21 guitar series. Labeled his KS model for short, this Dreadnought offers easy playability, powerful sustain, and a well-balanced voice perfect for both flatpicks and fingertips.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5000 in Nut Width 1.7500 in String Spacing 2.3750 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Mahogany 
1998 Martin HD-28V Custom, Brazilian/Adirondack Spruce
If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Martin’s HD-28V is a dreadnought classic that needs no introduction, but this beauty from 1998 isn’t your standard herringbone Martin off the line. This one has been customized with Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides, and Adirondack Spruce on top! Add butterbean tuners and a zigzag backstrip to the mix for good measure, and an aged toner top to keep things fresh.
This HD-28V has been played in handsomely since 1998, and has a particularly lively and energetic response. It comes with the original Martin tweed TKL case; not too shabby in our books. And it’s ready for another 20 years of pickin already!
Other keywords: dreadnaught, dread, d guitar, flatpick, flatpicking
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4000 in Nut Width 1.6875 in String Spacing 1.1250 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian 
Brand New Simon Fay Model One, Cuban Mahogany/Engelmann
It’s been several years since we’ve seen a Simon Fay guitar in the shop—and we’re tickled pink by this brand new Model One from Simon himself. This guitar exudes professionalism: the fit and finish are flawless, the aesthetic streamlined and quietly modern, and the voice is engineered with excellent note separation and sustain. With a short multiscale spread of half an inch (25.5” bass to 25” treble) and EVO frets, this Fay plays easily, and remains crisp and responsive when taken into altered and open tuning territory. We found DADF#AD to be a particular favorite.
Cuban Mahogany back and sides, Engelmann Spruce top, and a Redwood rosette to tie it together. Bois de Rose bridge, fossilized nut and saddle, Alessi tuners—Simon’s Model One is the complete package, and one we recommend heartily if you’re looking for a gorgeous instrument with clarity at the heart of its sound, and a trim punching weight of 4lbs 3oz to keep you playing more easily and for longer.
Our Fay Model One is a prize worth keeping.
Other keywords: engleman, mahagony, multi scale, ameritage case
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in - 25.5000 in Nut Width 1.7800 in String Spacing 2.2500 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Mahogany - Cuban 
2017 Kostal OM, Figured Mahogany/German Spruce
This is as close to a new Kostal you’re likely to get without shaking hands with Jason himself when he finishes a build. OM #131 was built only a few months ago in 2017 with eye-catching Flamed Mahogany back and sides and a German Spruce top. Jason’s hallmark Stained Glass Rosette sets off the creamy palette of the German top, and the extra thin finish which protects it from the elements (ditto for the Hoffee flight case) keeps that Spruce as lively and responsive as possible. The C profile neck has well-rounded cheeks, and the crest flattens just a smidgen.
The voice is a bit of a firecracker: the bass response has a distinct pop that projects out from the guitar, rather than enveloping the player. Similarly, the upper mids have lots of punch, and you’ll be surprised how well this Kostal OM responds to a medium to aggressive attack. Digging in, you really have to try hard to make it top out. All this crispness, and in a 14-fret, short scale 25 inch package, is further proof of Jason’s formidable lutherie chops. Top of the line fingerstyle guitar that’ll cut right through the mix? Look no further, your finely-honed axe has arrived.
Other keywords: somogyi, somogyi apprentice, luthier, figured mahogany, jason kostal
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.7500 in String Spacing 2.3100 in Woods Spruce - German, Mahogany - Figured 
2000 Martin D-21JCB Jim Croce, Brazilian/Sitka
This Martin would have made Jim proud. We’ve seen heaps of Martin signature models over the years, but this 2001 D-21JCB seems to have stolen our hearts in a different way. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Sitka Spruce on top, and a 1973-minted dime inlaid into the third fret to memorialize Jim’s passing.
It’s a natural choice for picks, but we were surprised by just how much volume and tone we could coax out of the D-21JCB by fingerpicking. It’s not often we see a Dreadnought lend itself so well to both sides of the aisle. There’s extra juice in the trebles, and it’s a breeze to play. It’s in really stupendous condition, especially considering it’s from 2000.
#52 is waiting for the right person to come along to keep the music going. And it comes, appropriately, in a denim-covered TKL case in a final tip of the hat to Jim.
Other keywords: singer songwriter, bad bad leroy brown, time in a bottle
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4000 in Nut Width 1.6800 in String Spacing 2.1250 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian 
2007 Schwartz Oracle Brazilian/Bearclaw Sitka
We don’t know what dark rites Sheldon must perform to make such magical, resonant, and enveloping tone machines like this Oracle, but we’re glad he’s willing to go to such lengths for his craft. This 2007 Oracle has the kind of huge, enveloping bass that shoots out of the soundhole and wraps you up in a trice. Notes have palpable weight, and these trebles! Clear fundamental, and heady sustain. We apologize if the language is a bit extravagant, but it’s hard to describe this guitar as anything less than incredible.
Gorgeous dark Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and a Bearclaw Sitka Spruce top are just the tip of the iceberg. For the Schwartz Oracle, Sheldon creates three offset soundholes, adds a Venetian Cutaway with an extended bevel, a bent-style arm bevel, 5-piece neck, and a 25.5” scale that accommodates everything from Standard to esoteric C tunings. There’s a K&K pickup installed via the rear access panel, and if you peek inside you’ll find the top has been lattice braced for excellent resonance, and we found it responded equally well to picks as well as fingertips, in spite of the fact that Sheldon designed this guitar with primarily fingerstyle in mind. A pinless bridge and Calton case round out the package.
The Schwartz Oracle stands in a category all its own.
Other keywords: brazilain, bear claw, elliptical soundholes, lutherie, luthier
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5000 in Nut Width 1.7500 in String Spacing 2.3100 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian 
2004 Manzer “The Bear,” Koa/German Bearclaw
To celebrate 25 years in the business, Linda Manzer built “The Bear” archtop, a stunning feat of Bearclaw Spruce and Maple with Kermode bears inlaid into the headstock. However, this wasn’t the only Bear she built! Linda also built a flattop version of “The Bear” for a client—making this the steel string twin to the original archtop Bear. Naturally, the top is a powerful set of Bearclaw German Spruce, and Manzer paired that with tightly flamed Koa for the back and sides, Her Manzer Wedge body, matching inlays of Kermode bears on the headstock, and the claws of a bear inlaid into the fretboard, reaching out for some berries. The fanciest gold etched “gold bug” Schaller tuners we’ve ever seen, fossilized ivory bridge pins, and a colorful Abalone, Purpleheart, and Boxwood rosette round out the beatific package.
The voice of this Manzer is very balanced, with a midrange that errs on the side of dry, and a well-defined bass to keep the bottom end crisp and responsive. Thanks to Linda’s wedge-shaped body, there’s quite a lot of space in the air chamber, which makes for great projection and sheer volume, which is sustained even with a light attack. In excellent shape, this one-of-a-kind Manzer Bear flattop comes to you with nary a scratch, except the raking claws of the bear inlaid into the fretboard, of course.
Other keywords: larivee, larrivee, lutherie, pat methany, fingerstyle, anniversary guitar
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6250 in Nut Width 1.7500 in String Spacing 2.1250 in Woods Spruce - German, Koa 
2012 Bourgeois DBJC Cocobolo/European Spruce
Here we have a gorgeous 2012 Bourgeois DBJC Custom in Cocobolo Rosewood and European Spruce. This Bourgeois is exquisite in every way–the tonewoods, the build quality, and fit-n-finish are all perfect. This guitar has the power and headroom to really dig in, but it also has a sweeter more delicate side, thanks in part to the large soundboard area. It’s worth stressing the wow factor of the Cocobolo. Rich brick-red hues with sapwood in the center! It’s some of the finest-quartered and best-looking we’ve encountered in some time. That fact, combined with tasteful Flamed Koa bindings, a cutaway for enhanced access to the upper register, and a K&K Pure Mini installed by yours truly make this one a winning pick every day of the year. Fossilized Mastadon Ivory bridge pins, bone nut and saddle, hide glue construction, and a varnish finish don’t hurt either!
Other keywords: dana bourgeois, fingerstyle, bourgeous, sj, small jumbo
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5000 in Nut Width 1.7500 in String Spacing 2.3100 in Woods Spruce - European, Rosewood - Cocobolo 
Brand New Bouchereau Mistral OM-C, Cocobolo/Engelmann Spruce
Our latest OM from Loïc Bortot of Bouchereau Guitars feels cozy and intimate in your arms while boasting a rich tone and string-to-string balance. Beautiful Cocobolo Rosewood for the back and sides is paired with an Engelmann Spruce top and black Ebony bindings and a satin Mahogany neck. Loïc’s “interlace” rosette continues the Cocobolo-and-Ebony motif around the soundhole, which also ties together with the headstock and magnetic truss rod cover.
Lightweight and agile in your hands, this Mistral OM-C is an obvious choice for the fingerstylist who spends equal time in standard and altered tunings. The balanced voice keeps arrangements clear and defined, while the overall energy keeps your music projecting far and away. This Bouchereau is brand new and eager to be played. We recommend starting right away.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, cocabolo, englemann, engelman, 14-fret, orchestra model, cutaway
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4000 in Nut Width 1.6875 in String Spacing 2.2500 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Rosewood - Cocobolo 
2017 Buendia OMC, Brazilian Rosewood/German Spruce
This 2017 Buendia OMC is practically new, and practically heaven. Leo’s supply of Brazilian Rosewood must have some pretty dramatic players, see exhibit A: #026 with brick-red hues and wild figure toward the edges of the lower bout. Tight-grained German Spruce on top with an Ebony-and-Burl rosette. Trimmed out in Ebony with Maple purflings, Florentine Cutaway, and Gotoh 510 cosmo black tuners—this guitar wins the beauty pageant every time. Take it across the hall to the music contest, and it’ll take first place there too.
Leo’s bass response has a smooth, rolling flavor, and pairs well with the other registers. This is a fingerstyle guitar through and through. The setup lets you dig in as needed, but even a delicate attack renders great projection and sustain. There are enough overtones in the treble strings alone to fill the sonic space, but there’s enough body in the guitar’s fundamental response that the overtones decorate, rather than dominate, the voice. It’s like even flubbed notes sound good.
Our Buendias are selling faster than Leo can make them; snag this one now while you still can.
Other keywords: leonardo buendia, somogyi, ervin somogyi, lutherie, luthier, brazilain, dadgad
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.1250 in Nut Width 1.7500 in String Spacing 2.2500 in Woods Spruce - German, Rosewood - Brazilian 
2004 Hill Fleta Brazilian Rosewood/European Spruce
Ignacio Fleta’s design features sturdier bracing of the top and back, and results in a powerful concert guitar. His guitars have been played by Andres Segovia, Alexandre Lagoya, Eduardo Falu, Alberto Ponce, and John Williams. This example from Kenny Hill’s shop is Brazilian Rosewood and European Spruce for added warmth and clarity. In addition it is French Polished and upgraded with Gotoh Rodgers-style tuning machines.
Kenny Hill’s take on the Fleta design scores a 10/10 for fit-n-finish, responsiveness, clarity, and easy playability. This 2004 Hill Fleta Signature comes with a mosaic-and-birds-foot rosette that contrasts greens and reds to the rich amber of the European Spruce top. We found that Kenny Hill’s Signature Fleta loves an aggressive attack; digging in, it just got louder and louder without topping out! We’re happy to report that this beauty has opened up handsomely since 2004, and it plays almost without effort.
Other keywords: classical guitar, nylon string, nylon-string, classical, fingerstyle
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6250 in Nut Width 2 in String Spacing 2.1880 in Woods Spruce - European, Rosewood - Brazilian 
2016 Traugott BK Multiscale, Brazilian Rosewood/German Spruce
A 2016 model BK from tonewood virtuoso Jeff Traugott with Brazilian Rosewood, German Spruce, and a multiscale fretboard? The options are limitless. We’ll try to keep it professional, but it’s hard to talk about this guitar without using hyperbole to articulate its inspirational qualities. This is the sort of guitar that will do just about everything you want it to, and do it effortlessly with a shocking clarity. Note to note and string to string, this Traugott BK has pristine separation and sustain, making fingerstyle arrangements incredibly detailed, and flatpicked passages crisp and defined. The sustain is unwavering. Let’s call it haunting. In your gut you can feel the heft of every note as it careens out of the pearl-bound soundhole. The top is also bound in pearl, while the 27 to 25.4 inch multiscale fretboard remains inky black with only position markers on the side. This Brazilian Rosewood is from Jeff’s secret stash of “Kentucky” Brazilian, the stock of which was originally used in veneer mills outside of Knoxville, Tennessee around 1900 to 1920. This is the real deal: the same kind of Brazilian Rosewood found on the best pre-war Martins. It’s particularly special to Jeff, since he was able to repurpose such beautiful, old growth wood.
With a Traugott like this in your hands, bad dreams are a lifetime away. Don’t blame us if your personal and professional lives suffer from inattention.
Other keywords: santa cruz, lutherie, luthier, fingerpicking, flatpick, mop, purflings, multi scale, Gotoh
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in - 27 in Nut Width 1.7500 in String Spacing 2.2500 in Woods Spruce - German, Rosewood - Brazilian