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Ervin Somogyi perhaps more than any other luthier from the past several decades has helped define the contemporary fingerstyle guitar. When solo artists began recording unaccompanied steel string guitar, they came to Ervin for a more responsive guitar. From this need Somogyi created the Modified Dreadnought, or Mod D, that has now become ubiquitious in the modern fingerstyle world.

Here the dimensions of a regular Dreadnought are tightened up just a bit, and the top is voiced for maximum response at even the lightest touch. While at first glance it may appear to be just another Dread, Somogyi’s Mod D is a creature far removed from the tonal parameters of its traditional predecessor. You’ve got an enormous, enveloping bass response, sure, but the other registers don’t suffer like you find with a traditional dread. Instead, the voice is consistently responsive across the fretboard, so complex chord voicings and tunings ring out with the added clarity you’d normally only find in a smaller, quieter guitar.

Mod D #400 is a powerhouse. Juicy trebles and a profound sonority. Great strummed, but absolutely shines under fingertips. Brazilian Rosewood and super tight Sitka Spruce, a combination Ervin is known for championing. It’s had a few years to open up since we first saw it, and we’re happy to report the voice has only improved with age! This is a unique chance to own one of the best guitar designs ever created, from one of modern lutherie’s most revered makers.

One of our prodigal Dream Series sons has returned! A 2009 Kathy Wingert EVC (number nine of ten made exclusively for Dream Guitars according to Paul Heumiller’s specs) in flawless, chocolate-rich Brazilian Rosewood and Italian Spruce, this guitar is teeming with energy, begging to be played. The lightly-voiced Italian Spruce top is instantly responsive to even the lightest touch, eliciting a fundamentally tone which is complex and resounding.

Ideal for fingerstylists looking for an enormous voice and a glass-smooth, low action setup, this EVC Dream Series offers a middle register with great presence that blends smoothly into the resounding depths of the bass strings and complements a panoply of caramel-sweet overtones in the trebles. Further, Kathy has adorned this EVC with a svelte arm bevel for playing comfort and Venetian Cutaway for ease of access, striking quite the figure with its glowing Abalone-rosette-and-trim package. Bound up in a Calton case when not in use, you won’t ever have to worry about the safety of this sweet Dream Series from Kathy Wingert.

One word to tie together this McPherson’s tone, looks, and playability: smooth. The voice speaks of velvet (thanks to the combination of Port Orford Cedar and Madagascar Rosewood), the neck profile and string tension are gossamer, and the luster of the finish and the svelte curves from waist to headstock are likewise silk.

Our 2011 McPherson MG-4.0XP has been very well-cared for, but has opened up nicely. The voice offers a great balance between overtones and a crisp fundamental. Plugged in, all that translates faithfully onstage with an L.R. Baggs RTS-II pickup (with an added volume knob mounted inside the soundhole). And to seal the deal, this beauty comes wrapped up in a snug-fitting Ameritage hardshell case straight with McPherson’s label on the side.

When it rains, it pours. That’s exactly what happens as soon as you put finger to string on this brand new, soundproofed Grand Concert from Skytop Guitars: a torrent of colorful overtones and crisp attack. After our recent visit to the 2017 Woodstock Invitational Luthier Showcase, we came home with a number of new builders to showcase at our shop, but this one takes the cake for originality. Flamed Myrtle back and sides, almost 3,000-year-old Ancient Sitka Spruce top, Koa appointments, and two large bass-side soundports in lieu of a traditional soundhole.

In so doing, Eric was able to brace the top much more lightly without compromising its structural integrity (like putting a big hole in the middle might do). The result is a warm, round fundamental with a quick response! Great balance across the registers, and it doesn’t take an aggressive attack to get heaps of projection; even a light touch goes a long way.

This Skytop GC is not your granddaddy’s ole Martin; it’s a whole new breed of guitar.

We don’t know how such a treat landed in our laps, but we’re more than excited to have this like-new 2016 Traugott R in the shop! Jeff’s chops have been razor sharp for years now, but this 2016 R tells us he’s continued to hone that edge even further.

You’d hardly believe this was made just a few months ago: the voice is articulate as a professional linguist, with projection that defies state lines, and a clarity across the registers and between each and every note like internally flawless diamond. Playing this guitar will make you want to shout! Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce, Jeff’s trademark understated aesthetics, a smooth C-profile neck, gold Gotoh 510s, all wrapped up in a Mainstage flight case too.

There’s a magical sweet spot in the upper middle register where the notes have an extra dimensionality to them that envelopes your ear. The voice, friends, will mesmerize you. And again, this Traugott is like new! Woah, indeed.