Up next is an first run Fender Highway One Stratocaster wearing a Honey Blonde finish and built during 2002 in Corona, California.
Guitars
This Larrivee Steel String brings a bit of Canadian musical history, being an early steel model built during 1974 at Larrivee’s first formal shop, above the Tarragon Theatre near Bathurst and Dupont in Toronto. Jean Larrivee began building at his home around 1967. At that time, if you were interested in building guitars you read the very few books on the subject or met an established builder.
Built from 1972 to 1979 along with the Custom, the Fender Telecaster Deluxe had a number of unique features, blending influences from both Fender and Gibson products. Starting with the basic Tele design, the Fender Telecaster Deluxe added a pair of Fender’s new Seth Lover – designed Wide Range Humbuckers plus individual volume and tone controls, and the bridge from a Hard-Tail Stratocaster, with the ‘new’ larger pickguard and higher-mounted pickup selector mostly shared with the Custom.
This 2016 Lounsbury Concert Cutaway comes from Chris Lounsbury’s workshop in Hamilton, Ontario and features Sitka Spruce and Indian Rosewood construction, and has a soundport on the bass side. Chris Lounsbury has been building professionally for about twelve years, taking training from the well regarded courses run by Sergei de Jonge in Chelsea, Quebec.
Always tasteful and visually restrained, the Gretsch G6129 Silver Sparkle Jet first appeared in 1954 as an answer to the Les Paul model. While there are some immediately apparent visual similarities – the single cutaway body of Mahogany with a Maple cap – underneath there were significant differences. From 1954, the original Gretsch Jet models started with a Maple body, routed to provide a number of chambers for resonance and weight relief.
Built in 2006, this is a Larrivee LV-05E in very good, clean condition. Part of the Select Series, this model pairs a Sitka Spruce top with Mahogany for the sides, back and neck, with Ebony for the bridge and fingerboard. This model includes a factory stock L R Baggs I-Mix Notch pickup and pre-amp set; power is provided by a standard 9v battery located under the pop-out pre-amp.
This Overwater Scott Devine Model 4 J Series Bass dates to 21 August 2017, and features a Swamp Ash body paired with a 33 inch scale Birdseye Maple neck. It also includes Overwater’s own active electronics, powered by a single 9v battery.
Built from 1968 to 1999, the Guild D-25 came in several colours, and from 1976, with a Sitka Spruce instead of Mahogany top. Intended as a lower cost yet quality instrument, it quickly gained acceptance in the Bluegrass community. Reflecting this, its name was changed around 1978 to the Bluegrass D-25.
Built in Victoria BC during the spring of 1982, this Larrivee C-10 – also known as an L-28 – sports a very nice vintage Seahorse headstock inlay by Wendy Larrivee. The Larrivee C-10 is still in production, though not as elaborate as this vintage example. Its base is a pointed Florentine cutaway L-body with a Sitka Spruce top and Indian Rosewood for the back, sides and head plate.
Here we have a very nice Marc Beneteau Classical guitar with Sitka Spruce top and Indian Rosewood back and sides, built in the Beneteau shop in St. Thomas Ontario during 1998. Built in a modern style, this Marc Beneteau classical model uses a Sitka Spruce top paired with Indian Rosewood for the sides and back.
The Manuel Rodriguez e Hijos line comes from celebrated Spanish builder Manuel Rodriguez, as affordable quality production models. These guitars, now discontinued, were built in a larger Rodriguez-owned shop in Esquivias, about 45 minutes south of Madrid.
Here we have a Rob Allen MB2 Fretless Bass, built with a Figured Walnut topped Ash body around 2017 at Allen’s shop in Fillmore, California.Rob Allen designs and builds to his own preferences combining acoustic and electric tonalities. The Allen MB-2 bodies are semi-hollow, and use acoustic style bridges rather than massive metal units.
This early Fender Highway One HH Stratocaster in Crimson Red Transparent finish is a conversion from its original SSS configuration to HH, a popular and practical mod. The Highway One series was built from 2002 to 2010 as Made In USA model, but at a lower price than the American Deluxe series models.
This beautiful Collings CL Custom, a City Limits model, was built during 2017 and sports an aged Brock Burst finish and a pair of ThroBak ERMXV pickups. The Collings CL Custom is based on the classic single-cut, Mahogany and Maple solidbody design that’s proven itself since 1952.
The Rickenbacker Roger McGuinn Limited Edition 370/12 is based on the classic model used on a number of influential recordings.
The Gibson Les Paul Junior DC – Double Cutaway – appeared in 1958 as a modification of the 1954 single-cutaway version. The next modification came partway through 1961 with a complete redesign of the body as Gibson shifted to what’s now known as the SG.
The Airline H78 Thinline was built for the Montgomery-Ward company by Harmony from 1965 to 1972, as a re-branded version of the Harmony H78. Indeed, it seems that the only difference is the head plate and logo!
Harmony, purchased by Sears-Roebuck in 1916 and owned by them until 1940, was at one point by volume the largest guitar maker in the USA, which also meant in the world.
The Epiphone Texan FT79N – the N indicating a Natural finish on the top rather than Sunburst – was built as a slope shoulder dreadnought from 1958 to 1970 when Epiphone production ceased in the USA. The Epiphone FT79 was originally built from 1941 to 1958 as a square shoulder dreadnought with Walnut back and sides until 1949, and then with laminated Maple until the company was sold to Gibson in 1958.
The small body, slotted peghead, 12-fret neck Martin 0-16NY was effectively Martin’s first ‘Vintage Reissue’ when it appeared in 1961. It was introduced during the ‘Folk Boom’ in recognition of interest in and scarcity of early Martin guitars.
The Fender American Standard Stratocaster debuted in late 1986 and was discontinued in 2016, replaced by the American Elite series. These were the heir to the venerable, original Stratocaster model introduced in 1954.
This Bruce West Classical guitar, bearing the serial 213 IHS and built during 2021 in Sterling, Ontario features a hundred year old Swiss Alpine Spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood sides and back. These guitars tie into an interesting and pivotal period of Canadian luthiery history.
The Orpheum Imperator Style C archtop was the top of the line for the brand when introduced by Lange, a prominent instrument builder, in 1933. Featuring a carved, X-braced Adirondack Spruce top, Flame Maple for the sides, back and neck, Brazilian Rosewood for the multi-bound fingerboard and headplate, Ebony for the bridge and Mother of Pearl for the logo, this was an impressive instrument.
This Bruce West Cutaway Classical guitar, bearing the serial 16-1 and built during 2016 in Sterling, Ontario features a hundred year old Swiss Alpine Spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood sides and back. Like Bruce’s other guitars, this tie into an interesting and pivotal period of Canadian luthiery history.
From 2008 to 2012, the Gibson Les Paul Standard was modified with a chambered body, asymmetrical neck profile, locking tuners, locking output jack, and PCB-based control wiring. These very practical changes resulted in a much lighter, resonant guitar.
This de Jonge Standard Spruce and Sapele Steel String guitar with natural French Polish finish is dated to 2021. A lovely, new older stock de Jonge Standard steel string features a Sitka Spruce top with with Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) for the rosette, sides, back and head plate.
It’s not so common these days to see something like this pre-war Martin 00-17 Mahogany steel string, built during 1939. The moderate-sized 00 is one of Martin’s oldest body designs. It was launched in 1898, with the first 00-17 appearing in 1908 when three were built.
Since its appearance in 1954, the Gibson Les Paul Custom has become a standard for class, elegance, playability and tone. Originally released in ‘Tuxedo’ dress – gloss black finish, white multi-layer binding and gold hardware – the Custom has over the years received sunburst, natural and other custom finishes.
The Beard Legacy R RoundNeck features a small Mahogany body and neck with Ebony fingerboard, with a single-cone spider-type resonator set. This example dates to 2008 at Hagerstown, Maryland and includes a factory-installed pickup, custom built by Beard with Jerry Douglas and Larry Fishman.
The Gretsch White Penguin 58 Reissue, officially model G6134, re-creates the 1958 Bigsby-equipped version of the Jet-based Penguin. The White Penguin was created in response to the Gretsch White Falcon, itself created as a showpiece for the 1954 NAMM show and not intended for production.
This Martin Custom Shop D-28, built during 2014, is a beautiful instrument with a number of subtle differences from stock models.
Here’s an unusual, beautiful and spectacular piece – a Tony Karol Belair Multiscale Harp Guitar, combining Haida Gwaii Spruce and Figured African Sapele. Tony Karol builds high quality custom guitars in a small shop in Mississauga, Ontario, just west of Toronto. The Karol Belair Multiscale is one of his “standard” models, offered on his website.
The Taylor 512ce Grand Concert is a compact-bodied steel string guitar well suited to fingerstyle playing. Introduced in 1978, the 512ce has changed somewhat over the years. Initially built with Mahogany for the back and sides with an X-braced top and a standard dovetail neck joint, the 512 gained the hybrid NT neck joint in 1999.
This Furch Blue SW from 2018 sports a Grand Auditorium style body with a Sitka Spruce top and Black Walnut back and sides. The neck is Mahogany with Ebony used for the fingerboard, bridge and head plate. The finish is a light, open-pore style offering minimal resistance to vibration. This guitar plays well, and has a warm, balanced tone.
This Masaki Sakurai Concert-R Spruce top classical guitar from 2001 is a good illustration of the higher ends of Japanese guitar construction. Masaki Sakurai is the nephew of the late, renowned guitar builder Masaru Kohno. After taking an electrical engineering degree, he chose to work at his Uncle’s Tokyo guitar shop.
Here we have a very nice Tuttle Custom Carved Top with bolt-on Maple neck and a trans-blue finish, built during 2011 near Redmond, Oregon. Michael Tuttle has been operating Tuttle Guitars since 2003. He began building professionally in 1993 and spent some years with Valley Arts and Don Grosh before establishing his own shop.
With its roots dating back to 1922, this custom ordered 1964 Gibson L-5 Stereo is formally known as the L-5 CES (Cutaway Electric Spanish), though the label identifies it only as an L-5. This model was aimed at professional, working guitarists, and until 1934 was built with a 16 inch wide body. In 1934, the body grew to a 17 inch width and gained X braces.
Here we have a Hans Raabe Munich Style Guitar built of Spruce, Maple and Ebony during 1916 in Munich, Germany – during WWI. Hans Raabe and his son built many instruments in a wide range of styles, from the mid 1880’s to World War II. They were well known for not just the number of instruments built and their variety – their catalog was apparently quite large – but also for the quality of their work.
Over the years, the Gibson Les Paul Standard has gained and iconic position in the guitar pantheon, though it has been in and out of favour as time passed. Built during 1976, about halfway through Norlin’s ownership, this Gibson Les Paul Standard sports a classic tobacco sunburst finish.
The Gibson Super 400 strode above most others when giant archtops roamed the earth, and is still one of the largest production guitars made. Making its introduction in 1934 as the ‘Super L-5 Deluxe’, the non-cutaway model was quickly joined by a cutaway model, initially named the Super 400 P for ‘Premiere’. The ‘400’ designation was originally a reference to the price.
Produced as one of 40 by the Bozeman, Montana Custom Shop, this Gibson ‘The Firebird’ is a spectacular square-shoulder dreadnought steel string with quilted Maple back and sides. Introduced in 2004 and recently discontinued, the Gibson ‘The Firebird’ model is based on a full size, square shoulder, Maple body dreadnought. Maple tends to be fairly bright, but the tonal characteristics of the Dreadnought body add quite a bit of bottom end and fullness.
Here is a lovely Collings SJ Maple bodied steel string guitar, built in late 1998 in Austin Texas and with a K&K mini pickup set installed. This example has had two top cracks repaired and cleated, and the original Waverly tuners replaced with excellent Gotoh engraved open gear models. The finish has a few dings but overall is in good condition.
Here we have a Neal Moser V Custom Neck Thru model, sporting an Ivory finish with a black bevelled top edge. This is a very distinctive guitar! This Moser V Custom guitar has a neck-through design with Maple neck and center section, Alder ‘Wings’ and Indian Rosewood, 24-fret fingerboard with side markers.
The Gadow Nashville draws from the well-proven T-style guitar, using many basic design elements but with a distinctive new form. The Nashville has a compact, two-pickup layout with a tapered 3-per-side headstock providing gentle angles from the nut to tuners. Built during 2007 in Durham, NC, this Gadow Nashville features an Ash body with contrasting fill and a very nice Butterscotch Blonde finish.
One of the iconic rock basses, the Rickenbacker 4001 bass was built as a two-pickup version of the 4000 bass, adding a neck pickup to the distinctive Cresting Wave body design by German luthier and designer Roger Rossmeisl. Built from 1961 to somewhere between 1983 and 1985 when it was replaced by the 4003 bass, the Rickenbacker 4001 bass features a Maple body and through-body Maple neck, with a bound and finished Indian Rosewood fingerboard.
Here we have a spectacular Suhr Custom Modern Plus with a Burled Maple cap finished in Bengal Burst on an African Black Limba body and Roasted Maple neck. This beautiful, very well built Suhr Custom Modern Plus is in nearly new condition with only the slightest wear. The stainless steel frets show no signs of wear, and the finish is near pristine.
Built in Los Angeles during 1982, this refinished B.C. Rich Eagle features Mahogany, Maple and Koa neck-through construction. The center neck-through section is Koa, with Maple strips separating it from the Mahogany wings. The 24-fret fingerboard is Indian Rosewood, with diamond inlays and the upper register access is nearly unrestricted.
Here we have a beautiful Ron Kirn Signature Jag style custom thinline from 2016, featuring a quilted Maple cap on a Eucalyptus back. In 1958, the ‘Offset’ body debuted with the Fender Jazzmaster, which also featured Fender’s first Rosewood fingerboard.
Designed by Duke Kramer and Chet Atkins in 1976 and launched in 1977, the Gretsch Atkins Super Axe model 7680 was built under Baldwin ownership in DeQueen Arkansas, and available with and without built-in effects. These models went out of production in 1980.
This Gibson ES-335 TD dates to 1966, and was originally purchased at Manny’s Music in New York City, and the Bigsby B7 added in 1969. From 1974 it was used by the Canadian Creative Music Collective and is a part of Canadian music history. When introduced in the spring of 1958, the Gibson ES-335 TD was revolutionary.
The Ramirez Model 1a Tradicional, seen here with a Red Cedar top, has been a benchmark of top quality classical and flamenco guitars for over half a century. The 1a designation technically refers to the quality of the materials and workmanship, but has become associated with the Tradicional model.
The Ramirez 1a or Tradicional, seen here with a Spruce top, has for been a benchmark of top quality classical and flamenco guitars for over half a century. The 1a designation technically refers to the quality of the materials and workmanship, but has become associated with the Tradicional model.
The Rickenbacker 360 is an iconic instrument originally designed by Roger Rossmeisl in 1958 as a flat-topped, thin hollow body model with top and back binding. Halfway through 1964, the Rickenbacker 360 gained a New Style body to further differentiate the 360 from the 330. The New Style body is Maple, but has a chambered top with very rounded edges and integrated sides.
This Yamaha GC-30A no.829 Grand Concert Brazilian Classical, dating to 1982, reflects the upper end of Yamaha guitar production in a concert grade instrument, featuring a pairing of a Red Cedar top and Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. This fine instrument was built during 1982 at the Yamaha home facility in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture and is signed by master luthier Mr. Toshio Kato. The GC or ‘Grand Concert’ line was conceived during the mid 1960s, when Yamaha arranged for three luthiers – Hiroshi Harada, Hideyuki Ezaki and Toshio Kato – to learn from Spanish master Eduardo Ferrer.
This Jerry Farrell Classical guitar, No.57, starts with the Hauser style and a traditional Spanish construction pattern, with a Red Cedar top and Indian Rosewood for the sides, back, and bridge. The neck is Cedrilla or Spanish Cedar as used on many Spanish built classical and flamenco guitars, and the slightly crowned fingerboard is Ebony.
The Gibson J-50 ADJ Slope Shoulder Dreadnought models were produced in tandem with the better known J-45, with the difference being the J-50’s natural vs the J-45’s sunburst top. This sometimes meant that the J-50’s used visually higher grades of Spruce, but the two guitars are otherwise identical.
This is a Framus Diablo Supreme in Satin natural finish, built during 2010 in the Warwick shops at Markneukirchen Bavaria. Though the designation didn’t exist when this example was built, Framus soon after identified these guitars as Masterbuilt. This guitar is in very good, clean condition and features an AAA-grade book matched Maple cap on a Mahogany body and a Mahogany neck with Indian Rosewood fingerboard.
Built during 1979 in Fullerton, California, this Fender Cherryburst Stratocaster is in good clean and original condition, with light finish checking. In constant production since its 1954 introduction, the Fender Stratocaster quickly established itself as one of the most versatile and reliable instruments, suitable for every genre that accepts the electric guitar.
The Gibson R8 Les Paul Standard is a faithful re-creation of the early, legendary Burst models that featured the then-newly invented humbucking pickups. Introduced in late 1957, these new ‘Standard’ models also replaced the original metallic gold top finish with a sunburst. The Les Paul Custom also carried the new hardware, but kept its black finish and gold hardware.
Here is another fine and unusual guitar, a Kolya Panhuyzen Maple Body Classical model built in Toronto, Canada during 1987. Kolya Panhuyzen grew up around classical guitar construction and worked with his uncle, Edgar Monch, in both Germany and Toronto.
Here we have the wonderful and very well preserved Ignacio M Rozas No. 114 classical guitar, built in Madrid during 1991 at Calle Mayor 66, a few doors from the Contreras shop. Ignacio M Rozas began building guitars in 1959, at age 16 as an apprentice to Jose Ramirez III and worked with him until 1969.
From time to time we see spectacular examples of functional art, such as this Manuel Contreras Doble Tapa guitar, built in Madrid during 1990. Manuel Contreras’ career was spent in Madrid, Spain. For many years he was a respected cabinet-maker, but in 1959 began to work with Jose Ramirez III. In 1962 he opened his own workshop at Calle Mayor 80. The shop is now at Calle de Segovia, 57.
Now discontinued, this Reverend Charger from 2007 is a great example of the quality of Reverend’s instruments. At their inception in 1997, Reverend guitars were built near Detroit, Michigan except for their Stage King series.
This Alberico OM Cutaway guitar was built during 2002 in beautiful Caledon Ontario, using Sitka Spruce, Indian Rosewood, Mahogany and Ebony. Fabrizio Alberico has been building for many years, and in the late 1990s learned from Sergei de Jonge. From 200 to 2004, he built guitars in Caledon, then returned to BC and ultimately to his current shop in Ladysmith.
For 2014, the Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Quilt Top carried hand-selected, AAA-grade and bookmatched quilted Maple tops. These spectacular guitars, being part of the 120th Anniversary lines, also carry the engraved Mother of Pearl 12th fret inlay. Woods used are the classic Les Paul combination – the bookmatched AAA Maple top, Mahogany for the back and long-tenon neck, and Indian Rosewood for the compound radius fingerboard.
Here we’re looking at a Furch G23-CB steel string acoustic guitar built in the early part of 2017. The model number identifies this instrument as having a Grand Auditorium body, part of the now-discontinued ’23’ series, with Cedar top and African Blackwood sides and back.
This a Larrivee LV-05E Lefty in very good, clean condition. Part of the Select Series, this model pairs a Sitka Spruce top with Mahogany for the sides, back and neck, with Ebony for the bridge and fingerboard. This model includes a factory stock L R Baggs pickup and pre-amp set; power is provided by a standard 9v battery placed on the neck block.
From Dmitry Kulakov in Ottawa Ontario, the DK Essence model is based on his slope-shouldered, X-braced ‘Cleopatra’ body, but with a DK custom bridge and tailpiece. The top of the DK Essence is Master-grade Red Cedar with a water-based lacquer finish. The sides, back, headplate, tailpiece and Rosette inserts are figured
Black Walnut.
Built from 1995 to 2016, the Fender Jazz V American Deluxe bass had a significant hardware change in 2004, with new pickups and active electronics. Drawing from the classic Jazz Bass introduced in 1960, the 2004 Fender Jazz V American Deluxe uses an Alder body with a five-bolt neck plate connecting a wider, 12 inch radius Maple neck. Position marker dots are Mother of Pearl, and the truss rod adjuster is at the body end.
Here is a wonderful rarity – a Manuel Rodriguez Sr. Classical guitar, built during 1969 in Los Angeles of Spruce, Brazilian Rosewood and flamed Maple. Manuel Rodriguez Sr. was born in Madrid in 1926 and began learning guitar building from his father, and both worked for Jose Ramirez II. Manuel opened his own shop in 1955, but in 1959 moved to Los Angeles, where this guitar, #308, was built.
This Sergei de Jonge Classical guitar was built during 1980 in Toronto, following de Jonge’s return to Canada from a year in Holland and creation of a new workshop. Having learned guitar building in Toronto during the years 1969 to 1971 from Jean Larrivee and Edgar Monch via Eli Kassner, and then a year with Patt Lister in Collingwood, this de Jonge classical shows these strong influences.
Introduced during 1973 and built until 1979 – the Norlin era – the Gibson Les Paul Signature Thinline Gold Top, is a rarity, and as a guitar has never been re-issued in any form. We have seen in-person one other example, during the 1980s, in The Twelfth Fret repair shop. Approximately 1,400 Gold Top models were built, and under 100 in Sunburst. It was also available as a bass. This model uses the construction of an ES-335, but its asymmetrical body has approximately the top half of a 335 and the bottom half of a Les Paul.
This Sergei de Jonge Classical Spruce top guitar was built during 2000 in Toronto, following de Jonge’s return to Canada from a year in Holland and prior to his move to Chelsea, Quebec where his shop and school are now located. Having learned guitar building in Toronto during the years 1969 to 1971 from Jean Larrivee and Edgar Monch via Eli Kassner, and then a year with Patt Lister in Collingwood, this de Jonge classical shows these strong influences yet has moved beyond them.
Influenced heavily by the Sheraton used by Noel Gallagher in Oasis, the Epiphone Supernova was built from 1997 to 2005, with a signature pickguard and features making it the Noel Gallagher Supernova. It was available in a variety of finishes including the Manchester Blue seen here, and a custom Union Jack graphic.
Here we have a Ramirez 1a Concert Classical Long Scale guitar built during 1980, during the ‘golden era’ of Jose Ramirez III’s leadership of the Ramirez workshop at Concepcion Jeronima No. 2 in Madrid, Spain. This well-used instrument features a long scale of 665mm or 26.18 inches, intended to provide increased volume and projection for the professional concert performer.
Following in the steps of jumbo bodied 12-strings, the Taylor 655ce 12-String cutaway electric features a Flame Maple body with a Sitka Spruce top. Built from 1998 to 2013, the Taylor 655ce 12-string is a cutaway Jumbo bodied instrument, reflecting classic models like the Guild F-512.
The LTD EC1000 in Black Natural Burst is designed by ESP in Japan and built in Indonesia. This is a well designed and built modern take on the single-cutaway carved top solidbody guitar concept. This model uses Mahogany body with a burled Poplar top, and a ‘Set-Through’ neck joint for the 3-piece Mahogany neck.
The Gibson Chet Atkins Celebrity SST was built from 1991 to 1993 as a version of the CEC – the Chet Atkins Classical, solidbody nylon string guitar.
Here we’re looking at a BC Rich Mockingbird Bass from 1980, in largely original and complete condition and with active electronics. Introduced in 1976 and built until 2009 through a number of company ownership changes, the BC Rich Mockingbird Bass featured neck-through construction, dramatic body styling, a Badass bridge made by Leo Quan, two sets of DiMarzio model P pickups, and custom active electronics designed in-house by Neal Moser.
The Relish Shady A Mary is an innovative guitar built in Lucerne, Switzerland mostly using non-traditional materials. The body is formed around an aluminum frame that’s also built for a patented pickup swapping system, and the top and back attach to the frame with magnets.
The Gretsch Malcolm Young Signature Jet is really something special, based on a 1963 G6131 Jet Firebird with the modifications the late Young made over the years. That guitar can be heard in Malcolm’s hands on almost all of AC/DC’s albums delivering an unmistakable sound.
Here is a BC Rich NJ Eagle, a bolt-on design built under Bernardo Rico’s direction in Nagoya, Japan in an effort to bring his designs to a wider market. This example dates to around 1984, and while it’s not quite the same as the hand-built, through-neck US BC Rich models – which is impressive. This is a really good feeling and good playing guitar.
Here we’re looking at a Martin 0-18 dating to 1917 and built at the Martin plant in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. This fully functional and good sounding guitar is over a century old! Over the years, this Martin 0-18 guitar has had an amount of service. Virtually all steel string guitars of a certain age will require a neck reset, and that was done on this guitar some time ago. It has been refretted.
Here’s a very nicely figured and very good condition Gibson Memphis ESDT-335 in gloss natural finish, dated to Jul 11 2012 at the now-closed Gibson Memphis plant. The Gibson Memphis ESDT-335 is a slight variation on the standard ES-335, with the ‘ES’ standing as always for ‘Electric Spanish’. ‘Spanish’ refers to how the guitar is held and played, with one of the few other primary designations being ‘EH’ for ‘Electric Hawaiian’.
These are hard to find – a Wes Lambe 8-String Multiscale Guitar/Bass in Natural satin finish, built during 2008 in Chapel Hill, NC. The Lambe 8-String Multiscale is a very well built instrument. This example is in good clean condition with minor wear, and offers a huge range of musical possibilities.
This National M2 Mahogany single cone resophonic guitar was built during 2019 in San Luis Obispo, California. It is equipped with an aftermarket Krivo humbucking pickup. The M1 and M2 models are currently out of production, and were built from 1990 to 1994 and again from 2003 to at least 2019. The National M2 Mahogany was National ResoPhonic’s earliest single-cone model.
This CFox SJX, is a ‘Small Jumbo with Vintage X Brace’, production model built under the supervision of luthier Charles Fox in Healdsburg, California. It was sold new in February 2003 at The Twelfth Fret and is in overall good condition. This instrument features a Sitka Spruce top, Indian Rosewood sides and back, Mahogany body blocks and neck, and Ebony fingerboard and bridge. An L R Baggs pickup system has been installed, with the volume control on the bass edge of the sound hole.
Here we have a lovely 1972 vintage Yamaha GC-20D classical guitar with a spectacular Brazilian Rosewood set for the sides and back. The ‘GC’ stands for ‘Grand Concert’ and these models were the top of the line for Yamaha classical guitars, and are seriously good instruments. As the GC-20D, this model was built from 1971 to 1973.
Built at Nashville during 2007, this Gibson Les Paul Faded Burst has a nicely figured top, is weight relieved and is in great condition with original case and bridge included.
Built from 1997 to 2000, the Martin Thomas Humphrey C-1R offers a Humphrey element normally found primarily on high-end classicals – an elevated fingerboard. Thomas Humphrey was an American luthier who apprenticed for a year with Michael Gurian around 1970, and then opened his own shop.
Here is another rarity! This is a Gibson Memphis ES-335 Limited Edition in Indigo Blue, one of 200 built during 2015 at the now-closed Gibson Memphis plant. This example dates to January 07 2015, and is in very good, clean condition with only light wear.
The Collings C10 Deluxe Cutaway fits into the range of ‘Parlor’ guitars, slightly smaller than the OM or 00/000 body sizes. The cutaway is offered as an option, with the base model being a traditional non-cutaway design. The top and bracing is Sitka Spruce, the sides and back Indian Rosewood, the body blocks and neck are Mahogany and the bridge, head plate and bound fingerboard are all ebony.
The Beard R Model Squareneck resophonic guitar is built in the USA to evoke the classic single cone resonator guitars of the 1930s. Paul Beard builds many of the best resophonic guitars available, and works closely with top artists like Jerry Douglas and Mike Auldridge.
The Hofner 125 ‘London’ model appeared in 1954 with the newly rising interest in amplified music and Rock & Roll. This example dates to 1957 and is complete and original. All the original parts are here, including the pickguard, original strap attachments, and hard shell case.
Here is an LTD Mirage Deluxe ’87 sporting a Pearl Pink finish and in nearly new condition! LTD guitars are a more ‘accessible’ brand in the ESP line. ESP itself started during the 1970s as a Tokyo-based repair shop, and by the mid 1980’s were recognized and sought out for the quality of their in-house builds.
Here’s a rarity! Seen here is a Henderson OM style guitar, built during 2019 in Rugby Virgina by W C Henderson and in very good clean condition. Wayne C Henderson has been a prominent fingerstyle guitarist and luthier for many years, and puts a lot of time and effort into promoting Appalachian arts and culture via the “Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts”.
The Kay K5920 Speed Demon hollowbody electric bass was one of the Kay company’s many instruments aimed at beginner to semi-pro players. In the late 1950’s when these basses appeared, advertising campaigns were still focused on convincing upright bass players to switch to electric. Kay guitars and basses were frequently found in the hands of Blues artists.
The Huss & Dalton T-OO14 Rosewood is a fantastic mid-size steel string acoustic guitar, based on the classic ‘OO’ body size. This design dates to 1877 as a 12-fret gut string instrument, and evolving into the steel-string, 14-fret model in 1932 as banjo players moved to guitar. The OO body design is very well balanced and articulate, and wonderful for finger style playing.
This Sergei de Jonge Classical guitar was built during 1981 in Toronto, following de Jonge’s return to Canada from a year in Holland and creation of a new workshop. Having learned guitar building in Toronto during the years 1969 to 1971 from Jean Larrivee and Edgar Monch via Eli Kassner, and then a year with Patt Lister in Collingwood, this de Jonge classical shows these strong influences.
This Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Special dates to July of 2001 and sports a distinctive Autumn Red Burst finish on the body and headstock front.
In 2008, the PRS Santana MD was released – the MD standing for ‘multi dimensional’. The key difference is in the wiring – there’s an extra switch that enables the ‘Multidimensional Voice Control’ circuit, allowing a range of new tones. In the ‘off’ position, the controls work as standard master volume and tone controls. The PRS MD circuit is powered by a pair of standard 9v batteries, but if the batteries are not used or lose enough charge, the switch will silence the guitar, rather like a standby or kill-switch.
The Huss and Dalton T-0014 Traditional 00 14 Fret is a spectacular guitar. The 00 body design is very well balanced and articulate, and wonderful for finger style playing. The Huss and Dalton T-0014 is built with a Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and ebony for the fingerboard and bridge.
The Fender Jazz Bass V, as an American Standard version, was built from 1998 to 2000, then from 2008 to 2016. The American Standard name was dropped in 2017 to be replaced by the American Professional line. Despite being listed in catalogs as the “Jazz Bass V”, the “V” does not appear on the headstock logo of this instrument.
The Fender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster blends magnetic and piezo pickup technologies into a semi-acoustic package designed to be extremely versatile at stage volumes. Here we’re looking at a lightly used Acoustasonic Stratocaster, built during 2020 in Corona, CA and sporting the natural finish option.
Based on the 1955 advanced (2-pickup) student model, the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute presents a proven design with some updates, particularly Humbucking pickups and a Maple neck. As a Tribute model, this example gets a lighter, satin finish, still using nitrocellulose lacquer. The body is a two-piece Mahogany slab paired with a three-piece Maple neck for stability and strength.
Built from 1975 to 1981, the Gibson L6 Deluxe was a simplified version of the L6-S and featured a Maple body and neck. Originally introduced in 1973 as the L6-S with a stop tailpiece and 6-position rotary switch, in 1975 it was renamed the L6-S Custom. At the same time, the L6 Deluxe launched with a string-through body and with a standard three-way switch.
The Gibson Johnny A Signature model was built from 2004 to 2013, using a heavily routed one piece Mahogany Back / Side unit and Maple top, similar in construction and size to the CS-336. It’s not completely hollow, but has supports under the bridge and Bigsby B7. Johnny A has been a highly respected guitarist since the 1970s and has played and led many prominent bands – some his own, others not, like the J. Geils Band and in 2015, joined the Yardbirds.
This is a very nice Godin A6 Ultra in a high-gloss Cognac Burst, built during April 2020 in Quebec and featuring both a humbucker and piezo pickups. The Godin A6 Ultra, like the very versatile and successful Multiac series, draws from the 1981 – 1995 Gibson Chet Atkins CEC (Cutaway Electric Classical) and 1987 – 2006 SST (Solidbody Steel String) designs.
Here is a rare beauty – built in 2008, a custom Collings D42 with AAA Adirondack top, Brazilian Rosewood for the sides, back and head plate, an antiqued Varnish finish and a classic ’42’ Torch style inlay set. The body blocks and neck are Honduran Mahogany, and the fingerboard and bridge are Ebony.
The first limited edition model from the Custom Shop, the Fender HLE Gold 57 Stratocaster re-creates the guitar built in 1957 for Homer Haynes, one of the stars of Country comedy duo Homer and Jethro. This is not entirely a slavish copy of a 1957 model, as the center pickup is RW/RP (reverse wound, reverse polarity) to provide hum-cancelling in positions 2 and 4 of the 5-way switch.
The Gretsch G6122TG Country Gentleman Player’s Edition is the latest version of this classic updated with locking tuners, pinned bridge and string-through Bigsby. But there’s more to the updates – the neck joint was re-engineered to reduce the size of the neck block and comfortably increase upper fret access. This change alone is a huge improvement in playability, making an already great design even better!
This Fender American Ultra Stratocaster in Cobra Blue just became my new favourite Strat! Extremely well made and carrying a number of very practical professional features, this guitar is a joy to play. The medium-jumbo fretwire is easy to grip and the rolled fingerboard edges and contoured heel add to the guitar’s comfort.
Built in a tiny corner of the USA, this Darren Hippner Romanillos style classical guitar illustrates why its maker has such a good reputation. This slightly short-scale guitar – 25 inches or 635mm- was built during 2012 and no longer appears in his listing of available models.
This Fender CS 1956 Stratocaster was built at the Corona California plant and unlike the ‘Relic’ versions is the New Old Stock – NOS – form. Introduced in 1954 as Leo Fender’s third major instrument design after the Telecaster and Precision Bass, the Stratocaster has become one of the most used models.
The Larrivee OM-09 draws from the classic Orchestra Model design developed in the late 1920’s as banjo players migrated to guitar. This model features a Sitka Spruce top paired with Indian Rosewood for the sides and back. The body blocks and neck are Mahogany, with Ebony for the bridge, head plate and bound fingerboard.
This great looking Roger Giffin Standard set-neck with carved-top solidbody was built during 2004 and is one of the first of Giffin’s then-new shop near Portland, Oregon. Roger Giffin has built guitars for about 56 years, in London for over a decade from 1966, for Gibson from 1988 to 1994.
The 1970’s Fender Telecaster Custom was a significant departure from the 1960’s Custom, which had basically been a stock model with a bound body. In contrast, the Telecaster Custom introduced in 1972 and built until 1979 introduced the head-end “Bullet” truss rod adjuster, the three-bolt MicroTilt neck angle adjuster, and a huge change for Fender – the Wide-Range Humbucker designed by Seth Lover.
Crafted for Fender Japan, this Fender Antigua Telecaster dates to 2002-2004 and was built by Tokai Gakki in Hammamatsu. Not many of these were built, and some carried a factory Bigsby. The heel carries the serial number and the ‘Crafted in Japan’ logo, and these reveal the builder.
Crafted for Fender Japan, this Fender Antigua Stratocaster dates to 2002-2004 and was built by Tokai Gakki in Hammamatsu. It is one of about 400 built. The heel carries the serial number and the ‘Crafted in Japan’ logo, and these reveal the builder. When CBS sold Fender Management the company, the deal did not include plant or fixtures, leaving Fender with no US production facilities.
From 2013 and in great condition, here is a Fender American Special Jazzmaster in Sunburst with a hard-tail bridge and tailpiece setup in place of the original trem unit. It also has Jazzmaster style humbucking pickups and simplified controls; he preset switches and thumbwheels are gone. It’s straight ahead playing.
Without a doubt the Don Grosh Hollow Carved Top model in Purple AA Quilted Maple and Korina catches the eye! With a pair of Lindy Fralin P-90 pickups, it was built around 1997 in Broomfield, Colorado.
Don Grosh was Shop Foreman for Valley Arts guitars from 1985 to 1993, when he opened his own shop as Grosh Guitars. His instruments are extremely high quality, using top of the line materials and components.
The Huss & Dalton T-OO14 is a fantastic mid-size steel string acoustic guitar, based on the classic ‘OO’ body size. This design dates to 1877 as a 12-fret gut string instrument, and evolving into the steel-string, 14-fret model in 1932 as banjo players moved to guitar.
Here is a Hagstrom SuperSwede Reissue in Sunburst, dating to around 2005 as the new owners of the name moved production facilities from Korea to China. The Swede has been available in several versions the ‘Standard’ with a bolt-on neck, the ‘SuperSwede’ with set neck. The SuperSwede LTD is built in Sweden.
Next is a Dieter Hopf Super Classic model from 1992, with Red Cedar top and spectacular Central or South American Rosewood for the sides and back.
This Jose Romero Flamenca Concierta was built during 1995 in Madrid, Spain in the traditional Blanca form and signed by Jose Romero. Jose Romero is one of the most respected builders in Madrid, and began his career at 14 as an apprentice to Jose Ramirez III. After working with Ramirez for eight years, Romero opened his own shop.
Built during 2017 in a workshop in Seville, Spain, the Antonio Bernal Especial 10 Concierto guitar is top of the range. It pairs with the Especial 10 Flamenco model, the key differences being the use of Indian Rosewood for the sides and back on the Concierto, and Cypress for the Flamenco.
Listed from 1935 to 1941, the Martin R-17 was one of a few arched top, flat back models in the Martin catalog, featuring a Mahogany top, back and sides. Its sibling, the R-18, had a solid, shaped Spruce top with Mahogany elsewhere; Brazilian Rosewood was used for the head plate, bridge, and fingerboard. Early examples of both models used 12 fret necks but soon gained the more popular 14 fret configuration.
Introduced in 1954 and intended as a companion to the then-new Les Paul solidbody, the Gibson J-160E was one of the first mass production electrified steel string guitars. This model was discontinued in 1979, and is occasionally re-issued. One of the greatest contributors to the success of this model was a 1962 model’s appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, in the hands of one John Lennon. That was The Beatles first US performance, and made all their gear quite popular.
This Gibson Honeyburst Les Paul Standard was built during 2005 and is in very good, clean original condition with only light wear. At the time that this example was built, pickguards were not installed on models with figured tops, and the two mounting holes were not drilled. The original pickguard is not included and seems to be long gone.
Here we have a brand new and spectacular Collings CJ45 T Slope Shoulder Dreadnought in a sunburst lacquer finish! Based on the classic J-45, the Collings CJ45 T Slope Shoulder Dreadnought takes that design to what’s probably its ultimate expression. Top quality woods and materials are used by extremely skilled workers, and the result is wrapped in one of the consistently best finishes available.
Here is an unusual item! Built during 2014 in Guanajuato, Mexico, this is a J Perfecto Rubio Estudio model; the builder is a cousin of famed luthier German Vazquez Rubio of Los Angeles, who worked for Bernardo Rico when B C Rich models were new. We do not see many Mexican-built guitars in Canada, and in that number, high quality models like this are even rarer.
The term ‘Closet Classic’ could be applied to this striking Aztec Gold Fender Special Edition Stratocaster, Made in Mexico during 2003. This guitar appears to have been never played and there is no play wear at all. The original protective plastic film is still on PG and backplate! Some of the red-gold colouring on the metal components has light tarnish and that’s it. Aside from that, this guitar is as-new.
Built by one of Spain’s larger makers, the Alhambra Crossover CS3-S-E8 is aimed at players generally from the steel string world who need a cutaway, crowned fingerboard and a pickup system. The ‘Crossover’ concept is a relatively new development for the nylon-string world and appeals to many players, particularly those in Latin Jazz genres who need to amplify their instruments.
The Fender Thinline Telecaster was introduced in 1969 as a design by Roger Rossmeisl, who had done major work for Rickenbacker. There have been a few versions of this model, and this particular 1998 example seems to me one of the best ever.
This Cervantes Rodriguez PE from the Studio Series is built with Palo Escrito for the sides, back and headplate. Solid Red Cedar is used for the top and Spanish Cedar for the neck and an ebony fingerboard. This is a superb, handmade guitar built and fan-braced in the traditional style of Manual Rodriguez II, with a smooth and balanced tone.
Here we have a Schecter C1 Apocalypse hardtail model sporting a Rust Grey finish on a carved top Swamp Ash body. The neck is Maple with Padauk layers plus carbon fiber inserts, and an Ebony fingerboard with 24 Stainless Steel frets! Built in Incheon, South Korea during 2017, this Schecter C1 Apocalypse is a very solid and versatile guitar, oriented towards a heavier sound. As a hard tail, it’s built for stability. The body is Swamp Ash with a carved top, and the neck uses three sections of Maple with two layers of Padauk.
The Gibson Les Paul Classic first appeared in 1990 and with a number of variations and finishes has been a part of the lineup ever since. The GoldTop finish has been around since 1952 as the first and only finish offered on the Les Paul model; this was the case until 1954 with the appearance of the Les Paul Custom in gloss black. Sunburst finishes were not offered on Les Pauls until 1957, paired with Gibson’s new Humbucking pickups.
Since its introduction as the Broadcaster in 1950 as the world’s first two-pickup, solidbody electric guitar, the Fender Telecaster has gone from strength to strength. It has been used in virtually every musical context that accepts electric instruments, and many musicians have built careers on its use. It’s truly an inspired design. Here we’re looking at a Fender Telecaster Maple Neck in Sunburst finish and largely original condition, built during 1978 in Fullerton, California during the CBS era.
The Godin Summit Classic HB is derived from a classic design, and offers a chambered Spanish Cedar body with a carved Maple cap. This example was built during 2016 at the Godin plants in La Patrie and Richmond, Quebec. It’s in great condition with very little wear.
From the days when giant archtops ruled the earth, the Epiphone Emperor was one of the largest at 18.5 inches across.
This Larrivee L10 12 String guitar with a Dragon headstock inlay was built in Victoria, British Columbia, and dates to the very early 1980’s. Based on their standard ‘L’ body, which is itself based on classical guitar body proportions, this lovely guitar is built using Sitka Spruce for the top Abalone for the top purfling and rosette, Indian Rosewood for the sides, back and head plate, Mahogany for the body blocks and neck and Ebony for the bridge and bound fingerboard.
The Fender Jazzmaster appeared halfway through 1958, targeted at jazz artists, the group Fender hadn’t fully won over. One of the key features of the Fender Jazzmaster was the introduction of a Rosewood fingerboard on the Maple neck. To this point in time, Fender necks had been a single piece of Maple with a rear Walnut ‘Skunk Stripe’ covering the truss rod channel.
The concert-grade Ramirez Traditional Professional 1a Model is the “benchmark guitar” for tone and quality for Maestros, performers and Master-Luthiers world-wide. Considered by many to be the Ultimate Concert guitar, the traditional is available in Red Cedar top and by special order in German Spruce top. The Ramirez 1a Professional is built with Indian Rosewood back and sides. We also offer it in artist-grade Madagascar Rosewood back and sides.
The Fender Kurt Cobain Jag-Stang is merging of two guitars used extensively by the artist. It’s a professional grade, 24 inch scale solidbody featuring an Alder body, Maple neck and Indian Rosewood fingerboard. For hardware, the Mustang tuner, bridge and vibrato bridge setup was chose, but the pickups include a humbucker in the bridge position and Mustang wiring
The Taylor 514ce-N, now discontinued, was a ‘crossover’ instrument, aimed at delivering the tone and touch response of nylon strings to the steel string player. Typically, crossover guitars have a cutaway body, narrower crowned fingerboards, pickup and preamp systems, and lower action than concert-style classical models. Some models have ‘thinline’ bodies as the volume produced by the body is exceeded by a supporting sound system.
Here we have a very nice Harrison GB Custom with Sapele Pomelle top, built at Douglas Harrison’s shop in Toronto Canada during 2013. Originally the outgrowth of a guitar custom built for the late Gary Benson, a well known Toronto jazz guitarist and educator, the Harrison GB has proven itself popular with an increasing number of players – including Harrison himself at his own gigs!
The Michael Messer Blues 28 hews closely to the original 1928 specifications and has the classic wood-bodied resonator guitar sound and feel. This model is built with a 1928-style Mahogany laminate body with F-holes and Mahogany neck, 12 frets to the body, with a spun Aluminum cone and Maple biscuit bridge. The National String Instrument Corporation invented and introduced the first Resophonic guitars in 1927, using a tri-cone, metal body design worked out by John Dopyera and George Beauchamp.
The Harmony Comet Semi-Hollowbody in Trans Red represents the very first semi-hollow electric guitar in our lineup of cherished musical instruments, inspired by the original Harmony H72 of the ’60s. This double cutaway guitar has an immaculately carved genuine mahogany top and back for warm, well-rounded and acoustic-like tone. The addition of a center block minimizes feedback, and the long-tenon set neck construction increases sustain.
This Harmony Jupiter in a cool Champagne nitrocellulose lacquer finish is a retro solidbody guitar built in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Jupiter marks the return of what was at one time of the world’s largest instrument manufacturers. The Harmony Jupiter’s classic looks and well-rounded tonality make it a perfect match for any style or genre.
We’ve just received a brand-new Gibson SJ-200 Studio Walnut, a slightly slimmer version of the classic SJ-200.
This beautiful Flammang 000-35 is a custom built model from David Flammang in Greene, Iowa during 2020, and is in excellent condition.
This Taylor GS Custom Maple Sunburst dates to March 30, 2009 and is in very good condition with very light play wear. The “GS” represents Grand Symphony, and is Taylor’s second largest “Jumbo” body design, following the Grand Orchestra.
A wonderful rarity – a Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass in natural finish! Introduced in 1971, the Triumph bass followed closely the Les Paul Bass, introduced in 1969. The construction of the Gibson Les Paul Triumph bass is perhaps closest to the original Les Paul Custom, in that aside from the fingerboard, it’s entirely Mahogany including the carved top. No Maple cap! However, that’s where the similarities end, as the Les Paul and Triumph basses have low-impedance pickups and extra controls.
Built at the De Jonge shop in Chelsea, Quebec during 2013, this Sergei De Jonge 7-string cutaway fine instrument is in exceptional condition with very little wear. It features a cutaway body with spruce top and Indian Rosewood for the back, sides, bridge and headplate, and an ebony fingerboard on a mahogany neck. The original TKL tweed case is included, and a Small Dog insulated case cover is available for $189. CITIES documentation is included in the case.
The Eastman T59 V is a take on one of the most successful and influential of Ted McCarty’s innovations, the thinline, semi-hollow archtop electric guitar. Around 1957, Gibson was looking to update its product line to address a number of issues, one of which was the rise in amplified stage volumes causing feedback. While the engineering team is credited with most of the design, it was apparently president Ted McCarty’s idea to put a solid Maple block through the center of the guitar.
The Boucher SG-41 Studio Goose uses the OM (Orchestra Model) Hybrid body shape, modified to work better with fingerstyle playing. A locally harvested Adirondack Red Spruce top is paired with Brazilian Mahogany to provide clear, crisp tone and immediate response. The neck is South American Mahogany, and Ebony is used for the headplate, fingerboard and bridge. Bindings are Maple with Herringbone purfling.
Here’ s a new, old stock 2015 Hofner Gold Label Club Bass in solid red! The Club Bass is also known as the 500/2 – the 500/1 is the iconic violin shaped ‘Beatle Bass’. This is a ‘Gold Label’ model, one of a limited edition in custom colour. These models are built at the primary Hofner plant in Hagenau, Bavaria and are not always easy to find available for sale.
Here’s something special, a lovely Romantic Era guitar built by Francois Tachet in Mirecourt, northeastern France, during the 1830s or early 1840s. Mirecourt has long been known for making musical instruments and lace; instruments from the area are often referred to as from the Mirecourt School. Louis Panormo was a contemporary, working in London. This Francois Tachet romantic guitar – at approximately 185 years old – is in good working order, and has had some expected service over the decades.
The Gibson ES-350T (or ES-350TD to the early 1960s) is a thin-bodied, single cutaway fully hollow archtop electric built from 1955 to 1963 with a 23.5 inch scale length, and from 1977 to 1993 with a 25.5 inch scale. It started as the full-bodied, single-cutaway, 25.5 inch scale length single P-90 ES-350 Premiere in 1947. The ES-350 models were used by a number of top artists in the 1950s, most notably Chuck Berry. At introduction in 1955, the Gibson ES-350T shared several things with the also-new Byrdland, particularly the 23.5 inch scale length.
Here’s a real beauty! This is a Larson Bros Prairie State steel string guitar, likely a Model 425 with a OOO sized body, Adirondack Spruce top paired with Brazilian Rosewood for the sides and back. It is likely that the bridge is a replacement – the original would have had engraved, inlaid stars on each of the bridge ‘wings’. The Larson Brothers, Carl and August, began working for the Robert Maurer guitar company in 1893. In 1900, Maurer decided to retire, and the Larsons and investors purchased the company. Over the years, Carl bought out the investors giving the brothers full control.
This Bruce West Classical, built during 2021 in Sterling, Ontario features a hundred year old Spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood sides and back. Bruce West has been involved in musical instrument building for most of his life, starting at age 12 with a bench at Geo. Heinl’s workshop in Toronto.
Here we have a Bruce West Cutaway Classical, built during 2016 in Sterling, Ontario with a hundred year old Spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood sides and back. Bruce West has been involved in musical instrument building for most of his life, starting at age 12 with a bench at Geo. Heinl’s workshop in Toronto. In his teens he also played guitar for Ronny Hawkins! Friends with Jean Larrivee, Bruce built relationships with all the now-prominent builders who went through the Larrivee Toronto shops.
Here is a ESP LTD EC-1000 Duncan, and it’s an impressive instrument, well designed, built and equipped. Drawing from the traditional single-cutaway, arched top solidbody concept, the EC-1000 moves beyond it with comfortable contours and shaped heel for easy access to all 24 stainless steel frets. The ESP LTD EC-1000 Duncan uses Mahogany for the body and neck, with Macassar Ebony for the fingerboard. The name ‘Duncan’ refers to the classic pairing of a Seymour Duncan ’59 model in the neck position and a JB in the bridge.
The Alhambra Luthier Aniversario is at the top of the line, featuring Ziricote for the sides, back, bridge and head plate, and either Red Cedar or Spruce for the ‘Japanese House’ braced top. The Alhambra Luthier Aniversario line was introduced in 2015 for Alhambra’s 50th anniversary. Built in Muro de Alcoy alongside other models, the Alhambra Luthier Aniversario is built in the traditional Spanish style, with the Ziricote sides tying into the Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata, which is neither Spanish or a Cedar) neck block.
This excellent Bruce West Spruce top classical guitar is new, with an Alpine Spruce top and Indian Rosewood back and sides. It’s built using traditional Spanish construction, with solid linings and tailblock made from black willow. The finish is a beautiful, tonally transparent and hand applied oil varnish.
The Collings C100 is a full size steel string acoustic with ‘Parlor’ type dimensions, providing great representation throughout the sonic range. Available in two versions, the Collings C100 series starts with the model seen here, pairing a Sitka Spruce top with Honduran Mahogany for the sides, back, body blocks and neck. The head plate, fingerboard and bridge are ebony. The Collings logo and position markers are Mother of Pearl.
Here is a brand spankin’ new Collings OM2H ESS – an Orchestra Model with Engelmann Spruce top, 24.875 inch Short Scale guitar. Based on the classic Orchestra Model design developed at the end of the 1920s and in the Martin catalog for 1930, the Collings OM2H ESS is pretty much as good as it gets. Collings quality is consistently very high, from wood selection to nitrocellulose lacquer finish, setup and everything in between. These are some of the finest instruments available anywhere.
The Collings OM1ESS is based on the traditional OM – Orchestra Model body design, but with an Engelmann Spruce top and a 24.9 inch (632mm) scale length. The OM body has been favored by performing fingerstylists since its introduction by Martin in 1930 as a 14-fret adaptation of the 12-fret OOO models. Collings builds some of the finest instruments available, and this Collings OM1ESS, built during 2019 in Austin Texas is an excellent example of their work.
Here’s a Gibson Les Paul Standard Cherry Sunburst dating to October 17, 1980, sporting a Cherry Sunburst finish and a non-weight relieved, non-pancake body! The Les Paul model was introduced in 1952 as Gibson’s entry into the then-new soldibody ‘Spanish’ electric guitar field, where ‘Spanish’ refers to the way the guitar is held. Solidbody Hawaiian models had been available for some time, and Gibson had been producing electrified archtop guitars since the 1936 ES-150.
The Godin Multiac Nylon Duet Ambience offers a fuller body depth and simpler electronics than the synthesizer-ready models. Like other Multiac models, the Nylon Duet Ambience uses a Cedar top on a chambered Mahogany body, Mahogany neck and Richlite for the fingerboard and Rosewood for the bridge.
The Bernhard Kresse Modern Classical guitar blends elements of modern guitar building with traditional practices and techniques, delivering a superior concert grade instrument. This example was built during 2003 at Kresse’s small shop in Köln, Germany and features a Spruce top paired with Indian Rosewood for the sides, back, head plate, backstrap and bridge. Mahogany is used for the body blocks and back braces, Maple for the neck and Ebony for the fingerboard.
The new Charvel SoCal Style 2 has arrived, featuring an Ash T-style body with a licensed reverse-Tele headstock, a pair of Fishman humbuckers, and a 2-point trem! The Charvel SoCal Style 2 Ash body also features a scalloped lower back bout and shredder’s cut heel for easier upper fret access and hours of grin-inducing playing-feel and performance.
The Huss & Dalton TDR is, as the name breaks down, a Traditional Dreadnought design with Rosewood for the sides, back, and head plate. This Huss & Dalton NOS TDR Custom is a New Old Stock model but still covered as new! Built in Staunton, Virginia, the Huss & Dalton TDR evokes the best of the traditional Dreadnought design. Extremely well built and finished, the TDR seen here – a Custom version – uses a Thermo-cured Adirondack Spruce top, paired with Indian Rosewood for the sides and back.
Built in San Luis Obispo California, the National Resolectric Revolver blends the resophonic and solidbody electric guitar concepts, to great success. Very similar in design to the ResoLectric, the National Resolectric Revolver uses a solid Mahogany body that’s routed for the resonator and electric pickups, and a bolt-on Mahogany neck with Rosewood fingerboard. The headplate is a faux pearl covering.
Built in San Luis Obispo California, the National Resolectric solidbody guitar Sunburst blends the resophonic and solidbody electric guitar concepts, to great success. Very similar in design to the Resolectric Revolver, the National Resolectric uses the familiar pairing of a flame Maple top on a Mahogany body that’s routed for the resonator and electric pickups, and a bolt-on flame Maple neck with Rosewood fingerboard. The headplate is a faux pearl covering.
The Alhambra Luthier Rio Concert Classical Guitar is an excellent instrument, available only on special order. It features a Master Grade cedar top and solid Brazilian rosewood back and sides. The name of the model, ‘Rio’, comes from the Spanish name for Brazilian Rosewood – Palosanto de Rio. The Alhambra Guitar Company of Muro de Alcoy in Spain have built a reputation for crafting high quality nylon string guitars used extensively by students, educators and professional musicians.
The Schecter C6 Plus is a straight ahead, no-nonsense model providing great looks, playability and tone at a reasonable price. Combining the proven ingredients of a Maple neck with 24-fret Indian Rosewood fingerboard and a Basswood body, the Schecter C6 Plus also sports a top ‘image’ layer of Quilted Maple, finished with a very nice Charcoal Burst finish.
Part of the Larrivee Recording series, the Larrivee L03R is an American made instrument with excellent craftsmanship, tone and value. Back in the early seventies a young Jean-Claude Larrivee created the L body shape which has become a staple of the Larrivee guitar line. This body shape is similar to a classical body design and features a Symmetrical Parabolic X-Bracing pattern.
The Fender American Professional II Telecaster with Rosewood fingerboard and Dark Night finish features rolled edges on a deep C profile neck, narrow-tall frets, heel contour, V-Mod II single-coil Telecaster pickups, and a stock treble bleed circuit to preserve highs when the volume control is turned down. A new bridge design with three compensated brass saddles can be strung either from the top, or the traditional rear-load.
The Brand new Fender Ultra Luxe Stratocaster has arrived! This is one of the first Fender production models to bear Stainless Steel frets. It also has other helpful features like locking tuners, a push-in trem arm and noiseless pickups with the S-1 switch, giving access to all pickup combinations.
Here’s a great deal on a New, Old Stock (NOS) Taylor Custom GA in Spruce and Figured Walnut, dating to early 2015 and at a significant price reduction! As the name suggests, the Taylor Custom GA is from Taylor’s Custom programme, sometimes known as BTO or ‘Build To Order’. The GA stands for Grand Auditorium, one of the larger body sizes but smaller than a Jumbo or Dreadnought.
Here is the new Fender American Ultra Telecaster Rosewood Board in seen here in the new Texas Tea finish, with new body contours, stock noiseless pickups, new electronics, biflex truss rod, and a compound radius fingerboard!
Here’s a Ramirez Conservatorio Abeto Concert classical guitar, built during 2014 in Madrid, Spain and featuring the ‘Abeto’ or Spruce top.
This example is in overall good condition, with one small pressure mark on the top. It has no cracks and wear is minimal. The original Ramirez-branded Hiscox lightweight flight case is included. The Ramirez Conservatorio Concert Classical guitar represents a major development in classical guitar design from Amalia Ramírez, with unique use of ‘fiddle edge’ construction.
The Boucher SG51 OM Hybrid melds simple yet elegant visuals with an inspiring rich balanced tone. Each AAAA Adirondack red spruce top on the Boucher SG51 OM Hybrid is handpicked by Robin Boucher for looks and tone. Red spruce has a high ceiling for tone production which means you can drive a lot of energy with a flat pick or your fingers to produce lots of volume and tone.
The National M-14T Thunderbox is the latest version of National’s standard M-14 and features a 4″ deep body, delivering more low end and applied volume.
The National M-14T Thunderbox is the latest version of National’s standard M-14. The newly improved M-14T features a 4″ deep body, improving the low end response and creating a louder, punchier instrument. The National M-14T Thunderbox body is composed of laminate top and back, and solid mahogany sides. This instrument also features a mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and mother-of-pearl position markers.
The Rickenbacher Electro Model B ES was not the first electric guitar, as it’s based on a Hawaiian version, but it is one of the very first Electric Spanish guitars produced for retail sale. Introduced in 1935, the Model B Electic Spanish is based on the Model B Lap or Hawaiian model introduced in 1931. At the time the Rickenbacher Electro Model B was launched, the only other Electric Spanish model in production was also a Rickenbacker product – the 1935 Ken Roberts model.
The Boucher HG56 is crafted for the best tonal results. It will deliver mids and bass depth while finger picking even using a capo at the 7th fret. Evenness and richness of sound will surprise the most accomplished players. The ability of this instrument to adjust to your musical style will elevate your playing to the point of your finding it difficult to put it down. Many fingerstyle players have told us that they feel immediately became better musicians as soon as they played our Heritage Goose. This gives us at Boucher Guitars a great sense of pride to help you accomplish your full musical potential and to boost your creativity.
Here we have a brand new Taylor GT Urban Ash, part of Taylor’s new Grand Theater line of compact body acoustics! These are built using Shamel ash from California for the sides and back. Shamel Ash is native to Mexico and Central America, and is often planted along streets in southern California.
The new Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe in Mystic Sea Foam Green and sporting new V-Mod II Double Tap™ pickups! This guitar is also available in Olympic White, 3-color sunburst, Dark Night, Mercury, and Miami Blue. The original Fender molded hard shell case is included.
The Martin 0028 has been built for over a century, with the first known example appearing in 1898. The first mention of the 00 body size dates to 1877! Martin’s 00 body was considered enormous when introduced, and was the largest size until the first 000 sized guitar appeared in 1902, followed a decade later by the D body size built for the Ditson company.
Here’s an unusual, beautiful and spectacular piece – a Tony Karol Belair Harp Guitar, combining salvaged Bearclaw Spruce and Cocobolo with a fan fret fingerboard! Harp guitars date to the early years of the 18th century and the first true harp guitar appeared in Paris in 1773, built by Naderman. He called this instrument a ‘Bisex’, meaning double six – six harp strings and six regular strings. Over time that term has taken on a rather different meaning.
Here we have a Huss & Dalton L-13 Standard in Rosewood, based on the classic Nick Lucas models made by Gibson from 1927 to 1938. The L-13 is part of the Huss & Dalton Crossroads line. Featuring a Sitka Spruce top and here with Indian Rosewood for the sides and back, the Huss & Dalton L-13 Standard is also available with Mahogany for the sides and back, while the L-13 Deluxe uses figured Maple and sunburst on the back as well as the top.
Drawing from the roots of the single-cone resophonic guitar, the National Style O Steel 14 Fret definitely has a vintage appearance with all the quality of modern Nationals. Sporting a unique ‘Weathered Steel’ finish over a steel body with rolled F-holes and a Maple neck with Ebony fingerboard, the Style O Steel 14 Fret delivers all the tone, volume and projection that National is known for.
Here we have a brand new C. F. Martin J-40. The J-40 features a tight-waisted jumbo body shape, built from a Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood for the back and sides. Mahogany is used for the neck, and ebony for the bound fingerboard and bridge. This is one of the few new J-40s available anywhere, and given the world wide and industry wide impact the pandemic has had, they will continue to be hard to obtain.
This is a beautiful brand new Huss & Dalton DM mahogany dreadnought, a great guitar following the traditional pattern of Mahogany D style guitars. Established in 1995, Huss & Dalton began when Jeff Huss and Mark Dalton had the idea to build the guitar they wanted to play. While always appreciating the traditional design, both had a vision of a guitar that paid homage to tradition while incorporating improvements in the structural design and cosmetics of the steel string guitar.
Designed in collaboration with Mike Dowling, the National Resophonic El Trovador is patterned after the famous National guitars produced from 1932-1933. Similar to its venerable predecessor, the new National ResoPhonic El Trovador guitar features a large, 14.5 inch wide, 4 inch deep body built of mahogany. The body is bound in multi-layer celluloid, with a matching purfling border around the coverplate.
Here we have a brand new guitar that caught our eyes, then our ears – a Gibson 60s J45 Original built during March of this year in an Ebony finish. This exceptional guitar comes from the Gibson Acoustic shop in Bozeman, Montana and we’ve seen a number of other truly outstanding pieces come from them in the last while.
The Boucher SG21S comes from Boucher Guitars, who make very high quality hand crafted guitars in the heart of Quebec and their calling card is their use of locally harvested Adirondack Red Spruce. Simple elegance and outstanding quality control are on display when you first observe these fine instruments.
The Martin D-45 has been the top of the line in the Martin Guitar Company’s line of regular production instruments since its initial introduction in 1933, and its re-introduction in 1968.
Built in Berthier-sur-Mer Quebec, the Boucher BG152 is a rich, lively and loud dreadnought from the Boucher Bluegrass Goose series of guitars. This impressive dreadnought pairs an AAAA Adirondack Red Spruce top personally selected by Robin Boucher with a lovely set of Madagascar Rosewood. Red Spruce has a high ceiling for tone production which means you can drive a lot of energy with a flat pick or your fingers to produce lots of volume and tone.
The Eastman DT30OM is the second model in Eastman’s new Double Top line, bringing high end classical guitar technology to the steel string world – here in a classic Orchestra Model body design. The double top concept aims to allow a very thin, light and responsive top but with superior strength and stiffness. Here, thin layers of Sitka Spruce are bonded to a honeycomb Nomex core. Nomex is a Kevlar polymer and helps provide significant improvements in stiffness to weight ratios.
Here is an Eastman SB55DC /V Solidbody in Vintage Varnish! This definitely evokes the mid 1950’s slab bodied models, and with top quality hardware. Introduced in mid 2020 and now making its way to us, the Eastman SB55DC /V features a slab body and neck of lightweight Okoume Mahogany, sourced from Gabon, Central Africa. The fingerboard, head plate and truss rod cover are Ebony, and that’s it for woods used.
Charvel guitars have a long standing reputation as the guitar for choice for modern players looking for a fast playing feature laden instrument. The new Charvel ProMod DK 24HH 2PT CM model from the Pro-Mod series boasts a feature set and playability that will rival instruments double the price. The first thing you may notice is the lovely roasted maple neck. In addition to the rich visual aesthetic the process of roasting the maple and taking out moisture makes for a more stable neck that won’t shift as much during seasonal and humidity changes. If you do need to adjust the neck there is a heel mounted truss rod adjustment wheel which makes small changes a breeze.
The Martin 0-18 Standard is a wonderful addition to the standard series from Martin guitars. This parlor sized body features a Sitka spruce top and mahogany sides and back. The small body shape is extremely comfortable to sit with and compact lower bout width helps to decrease strumming arm fatigue. The mahogany neck has a shorter 24.9” scale length and low oval profile to add to the comfortable playing experience.
Though unequivocally drawn from the classic Les Paul design and in particular the most desirable 1959 models, the Eastman SB59V is not a slavish copy. Many visual differences are clear, including the shapes of the headstock and cutaway. The body is constructed of a carved, Flame maple top laminated to a one-piece Mahogany slab body. A Mahogany neck with a bound Ebony fingerboard is attached via a longish tenon joint. The neck has a vintage style ‘V’ profile.
The Eastman E8OM features all solid wood construction and a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The top, with Herringbone purfling, is Sitka Spruce, the sides, back and headplate Indian Rosewood. The body blocks and dovetail-joint neck are Mahogany, with Ebony for the fingerboard and bridge. Unusually, the fingerboard also appears to have a light coat of clear lacquer. The inlays are subtle, small snowflakes in Abalone. The example seen here is strictly acoustic, but it is available with an L R Baggs pickup system.
The Taylor 214ce is super comfortable smaller grand concert body size guitar featuring a Sitka spruce top and Ovangkol sides and back. The smaller body size and curvy waist on this guitar works really well for players looking for a more compact instrument and it also helps to reduce playing fatigue when in a seated position. The new V class bracing from Taylor helps to boost the volume and sustain which is really beneficial on a smaller guitar.
Here is a very cool guitar, the Fender Vintera 60s Jaguar in a classic Sunburst finish, part of a line created for players who want the look and sound of Fenders golden era. The Fender Vintera 60s Jaguar features an alder body with a maple 60’s C shape neck profile with rolled edges for a classic playing feel. The bridge, tremolo and tuners are all vintage style and add to the classic visuals.
The Waterloo WLK TR reproduces a rare, lightweight and responsive depression-era guitar built by Gibson under the Kel Kroydon name from 1930 to 1933. These models are built by Collings at their shop in Austin, Texas. An exceptional instrument, the Waterloo WLK TR features a Spruce top and bracing with Mahogany for the back, sides, body blocks and neck, with an Indian Rosewood 12-fret fingerboard and Ebony bridge.
The Taylor 110e dreadnought guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top which is paired with a layered Walnut sides and back. The body size produces lots of volume and punchy midrange with clear trebles from the spruce top. The very stable maple neck has a slightly narrower 1 11/16” nut width and a satin finish which makes for a very comfortable playing experience. If more volume is needed the Taylor 110e is equipped with the Taylor ES pickup system.
The Fender Vintera 60’s Jazz bass is loaded with features from Fenders Golden era at a more affordable price point. This bass features a mid 60’s C shaped neck carve and a 7.25” radius. The maple neck has a Pau Ferro fretboard and vintage sized frets. The re-voiced 60’s single coil pickups have more of that authentic grit and growl that made the Jazz bass a legend. The open gear tuners, vintage saddles and three tone sunburst finish top really round out the classic aesthetic on this bass.
The Ibanez RG1027PBF Premium is a seven string version of their very popular RG body shape. This double cutaway body has sleek sharp lines and high quality features. The body is made from American basswood which is a fairly light weight wood with a growly warm tone with good midrange presence. The poplar burl top is very alluring particularly with the Cerulean blue burst finish. The neck is a multi piece neck made from Panga Panga, maple, walnut and purple heart. The multi wood neck adds stability and the Wizard 7 profile has a very solid feel and is fast playing but not too thin.
The Taylor 214ce BLK DLX is an excellent multipurpose guitar with an eye catching all black finish. The grand auditorium body works well for fingerstyle and light to medium strumming with a good amount of volume production. The solid Sitka spruce top of the Taylor 214ce BLK DLX has a great dynamic range and clear balanced tone.
The Larrivee OM 40R Legacy is simple and elegant orchestra sized guitar that features a Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood sides and back. The squared peghead with open gear tuners and bold rope rosette and top purfling enhance this classic aesthetic. Top it all off with the ebony fret board and bridge and maple body binding and you have an excellent looking instrument.
The Larrivee OM-40 Legacy model is a tonally well balanced orchestra size flat top with classic appointments. It features a mahogany back and a sitka spruce top. This tone wood combination provides rich midrange warmth and smooth articulation.
Here we have a new Huss & Dalton TOMR Custom featuring a Thermo-Cured Sitka Spruce top and Indian Rosewood back and sides! The model name breaks down to Traditional Orchestra Model Rosewood. On this guitar, the Custom refers to the choice of the thermo-cured Sitka top; it’s also available with an Adirondack or Red Spruce top, and without the thermo-cure. Thermo-cured wood is also known as baked, torrefied, and by Martin as part of their VTS (vintage tone system). The process uses controlled, high heat, atmospheric pressure and minimal oxygen and simulates aging.
The Gibson SG Tribute is part of the Gibson Modern line and is an excellent workhorse guitar with simple and classic aesthetics. This guitar features the classic sg rounded and thin double cutaway body shape made of mahogany. This particular version of the Gibson SG Tribute comes in a satin walnut stain for a very earthy and natural look. The neck is maple with rosewood fretboard and fuller rounded profile and a 12” radius. The satin finish on the back of the neck and the 22 medium jumbo frets provide a smooth and easy playing feel. The double cutaway body design provides easy access all the way up to the last fret.
You will find a superb assortment of Michael Messer Resophonic Guitars at The Twelfth Fret. Our selection include Michael Messer’s array of models.
The PCH1 D model from Eastman guitars is an excellent choice for players looking for great sounding guitar at an affordable price. One of the main features on this model is the solid Sitka spruce top. The top or sound board is one of the main components in tone production on an acoustic guitar. While laminate tops have more durability they are stiff and don’t vibrate well. The solid top vibrates with the energy of the strings and produces tone.
The all-new Eastman PCH1 OM model really hits a sweet spot for players looking for upgraded features at an affordable price. One of the main features on this model is the solid Sitka spruce top, paired with a laminate Sapele body. The top or sound board is one of the main components in tone production on an acoustic guitar. While laminate tops have more durability they are stiff and don’t vibrate well. The solid top vibrates with the energy of the strings and produces tone, and its ability to do this develops over time with playing. This is a guitar that will grow with you!
Here’s a beautiful new Huss & Dalton T0014 Rosewood, part of the Traditional series and here seen with a Rosewood rather than Mahogany body. The top of the Huss & Dalton T0014 Rosewood is Sitka Spruce and the neck is Mahogany, with Ebony for the bridge and unbound fingerboard. The headplate is Indian Rosewood, and there are no electronics installed – this guitar is entirely acoustic.
The Martin 000-28 is a guitar delivering bold and complex tone in a package with timeless style. The 000-28 is a small-bodied guitar with a tight waist. This smaller body shape works really well for players with a light to medium touch, as you don’t have to drive the top as hard to produce tone. The classic pairing of Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood sides and back on the Martin 000-28 produces a rich and full-bodied tone with plenty of complex overtones. The x bracing pattern of the top is scalloped which removes some mass and allows the top to vibrate more increasing volume and bass response.
The Eastman SB59 V reflects the classic late 1950s design for a single cutaway, Flamed Maple on Mahogany solidbody with humbucking pickups. While it follows the formula, it’s not a precise copy and Eastman uses their own designs. As a ‘Vintage’ style model, this guitar has undergone an treatment process to simulate the wear of decades of use – except for fretwear.
Here is a brand new Huss & Dalton Crossroads 12, a smaller bodied, 12 fret version of the Crossroads line. These “Retro” guitars are great for fingerstyle, particularly blues and folk styles, and work really well with a vocalist. Sold with the original Huss & Dalton hard shell case.
The Fender American Ultra Precision Bass is the most advanced offering in their line catering to discerning players that want the most precision, high quality performance and tone. The Fender Precision bass is one of the most heard and recorded bass guitars in history and this version adds some modern features to this legendary tone machine. The alder body and maple neck combination delivers a familiar thump and fat note fundamental. New features include the new ultra-noiseless pickups in a PJ configuration. This gives you a standard precision pickup and a jazz pickup in the bridge position.
The Martin 000-17 is a small bodied, easy playing and warm sounding guitar available in either a satin black smoke finish or satin whiskey sunburst finish. This guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany sides and back. This classic wood pairing provides a balance of warmth and clarity with a good dynamic range.
The Taylor 214ce Plus is an updated version of their excellent general purpose Grand Auditorium body shape. The narrow waist on this guitar makes it very comfortable to play particularly in a seated position where the guitar sits tighter to your body and doesn’t extend your strumming arm into a fatiguing position. The solid Sitka spruce top used on the Taylor 214ce Plus is paired with layered rosewood back and sides.
The Huss & Dalton TDR is, as the name breaks down, a Traditional Dreadnought design with Rosewood for the sides, back, and head plate. The Dreadnought design first appeared during 1916, built by C F Martin for the Oliver Ditson company. The design was not popular at the time but when Martin re-introduced it in 1931, times had changed. These models went on to great success and are now one of the handful of standard guitar body shapes, built by almost everyone and played by countless guitarists.
The Boucher Studio Goose SG-21 uses the OM Hybrid, or Orchestra Model body shape modified to work better with fingerstyle playing. The very white, locally harvested Adirondack Red Spruce top is paired with African Bubinga to provide clear, crisp tone and immediate response. The neck is Mahogany, and Ebony is used for the headplate, fingerboard and bridge.
The Boucher SG51 is a hybrid style OM guitar that melds simple yet elegant visuals with an inspiring rich balanced tone. Each AAAA Adirondack red spruce top on the Boucher SG51 guitars is handpicked by Robin Boucher for looks and tone. Red spruce has a high ceiling for tone production which means you can drive a lot of energy with a flat pick or your fingers to produce lots of volume and tone.
The Taylor 322ce 12 fret is a very comfortable small bodied guitar with a dark and earthy vibe. This guitar features a Tropical mahogany top and Tasmanian Blackwood sides and back. Both wood sets have a darker complexion and the shaded edge burst finish along with the black pickguard and body binding really tie the whole package together. The Grand Concert body shape of the Taylor 322ce 12 fret is compact and comfortable but still produces a good amount of volume for a small guitar. The blackwood provides a meaty midrange with a little bit of treble sparkle and the mahogany top smooths out the overall tonal range with some natural compression.
The National Style 1.5 Tricone Resophonic guitar is patterned after the original instrument made in 1927 with a functional Art Deco industrial design. It is made of brass, highly polished and plated with either bright nickel plating or a custom Antique Brass treatment! The round, mahogany neck has an ivoroid bound ebony fingerboard. The headstock has the National logo inlayed in mother-of-pearl and vintage-style tuners! To create the National Style 1.5 Tricone, a touch of elegance is added to the Style 1, with hand-engraved double-cut lines encasing a wiggle stroke around the front, side, and back edges of the nickel-plated brass body!
The Taylor 414ce R is built around the popular Grand Auditorium shape which has delighted players with an array of sonic possibilities. This body shape handles everything from light fingerstyle to heavier strumming and flatpicking. The classic wood pairing of Sitka spruce and Indian rosewood used on the Taylor 414ce R provides a complex yet balanced sound.
The C.F. Martin 00-15M model continues the Martin tradition with a 00-14 fret body size, solid all-mahogany construction and a rich satin finish. The Martin 00 body design dates back to 1898 and has been used continually since then. The Martin 00-15M model was introduced in 2009, but Martin has built many mahogany topped guitars in the past, including the 000-18M. Martin’s 15 Series delivers elegant simplicity – a high quality but simply appointed instrument at an affordable price.