Fine Guitar Consultants Classical Guitar List 2

GONE (But another can be ordered for you through FGC)
2002 Boaz Elkayam 7-String Clarita Negra classical
This is a rare chance to own a 7-string Clarita Negra. The side sound port lends extra enjoyment to the player, while the fundamental bass note on string 7 is there to play true bass line accompaniment. Old, air-dried spruce soundboard and spruce back. A triangle of maple leaves the decorative signature of Boaz's knife on the back of this responsive masterpiece of guitar making. The instrument is very light in weight. It was hand made by Boaz, as usual, with knives, finger planes and chisels from fine quarter split woods. The flying braces and high tech bridge are Boaz's evolution of the earlier works of Richard Schneider and Dr. Michael Kasha. Those exposed to earlier instruments would only shake their heads to see how far Boaz has taken these concepts. This is the stuff that will take its place in the history books on hand made guitars as this new 'golden age' unfurls. The nut width is 58mm (2.25") and the scale length is 25.7". For classical, Brazilian jazz and all nylon string music, the thrill of the Clarita Negra goes deeper with 7 strings. A dual Pick-Up The World passive pickup system is on board. This is one of those 'Brass Rings' you can grab for your music. Boaz always names his guitars after women. We were honored to have this instrument named for our daughter Hilary. Adopt Hilary and claim the highest pleasure from your daily guitar practice and performance--even if it is at home for friends or family.
$15,000 with custom Calton case

2001 Kerman Metamorphosis-2 Dual Top Classical
"A Master Luthier, known for his fine mandolin work, Kerman has been a legend in music circles across Israel and beyond. The Country's most popular mandolin quartet, 'Kerman,' named for the maker of their instruments, is a musical testament to his work. Though Kerman is retired now and no longer making instruments, he was able to achieve a dream of his before retiring his knives. For many years, he researched and planned the creation of his own interpretation of the classical guitar. He only made 5 of these in a series. This is number 2. The instrument is owned by well-known Israeli concert classical guitarist Liad Abraham. The materials are old seasoned woods of the finest tonal properties available; a stiff and light spruce over old quarter sawn Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Inside the guitar is another, smaller secondary spruce soundboard with spruce interior sides that form a sound chamber. You can see the chamber as you look through the decorative and functional carved diamonds on the top. You can now peer into the side portal areas of the instrument and appreciate the 'inner guitar.' The second soundboard also has a port, visible through the outer sound hole. The nature of the construction of this guitar was obviously a difficult and challenging accomplishment for the maker. The question for me is WHY? The answer is in the clarity and warmth of the sound. Phil Boroff, one of the finest American classical guitarists that is unknown the world over, sat in our living room recently. (I'll take heart and ability over PR accomplishments any time!) He came here to evaluate and report to you on the Kerman at my request. In his words, "[This innstrument is] comfortably ranked in the upper levels of concert instruments with a curiously unique clarity and penetration in the bass strings, presumably as result of the original interior design. The only sign of its brief age is a remarkable warmth in the tone." The nut measures 57.15 mm. This 2 1/4" width allows for a player with thicker fingers to have increased comfort. Longer fingers will have room to articulate difficult passages in a more relaxed fashion. Perhaps this is a plus for you.? The scale length is 652.7 mm. (25.7") Upper bout measures 11". The lower bout is 14 7/16". My personal thanks to Master Luthier Boaz Elkayam for calling my attention to this important instrument. He called from Israel and in an excited, yet reverent voice, said "Richard, this guitar is a masterpiece. Liad has played the guitar for me and it brought a tear." Respecting Boaz as one of the foremost living classical makers, that is all I needed to hear. --Richard
$14,500

SOLD 2002 Harry Fleishman Assymmetric dual port nylon string
"A newly retired show guitar, this Harry Fleishman is now available for purchase. This dual port instrument is very light in weight. To hold an ultralight instrument that is vibrant and lively like this guitar is one of the thrills of this realm of fine hand made instruments. The notes explode off my fingertips with little effort. The sound is big and clear. Not a traditional Spanish voice in this one, but more a voice that lends itself to modern repertoire--from classical to Brazilian jazz to contemporary fingerstyle. The hand of the maker is evident as you inspect the guitar closely. You can feel and see the decision making process. You can see evidence of the knife. It soon becomes obvious that the guitar was carefully and cleverly created by the hands of one artist. If that visceral experience is part of your appreciation of this art, then this guitar may seduce you in more ways than one. The slanted quatrospherical frets accommodate alternate tunings well. As you tune down the lower strings in pitch, the longer string lengths allow more tension to hold the integrity of the lower notes. The variable scale lengths range from 25.4" to 26.3". Looking down over the side of the fretboard in the player's perspective, an optical illusion shows the frets to be straight across! The guitar plays normally and the whole experience is so much fun! The nut width measures 2 1/4". The 2-part soundboard marries spruce and cedar with Harry's two signature exposed dovetail joints--whimsical design and unique tonal blending of the top materials. The back and sides are beautifully quarter sawn Brazilian rosewood. Brazilian headstock veneers give way to an old air-dried one-piece 'full C'-shape mahogany neck. An ebony fretboard exibits natural coloration and adds to a relaxed and comfortable feeling design. Marquetry decorates the instrument in tasteful, surprising ways as it dances in among the design lines of Harry's unique bridge. It also encircles the small dual sound ports. These are calculated for proper balance and air exchange, while leaving more soundboard available to vibrate actively. Classical players on the gig or in concert are always looking for subtle ways to increase volume in the room. For increased sound coverage without the cumbersome gear that goes with more conventional amplification, Harry Fleishman has a proprietary solution for you, built in to this guitar! Notice the larger photos when you click the thumbnail photo to the right of this description. The photo of the bottom of the instrument reveals an access panel and a small, unobtrusive button in the center of that panel. When you press that button, you will activate Harry's miniature onboard wireless transmitter that works with a single 9-volt battery. You may use any wireless receiver that can be plugged in to anything from a house PA to a small amplifier that you can place under your chair! Included with the purchase of the guitar, you will get a simple receiver that functions well, so you can get started and have your own performance audio solution packaged in with this great guitar. Another hidden feature in this instrument is the ability to adjust the neck angle and action height with internal adjustment screws. With included instructions, your local set-up tech should have no trouble adjusting these parameters if the guitar should ever need tweaking. No neck resets needed on this guitar. Harry walked me through the adjustment process and it works so well. The guitar is set up for very comfortable action and it is a joy and a half to play. We are proud to represent Harry Fleishman's work. Harry is one of this country's most talented guitar designers. It shows." --Richard
SOLD $11,200

Boaz Elkayam 'Special' Baroque Classical Parlor
This is the famous instrument that was made by third generation luthier Boaz Elkayam. The guitar has been displayed in art galleries and shows and is now available for sale to a player, collector, or art investor. When Boaz first moved from his home in Northern Israel to the U.S.A., he was new to the Country. He arrived knowing no friends or, for that matter, guitar clients. He brought with him, this guitar, a work in progress that he brought along slowly over time as he traveled the world and worked on guitars by hand in primitive environments--often without the benefits of electricity or running water. Now in the US, he moved from New York to Los Angeles, where he completed the guitar. He decided to put all his newfound time and creative energy into finishing this one instrument. Boaz does not work with power tools. He used only his knives, hand planes and small pieces of precious woods he had brought with him. Working with very old pieces of maple, Brazilian rosewood and a well-seasoned Sitka spruce soundboard, he fashioned this fastiduously elegant, inlaid, painted and appliqued guitar with an overwhelmingly complex eighty-two piece back. Its ebony tuning pins, like those of a violin, and old, embargo free ivory carved key bushings are among the distinct features that set this masterpiece apart from any other. The face of the instrument features an ebony design, inlaid into the spruce by cutting each fiber with a knife. The rosette is perfectly inlaid with high quality shell that lights up like jewelry in the light. A detailed and delicate gold Mother of Pearl hummingbird hovers at the very bottom, lying in wait for your eyes to journey across the decorated surfaces in awe of the artistry evidenced here. Thousands of hours by firelight and candlelight were invested by Boaz to create this single masterpiece that would launch him into the consiousness of American lutherie, players, and collectors everywhere. This is a prime example of the modern luthier's art, executed in the Baroque style. Those that have knowledge of the skills it takes to craft a detailed piece of this magnatude will appreciate the modest price as an artwork while enjoying the prospect of playing this excellent guitar. The tone and playability of the instrument are a delightful bonus, expected from a master luthier like Boaz. This instrument is worthy of heirloom status. You can pass it down in your family for future generations to enjoy. Such a guitar will never be repeated by Boaz Elkayam. His is a long legacy of fine instrument makers that may now continue on in his new firstborn son, Oved! We shall see...


1998 "Kasha/Schneider" designed Classical Guitar by Boaz Elkayam and George Majkowski. #5 of 10. Only 2 remain. The Guild of American Luthiers published a 2-part article on the making of this series of 10 guitars. They were made according to the Kasha/Schneider designs that were developed up to the time of Richard Schneider's death. Schneider dedicated his life to the research and devolopment of a modern guitar. He used construction methods that were not subject to some limitations of traditional methods. This guitar excels in playing characteristics, while representing an important development of guitar history. The upper bout measures 11"; the lower bout: 14 1/2". The 3 mm. thick top is made from a fallen Giant Sequoia Redwood that was more than 2000 years old! The back is 'quarter split' cedar; the sides are of Brazilian rosewood, and the neck is Honduran mahogany. The neck is very comfortable and has a slightly fluted edge under each side of the fingerboard. This makes the extra 1/16" less noticeable for those that are used to a narrower board. The entire guitar is an evolution of intelligent design. The neck illustrates only a part of that. The tone is clear and warm, with an instant, even response. The guitar has a wonderfully rich and resonant voice, yet is well balanced from string to string. Concert volume is fully present, with 24 frets of clear treble notes available. The frets themselves are fashioned from Berillium Copper. The guitars built in this series were labor intensive. The modest price offered makes this high end instrument accessible to players of more limited means. It measures 2 1/16 (52.39mm) at the nut. There is one crease along the grain in the back, near the waist, that measures about one inch. It does not appear to be a crack through the wood. I have examined it inside with a light, and that is my opinion. The guitar is in very good condition. Along with others in this series, it was loaned out for study by institutions and guitar makers to serve the purpose of educating and furthering the art of guitar making along the lines of Schneider's developments. Though it has been handled, it has fared well. Our appreciation goes out to Boaz and the late George Majkowski for this caring tribute; may Schneider's (and Dr. Kasha's and Majkowski's) great work be carried on for the next generations... $8,800 with deluxe Ameritage case.




Unlike music stores that offer quantities of guitars of varying quality, you may assume that each instrument here at FGC has "The Magic." We seek them out and gather them in. This is the starting place from which we match each instrument with its player. For other instruments of all types shipping in soon, click here to view our "New Items" page. Flat tops, Archtops and electrics are interspersed on the Guitar Lists 1 through 8. Clicking on the small photos to the right of the descriptions will show you detailed views. Internet pictures cannot do these guitars justice. All guitars in Fine Guitar Consultants' inventory must pass our standards for mechanical perfection, heart and musicality. These instruments are exciting examples of the luthier's art--the cream of the cream. We accept US Money Orders, personal checks and wire transfers. Ask about trades, available in certain circumstances.
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SOLD 2001 Boaz Elkayam 'Clarita Negra Flamenco / Classical' "Those that know FGC, know us to pride ourselves on offering the best hand made instruments we can find for our clients. This instrument is one of the most open, loud, and richly satisfying nylon string instruments we have heard--ever. There are $40,000-$50,000 classical guitars that don't have the 'stuff' that this guitar has to offer! This particular guitar is made from a naturally fallen 2,000 year old Giant Sequoia (redwood) tree. In an important way, both the top and back function as sound boards. The side features a single sound port. The sides of the guitar, as well as the back triangular inserts, are made of old growth Brazilian rosewood. The beautiful sap wood is generously integrated by Mother Nature. The neck, hollowed for lightness, is hand carved from ebony. Your hand will glide smoothly across the neck, even if your hands perspire in the heat of your music! A very old and stable ebony fretboard caps it off. The man-made Delrin frets are self-lubricating, minimizing string click and increasing string life with reduced abrasion. There is an access panel in the bottom of the guitar, so string changes are easier on this guitar than with a traditional nylon string instrument. A suction tool is included with the instrument for removal. The advance bracing system on this Clarita Negra is at the heart of its liveliness and power. Braces support the structural integrity of the guitar without dampening the vibration of the top or back. The energy of your string attack is unimpeded as it courses through the wood to ring freely and clearly. The bass brace is virtually extended from the front to back, so the fundamental note can be heard on the low E string. The 1st and second harmonic has not been achievable prior to this with traditional Spanish construction, according to Boaz. The result is thrilling to feel as the notes resonate through the guitar with majestic power. Boaz Elkayam explains that the only difference between his Classical and Flamenco guitar in the Clarita Negra model is the golpe (tap plates made of light weight plastic) and the height of the saddle. So, merely by changing to a different saddle between string changes, you can play both Classical repertoire and Flamenco on the same instrument. The Clarita Negra design is a triumph for Boaz Elkayam. Though he builds superb traditional Classical and Flamenco guitars as well, his passion is for advancing the Flamenco and Classical guitar in a new direction. He has perfected this instrument over many years. Boaz is the third generation luthier in his family of violin and guitarmakers. Using only planes, chisels, and knives--fingers on the wood at all times--Boaz's intuition and experience bring his work to the top tier of today's instruments. The condition of this guitar is 'Very Good.' It has been well played--yet cared for. It is ready to be adopted by any player who wants a guitar of the highest caliber. If you value round, sweet notes delivered with power and projection, this instrument delivers." --Richard SOLD