2007 Charles Fox 'ergo noir' SJ 6-string advanced acoustic

Charles Fox is a respected Master Luthier and teacher. He began making guitars in 1968. His American School of Lutherie educates guitar makers with hands-on courses in the highly detailed craft. A crowning achievement in Charles Fox's hard-earned career is this 'ergo' guitar. Bringing in inspiration from other makers and combining musical and ergonomic features in one exciting advanced design, Charles has hit the 'phyysics jackpot.' The sensitivity and full-on power in the ergo makes it a successful new direction to be studied and admired. Ultimately, it is to be enjoyed by musicians with the financial creativity and priorities to make this happen for themselves. In the time we have been one of the few dealers for ergo, we have never had a negative reaction to this guitar. We have sold a few, and have ordered ahead so we can actually have a guitar here to show and one available without waiting! This one is new and pristine since its arrival at FGC. The photos will reveal how special this guitar is aesthetically. I can assure you that it sounds even better than it looks! Describes Charles, "The ergo's most revolutionary feature is its ultra low-mass parabolic sound board (patent pending). This composite plate--two thin skins of master-grade tone wood sandwiching a 1/16" core of high-tech honey-comb material--weighs 40 per cent less than its solid wood equivalent; less weight to sap the strings' energy, less weight to damp their finer harmonic content. The soundboard's spherical contour and 'torsion box' structure creates tremendous strength and stability without the heavy X braces that support conventional steel string sound boards, for a further dramatic weight reduction. The ergo's acoustic power and character is due largely to the high strength-to-weight ratio of this remarkable soundboard." The contours of the instrument are at once dramatic and functionally ergonomic. The guitar is a pleasure to hold. A side sound port gives the player a personal perspective when playing that doesn't noticeably take away from the frontal projection. Some of the pretties Brazilian rosewood we have ever seen adds its magic to the back and sides of this guitar. Easy string changes are facilitated by a newly designed bridge that is brilliant. A bottom access panel can aid in adding electronics at a later date. The guitar's finish is nitrocellulose lacquer. This instrument (and others) make it easily worthwhile to make the trip to FGC in San Diego before purchasing your next instrument. Clicking on this link will open a window to the 'ergo' web site. Enjoy. After reading about 'ergo' in depth, call Richard if you would like to make this one yours or place an order. As always, the prices are the same here as direct from the maker. You get Richard's help and guidance at no extra charge to you in the process. The guitar is also available in the 'blanc' (natural) color.

$21,400 (base price is still only $15,000 for now...Order one soon!)

2005 Enke Designs ' Light Body ' electric, Serial No. 5

David Enke is one of the most inventive people in the world of guitar making and guitar sound. An accomplished player, David has an intuitive feel for the desires of the musician and is freed from purely traditional thinking. Ironically, the guitar listed here, his 'Light Body' guitar, is inspired by early stringed instruments that employed sympathetic strings inside the neck. So, add a dash of history to a 21st century forward thinking concept and here's what we have. (After thorough exposure to the wonderful work of Fred Carlson, nothing surprises me anymore.) The flamed redwood was part of David and Annie's kitchen breakfast nook in his last home. Before that, it was a 70's redwood table. The old and well seasoned redwood has finally found its highest use as a musical instrument. It was no ordinary table--and it is now no ordinary instrument. We love this thing. It is fun to play. Nothing really gets our attention unless it passes the fun test! There is so much detail on this guitar and it makes fascinating reading. So, rather than re-gurge, we are providing a link here) that will open a window in David Enke's web site. Here, you can read the details and hear a sound sample. Call Richard if you would like to make this one yours.

SOLD

2007 Enke Designs ' 12-string Electric ' with piezo body acoustics output electric, Serial No. 43

David Enke is an accomplished guitar player. Unusually for a guitar player, his main instrument is the electric 12-string. David gets great pleasure in the fullness of the sound in a 12-string. What has given him zero pleasure in the past, is the playability and intonation problems in mainstream manufactured instruments. With his intuitive feel for the desires of the musician coupled with meeting his own needs, the instrument shown here is proof positive that physics will allow an electric 12-string to play as easily as a low-action 6-string electric! This guitar is here in my hands. Otherwise I would not have believed that this was possible. I have just finished playing the full-on version of Maple Leaf Rag, fingerstyle. The guitar not only cooperated, but asked me what the big deal was all about in the first place! This specially designed 12-string guitar has a solid Bocote and Indian rosewood neck through the body. The body itself is a 2-piece Birdseye and Curly maple configuration with a Brazilian rosewood accent line. It features 2 vintage humbuckers of unknown origin that just plain sound good! There is also a polymer film pickup in the bridge, made by David himself, whose company Pick Up The World is now well-established in the world of pickups. There is a terricfic pan pot in the guitar that sweeps between the magnetic pickup output and the polymer film acoustic pickup. The blendability gives the player a great range of tonal texture. I played this through my trusty Standel as was impressed with the tasty sound combinations. The controls are as follows: Larger front knob is the magnetic neck pickup volume. Behind that is the magnetic bridge pickup volume. The 3-way selector switch selects these pickups much as you would select them on a 'LezPaul (so to speak).' The center control on the dual concentric pot is the master volume. The ring control is for panning, as mentioned above. In addition to these front controls, there is also a gain trim control inside the back cover to adjust the gain on the polymer film pickup. The battery life should be around 600 hours plugged in.

SOLD

2003 "Concerto" Artisan Grand Concert

As Tony Vines representative, Fine Guitar Consultants is proud to show this ornate hand made guitar to demonstrate many of the options available through us when you order a Vines guitar through us. The energy that courses through this instrument identifies the guitar as a member of the big leagues. Tony was singled out by Acoustic Guitar Magazine in Japan in a recent issue, honoring his work. The feature (showing Tony holding this guitar) can be seen by clicking here. The 'bear claw' German spruce top was air dried for many years. Tony selected back and sides of unusually straight figured and streaked African Blackwood to compliment the top both visually and tonally. You'll enjoy the rich, even, ringing tone of this guitar. Though sporting a 25.7" scale, the Vines guitars play easily. That easy feel is a Vines hallmark. Tony achieves that consistently. When you click on the small photo at the right, you will be taken to the detailed closeups of the tasty elements of "Concerto." Note the hand carved heel and the inlaid hummingbirds. There is gorgeous contrasting pearl at every turn--while staying in the borders of taste and fine design. We are taking orders for Tony's guitars, and we are having fun with our clients puting together wonderful wood choices (Tony has quite a hoard of especially well seasoned woods that he has stored for many years.) You can create your custom Vines guitar starting at only $4,500, and include a 5-piece laminated neck.

SOLD

1998 Klein Model L-45.7 Serial No. J2/059

'Police's' Andy Summers, Joni Mitchell, Joe Walsh, and other world class musicians who are hip to the finer hand mades--and willing to pay for their gear--have owned Klein guitars. This particular Steve Klein guitar, his top-of-the-line model, is one of the 4 best I remember playing or hearing; I have experienced a good number of them. Now that I think about it, three of those were made with Brazilian rosewood backs and sides. This is one of them. This formidable bookmatched quarter-sawn Brazilian rosewood is both beautiful and resonant. The 'Autumn Sunburst' Sitka Spruce soundboard has a good deal of seasoning, having been air dried in climate controlled storage for many years before being prepped for this instrument. The unusual 'burst' starts with darker shading at the guitar top just under the neck, lightening up as it progresses, with Autumn shading at the edges. The ebony fretboard, with Klein's signature inlays, features a 'zero fret' that gives an even sound to open and closed chord positions. Replacing the nut is a pearl string guide, directing the strings to their post positions on the rakishly angled headstock. The crisp and elegant detail in the binding and purfling of the guitar is part of the legendary design. Steve Klein was still doing the finished set-up details when this guitar was made, but through the years most of the work on these exquisite sounding instruments was performed by his longtime partner, Steve Kauffman. A hard cover book on the 'Steves' and their work over the years is entitled 'Art That Sings,' by author and concert guitarist Paul Schmidt.The Klein guitar may hit you first as a striking piece of contemporary art. It certainly is that, and more. When you pick this guitar up, you'll notice how light in weight it is. Next, when you sit down with it, most of you will find the guitar surprisingly comfortable to hold. The tapered contours allow you to hold the guitar in closely and comfortably. The biggest surprise of all is the sound. You expect a big sound from the looks of this one--and it's even larger--yet balanced and even (a good trick with a bass response this full and loud!). The tone is crisp, rich and clear. It is so responsive, that a lighter touch can make it sing with little effort. Then, for contrast, rip in and you have the power of a Ferrari to thrill at will. The dynamic range is extraordinary. A clear pickguard surrounds the strings to help protect against more aggressive playing. No orders are being taken for these guitars at present. According to a recent conversation with the maker, when the ordering process is resumed at some point, the base price for this guitar will be $25,000 or more. This is a rare find of a lifetime and a solid investment in your happiness.

SOLD

2004 Kauffman Parlor guitar, Serial No. NP/146

The listing above is recommended reading to get an idea about Steve Kauffman's past work. Apart from the Steve Klein guitars and the 25+ year association with Steve Klein, this instrument is one of Kauffman's own. Inspired by Steve Klein's design work? Naturally. They were joined at the hip throughout the years (I think it was a dovetail joint!) This particular guitar is the last available Kauffman instrument that we know of for some time to come. No orders are being taken by the maker at this time. This elongated Parlor guitar is easy to hold, light in weight, and the sound is big for its size. There is a sweet tonal edge to the sound and an efficiency in the sound box that creates a Parlor experience that is unique. Creative structural use of carbon fiber reinforcement is used around the wood core surrounding the truss rod, strengthening the neck. Carbon fiber is also used in two sandwiched braces in the body structure. The loud volume and contemporary tone belie the low action. Setup is everything when it comes to playability. Here is a perfect neck angle, a generous saddle height, and an instrument that is wonderfully easy to play. Topping the ebony fretboard is a 1 3/4" nut. The scale length is 25.5". It is measured from the 'zero fret,' which is designed for even sound and sustain on all open string notes and closed chords alike. The neck is quarter-sawn East Indian rosewood, shaped in a meaty-slim profile (in other words--not too thin). The distinctive heel design is unique to this instrument. The hand carved rosewood neck is actually inlaid into the body. The energy transfer is efficient and as complete as possible. Many hours go into the neck fitting alone. The back and sides are select old growth Brazilian rosewood, also quarter-sawn for added structural stability. The slotted headstock, beautifully executed, is a masterpiece of lamination born from Kauffman's years of experience in guitar repair work. What appears to be more delicate purfling detail in and around the slotted headstock, is really revealed layers of veneers. This clever and beautiful lamination serves as decorative beauty while strengthening the headstock against future accidental impact! The modified Lotus rosette is of white Mother of Pearl. The nut and saddle are hand carved from old stock pre-embargo ivory. If you have enough 'woody'-sounding guitars, this is an excellent alternative with a completely different tone. It is a fingerstyle instrument, though in other hands anything is possible on this one. Another client of ours has a Kauffman Parlor and I'll quote him here: "I don't know how you managed to engineer such a responsive/alive instrument. I've never experienced anything like it, and I have played most, if not all, of the fine steel stringed instruments Richard has for sale. I just cant get over the absolute quality and tonal beauty of (the guitar). It will not leave my side until I am in the ground...thank you for the privilege of playing and owning what has to be one of the finest steel string guitars in the world."

SOLD

2000 Erich Solomon 'Phoenix' cutaway archtop

In nearly new condition, this 17" Art Deco style hand made French polished archtop lets the woods speak for themselves. A slightly longer Sitka spruce-topped body, bound in ebony, offers up more soundboard to do the job. It is coupled with beautifully carved, thin-flame European maple that exhibits a great amount of silking under the finish. The body depth is 3 1/4". Nut width: 1 11/16". A longer scale length of 25.98 inches puts the light gage Thomastik 11's strings under more tension. The resultant feel is 'just right' in this formulation. The strings are balanced with an easy jazz feel that will allow you to be expressive. The clean, warm, and singingly articulate character of this guitar makes it one of our very special archtops. It is so light in weight that it will surprise you. The assymetrical head of the guitar is a musical, flowing design that gives a clue to the guitar's personality. The instrument can be enjoyed for its sweet acoustic nature as well as its fatter plugged-in sound with its ultra-thin, gold-plated, floating, hum-cancelling pickup that hovers above the soundboard. The pickup is controlled by hidden tone and volume knobs under the edge of the pearl inlaid ebony pickguard. Delicate, 10-ply purfling strips of micro-thin natural woods decorate the edge of the pickguard with 4-ply edge binding. The top of the wood surrounding the f-holes and every edge of the guitar feature multiple binding of this type--subtle intensity in a clean, elegant design. The pickguard material was chosen through serrendipity. Erich noticed a piece of ebony that had a slight warp, yet the material had stabilized in that gentle curvature. Orienting the ebony perfectly, he fashioned a pickguard that stays out of the player's way. Just a small, but wonderful detail that demonstrates how an intuitive maker can work with Mother Nature! Longtime Barney Kessel protege Art Johnson, now a 30-years-in-the-making 'overnight success,' played this guitar some time ago before leaving for France. Says Art, "Erich has made an elegant, light, singing archtop. These trebles have a voice with character. They don't go 'ting'...they say 'pwah'..."Art continues (beaming), "there is a lot of air and articulation between the strings. The tambre is even all across the fretboard. You've put a lot of archtops in my hands, Richard, and this is the finest yet!"

$8,700

2004 Rodriguez solidbody electric, Serial No. 118

Though made 3 years ago, this guitar has been re-painted and re-released by its maker. The Nitrocellulose lacquer finish emulates an acoustic 1930's classic sunburst. It is new with warranty. Tom Rodriguez has what it takes to make beautifully designed, great playing electrics. You don't have to know or be familiar with the names of a lot of these luthiers. You can trust us to find the solid, consistent guitar makers who never dissapoint. Tom Rodriguez has a winner guitar here. This is a light to medium weight Korina wood body and neck. Capping the neck is a 50+ year old Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard with low, wide fret wire. While he has more of these boards, you will get one on your guitar, as well. Lindy Fralin Humbuckers and Gotoh 510 tuners with an 18:1 tuning ratio add creamy clear sound and tuning accuracy. You need not worry about intonation problems with the aluminum wrap-around bridge and stop tailpiece. You'll get a solid sound with no moving parts. Nut width is 1 11/16". Simplicity is key here in this no-nonsense electric guitar that has stellar acoustic properties, as well. The way to judge a solidbody's tone is to play it before plugging it in! This guitar is lively with full, ringing sustain. A long neck tenon extending under the neck pickup lends extra stability and tonal integrity. Very cool on all levels.

$5,000 for this one--a custom order through FGC: about 8-months wait time.

2007 Rodriguez electric blue sunburst solidbody, Serial No. 152

Tom Rodriguez has chosen Fine Guitar Consultants as his exclusive representative for his hand made electrics. Up until recently only some major artists have known his work. The above listing and the guitar shown here are two different Rodriguez designs, having simplicity in common. It is very clean work. Says the maker, "This is the first of 4 guitars I will be finishing up over the next two months. It is similar to the guitar I played for many years. The body and neck are Poplar and the fingerboard is Bolivian rosewood. It's a little brighter and clearer sounding than it's Mahogany inspiration. It records well too, doesn't get muddy sounding at higher volumes or when being overdriven." The neck is a medium C-shape and the feel is solid. Playability is in the pocket, as it is with the guitar listed above. This one is a flat plank style instrument and to our eye is much more pleasing and evolved shape than the vintage plank guitars of the 50's. The single P-90 pickup is installed in the bridge position. It is hand made by veteran pickup maker Lindy Fralin, who wound it 5 per cent over stock spec to produce a hotter output. Gotoh 510 tuners with an 18:1 tuning ratio, plus relatively perfect intonation add to the experience. Nut width is 1 11/16".

$4,500 for this one--a custom order through FGC: about 8-months wait time.