Here is a 'steal' string to consider!
2003 Mark Geiger 'Fingerstyle' Non-Cutaway

This is a resale instrument from a guitar player/collector who is 'thinning the herd' a bit. If you are a city slicker, that expression translates to 'one man's loss is another man's gain!'This Geiger 'Crane' Fingerstyle model is one that the owner and the Maker will remember fondly. The soundboard is Englemann spruce; it sounds and looks a lot like European spruce but is lighter in weight with a similar sound. The back and sides are ziracote. Mark Geiger remarks that this wood gives a loud volume level on this smaller Fingerstyle body of his. He feels that the tone is smooth and not harsh. Using very stiff sides and this wood combination, Mark has produced an excellent guitar experience here. Having the instrument here in my hands, I agree on his tonal assessment. Also, as is typical of a Geiger, the guitar is just so friendly and easy to play. Here are some nuts and bolts measurements: Nut: 1 3/4", scale length: 25.5", lower bout: 15". The beautifully designed crane inlay in the headstock is Mother of Pearl, and was inspired by a piece of Japanese tapestry that caught Mark Geiger's eye. The guitar is elegantly trimmed in curly maple, with matching material on the rosette ring and as a thinner back strip to tie in the design nicely. A major music artist was introduced to Mark Geiger after a sound check shortly after this guitar was completed. As a compliment to Mark and the instrument, this man was captivated with the Crane guitar described here and played it non-stop for a 1/2 hour! We cannot mention his knowable name, because another notable luthier makes all of his guitars at this time! YOu have our personal guarantee that this is so much more guitar than you could ever hope for from a mass-manufactured instrument at the same price! It is truly a 'steal' string that will be a great catch for someone (like you?)...Don't be put off by the relatively low price. (Also, note that the photos show the top to be yellower than it really is. The top is a creamy color--like Englemann spruce should be!)

$3,500

An exciting hand made at a modest price'Lucky 12' FGC Special!
2007 Mark Geiger Fingerstyle 'Lucky 12' Cutaway

Though most 'Lucky 12' soundboard guitars will be on a custom order basis for clients, this guitar was commissioned by us and is offered for purchase. The 'Lucky 12' soundboards, available only through Fine Guitar Consultants, are old, submerged Sitka spruce, seasoned in the most ideal conditions you could hope for. The tone is superb and the visual figuring is mesmerizing. For the back and sides of this guitar, Mark Geiger chose quarter sawn Dalbergia Congestaflora rosewood from his seasoned specialty woods. Stucturally desirable as well as visually appealing, the tonewood is similar in character and is a cousin to Brazilian rosewood (also a Dalbergia)--without the tendencies to crack or split. This Geiger has all the desirable mechanical characteristics of a fine hand made instrument. It is even, balanced, loud, and responsive to a light touch, as well. Here are a few words from the Maker regarding his fourth experience making guitars with this special soundboard material: "I've built four guitars using Lucky 12 tops so I think I can say with experience that the tops have been, not only gorgeous to look at but also consistent in their tonal qualities. These four 'Lucky 12's' have been strong and rich in both bass and treble, can be played softly without losing articulation or hit hard and still have the headroom. Most of this I believe is in the top." None of that begins to describe the lively energy and the magical sustaining, singing properties of this instrument--the great heart and soul of this guitar. Measured across the ebony fretboard to the ebony bridge, the scale length is 25.5". A 1 3/4" nut width and a nicely hand carved medium thicknessed 'C-shaped' Honduran Mahogany neck lends itself nicely to fingerstyle playing. Beyond that capability, this guitar can be strummed with whatever rhythmic grooves you you ask of it. Tons of headroom; warmth without muddiness. It is balanced, gutsy-yet-sweet, and will grow from here as the new instrument is played in by its owner. The sound floats up around your head through the side sound port, while projecting loudly to the audience. It has easy playability. Though only a 15" lower bout measurement, this guitar has a bigger sound than you might expect. An added piece of comfort is the built-in arm rest that mark has installed. Rick Ruskin, one of our favorite fingerstylists, demonstrated this instrument at the last Healdsburg Guitar Festival in California. Mark Geiger has been making guitars since the 1970's. If it wasn't for another day job that he has had, now part time at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood as Foreman of the Wood Trim department, he might have been more widely known as a guitar maker by now. We are happy to 'discover' his well-seasoned talent. From 'Star Trek' to 'West Wing' to hand made guitars, Mark Geiger has been fashioning wooden wonders that stand up to the tightest close-ups! Click on the thumbnail photo at right to see these close-ups. If it calls your name, let's talk about whether it may be a good fit for you and your music. Other Geiger variations can be ordered through FGC with a reasonable waiting time for delivery.

$5,885 with the Lucky 12 upgraded soundboard

Two-Guitar Combo!
2002 Ribbecke 'Monterey' 17-inch acoustic archtop
2001 Kiso-Ribbecke Serial Number 1 ('Doppelgänger!')

Jazz players have come to me throughout the years with the goal of owning a carved top acoustic archtop for home and studio and a laminated gigging guitar to take to the job that can handle volume without feedback issues. We have just acquired (after a 6 1/2 year wait), the very first Kiso-Ribbecke guitar ever made. The great irony is that the color chosen for the Kiso-Ribbecke is the same as our Ribbecke Monterey! Here is a one-time opportunity to own a matched pair of guitars made by Master guitar luthier Tom Ribbecke! (Thumbnail and larger photos linked are of the carved Monterey.) The Kiso-Ribbecke was made both in Tom's shop in Healdsburg, California, with the Kiso luthier team present, and in Japan at the Kiso shop with Tom Ribbecke present and involved! The Kiso-Ribbecke is a look-alike laminated version of this Monterey carved archtop. The guitar is in near-new condition, with only a few hours of total playing time on the instrument. This is a story that will accompany these guitars and add to their interest as part of today's chapter of Ribbecke guitar history. Here is some background on the carved Ribbecke, made by Tom: This like-new Ribbecke has been in the mix during our popular blindfold guitar-tastings. A lightly 'orange-toasted blonde' Sitka spruce soundboard sits atop European maple cello woods on the sides and beautifully carved back. Tom Ribbecke initially got this guitar back from a client who could not keep it for financial reasons. He remarked that it was "so babied by its owner that it was like-new!" So, since our relationship with Tom is a good one--he agreed to offer a new warranty on the instrument to its next owner, and placed it in our care. Where else can you have an opportunity to be the second original owner of a fine guitar? This instrument is a representative example of Tom's lutherie as it has evolved to its highest level. 28-plus years of evolution and hard work has earned Tom Ribbecke a place among the top ranks of archtop makers. The sustain is hauntingly beautiful. Even, rich tone with even timbre across the fretboard. Play it pretty or burn those jazz lines with the easy facility of this fast, well carved neck. With an inspiring instrument, you'll enjoy the hours you spend playing at a much more satisfying level. This is an exciting gift you can give to yourself for your music, for your lifetime." --Richard

$23,000 for both instruments.
(Ordering a Ribbecke Monterey alone at the same price as direct from the maker, would cost $23,000 with a 5-year wait).

All Instruments come with better hard shell cases unless otherwise noted. US Money Orders, Checks, or simple computer bank wire transfers are accepted. Financing, Terms, Trade-ins Available. Not responsible for errors or ommissions, subject to prior sale, and price changes due to market conditions.

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