a rare electric/acoustic
2000 Timtone "JZ-S" model
This JZ-S electric/acoustic has a chambered one piece Claro Walnut body with Burled Walnut backing plate, Port Orford Cedar top, Walnut neck, bookmatched Cocobolo fingerboard and Ebony headplate. It measures 1 13/16" at the nut. That puts the neck in the size range of an acoustic guitar. The color of the top was specifically requested to match the color of the guitar that John Monteleone made for the Scott Chinery Blue guitar collection. Here are some words from the seller, who is a great player and good client of FGC: "Like a lot of people, I play a huge variety of music. I needed a guitar that would do Steve Vai or Tuck Andress. I love jazz, but still can't get my head out of playing 1980's shredder licks. Speed is still fun to me. As for the sound, it really is something. In my opinion, anyone that likes clean sounds should buy a Bartolini TXE. It really does the full spectrum of the "clean" humbucker sounds. You can cop Tuck Andress, Santana, Gary Moore, Steve Vai, Satriani, and Wes Montgomery all from the same pickup and guitar. It is pretty wild, and it never disappoints. The EMG on the other hand is highly different. It is high gain as well, but is EQ'd much differently. The mids are scooped out in such a way that it is really dialed in for blues, rock, or metal, but it is not as loud as the Bartolini. It is strange to go from the neck pickup, which is so beautifully balanced, to the bridge, which is definitely emphasized in the frequency extremes. I guess the bridge pickup sounds a lot like Scott Henderson (early Tribal Tech,) or Steve Morse bridge pickup sounds. It also does very convincing Zakk Wylde or John Petrucci sounds as well. In fact, the only things it doesn't do are strat/tele sounds...The piezos are incredible. If you have ever played a guitar that had those paper thin brittle piezos, those are not these... If you ever do acoustic/electric work live, it is right there at the flick of a switch." Note from Richard: "Aside from light wear under the pickups and a knock in the finish at the very top of the guitar, I consider this instrument to be in Excellent condition. It was very well cared for while it was being "played in." When you click on the thumbnail photo at right, taking you to the larger photos, look at the side shot of the instrument. Check out the contoured area for right arm comfort!
$5,600 with Calton hard case

a classy 7-string
1998 John Buscarino "Virtuoso"
This smooth, easy playing "Virtuoso" has a slightly thinner front to back dimension than other 7-strings I have played. The overall neck mass is reduced, which can come in handy when you are working with a neck width at the nut of 2 1/16&qot;. I am very critical of how the 7th string fits in with the other strings as part of the balanced package. This one works well. The 7th string is not floppy, and sonically is balanced with the other 6. The guitar is a breeze to play, and the electronics are simple and effective. There is a tone and volume control hidden under the leading edge of the pickguard. Master grade traditional woods are employed here in this elegant top line Buscarino model. John Buscarino, who started as an apprentice to Master Luthier Bob Benedetto, has carved out a reputation of his own. He has loyal followers of his work. If you choose to become part of that cult following--this guitar has the juice! I plugged it into a new hand made Standel 25L15 Vintage+CA amplifier, and the sound that rolled out of the JBL D130 speaker was gorgeous! A 7-string really shows off the amp's jazz properties just as well as the highly accurate and musical Standel reveals what the Buscarino is made of! Clarity and beauty all the way. If you are in the market for one 7-string to take you new places, this could be your ticket. There are a variety of tiny ding-dents in the guitar that are not easily noticable unless you hold the guitar to reflect the light. The guitar is in "Excellent" condition. Offered at a savings (especially with John's new price increase effective November 15th), the price is right.
$15,200

Hand crafted opulence!
2004 Jeffrey Yong "Mini-Jumbo Classic"
"Recently, I attended an international meeting of luthiers. From halfway around the world, came the only maker of fine hand made guitars in Malaysia! During the acoustic steel string listening tests, this was one of two instruments that jumped out for me. I later met the maker, examined and played this instrument, then invited the maker to leave it with me for our clientele. Don't wonder why the price is so low. The economy and cost of living is much lower in Malaysia. This guitar, if made here, would possibly sell for twice this amount. If you are into a thoroughly pearly look, read on: First and foremost, is the sound. This guitar has rumbling clarity that can accompany a voice (above the baritone singing range) or finger pick solo with ease. A classical's clarity, reverberant without muddiness, and beautiful sustain are dominant features that come to mind. The heft of this guitar reminds me of our Somogyi. What makes this one heavier--though balanced in weight on your lap--is the back and side material. Though referred to as Malaysian Blackwood, the species is "Diospyros." That means it is Ebony. It was cut by Jeffrey Yong, years ago, from a tree that was more than 100 years old. The aged top is European (Swiss) Spruce. Jeffrey inlaid a pearl vine across the fretboard. Pearl also decorates the rosette and top edge. The instrument is comfortable to play (for the right size and shaped human who enjoys a small jumbo!). The fingerboard and neck are softly rounded. Thumb-wrappers will feel at home here. Yong's own hand tooled brass bridge pins add a little extra 'sizzle'." --Richard
$4,600

FORMERLY from Our Sample Gallery (Note: This is available for immediate purchase.)
Custom orders are also available through FGC on Charles Fox's hand made guitars.
2004 Charles Fox "SJ" Brazilian
Bottom Line: The deep smooth, balanced richness of this guitar's tone is seductive, satisfying, and available whenever the mood strikes you. More about this guitar--after a bit of background on the Master Luthier who made it..."In the 1970's, Charles Fox founded the first school for guitar makers in North America. He has dedicated his life to creating fine instruments and passing his deep experience and knowledge on to future generations. Annetta and I met Charles some years ago at the Healdsburg guitar festival, which Charles also co-founded. After comparing our values and ideas on fine guitars we decided to join forces. We promtly and proudly added Charles Fox to our list of small shop luthiers. Now, after a two year wait, Charles has put a sample instrument in our hands. Many clients visit us to do blindfold testing of guitars before making their selection. The beauty of the tone and comfortable playability of this instrument certainly will shine out brightly for those who visit us...And when the sound and feel connection are made and the blindfold comes off to reveal this one, the drama of the woods and ornamentation will melt a few hearts, for sure. This particular guitar features a fine European Spruce soundboard. The instrument has flamed Koa bindings, head to toe. Thin natural and black wood strips frame the binding. Abalone frames the Brazilian-faced headstock, fretboard, and soundboard. And again, natural and black wood strips frame the abalone itself. The rosette repeats this motif. This fine detail makes for a crisp and tasty, yet subtle treatment that adds quiet jewelry to the wildly wonderful Brazilian Rosewood. I could stare all day at this particular piece of Brazilian. Museum quality art by Mother Nature. (By the way...Charles has set aside a "sister set" of this same exceptional Brazilian rosewood for the next order we bring him, if you choose this particular wood type for your music style. If that NEEDS to be YOU, call me soon!) The frets are rounded at the ends to help avoid pushing the string over the edge without widening the fretboard. They are super high polished to minimize friction while bending notes. The compound cutaway, while more labor intensive to make, is beautifully executed and a great help to your accessing the upper frets. We can help you select the details and features for your own Charles Fox guitar, hand made by Charles himself. After we sketch out our plans together, we will talk with Charles on a 3-way phone call to move toward finalizing the order and covering every detail. This is the way we work here at FGC with all our makers--and the process is fun!" --Richard
$14,000 (The base price for a Charles Fox instrument is 8,000-12,000, depending on the model.)

2001 Sakashta "Lotus" model 16" acoustic archtop
This traditional archtop has been made with Sakashta's finest woods. It was made as a show guitar for the Long Island Guitar Show 3 years ago and then adopted as a sample guitar here at FGC. Rarely is there a finished Sakashta without an owner. This instrument is finished with an aged, dark lemon-yellow tint over Master Grade Blue Spruce and highly 3-dimensional quilted maple traditional woods. A blank ebony board with matching guard and cello tailpiece set off the scrumptious colors. 1 11/16" at the nut, this guitar is built to feel like a "175," but with solid carved woods and hand carved by one man. This guitar will take your breath away. The tone has an elegant charm. It has a warm, chimy, singing tone with personality. A floating pickup was beautifully installed by Taku.
$9,850

2004 Sexauer Blu'Stik Harmonizer (C'Dom #7)
Sitka Spruce over air-dried Sausalito Black Acacia back and sides that Bruce harvested himself 14 years ago. Koa trim and Koa Selmer style hand carved bridge. Ebony edge binding. Ebony fretboard with Sexauer's name cleverly and tastefully spelled vertically--each letter a small position marker. The back features a center sap wood section that softly morphs into a partial fiddle back--hey, you look at it and describe it! It is just plain cool. This is Bruce Sexauer's 7th guitar of this series, and his most evolved result to date. It was purchased by the wrong player for the wrong reasons. If this one matches a desire of yours and is a great fit for your music, then we've done our job, once again. This guitar, when strung with Gypsy Jazz strings, enters far enough into Selmer tone territory for accasional forays into that genre. With Nickle round wound or flat wound strings, play it acoustically or plug it in for traditional jazz. Lower the action and it is an electric guitar for blues and rock! Bronze wound strings bring out more of its fingerstyle and solo voices. This is a versatile, unusual, and fun guitar that will take you to different places and times, if you let it. It is light in weight and can be set to low action height if desired. This could be your main instrument--but I see it as most people's second guitar that is completely different--probably from anything you already own.
$7,200