Fine Guitar Consultants Guitar List 7


1996 Art Davis Non-Cutaway one-off Full of sparkle and depth, this instrument was hand made by Art Davis for himself after 20 years of full time and intensive guitar repair experience. Nothing prepares a luthier better than having this kind of background. Great energy and focus went into this guitar that Art originally made for himself. It shows up as one of those guitars with the "magic" so many of us seek in a finer instrument that transcends the ordinary. A Grand Auditorium size, the guitar has a beautiful Englemann Spruce top with a gorgeous single 3-D wave figuring in the wood that crosses thew soundboard above the soundhole. It appears to move in the light. A white Mother-of-Pearl rosette ring is matched on the top edge purfling. The back and sides are highly figured pre-embargo Brazilian Rosewood with desirable green mineral streaking. The loud, clear voice has a sweet, sensitive character backed by suprising power and headroom. The exceptional Mahogany neck with slotted head was beautifully hand carved to a medium thickness. The nut measures 1 3/4". This outstanding instrument is so even and responsive--it will bring intense pleasure to a fingerstyle player. $5,600

December 2001 Dell'Arte "Leadbelly Baritone 12-string/FGC Special" "I had fun ordering this upgraded, deep-throated baritone blues babe from Dell'Arte Instruments. I explored 12-strings in the 60's, fighting with Gibsons and then Martins to give me tone without pain (failure)! Our Dell'Arte "FGC Special" (success!) starts with an Adirondack Spruce top over Mahogany back and sides. The historic Leadbelly patterns for the purfling and rosette are reproduced here. Ours comes with a removable reproduction Ivoroid pickguard complete with glued-on screw heads that give the appearance that the pickguard is screwed into the top! It is actually held in place at 2 contact points with removable 3M putty adhesive that won't harm the lacquered finish. A specially engraved and chrome-plated trapeze tailpiece makes it easier than nickel to wipe away fingerprints. An ebony pin bridge is fixed to the top. 2 hand-cut bone nuts and 2 hand-cut bone saddles are provided. Why? Glad you asked. As a fingerstyle player, I am excited to have a 12-string that can be comfortably finger-picked! In doing alternating bass patterns or moving bass lines, in my opinion, it is more desirable to strike the thicker string on the 6th, 5th, and 4th with the small string of each pair plucked as the secondary note. To facilitate this, the nut slots are carefully cut to allow the thinner string of each pair in the basses to sit a tiny bit higher than the thicker string. Also, the strings supplied (readily available here) utilize a unison pair of 3rd strings (Leadbelly's idea) that sound much better for blues. This guitar is tuned B to B or C to C. It has a 26.5 scale length. You can play the same chord positions in this lower tonal range--or you can capo up to standard pitch. The feel of this guitar is wonderful. "Hesitation Blues" sounds so fine on this guitar." --Richard $3,860 (gig bag included)

Laurence Juber audio demo available for this guitar. Email Richard for details SOLD 2003 Chris Jenkins Chameleon Only 4-6 Chameleons are made each year, one at a time. Chris Jenkins could charge considerably more for these little energetic masterpieces--but he wants to make them affordable for working musicians. Susan Werner is one of those. She tours the USA with her 14 fret Chameleon each year, playing and recording with this treasured guitar. This one is a Sitka Spruce topped 14 fret cutaway with S.E. Asian Rosewood back and sides. The playability is sensational, with Chris's engineered system for adjusting the action AND neck angle while the guitar is tuned to pitch! Science meets art very nicely here. For a peek inside one of Chris's guitars, click here. A click on the small photo at right, as always, will give you larger views. $5,200 with dual B-Band system and an Accord flight case

Click Here for More Fine Guitars

Why consider New Custom guitars from us?Custom Guitars are an important part of what we do. We offer a balanced range of gifted, consistent luthiers. Prices from us are the same as direct from the maker. We will guide you to the likliest guitar builder and particular models that best match your needs. Let's talk guitars and have some fun together! We are here to serve you in a straight forward way. Give us a call. Often, a new instrument, coupled with new strong direction from a teacher with whom you have good communication can blast you out of your "rut."Let's work together to make your music more satisfying. Live life to the fullest. As a musician, this is what money is for!

We proudly represent more than 35 highly skilled luthiers and offer their instruments at the same price as directly from the maker.

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.

We are responsible for taking all the time you need to help get you what you want.

Email Richard

Home Page




More Fine Guitars for Sale (a partial listing of guitars on hand... please call for others offered confidentially.) For all types of instruments shipping in soon, click here to read the "New Items Coming In Soon" page.
	Click for Close-Ups

NEW 2001 JCR Guitars Steel String We've kept this guitar here for our blindfold testing and it has served us well. Now it is time to match it up with a player that desires these qualities. Jim Ross has a great feel for guitar making. This European Spruce soundboard calls on a natural harmonic chorus that sings out beautifully. The volume is thunderous for this size instrument with tremendous headroom. Hit it hard or play it sweetly. The look of the soundboard, with its bookmatched darker shaded mineral streaking is a perfect complement to the gorgeous Macassar Ebony back and sides with black Ebony binding. Simple black-white purfling forms a demarcation at the top, back, sides, as well as along the back joint. The headstock overlay is Macassar Ebony and the bridge is hand fashioned in black Gaboon Ebony. The fingerboard, tastefully inlaid in a modern diamond motif, is very lightly striped, dark Ebony. The guitar is finished with a catalyzed water-based acrylic. "I was called on by Jim Ross to demonstrate this instrument at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival. I found then and now that Jim has demonstrated a passion for building that shows in construction, volume, projection, and most importantly, balanced and pretty tone.The great client letter linked at the entry of our web site refers to a purchase of another JCR guitar from Fine Guitar Consultants. I have carefully played in this one to help "open it up" for its next home. It is ready to hit the ground running!" --Richard $4,400

2003 Pimentel & Sons "Southwestern Jumbo Custom" Acoustic Steel String Cutaway 1 13/16" nut, "C" shaped, full neck profile. "I have had a Pimentel Flamenco here in the past and loved the instrument. I was curious when offered this steel string, and I saw and heard the beauty in its classical voice superimposed on a full-bodied jumbo. The folkloric approach to focusing on the sonic result without micro-managing the details of symmetry and perfection of finish is something I am accostomed to. Abe Rivera does that very thing and his instruments have a heart and soul that defies the organized mind. Boaz Elkayam did that in his passionate development of new guitaristic construction concepts (though now that the development is established, he is paying closer attention to the finishing details at our request). I bring this discussion up because this guitar will only be for those who treasure the nature of this guitar's voice. Also, it takes a good size hand to handle the neck mass here. In the right hands, this guitar is an opera singer. It is pretty wonderful." --Richard $4,800 (It's first owner paid thousands more)

2004 Kenny Hill Classic Crossover s.n. #2087 Whether you are a classically trained player exploring Brazilian or American Jazz--or a steel string player who wants to play nylon strings without the funky sound of putting nylon strings on a steel string guitar, read on. The nut width of this guitar is 1 15/16. The 25 1/2" scale length works well with the nylon strings. More pointed punch. Fingerstyle can be explored here; you will appreciate the string spacing. The ebony fretboard has a slight radius, which gives the guitar a nice feel for jazzier voicings. The cutaway gives you access to explore your solos. Light in weight and airy sounding, this guitar has a ton of personality. Usually available only by special order, we are happy to have this one ready to go home with you. The label says 2003, yet the warranty card is dated 1/6/04 Another "crossover?" Spooky. $4,000

1998 Michael Lewis Archtop #234 This archtop has been well played in by a professional jazz pianist who doubles on guitar. There is a singing sweetness to the tone of this easy playing 16"jazz guitar. Though hand carved to achieve its pretty acoustic sound, the floating Bartolini pickup, through a good amp, will serve you well in a jazz combo setting. For more home playing excitement, a well-loved, used guitar on this level is a joy to find. White pearl dots on an Ebony fingerboard suggest simplicity and modesty, but no corners have been cut here. A single feather-shaped sound hole graces the Redwood top. The back, sides, and neck are all of beautifully figured Claro Walnut. The pick rest is hand carved from a more subtly figured Claro Walnut and hides the volume and tone wheels, accessable for easy adjustments while playing. A wild flash of nature is displayed on the truss rod cover via a great piece of ab shell. The otherwise sedate and classy Deco headstock is a Lewis hallmark. Nut width is 1 5/8" with an overall scale length of 25". A hand made brass tail piece contributes its song to the overall production of tone. Secure strap hardware, tuners, and lower bout jack are toned to match. There is a sugary shimmer from this guitar that will excite anyone with a beating heart! $5,800

1997 Kim Griffin Cutaway Spruce soundboard over quarter-sawn Honduran Mahogany back and sides. (The sides have gorgeous wavy muduliary rays. Nature designed these rays to carry nutrients across the grain of the tree. The player gets to look down at some real beauty!) Sporting Gold Gotoh tuners, the Brazilian overlaid headstock bears a pearl hand cut Griffin inlay outlined in black. 1 3/4" at the nut, the hand carved quarter-sawn Honduran Mahogany neck is beautifullly shaped in a lower profile. The beautiful warmth of Brazilian Rosewood pours over the guitar in complimentary accents. It is used in the headstock veneer, the rear headstock, fingerboard, and bridge. Simple marquetry strips form the purfed outer top edge, mirrored in the rosette design. The pickguard is designed by Kim Griffin and hand cut by John Greven. This cutaway guitar is gently played in and well cared for. It is a real sweetheart. Light in weight--it is no lightweight in the tone department! Evenly balanced with a woody warmth, yet bright enough to bring "richness" into the description. The guitar has nice sustain-ability, too. Whether you are a smaller person or just appreciate smaller guitars, this instrument has a lively and sparkling presence that will have all-around appeal for strumming and picking alike. $3,550 with case.

1995 Benedetto Custom "Grey Ghost" This is one of two laminated archtops made by Master Luthier Bob Benedetto. This famous Benedetto was made for Jazz artist Ron Eschete, who backed up Ella Fitzgerald, Sara Vaughn, and did gigs and TV shows with everyone from Lionel Hampton to Bob Hope and the Tonight Show. The guitar has a unique subtle band of color, bursting diagonally across the top from dark grey to light and back again. This plum color undertone is very striking, and reveals itself under the lights. The same treatment is on the back. Ron's trademark pearl descending dove adorns the head under the Benedetto name at the top. Ebony pickguard, bridge, and tailpiece. Volume and tone speed knobs are placed at the far edge of the lower bout, controlling a single built-in Benedetto neck pickup converting from single coil to humbucker at the push/pull volume knob. If you choose Ron's guitar for your own, the artist will supply a signed set of CDs, along with a letter describing its history, acknowleging you as the new owner. Price has been on Weightwatchers: goal achieved at $14,900!

2003 Tom Bills "Natura DeLuxe" 25" scale, 1 3/4" at the nut. Floating Kent Armstrong pickup made custom, bearing the Bills logo; hidden tone and volume accessible under the edge of the pickguard. A D'Aquisto inspired ebony bridge design optimizes string pressure on top. "Very careful work and a clean, deep gloss finish are immediately noticed on this traditional archtop with a modern theme. Picking up this 18" x 3" solidly built instrument and holding it close in my lap, I noticed the weight balance made the heft a non-issue. The air dried 5A German Spruce over 5A wide-flame fancy European cello grade Maple body is bound in curly Koa and drenched in a tasty sunburst that crosses between butterscotch and Bit-O-Honey. A highly flamed 5-piece laminated neck continues the excitement all the way up and down the back. The sides are dramatic and tastefully set off with maple purfling and Curly Koa binding. Same treatment for the f-holes. Tom's single B logo shines in pearl, contrasting with the ebony veneered headstock, gracefully shaped and framed in "gold earrings" in the form of Gotoh's newer 510 tuners. A double falling leaf motif adorns the ebony fretboard and pickguard. The Cocobolo leaves are very subtle, appearing to echo the more pronounced cascading Koa leaf nearby. A sucker for the power of suggestion--I picked it up and played "Autumn Leaves." The sustain is so long and even. The notes are pretty to hear and the guitar is even tambred, with perfect string-to-string balance. This instrument was made to be shown at the recent Healdsburg Guitar Festival. If anyone could have actually heard this guitar, it probably would not be here right now. It is unusual for there to be a Tom Bills guitar for sale. They are usually custom order only. Here the reverse is true. Is this one for you? It sure measures up for the price, but more importantly--it may indeed measure up with you and your music. Let's investigate that together. Give a call and lets discuss your goals." --Richard $9,200

SOLD 1990 Benedetto "Il Colibri" Electric One-off s.n. #21490 Master Luthier Bob Benedetto did five special guitar projects over the years with professional guitarist and client Carl Trollinger of Pensylvania. You can read a detailed letter from Carl about this instrument by clicking here. The top and back of this 17"instrument is fully carved and voiced Birdseye Maple with matching sides. The figuring is intense and beautiful. 2 PAF Humbucker pickups are suspended on side-to-side metal brackets inside the rectangular pick-up cavities so they do not touch the top of the guitar. These air spaces around the pickups take the place of the f-holes you would normally expect on an archtop. The reasons for Carl wanting Bob to do this style instrument were: 1) The instrument is far less prone to feedback at higher volumes and 2) Acoustic vibrations of the top influence the sound--inspiration taken from the Guild George Barnes Acousti-Lectric model. This guitar is pictured in Freeth and Alexander's Book, "THE ELECTRIC GUITAR" for very good reason. This is one of the sexiest guitars I have ever seen. It is effortless to play, and feels rock-solid like an old D'Angelico, while it is more comfortable to hold. These pictures are worth a thousand words, but musically, this guitar is a big, thick book! Play all styles on this versatile instrument. It is a treasure that is being carefully passed on. You are invited to call with questions, and photos of the making this guitar are included in the sale. SOLD