Acoustic Guitars

Have you ever realized how many acoustic guitar luthiers there really are? 53,456. That's right, and they're all different. This list will offer a good starting point for finding that special guitar that you never knew existed. Which one is right for you?

If you're looking to buy something more standard like a Martin, Fender, or Taylor, then we recommend shopping at Zzounds.

Ebay is a great place to find used, vintage & rare acoustic guitars.

Make sure you have an acoustic guitar blue book when buying used & vintage guitars.

 

ACE Guitars:
A.C.E. Guitars are custom made. They are created utilizing state of the art design technology and are finelycrafted musical instruments. We manufacture guitar strings which complimentour fine guitar line. The ACE Classical Electric is our original, applauded, unique acoustic electric guitar. High performance preamp with individual adjustment for each string output, and an ebony fingerboard. The TW-100N and TW-100s are round hole cutaways.

Adamas Guitars:
The Q responds with the black cat quickness of carbon fiber, deeper lows and wider highs with mountain like clarity. From the most delicate fingerpicking to the loudest strum, the Q delivers a transcedent sonic experience.

Albert & Mueller:
Handcrafted Guitars and Mandolins. Since 1989 the two Luthiers, Franz-Ulrich and Antonious Mueller, have found a home in an old railway station in Aarbergen Kettenbach (Germany). It is here that they create these inspiring instruments.

Alberico Guitars:
Alberico Guitars are very much designed with the fingerstyle player in mind. The builder puts a strong emphasis on balance across the strings so that melody lines are not lost behind the bass notes. At the same time, these guitars are very responsive to varying attack and have a wide dynamic range, giving the player a larger scope of musical possibilities to draw from. Alberico also designs their guitars to provide tremendous volume, sustain and projection, without sacrificing complexity of tone.

Allen Guitars:
Each Allen guitar is hand-crafted using only the finest materials available today. The voice of each instrument is unique. Materials are carefully selected to bring out the best that each instrument has to offer. Soundboards are braced lightly while taking into account the stiffness of each top.

Alvarez:
In today's market of high-tech guitar manufacturing, one objective still remains constant: tone. At Alvarez, we manufacture tone the old way: by hand. Since 1965, Alvarez Guitars has been building an illustrious history of quality, reputation and tone. The Alvarez line stems from an exclusive relationship with Kazuo Yairi of Japan who's family represents more than 60 years of hand crafting fine acoustic guitars. Kazuo Yairi is the last luthier of his generation who continues to build guitars by hand. This attention to quality, detail and tradition separates Alvarez from other acoustic guitar manufacturers.

Andersen Guitars:
The Andersen Concert model guitar is the only standard flattop guitar in my line. It has been produced since I started my business in 1980. It is a very versatile guitar, well balanced, with good volume and projection.

Art & Lutherie Guitars:
You should enjoy your first guitar playing experience instead of becoming discouraged by an instrument that is difficult to play. It was with this in mind that Godin Guitar Company President & Founder, Robert Godin, set about designing a line of entry-level acoustic guitars that would bring the key attributes of pro quality guitars within the reach of novice players.

Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars:
You will be delighted to realize how carefully the instrument has been created to satisfy your individual preferences. Your excitement and creativity will expand as the new LoPrinzi instrument forms its tone around your unique style of playing! We offer Classical Guitars, Steel String Guitars, and Ukeleles.

Avalon Guitars:
Avalon is a new name in guitars but one with an established history and quality heritage. The company that now bears the name Avalon Guitars came into being in the 1980's as the Lowden Guitar Company. Through the years, the company's reputation for producing the very highest quality acoustic guitars was widely acknowledged, although production remained small. The highly skilled team of craftsmen also grew in stature as their experience and know-how developed. Avalon guitars are all about their contribution to the acoustic guitar world and their statement about acoustic guitar design, quality and above all, tone.

Beyond the Trees:
Fred Carlson, co-founder of Beyond the Trees, has been hand-building original and traditional guitars and other stringed instruments for over 30 years. If you like beautiful, unusual instruments and you're not familiar with Fred's work, you're in for a treat. A unique combination of discipline, skill, whimsy and innovation, along with an intuition finely honed by years of experimenting, makes Fred's work stand apart from that of other luthiers.

Bourgeois Guitars:
I personally select each piece of wood that we use. Since wood is graded and priced strictly on the basis of appearance, it's not enough to simply buy the most beautiful, or the most expensive, woods. The trick is to know what a piece of wood is going to sound like before the guitar gets built. After the wood is graded for appearance, I tap and flex each piece of wood, carefully noting the wood's individual qualities. Some woods make better fingerstyle guitars, some make better dreadnoughts. One top might work well with a maple back, but not so well with mahogany. It's our job to know the difference.

Breed Love Guitars:
East of the rugged Cascade Mountains, in Central Oregon's high desert, the consistent climate is perfect for making fine instruments. It is here that the skilled luthiers at the Breedlove Guitar Company design and build some of the worlds finest guitars and mandolins with meticulous care and attention to detail. Uncompromising traditional craftsmanship, environmental consciousness, and customer focus are at the core of the Breedlove philosophy.

Brook Guitars:
Our instruments are available in two levels of trim. 010 models are "No frills" or standard guitars (for those who like to keep things simple and straightforward). Build quality is exactly the same as with the 015 models. 015 models are customized by adding gold tuners, bound fingerboards and headstocks, diamonds and dot fingerboard inlays, abalone top border and soundhole ring, custom pickup systems, slotted headstocks with Waverly tuners, and exotic woods. All of our guitar models are all named after Westcountry Rivers.

CA Guitars:
CA Guitars, Inc. is a guitar company that applies aerospace Advanced Material Technology ? to stringed instruments. Our guitars and basses capture the sound of great wooden acoustic instruments. CA's patented process allows us to reproduce the tone and soul of wood in every guitar we make with absolute precision. Our key to success involves the utilization of aerospace materials and innovative designs in building musical instruments and other music related products. By focusing on customer needs and rewarding creative employees, making products that musicians enjoy comes naturally.

C.B. Guitars:
C.B.Hill Arch Top guitars are hand made, one at a time using the finest quality aged European and domestic hard woods available. Each instrument starts out as hand selected wood, tap tested for tonal superiority and graded for visual beauty. Even the machine heads and end pin are the very best we can find. Next we carve, bend, scrape and sand until an instrument of unmatched beauty is built. Then, a deep lacquer finish is applied and hand rubbed to a brilliant sheen. All of this to the buyers request of course. Finally, you have the ultimate guitar, just for you. This process takes about 6 to 8 months to complete.

Cimarron Guitars:
All of our acoustic guitars use high quality Sitka Spruce for the tops, which are braced in a modified x pattern. Sides and backs are either East Indian Rosewood, Honduras Mahogany, or American Black Walnut, selected and braced for both beauty and stability. Fingerboards and bridges are of either Ebony or Rosewood. All of our acoustic guitar necks are a three piece lamination of Mahogany, dovetailed into the body. They are fitted with a 2 way truss rod to correct both forward bow and back bow. Tuning machines are of only the finest quality.

Collings Guitars:
We build instruments based on traditional American designs. These designs have become true classics by withstanding the test of time. It is our intention to continue this legacy of tradition, quality and style by building the finest acoustic instruments possible.

Crafter Guitars:
Crafter guitars are as individual and unique as their players. All over the world, every day guitar players are starting to recongnize their individuality and then the search for their very own guitar and their individual sound begins. Crafter guitars are the result of that search.

(Rodolflo) Cucculelli:
I make flamenco and classical guitars. Now, I make many models from different guitar makers, but using my own criterion in the resonance-box and the fan building, trying always to think in the guitarist's needs.

Cumpiano Guitars:
I've 'been making fretted stringed instruments by hand, of unexcelled quality, for almost three decades. I have personally made over two hundred instruments for amateur and professional musicians in the United States and the Caribbean. Among his customers: Arlo Guthrie, Michael Lorimer, John Abercrombie, Country Joe MacDonald, the Todd Rundgren band, June Millington, and Joel Zoss.

Custom Made Guitars:
Several well-tried and tested models are available as basic versions. The musician makes his decision in favor of a specific model and chooses the configuration of pick-up and hardware. A limited free choice of color is also available. These instruments are made in accordance with the same quality standards as the instruments from the 'Deluxe' Custom Shop model line. We set great store on craftsmanship in all areas. Principally, the two custom shop models differ in the individuality of the instruments.

D'Angelico Guitars:
Legendary D'Angelico quality applied to the acoustic realm. Sharing many aesthetic elements with their archtop stablemates, the NYA-2 Flat-top and NYA-2 Rounded-top models offer stunning tonal richness and clarity. Each features a 3-piece premium maple neck with graphite fiber center for added stability and evenness throughout it's range. Both have a 16" body, solid spruce top, X bracing, flamed maple back and sides, ebony fretboard with gorgeous abalone marker inlay, gold plated Grover tuning machines, multi-ply binding and rosewood overlay with abalone "diamond" inlay on the back of the headstock. If you're looking for the elite in acoustic guitars, you found it.

Dearstone Mandolin Works:
One of the best practitioners in the art of mandolin and guitar construction today is Ray Dearstone, who has been making mandolins and guitars for over eighteen years. Ray's approach to building these instruments is not radical. He adheres to time-proven methods, with great respect for the classic designs. Ray builds mandolins, archtop guitars, and violins in the traditional way, applying great skill to carefully hand-carve the arched top and back, a process that tunes the instrument's body to its most resonant pitch. This critical step is required to deliver volume and tonal complexity.

Dell'Arte Instruments:
Dell' Arte Instruments is located in San Diego, California. All instruments are handcrafted in the U.S.A. by John Kinnard. John Kinnard focues primarily on acoustic guitars and mandolins.

Di Giorgio Guitars:
The Atelier of Fine Guitars "Romeu Di Giorgio" was organized in the year of 1908 by Romeu Di Giorgio, who was born in Rome, Italy in the year of 1889. He was a student of the violin luthier, Professor Fritelli, with whom he learned the sonority secrets. In a few years the small Atelier became a small manufacturer of acoustic musical instruments such as violins, mandolins, violas, etc., which instruments were used by the European immigrants of such time.

Dillion Guitars:
Dillion Electric guitars are Korean hand crafted replicas and variations of the worlds most wanted contemporary and vintage instruments made of the finest materials and components with the feel, sound an play ability far beyond their cost. A true line of limited edition instruments that anyone would be proud to own. Dillion Acoustic Electric guitars are also hand crafted in Korea. Made in small quantities with great care towards quality and consistency. To keep the Dillion line as fresh as possible, we are constantly experimenting with new models, colors, and exotic woods.

Dommenget Custom Guitars:
You have your own ideas about a special guitar? How should it sound like? What should it look like? How should the neck and the balance feel? To get that "Dommenget sound" Boris carefully selects just the best vintage airdried tonewoods, often more than 20 years old.

Doolin Guitars:
My design philosophy is to create the most beautiful and functional instruments possible. While my double-cutaway design may look unconventional, I always allude to the classic lines of traditional guitars in my designs. I like to think that my instruments have the look of modern classics.

(Dan) Dubowski:
Each instrument is handmade using fine quality tonewoods chosen from a small, select range of both Australian native and exotic species. When selecting materials, careful consideration is given to resonating characteristics, stability, strength, wearing properties as well as a unique and spectacular appearance. When commissioning each instrument, Dan considers an uncompromising level of playability and acoustic response as the two factors of utmost importance. A great deal of emphasis is also placed on creating a "one of a kind", unique instrument of the highest level workmanship.

Eastman Guitars:
During the 1920?s, Lloyd Loar sparked a revolution and ushered in the Golden Age of guitar making. Instruments from this period are coveted for their brilliance of tone and beauty of craftsmanship. The luthiers at Eastman Strings, famous for building some of the most highly regarded violins and cellos of the late 20th century, have now turned their attention and time honored skills towards the handcrafting of archtop guitars. If you are searching for unequaled tonal brilliance, ease of playing and beautiful woodcraft you will find all these things and more in the Eastman Uptown Professional Series. Welcome to the New Golden Age!

Elloree Guitars:
Handmade stringed instruments built from straight grained woods. All woods are carefully selected and inspected for quality. You can own the common, or the not so common. Imagination in building is as great as the imagination of a person playing an instrument.

Epiphone:
Epi Stathopoulo, our founder and namesake, was always on the forefront of music. He was the first instrument maker to embrace Jazz music and led the industry away from mandolin and banjo production and into making guitars. At the age of twenty-four Epi obtained his first of many patents that would change fretted instrument construction forever. The extension truss rod design, the first pick-up with individual pole pieces, and the Tonexpressor - the precursor to the modern day "wah-wah" pedal - were all epiphone innovations. But perhaps the greatest contribution to guitar making came in 1941 while Les Paul was experimenting in the Epiphone factory. These experiments led to the Les Paul "Log" and the first solid-body electric guitar.

Everett Guitars:
Kent Everett offers two types of Everett Guitars. "The guitars that 'I' build and the guitars that 'We' build." The guitars Kent builds as a one man shop are: the Elan Series instruments, (He builds only 4 to 6 of these high end guitars annually, are built only to custom order, and currently has a 16 month waiting list. ), and the Celonas. The Celona is built for fun. Every year Kent builds only 3 or 4 of these guitars in order to to try : new designs , new materials , and new ideas. When they are available , they are found at the Online Store. (Sorry, the Celona is not built to custom order.) The guitars that "we build" are the Laurel Series. They are built in concert with a small high quality production. Because of Everett's 'hands-on' involvement with each Laurel, production is limited to less than 50 instruments per year.

Fender:
Founded in 1946, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has been an American icon for over 50 years. In that time, Fender?s contribution to the evolving sound of contemporary music has been global and continuous. By introducing the first commercially viable solidbody electric guitar, the first electric bass and countless classic amplifiers, Fender musical instruments have left their mark on jazz, blues, country, rock and many other styles of popular music.

Forshage Custom Instruments:
Forshage Custom Instruments handcrafts very elaborate and tonally superior Archtop and Holowbody Guitars. These are guitars for the those with an artistic eye and and a very conscious understanding of good tone.

Frame Works:
The FRAME GUITAR represents the successful synthesis of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. The radical design, reduced to the essential components, has been leading to exceptional tonal capabilities, which provide the ideal prerequisite for outstanding electro-acoustic performance. The FRAME GUITAR makes a difference. It's probably today's finest and best sounding electro-acoustic guitar.

Froggy Bottom Guitars:
Our mission at Froggy Bottom is to listen well to the needs of an individual player and develop an instrument that responds to those specific needs. We build the instruments free standing, similar to traditional classic guitar body construction, without the use of constraining molds. The bracing is all laid out, applied, and carved by hand, with the end product in mind. We build guitars directly for players who wish to work closely with us to create their own instrument.

Fylde Guitars:
Fylde Guitars were first made in 1973, although Roger Bucknall had been making professional guitars on a
small scale for many years. His initial intention was to establish a company to make instruments for the complex styles evolving in the UK, but Fylde's range has since increased to include instruments for folk, jazz and acoustic rock, while their reputation for quality and individuality has spread world-wide throughout all styles of music. Check out the Single Malt Guitars!

Gallagher Guitars:
It has never been our goal to just make guitars. We have aspired to use guitar making as a way of expressing excellence in craftsmanship. Our objective has never been to make large quantities of guitars. Our objective has been to constantly strive to improve our guitars both in terms of craftsmanship and tonal quality. Over the years, we have continued to make improvements in our instruments; by developing better technical procedures, building a large inventory of well seasoned woods, perfecting wood curing processes, refining our designs, listening to what people have to say, and keeping up with what is happening to our guitars over the years.

Gibson Acoustics:
In today?s world, many acoustic guitar manufacturers have chosen to build their instruments more quickly, cheaply, and in greater numbers. Gibson acoustic guitars are made one-at-a-time, by hand. No shortcuts. No substitutions. They?re made in Bozeman, Montana, where the climatic conditions are ideal for guitar building. Most importantly, Gibson acoustic guitars are built by master craftspeople who have dedicated their lives to building the world?s finest acoustic instruments. These elements combine to create the difference that is the Gibson acoustic guitar. The difference is "MasterBuilt."

Go Guitars:
"Go" instruments are designed to be traveling guitars and that is what we specialize in. Whether you are looking for an RV travel guitar, camping guitar, backpacking guitar, boating guitar, flying guitar, or simply want a quality small travel guitar for easy on-the-go composing, these instruments are the right size to be your musical companion in almost any circumstance. Size and weight do make this guitar a true back packer, but no matter how you travel, we have a travel guitar for you.

Godin Guitars:
The Multiac Series instruments are nylon and steel strung acoustic guitars designed to meet the demands of modern performing and recording. Designed to be plugged in, these guitars feature the very best acoustic guitar electronics impeccably integrated in these new concept instruments. The A-series instruments produce very authentic acoustic sound and feature the dimensions and comfort of play that used to be the sole domain of solid body electric instruments.

Goodall Guitars:
Aloha from Hawaii! James Goodall represents an artisan who is at the pinnacle of his profession. Superb craftsmanship, an exacting finesse for detail and wood choice, combined with robust, three dimensional sound character -- these are qualities which embody every James Goodall guitar. Few who endeavor in musical instrument making are capable of consistently maintaining a high level of precision and excellence along with superior tonal character in every instrument. Discerning eyes and ears will find the substance of all these qualities in every James Goodall instrument.

Grimes Guitars:
Steve Grimes has built arch top and double soundhole flat top guitars for some of the top players in the world. He specializes in custom tailoring his guitars to suit the tonal, aesthetic, and playability requirements of his customers.

Granata Guitars:
Granata Guitars are unmatched in tone and playability. Hand built in a humidity controlled environment, the bodies are made from only the finest tone woods available. The wood bindings and high gloss finish exemplify the care and craftsmanship that go into each and every instrument. The five piece laminated necks add strength and stability through a multitude of tuning configurations. The headstock is scarf jointed to remove short grain. This in turn eliminates headstock cracks. The custom features are limitless on these handmade instruments. Pick up systems are installed at the clients request. Custom designs and inlays are also available.

Greci Guitars:
Guitarists have always lamented the low sound power of the guitar when compared to that of other instruments. Because of this, Michele Greci began the research which brought to the invention and the creation of his "Greci" guitar. The sound power of the Greci guitar is more than double when compared to any traditional classic guitar of high quality, and offers a vast harmonic range and a long duration of sound. Thanks to these revolutionary qualities - tested in acoustic laboratories - the Greci guitar can play on equal terms with all other instruments, and has acquired the characteristics of a real concert instrument, without any harmonic, phonic or dynamic failures: the guitar has gained a new and stronger musical personality which points to further evolution.

Guild Guitars:
Guild builds fine guitars in so many different styles: arch-tops favored by giants of the jazz community, and flat-top and electric guitars that became classics during the folk boom of the '50s and '60s, as well as the rock era of the British Invasion, folk-rock, the blues revival, and psychedelia. These guitars are famous for their rich sound, beauty, and craftsmanship. They are equally famous for their durability and value.

Heiden Stringed Instruments:
Here you will find a collection of photographs and details of luthier Michael Heiden's custom acoustic guitars and mandolins. The instruments being made today are the result of 25 years experience and are guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning player.

Hewett Guitars:
James Hewett, a native Texan, began building acoustic dreadnought guitars in 1993. He is a self-taught luthier who naturally gravitated to the craft through his love for great acoustic instruments and his gift for working with his hands. Today, he works full-time building custom acoustic dreadnoughts, archtops and harp guitars -- many with intricate and detailed inlays. In addition, he builds re-creations of Baroque and Renaissance instruments like organistrums, symphonies, and lyres, and does full-scale repairs and restorations for four guitar stores in the Houston area.

Hill Guitar Company:
One of the most talented and experienced guitar builders in the country today, Kenny Hill divides his professional time between building handmade custom guitars, directing Hill Guitar Company, teaching guitarmaking, performing, and writing for various national guitar magazines.

(Stephen) Hill Spanish Guitars:
Now happily established as one of the principal English Luthiers today, I work currently from my workshop in Lewes, England. I have been producing fine guitars since 1986, following an apprenticship as a cabinet maker. Greatly inspired by Flamenco music I journeyed to Spain to study with Paco Pena, Juan Serrano and others having built my first Flamenco guitar.Being a fluent spanish speaker, I travelled extensively around Spain, particularily in Andalucia and spent much of my time visiting the workshops of Manuel Reyes, Antonio Marin Montero and other great guitar makers, absorbing the essential Spanish elements of guitar making.

Hoffman Guitars:
I make only one quality of guitar -- the best that I can. I use only the finest solid woods available and painstakingly assemble them into fine guitars. In this web site you will see a variety of models and decorative options, some of them very expensive. These elements do not increase or decrease the care and craftsmanship that goes into each of my instruments.

Ibanez Guitars:
By the mid-80?s with the interest in instrumental rock guitar on the rise, Ibanez collaborated with players such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Paul Gilbert and brought out the JEM, JS, RG and S models. Today, present day versions such as these models still considered the standard in hard rock and instrumental rock guitars. As well known for its jazz guitars as it is for rock, Ibanez has an impressive line of jazz boxes including the aforementioned George Benson models, two Pat Metheny models, and most recently, the new John Scofield signature semi-acoustic.

Ithaca Stringed Instruments:
Handcrafted one at a time, the acoustic instruments created by the luthiers of ISI draw upon the rich heritage of American lutherie, mixed with a sensitive amalgam of modern technologies. This unique line of Florentine guitar & mandolin family instruments have the grace & feel of classics with the performance and sound of truly modern masterworks.

(Michael) Kelly Guitar Co.:
Since 1999 Michael Kelly has been producing unique high quality stringed instruments. Our goal as a company was not to become the biggest guitar company or most expensive brand. We set out with a clear objective of creating instruments that had a look, playability and sound that was something special.

Kingslight Guitars:
My passion is guitar making and I have dedicated myself to the art of lutherie, in creating fine instruments that are a joy to play, a delight to the eye and hopefully a way for our world to be made a little bit more beautiful, although some of that may be up to you, the player. I have a great appreciation for fine guitars, that play responsively, hold their tune, are durable and are aesthetically beautiful in looks as well as sound. I would not let a guitar leave my shop that I would not enjoy to have as my own (well, maybe a left-handed model would be an exception).

Kinscherff Guitars:
Addie the dog and I moved to the country in spring of 1999. I live on a beautiful ranch in the Texas hill country along side the Blanco River. Kinscherff Guitars is a one man operation and these days I manage to build 18 to 20 guitars per year. My philosophy about luthiery is simple; Use the finest materials available and put into each instrument the engineering and craftsmanship that will result in excellent tone, playability and physical beauty.

La Petrie Guitars:
Nestled in the forests of the Eastern Townships in Qu?bec, Canada, there is a small village named LaPatrie. What started as a small luthier shop in 1982 has evolved into a village of guitar builders. Today there are over 200 people in LaPatrie dedicated to the art of hand crafting guitars. in honour of that tradition, our line of classical guitars has been named after the village where they were created. The LaPatrie Series of classical guitars consists of five models. The Motif, Etude, Presentation, Concert and the Collection. All LaPatrie guitars are crafted from top quality tone woods to produce instruments of exceptional resonance and structural integrity.

Lado Musical:
Each Lado instrument is a unique masterpiece; sculpted with the level of quality and artistry Joe Kovacic is well known for. His experience in guitar building is obvious with each and every Lado instrument he has created. With more than 30 years of hands-on design and production, he has followed the ups and downs and trends of the music industry, in step with the latest technology and continues to remain ahead of his time.

Lakewood Guitars:
What is the Sound of Magic? It's when the song you are playing seems to play itself. It's when you pick up a guitar and from the moment you play it you become inspired, and new ideas flow freely with every strum. It's when your guitar becomes the vehicle of your inspiration, and an extension of your soul. It's that elusive element that is the difference between a mass produced, machine-made guitar, and a hand-made instrument that takes on the soul of its creator, and eventually its owner.

Landola Guitars:
I, Erkki Noromies, am proud to present Landola's line of acoustic guitars. All guitars have been made by skilled luthiers one at time, by hand. The materials are carefully chosen and we use unique Finnish heat-treated wood in most of our guitars. We want to offer to the musician a high-quality instrument with the best design, feel and sound. It is my wish that through our instruments you will enjoy a rewarding relationship with the guitar as I have personally experienced myself.

(Chris) Larkin Guitars:
3 body sizes, ASAP, ASAPJ and ASAP Jumbo with choice of cedar or sitka spruce tops and mahogany or walnut backs and sides with wood bindings in standard form. Many other wood options. The ASAP with it's small body is an ideal fingerpicker, the ASAPJ has a deeper body and is 'strummier' while the ASAP Jumbo gives the big sound. Laminated maple and mahogany neck with veneer detail. For the six string versions, a choice of two different top bracings. Fine and scalloped for an open, balanced sound. Reflective and scalloped for a more focussed projected sound. Hand made to order.

Larrivee Guitars:
Jean Larriv?e first became interested in the guitar as a teenager, trying to play Duane Eddy licks on an $18 guitar. At twenty, with no other musical training in his background, he made the decision to take up a serious study of classic guitar. Four years into this study, he was introduced to German classical guitar builder Edgar Munch, who was then working in Toronto. Jean expressed interest in learning how to build, Munch invited him to visit his shop, and so began an apprenticeship.

Leach Guitars:
Leach Guitars is wearing a new hat these days. About a year ago I decided I wanted to do more inlay work than I could build guitars for so I began to offer my services to other builders and manufacturers. The new hat is officially called "Cutting Edge Inlays" and already boasts a clientele that includes CF Martin, PRS and Ryan guitars as well as a dozen or so semi-regular smaller builders. For a look follow the link below to "Inlays" There are some new and very special inlays "in the works" there on the "Latest Work" pages. As some of you know this change will greatly effect the number of guitars I will be able to build each year (dropping from about 30 to about 12).

Legend Guitar Company:
The Legend Guitar Company was formed in the latter days of 1998 by master luthiers Jeff Sigurdson, Michael Soper, and Jesse Brace with the able assistance of business partner and renowned guitar broker, Robert Brown. Their specific goal was to create vintage sounding instruments with the performance characteristics of more modern designs at a price that was within the reach of a much wider audience.

Lewes Guitar Makers:
We are a group of guitar makers living and working in Lewes, England, specialising in the production of top quality instruments in the Classical, Flamenco, Acoustic and Early stringed instrument disciplines. We all have workshops in or around Lewes, an ancient English town near the south coast . Our clients and visitors include many fine guitarists throughout the world, including Gary Ryan , Eric Roche, John Mills, Paul Gregory, Stuart French, Juan Martin, Terry Lees, Tab Hunter and Ben Paley, John Feely, Richard Durrant , Paco Fernandez and Nick Pynn. Between us we produce a wide range of styles and types of guitars, making this truly an international centre for guitar making!

Lowden Guitars:
Welcome to Lowden Guitars, home of one of the finest hand made acoustic guitars in the world. For the past 25 years we have been setting the standard for excellence in tonal superiority and quality workmanship in acoustic guitars, producing instruments acclaimed by discerning guitarists all over the world. The characteristic Lowden sound features a deep bass without overpowering lower-mid frequencies, combined with sensitive full sounding trebles, even in the higher registers.

(Mark) Lacey Guitars:
My main influences have been John D?Angelico, Jimmy D?Aquisto and Gibson. I think my archtops and semi-solid models reflect this. I have tried to stay fairly traditional in my designs. I feel this is what most players want. I?ve had the opportunity to examine in detail many of the older archtops and I incorporate their best features in my own guitars. My main objective besides building guitars that sound good is to build guitars that will last.

(AJ) Lucas Guitars:
The major part of my work is building classical guitars to my radial design and acoustic steel string guitars in various designs. I have also built some other interesting instruments along the way. My line includes The Radial Classical, The Radial Steel String, The Radial Hawaiian, The Parlour, and other instruments.

Manzer Guitars:
I make everything for my guitars here, except the obvious - machine heads, trussrods (made by a machinist friend). And yes, I am very grateful to finally ( after all these years!) have someone else cut the intricate Manzer pearl logo.(Thankyou Larry Sifel -Pearl Works!! ) All other inlay on my guitars, I design and do from "scratch". I love working by hand and making all the parts. I slot fingerboards one by one, bend all my wood and I occasionally I even go to lumber yards to crawl around 2 story high piles of wood,looking for those illusive fabulous boards of curly maple.

Marler Guitars:
Warning! This site contains extremely high quality handmade instruments at an affordable price. You may be shocked. If you can't handle this rare exception to the rule then please do not enter this site. Otherwise, experience Marler Guitars!

Martin Guitar Co.:
The Martin Guitar Company has remained in the Martin family for over 150 years and is now owned by C.F. Martin IV. Foremost is the Martin family's tradition is the dedication to quality craftsmanship and to making each guitar possess the quality of sound that is the basis of the Martin legend. The Martin tradition of quality is not only the Martin family's tradition, but the tradition of the many generations of workers who contributed and continue to contribute making Martin a legend. The art of making quality instruments has been handed down across generations of craftsmen and lives in the many mothers, daughters, fathers and sons who skillfully craft our beautiful guitars.

(Ellio) Martina Guitars:
Ellio Martina guitars and basses are handmade according to very high standards of craftsmanship based on more than 30 years of experience in the art of luthiery. Carefully selected, very well seasoned woods and only high quality parts are used. Ellio Martina offers archtops and a nylon string guitar, titled the Tauriano.

Master Guitars:
Master Guitars was founded in 1980 in Europe, by Luthier George Gorodnitski, who was born in Riga, Latvia, where he graduated from a Musical College, Art Academy, and violin-making courses. After relocation to the United States in 1989, he continues to design and build a very specific line of high quality instruments : archtops, flattops, semi-acoustic, and electric guitars. Master Guitars is also one of the few builders of a guitar designed to be played with a bow.

Maton Guitars:
Having established Maton as Australia's longest running and most successful guitar manufacturer and pioneered the use of many Australian wood species in guitar construction, Bill May is regarded by Australian luthiers as the "founding father" of their industry.??

Mauel Guitars:
Every instrument is made from the highest quality traditional tone woods, alternate tone woods, premium soundboards, beautiful inlays of shell and wood, and all finished in high gloss lacquer. Top braces are scalloped and incorporate an advanced x-brace to enhance the clear, ringing sound of every note and chord while developing outstanding volume and projection. All construction practices ensure that the full character of each instrument will be realized.

McElroy Guitars:
Maker of fine handcrafted acoustic steelstring guitars, Brent McElroy is a luthier with 25 years experience in working with wood. Brent builds guitars of the highest quality, one at a time, paying close attention to every detail. Why buy a handmade acoustic guitar crafted by an individual luthier? Because handmade acoustic guitars built by individual luthiers are the most beautiful sounding guitars in the world. Some factory made guitars come close but I've never heard one sound like the handmade guitars made by individual luthiers.

(John F.) Mello Guitars:
For the past 29 years I've built and restored guitars in my shop in northern California. My goals have remained constant-to produce concert guitars with a broad tonal palette and wide dynamic range that both project well and respond sensitively to the mature player's varied touch.

Melobar Guitars:
Welcome to Smith Family Music & Melobar Guitars. Creators of the Melobar guitar double-neck slide guitar, the Melobro resonator, the acoustic Enhancer, and the Strummer acoustic steel slide guitar. Smith Family Music a family owned and operated business that has been making steel slide, EZ Play guitars for over 30 years.

Mentyjaervi Guitars:
I run a small guitar repair- and building-shop (est.1999) in Notteroy, near Tonsberg, Norway. I build electric and acoustic instruments on custom-order. If you dream of a special instrument, I can help you ! Special requests for wood, design or inlays are welcome.

Moon Guitars

Moon Guitars was established by Jimmy Moon in 1979 in a small workshop on the Island of Arran, off the west coast of Scotland. Combining his engineering skills and love of music, Jimmy first began producing dulcimers, progressing quickly on to acoustic guitars. His reputation as a fine craftsman soon flourished, and with the help of his musician brother, Brendan, he was soon making and repairing instruments for many of Scotland's finest musicians.

National Reso-Phonic Guitars:
Makers of fine resonator guitars. Brass, steel and wood body guitars, bass guitars, ukuleles and more. Mechanically amplified with hand spun aluminum speaker cones for the loudest, sweetest. warmest sound on the planet. Handmade at our factory in California, U.S.A.

Neely Guitars:
Country, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Classical, Folk, and Fusion, all require different approaches to stringed musical instruments. Each style has its own balance of woods, strings, acoustics, and electronics. By working with many top guitarists and bassists from around the world, we have developed repair and customizing techniques to meet the high quality demands for both studio and stage instruments.

Nickerson Guitars:
Brad Nickerson has been building guitars since 1983. His reputation is international, his arch top guitars owned by leading musicians and collectors in the United States and Europe. His instruments are also sold in some of the most prestigious guitars stores in the country. One of Nickerson's guitars is currently on exhibition at the Smithsonian as part of the exhibit of the Blue Guitar Collection of instruments commissioned by Scott Chinnery.

Norman Guitars:
The village of La Patrie, Quebec is the home of Norman guitars. La Patrie was settled in 1875 and many of today?s Norman employees can trace their ancestry back to the original settlers. The courage and survival of these pioneers is amazing considering the daunting combination of dense forests, mountains and incredibly harsh winters. We pay tribute to these brave folks here. You?ll see actual pictures of early La Patrie, many of them dating back as far as the early 1900's. It?s a heritage of which we are proud and which has produced a community of hard-working people dedicated to the craft of guitar making.

Olson Guitars:
Jim offers three full-sized body styles: SJ (Small Jumbo), Jumbo, and Dreadnaught. Shown here are an SJ (front), two Dreadnaughts and a Jumbo (right) with a variety of woods and finishes. The most popular Olson model is the SJ with a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides; one is shown on the left, and two on the right along with a spruce-top Jumbo (center). First built for Phil Keaggy in the mid-1980s, the popularity of the cedar-top SJ grew further when James Taylor purchased two (one with a cutaway) along with a Dreadnaught. The SJ is also very popular with a Sitka or Engelman spruce top.

Ovation Guitars:
All Ovations are designed for three senses: touch, sight, and sound. Listen to the astounding tone and projection. Feel the resonance and the action. Set your eyes on a beautifully designed, world-class instrument that combines the age-old science of acoustics combined with computer design and composite materials.

Petillo Guitars:
Every one of our instruments is hand crafted for the individual. Aged exotic woods, state-of-the-art electronics, precision fret design, custom neck size and string spacing (we can even duplicate the feel and exact neck measurements of a favorite old instrument, if desired), and beautiful custom inlay work and marquetry are the hallmarks of a Petillo Masterpiece Instrument.

Petros Guitars:
Petros guitars feature meticulously crafted pre-stress arched tops. This time-consuming process dramatically increases the strength and stability of the top while enhancing tonal response and volume. The overtone structure is balanced over the whole range of the instrument and filled with character. There is the unmistakable sense that the instrument is "alive" as it responds to your hands-a transparent extension of your musical expression. These unique and delightful musical qualities, when combined with a superbly playable neck, create an instrument which will inspire and elevate your music to new and higher levels.

Raimundo y Aparicio Guitars:
We like thinking that we have never made, exactly two equal instruments, every one is different to the last one. This is our main characteristic, although we have grown, we have not changed, and we continuous being craftsmen. To prove it we can mention the Trade Craftsman Prize and the Trade Chambe Prize obtained in 1991 and 1993 respectively. The craftsman?s love given to the woods is our main aim, so our guitars are different to others and thanks to this we are known around the world.

Rainsong Graphite Guitars:
Pure Carbon tone is an utterly unique sound. It is clear, rich and resonant, similar to a piano, with a treble that rings with crystalline clarity and a bass that is warm without being muddy. Once you have heard the classic carbon sound you'll recognize it anywhere - as distinctive as anything on earth.

(Jim) Redgate Guitars:
Working alone, Jim produces only around fifteen or so instruments per year with minimal use of power tools. While retaining an elegant and sophisticated classical appearance, closer inspection reveals leading edge technological design features such as the arched braceless back (to improve volume and projection) and the carbon-fibre honeycomb lattice bracing system under the soundboard.

Rick Turner Guitars:
These guitars serve the very real need to reproduce full-frequency acoustic tone in electronic recording and performance settings - a job that, ironically, true acoustics are not cut out for! The thinline body is built like a fine acoustic guitar, but with an added mahogany center block to cut feedback. A Turner piezo bridge pickup feeds full-spectrum signals to an 18-volt Highlander pre-amp. Available in 6-string steel or nylon classical, 12-string steel, and 6 or 12-string Baritone.

Ribbecke Guitars:
I have been building and repairing guitars and basses for twenty-five years in the San Francisco bay area. I opened my first lutherie business in 1975 in the Mission district of San Francisco. After ten years (and thousands of repairs and custom building for clients), I closed the storefront in order to concentrate on commission building. I prefer to work directly with my customer and will do my best to build an instrument which will meet his or her goals. I offer the option of rejection upon completion, but this has never happened!

(Manuel) Rodriguez Classical Guitars:
The history of Rodriguez guitars is as rich as the woods used to make the instruments. Grandson of Manuel Rodriguez Maregui, a flamenco guitar player of the last century and son of Manuel Rodriguez Perez, himself a maker of classical guitars, Manuel Rodriguez learned the art of constructing a guitar first-hand. Using only the finest woods, and hand forming the sides of each guitar to precise tolerances, Manuel Rodriguez developed distinctive guitars fit for the world's finest artists.

Santa Cruz Guitar Company:
Richard Hoover began building guitars and carved-top mandolins in 1972. By 1976 his focus was on the modern steel string guitar. The task of becoming a master at all aspects of guitar making is a lifelong pursuit, and Richard has patiently refined his craftsmanship and knowledge as his company has grown. It was and is Richard's intent to translate his skills and sensitivities as an individual builder to an exceptional team of craftspeople, each of whom could become an expert in their specialty. Richard's style of allowing his craftspeople to interpret his vision has propelled Santa Cruz Guitar Company to the forefront of modern guitar making.

Seagull Guitars:
Familiar Seagull attributes consist of the Seagull tapered headstock, the use of wild cherry back and sides, the unique shape of the Seagull body is only slightly changed. You can also rest assured that Seagull guitars continue to feature luthier-grade solid tops and genuine lacquer finishes. Seagull has also introduced the new compound-curve top design throughout the Seagull line.

(Ervin) Somogyi:
Ervin Somogyi is a professional luthier and woodworker of thirty years' standing, whose work is known and respected internationally. His guitars are increasingly recognized as the best recording instruments available and are sought by professional acoustic guitarists who wish to make and preserve the highest quality of recorded and performed sound. Mr. Somogyi has made guitars for Will Ackerman, Bola Sete, Alex de Grassi, Michael Hedges, George Winston, John Denver, Mark O'Connor, Mike Marshall, Pat Donohue, Ed Gerhard, Martin Simpson, the California Guitar Trio, and others.

Southwell Guitars:
My modern concert guitars are the result of much experimentation and many years of development and are among the finest stringed instruments made today. Also, I have a special interest in guitars from the early 19th century. In reproducing historical guitars, details from the originals are carefully duplicated and every effort is made to match the original in appearance and sound quality.

Tacoma Guitars:
A uniquely shaped, strategically placed soundhole that improved the performance, tonal response and volume of a guitar top. It was a design that would change the look of a guitar. The result of this effort was a new company, not bound by legacy, but free to pursue inventive creation. Ingenious ideas that capture the best of modern technology - with traditional concepts that are never compromised - make Tacoma Guitars the third largest US manufacturer of fine quality guitars, mandolins, and basses.

Takamine Guitars:
Takamine Guitars are crafted from the finest handpicked tonewoods, hand-crafted by expert luthiers, all providing players with an unmatched excellence and surprising affordability. Play one today and you'll play one for a lifetime.

Taylor Guitars:
Our new, updated line boasts 91 stunning models, including 84 full-size guitars featuring all-solid-wood construction, scalloped or tapered bracing, and ebony fingerboards and bridges. For the first time, the lineup represents the concerted creative effort and strategic planning of people from several different Taylor departments, all united by one goal?to make our guitars more playable, more beautiful and more acoustically appealing than ever.

Threet Guitars:
Threet guitars have been individually handcrafted, by Judy Threet, since 1990. Over the years, visitors to her shop have enjoyed the full "shop experience": More than just seeing and playing her guitars, this includes a chance to examine materials, get questions answered -- and observe her at work. Threet guitars once offered 3 styles of instruments: Standard, Deluxe and Custom. The Standard style -- a no-frills style with plastic binding and minimal appointments -- has been discontinued. Only the Deluxe and Custom styles remain.

(Dake) Traphagan Guitars:
The standard models of guitars use the same overall dimensions yet the woods used differ. A standard model's top is made from either European or Englemen Spruce or Red Cedar. The back and sides can be made from various woods such as Brazilian Rosewood, Honduras Rosewood, East Indian Rosewood or Spanish Cypress. The neck wood is always constructed from Spanish Cedar, reinforced with a hidden graphite bar. The finger board uses Ebony. The bridge is made from Brazilian Rosewood. These are the various woods used in a standard model, resulting in a difference in tone and price.

Trinity Guitars:
Jim Holler, owner of Trinity Guitars holds eight patents and has worked for 23 years as an engineer and designer in wood products. Holds an engineering degree in Wood Product Engineering from The School of Forestry in Syracuse, NY Holds 8 US patents relating to furniture. An additional US patent is pending for his innovative bent top guitar design. His original guitars are rooted in the Germanic Hauser School of guitar building, to which he has added many of his own innovative ideas. The classical guitar is his love and his specialty.

Versoul:
Influencies of European modernism in art and design are some advantages of an art education with regard to designing and making instruments. Kari Nieminen considers a part of this influence being visible in the overall concept of his design as well as in terms of ergonomics, functionality and playability. Naturally only materials of the highest quality and reliability are used for Versoul instruments. Precut woods are purchased from traditional suppliers in Germany, Spain and the USA. In addition, Finnish Basswood and Alder are used for electric solid body models.

Wechter Guitars:
Wechter Guitars is committed to provide guitar players with uncompromised tone, quality, playability and innovation at prices working musicians can afford.

(Kathy) Wingert Guitars:
These finely crafted instruments, hand built from the finest materials, are made from all solid choice woods, and carefully voiced to make each instrument look and sound beautiful. Building with the best materials and using traditional methods of construction which have been proven to stand the test of time, I am proud to offer instruments of exceptional tone and beauty. Kathy Wingert Guitars are built one at a time, and each is one of a kind with these essential elements in common: Playability, clarity, focus, sustain, tone, and beauty.