(was)
Adamas, Ovation and Applause guitars have U.S.-made Lyrachord bowls,
advanced bracing patterns and electronics specifically designed for the
roundback guitar. Furthermore, all Kaman roundbacks include the
comprehensive Kaman Music Corp. warranty that protects the investment
of the purchaser.
"The Sound" is distinctive, many wood purists report that the sound is
plastic, this may refer to the amplified sound. Acoustically, higher
end models have a "mid-rangey" tone. The bass end is not pronounced or
boomy and is best enhanced with amplification and equalization.
[Evidently] all of the Adamas and Ovation models can have integrated
electronic setups, but only some of the models are available in Acoustic
only format. (No information on the Applause line at this time).
The 1995 Adamas and Ovation family of guitars include:
Long Neck, 28.35 inch scale length with OP-X Preamp
Ovation Customer Service at:
http://www.kamanmusic.com/ovation
Historically, there have been small differences between their many brand
names of guitars. However, this is now changing. Their midrange
Seagull guitars are now being built with glossy finishes, bound
headstocks, top quality tuning machines, among other details. These
guitars are also now about 2 or 3 times more expensive than they have
been priced in the past. They range from $450 for non cutaway models
without a pickup, to $1,200 for models with a cutaway with pickup. The
original alcohol laquer finished Seagulls should still be available.
All tops are solid except for some of the A&Ls and the Norman B-15.
Sides and backs are generally laminates.
Acoustic steel string guitar models:
Midi guitar models:
Classical guitar models:
USA:
http://www.lasido.com (Godin and Seagull lines)
http://www.kamanmusic.com/takamine
Taylor was one of the first makers to use high-tech computer driven
machinery to insure consistent shape of their necks from guitar to
guitar. They also build their own top-quality cases to the same
standards.
They have four body sizes. Dreadnoughts end in "0"; grand concerts in
"2"; grand auditoriums in "4"; and jumbos in "5". An 810 would be a
deluxe rosewood dreadnought 6-string. If the middle number were a 5,
like 850, then the guitar would be a 12-string. Each also comes in a
cutaway version. They vary the woods used, shapes, and level of
ornateness such as intricate inlays, fancy bindings, and touches like
gold tuners, and depending on the model, one of five different bracing
patterns.
The basic Taylors have a model mumber xyy, with an extra C if they are
cutaways (with varients for 12 strings).
4yy lower priced line, mostly matte (as opposed to glossy) finish
5yy mahogony sides and back
6yy maple sides and back
7yy rosewood sides and back
8yy fancier rosewood sides and back, more inlays, etc...
9yy fanciest series rosewood limited production
yy = 10 Dreadnought
yy = 12 Grand Concert
yy = 15 Jumbo
yy = 55 12 String
All Taylors are solid wood. Taylor has been in the vangaurd of using
cumputer controled equiptment in the guitar making buiness.
(619) 258-1207
A list of the more popular and respected names in the art and business
of producing hand-made acoustic guitars.
http://www.andersenguitars.com
http://www.best.com/~nieh/guitar/langejans/
http://www.best.com/~nieh/guitar/langejans/
Grandpa Jones, Doc Watson, Steve KAUFMAN (not to be confused with Steve
DIKKERS) all play them.
Great workmanship, and a warranty that cannot be beaten: if something
goes wonkers, Don will fix it. Period.
[They have a] Great resale value. I have not seen many on the market,
but typically a used Gallagher will sell for what the current price of a
new equivalent model.
The prices are not out of line: currently about $2K for a top of the
line, hand-built instrument, give-or-take (depending upon
specifics). [Price-wise, they are] basically equivalent to top-of-the-
line, non-pearl Martins. (Yep, Don will pearlize one of his if that is
what you want.)
[Currently], I think they are available only directly from the company.
[The staff are] pleasant people to work with, too.
USA:
http://www.lowdenguitars.com
http://www.manzer.com
K&S Guitar Co is now out of business. See below for contact info.
510-644-1958 phone & fax
Notable Australian artists who have played a Maton at some time in their
careers include Bruce Woodley and Keith Potger of The Seekers; Richard
Clapton; Beeb Birtles, Graham Goble and Steve Housden of Little River
Band; Rick Price; Iva Davies and Paul Gildet of Icehouse; James Reyne of
Australian Crawl; and Jack Jones of Southern Sons.
Early in his career George Harrison played an MS500, the first Maton
solid body. Albert Lee owns a Maton. George Golla, Phil Manning and
Tommy Emmanuel have all had their own models designed. Custom models
have been built for Richard Marx, Hank Marvin, Deborah Conway, Colin
Hay, and Andy White of Hothouse Flowers.
Maton now has a modern factory that blends with traditional
craftsmanship. The recently installed CNC router is currently the only
one of its kind in Australia. Face-joining and side-bending presses have
been specially built, as have the internal body clamps and the dovetail
router for the neck joints.
Maton apply the same philsophy today that Bill May set out with - to
build the finest quality hand-crafted guitars at an affordable price.
Unique processes have been developed in the fitting of the dovetail neck
joints, contouring of the neck relief, and hand finishing of the
fingerboard and neck shaping. This, in combination with careful
selection and seasoning of tonewoods, give the instruments a unique
sound and feel. Every instrument is handcrafted.
Australian timbers feature predominantly. Maton uses Queensland Maple
and Walnut, and Tasmanian and Victorian Blackwood in the back and sides
as well as traditional timbers such as Brazilian mahogany, rock maple
and rosewood. Most of the guitars feature solid timber in the back and
sides.
Maton have an alliance with Australian piezo manufacturer GEC-Marconi to
develop Pick-Up Systems that faithfully reproduce the acoustic sound
of the guitar.
The definitive instrument is the CW80 dreadnought that has solid
Queensland maple or Brazilian mahogony back and sides, and has been in
continuous production since 1967. The EM325C is an acoustic-electric
cutaway that features laminated Queensland Walnut back and sides, and is
favoured by professional musicians for live work as its characteristic
bright tone provides cut-through on stage while being durable enough to
survive life on the road.
Other designs include smaller body "Bluegrass" and larger body "Country
Jumbo", as well as 12-string acoustics, classical guitars and electric
basses. A range of solid body electrics and arch-tops is planned for
reintroduction in 1995.
Phone +61 3 720 7259
His career began at the Earthworks School in Vermont where he studied
with the well-respected guitar making instructor Charles Fox, who now
runs the American School of Luthierie in Healdsburg, California. By the
late seventies, Paul McGill had found his way to Wisconsin where he set
up shop for nearly 8 years. He built and repaired instruments for the
local musicians, who included Pat and Barbara McDonald, now known as
Timbuk 3 "The future's so bright you got to wear shades", and the
well-known Midwest performing act, Free Hot Lunch.
The year 1985 brought McGill to Nashville to work in the Gruhn repair
and restoration shop, where he worked until 1988. This experience
heightened his knowledge of vintage instruments, including prewar
Martins, D/Angelicos and work by many other influential makers during
the developmental period of American instruments. His focus on
classical guitar construction brought him acclaim by such artist as Earl
Klugh and Muriel Anderson, whose albums feature McGill classical
instruments. A discography of them includes Earl Klugh 'Whispers' and
'Promises', Solo Guitar, Midnight in San Juan, Sounds and Visions, and
Move; and Muriel Anderson 'Heartstrings', Arioso from Paris, Hometown,
and Le Duet with Jean Felix LaLanne.
With the encouragement of Earl Klugh, McGill began his adventure with
the world of resonator guitars in 1992 when he completed the first
resonator guitar for Mr. Klugh. While it shares a heritage with the
South American Del Vecchio guitar, the McGill stands alone among
American-made resophonic instruments in style and usefulness. His
unique instruments have been featured on albums by such artist as the
legendary guitar duo Los Indios Tabajaras, Chet Atkins (Almost Alone),
Don Potter (producer and guitarist for Judd) , Ricky Skaggs, Phil Keaggy
(Acoustic Sketches), Jim Stafford, Wanda Vick, as well as the
above-mentioned Klugh work, Move. Grammy award winner Steve Earl is
also soon to be a McGill resonator owner.
http://www.backporchmusic.com (Luthiers corner column)
Richard Hoover and a small staff (4-6) build each guitar to order, by
hand. SCGC produces a few hundred guitars per year.
The soundboard of every guitar is individually tuned, yeilding
instruments of superb response and resonance. The SCGC sound is unique,
comparing favorably with vintage Martins.
The guitars are impeccably made. Very clean with exacting inlay work.
The SCGC aesthetic is fairly subtle.
1994 list prices range from $2150 to $8500 prior to custom option
selection.
Schoenberg Guitars is a very small company that has existed by having
the bulk of the manufacuring done by the Martin Co. [They] built the
tops here in Concord, shipped them to the factory in Nazareth to arrive
at the exact moment the bodies were completed and waiting for the
tops. [They] started this process in 1987 (or so) and have made
somewhere between 200 and 300 guitars.
[Or] more easily at:
http://www.myna.com/~dejonge/guitars
Somogyi asks for a customer left hand tracing and information
about the average seasonal humidity where the customer lives. He also
likes to know what kind of music the customer plays, how it is played,
and prefered sting gauge.
Among the interesting options listed is a photo album of the
construction process of your guitar: $400.
http://bumpy.braille.uwo.ca/~charles/index.html
And then there are the Resonator guitars, which vary in construction.
Some are metal bodied, while others are wood.
There is more to guitars than flattop steelstrings. Here are some
makers of archtops.
Here are the names of a few builders of archtops from an issue of Acoustic
Guitar (1995)
Most of the companies that make acoustic guitars in Asia also make
classicals of similar quality. This includes Yamaha, Takamine, and
Alvarez-Yairi. Gibson used to sell some decent Korean-made classical
guitars under their Epiphone brand, but [they may have] all been
discontinued.
No longer in existance. See Marc Silber (above) for current contact info.
La Patrie is their classical line of guitars. (See above for company details)
Prices depend upon wood choices. Base price $1500.
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/2242
Eduardo is a Chilean luthier with over 10 years in the business,
mostly building modern nylon string acoustic guitars.
In contrast to making guitars wholesale or factory made he seeks to
resolve problems arising from the instument itself and different
requirements of the guitar player. The guitar is an instrument with a
medium sonority level compared to the piano, volume being one of the
biggest problems together with the balance and action of the different
strings. Also and frequently missed by makers is the tuning
problem. Since 1988, when I started crafting guitars, thanks to
knowledge of music aquired during my years of study, with the
experience obtained, I have been able to solve most problems of
tunning, string tension and action as well as sound projection.
Av. Los Leones 2900 (N~un~oa)
http://www.morenomoore.cl
The question of price and model is a constant. New guitarists, people
buying for the first time in 10 years, etc. all need to know what models
fall into what price ranges. I have attempted to build a list of
characteristics and companies that fall into a few different categories
in order to make searching for the right guitar a bit more concise.
Most of the guitar makers listed below make only steel string guitars.
Some of them make classical, and some make only classical. Following is
how to tell the difference:
Please note that sometimes guitars in a higher category can be bought for
prices that are much lower when they are either put on sale, or are
bought used. These prices reflect new guitar prices and are ballpark
figures at best.
Briefly, the way to tell if the top is solid or laminate is to look at
the edge of the soundhole. If you see laminate lines, or there is some
sort of paint or wood detail covering these edges, it is a good bet that
the top is laminate. The sides and back are more difficult to determine.
From the inside of the guitar, look for distinguishing grain patterns on
the sides and back. If you see these same grain patterns on the outside
of the guitar, that piece is solid. This technique becomes difficult for
even-grained woods like mahogany. When in doubt, do not drill a hole,
just ask a trusted dealer to tell you if they can.
These guitars are priced for the person unsure if guitar playing is
suited for them. They also make great beach or camping guitars.
Features:
In this range, the issues involved in buying a guitar are fairly
simple: price, playability, and 'bang-for-the-buck' are usually
foremost consideratoins. There are several brands that have guitars
that suit the bill. Following is a list of features that usually
are associated with new low-end guitars:
For just about any player, guitars in this range should satisfy some to
all of your guitar-playing needs. Features these guitars should all
have:
These guitars are usually hand made from the finest tone-woods
available. Individual luthiers or apprentices work on each model,
and attention to detail is critical to the making of every guitar.
4901 Monroe Ave.
As of the time of this writing, all links in this section are correct.
Organizations
Specialty pages
If you have any
questions
,
updates
to the list or
suggestions
on how to make this list any better, send it on over.. I want to know.
Please be as complete as possible with the information you supply. Bear
in mind that anything sounding like a sales-pitch, or is too gassy and
brassy will be cheerfully replaced with more pedestrian text.
Thanks!
The Guitar List
Last Updated on 08-Dec-2000
i. Purpose of this resource is to provide
includes address, phone numbers and internet contacts
comments on the guitar compaines, guitar buying, and
guitar building do not reflect any sort of endorsement by any
usenet news group, listserver or website.
ii. Recent Changes
iii. Contents
1. Guitar Companies
1. Guitar Companies
1.1 Large Companies
Alvarez Company profile
Guitar characteristics
lower-cost line of Alvarez-Yairi
Contacts
Alvarez-Yairi Company profile
Guitar characteristics
well-made, mostly copies of traditional American designs. Lately
they have been making good quality new designs based on working with a
variety of pop musicians.
Contacts
Gibson Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
(212) 582-0430 (Gibson Showroom, 1600 Broadway, NYC)
(800) 4-Gibson (Walter Carter- Gibson Historian)
Guild Company profile
Guild is an all-american (still?) guitar company that produces very well
respected guitars in their price range. The were purchased by Fender in
December 1995.
Guitar characteristics
The construction is robust but the sound is uniformly good. There are
not many 'fancy' details built into these guitars. Solid spruce tops,
solid sides on some models, laminate on the backs that are unbraced, and
solid backs for the braced models. They also tend to be heavier than
alot of other guitars. Prices range from $450 to $1,500 (USD). Used
Guilds make excellent purchases, and are quite common. There tends to
be surface cracks that appear on older models that extend from the ends
of the bridge to the end of the lower bout, parallel with the strings.
Not sure what causes this, but I have seen it on several older Guilds.
Contacts
Fender
(602) 596-9690
Guild Guitars
P.O. Box 51327
New Berlin, WI 53151
Martin Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
510 Sycamore Street
P.O. Box 329
Nazareth, Pennsylvania 18064
(215) 759-2837
Ovation Company profile
Ovation was the first roundback in the music industry and first
acoustic-electric guitar. The only roundback guitars made by Kaman are
under the Adamas, Ovation, and Applause names, and only these brands
offer the acoustic-electric technology and quality associated with
Ovation.
Guitar characteristics
Ovation guitars have a distinctive roundback made of Lyrachord. Except
for the new 1995 Viper model that has a Carved Mahogany Body.
Model Top Bracing Electronics
---------------- ---------------- -------- ----------------
Adamas Carbon Fiber Fan Optima Preamp w/tuner
Adamas II Carbon Fiber Fan Optima Preamp w/tuner
Collectors Ed. Sitka Spruce ?? OptiMax Bridge/Int Mic
Elite AA Sitka Spruce Quintad OP-X Preamp
Elite Standard Sitka Spruce Quintad OP-24 Plus Preamp
Custom Legend AAA Sitka Spruce 'A' Optima Preamp w/tuner
Legend Sitka Spruce 'A' OP-X Preamp
Foklore/Country Sitka Spruce ?? OP-X Preamp
Std. Balladeer Sitka Spruce 'X' OP-24 Plus Preamp
Std. Balladeer AAA Cedar Fan OP-X Preamp
Viper Sitka Spruce ?? Thinline Graphic eq.
Ultra Delux Spruce or Maple 'K-5' OP-24 Plus Preamp
All of the above have solid tops. The models listed below do not
mention solid tops in the 1995 catalog.
Model Top Electronics
---------------- --------------------- ----------------
Celebrity Deluxe spruce,cedar,sycamore OP-24 Plus Preamp
Celebrity spruce, cedar OP-24 Plus Preamp
The options (not on all models) include: Deep, Mid-Depth, and
Shallow Bowls Cutaways, 12 string, integrated Roland system.
Other models
Mandolin, Solid Sitka Spruce top, OP-24 Plus Preamp, Quintad Bracing
Elite Bass, Solid Sitka Spruce top, OP-X Preamp, 4 or 5 string.
Contacts
Kaman Music Corporation
P.O. Box 507
20 Old Windsor Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut
06002-0507
U.S.A.
1-800-552-4681
La Si Do Company profile
This manufacturer is the largest volume producer of guitars in North
America. These instruments are far more popular in Europe than in North
America, which explains why they are so scarce in the USA. There are
several lines of guitars made including a low cost "hand-made" model by
Simon & Patrick (Sons of owner Godin). Prices range from $250 for
A&L (low end-mass production) to $1,200 or so for the latest glossy
Seagulls, more for some Simon & Patricks. They also make semi-hollow
body acoustic-electrics, and classical guitars.
Guitar characteristics
Most of their guitars use an alcohol laquer finish. According to their
literature this is because the thinner finish allows the wood to vibrate
easier. This matte finish can be a bit less protective.
A & L
Norman
Seagull http://www.seagullguitars.com
Simon & Patrick http://www.simonandpatrick.ca
Godin http://www.godinguitars.com
La Patrie
Contacts
Canada:
Lasido Inc.
4240 Sere Street
Ville Saint-Laurent, P.Q.
Canada, H4T 1A6
(514) 343-5098 (fax)
1 Emery Drive
Norton, VT 05907
http://www.simonandpatrick.ca (Simon & Patrick line)
sales@lasido.com
pgodin@lasido.com Patrick Godin
Takamine Company profile
Guitar characteristics
They are fairly light-weight guitars, but tend to be well-built. Some
models come with pickup and pre-amp already installed and the
electronics are considered very good quality. Higher end models have
either solid spruce or cedar tops. Prices range from $500 - $1,200
(USD).
Contacts
(Representative)
Kaman Music Corporation
P.O. Box 507
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
Taylor Company profile
Started 20 years ago by partners, then high school friends, Bob Taylor
and KurtListug. Their simple philosophy... "that guitars should sound
good and be easy to play". Taylor guitars are considered to be right up
there in terms of craftsmanship, quality, tone, balance, materials used,
playability.
Guitar characteristics
x = 4,5,6,7,8 or 9
In addition there are two signature modes, Dan Cary (a cutaway 6 string
rosewood deadnought with special bracing) and the Leo Kottke (a cutaway
Jumbo mahogony 12 string braced for heavy guage strings), and the
various Aniversary models, which are somewhere betwee 00 and 000 in
size.
Contacts
1940 Gillespie Way
El Cajon, California 92020
(619) 258-1623 (fax)
Washburn Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
255 Corporate Woods Parkway
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061
(708) 913-5511
1.2 Luthiers
Andersen Company profile
Steve Andersen is a builder of high-end archtop guitars & mandolins, his
best instruments are his F5 style mandolins, and his various archtop
models. He also makes flattop D and OM size guitars. His manolins have
been ordered by Gruhn Guitars for resale, and he has also made some
Archtop guitars for Pioneer Music in Portland, OR. Mainly he does
special orders, dealing directly with the customer.
Guitar characteristics
These guitars are quite well made, with very good attention to detail.
The bracing is quite heavy compared to prewar Martins or recent
Schoenbergs or re-issue Martins, without compromising the sound. Backs
and sides are made with Indian Rosewood, top is Englemann Spruce. Neck
is adjustable through the soundhole. The OM body style is shaped
exactly like that of the Martin OM. Recently Anderson has been
concentrating mostly on building archtops.
Contacts
Steven Andersen Stringed Instruments
503 North 36th
Seattle, WA 98103
(206)632-5986
(206)632-6675 (fax)
Dana Bourgeois Company profile
Dana has his own shop now and is selling via retail dealers.
Guitar characteristics
Models include an OM, a Jumbo OM, and a slope-shouldered dreadnought.
Contacts
Available in Acoustic Guitar :)
Breedlove Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
Collings Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
Del Langejans Company profile
Del Langejans has been building quality hand crafted guitars for 25
years. The wait for getting one of his guitars is currently about 18
months. Artists who play Langejans guitars include Phil Keaggy, Thom
Bresh, John Michael Talbot, Jerry Reed, Buddy Green, Bob Hartman of
Petra, Dana Key, and Wes King.
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
Dels Music Center
23 East 8th Street
Holland, MI 49423
(616)396-1776
Kevin Ryan Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
14211 Wiltshire St.
Westminster, CA 92683
(714)894-0590
(800)311-1527 (for brochure)
ryanguitar@aol.com
Franklin Company profile
Franklin guitars are built by Nick Kukich of Portland, OR. The waiting
list is currently at 2 1/2 years! Kukich builds OMs, Jumbos and a
replica of the old Stella 12-string. Nick has an excellent eye for wood
color, so that his guitars are striking in that sense. He has 2
standard sizes, an OM style and a jumbo style. He also makes a 12 string
in the Stella style. Stephan Grossman is quite a fan of Franklin
guitars, and Nick had/has videotapes of Grossman and Renborn singing the
praises of his work. These are probably available from Franklin.
Guitar characteristics
Guitars are handmade, to order by Nick Kukich with inlay work by Jean
Munro. These low profile, smooth action guitars are popular with Stefan
Grossman and his buddy John Renbourn. The OMs I have played have had a
very slinky setup and been somewhat on the quiet side. I have observed
finish flaws, glue spots and rough brace edges as well on a couple of
models.
Contacts
Somewhere in Oregon
503-287-9317
Gallagher Company profile
Small company in central Tennesee. Don Gallagher (son of J.W.) makes
about 100 instruments/year. Dreadnoughts in 12 & 14 fret models, and
Auditorium-size in 12 & 14 fret. 12-strings & cutaways available.
Rosewood or Mahogany bodies. 7-string guitars by request. (How about a
12-fret, cutaway, 12-string for a unique instrument?) They currently
offer 14 models in 4 body sizes. The wait can be lengthy (almost two
years for my last one).
Guitar characteristics
Volumewise, my month-old A-70 (14-fret,Rosewood, OOO-size) is able to
hold its own with banjos. My 18-year old G-70 (14-fret, rosewood,
D-size) [projects extremely well]. The tone between strings is very
balanced. Fingerpickers should check out the auditorium-size Ragtime
special (14-fret, mahogany)
Contacts
J.W. Gallagher & Son
Wartrace, TN
37183
Laskin Guitars Company profile
Laskin guitars are built by William "Grit" Laskin (since 1971). He
builds steel-string, classical and flamenco, and is known for elaborate
engraved inlay art (always original artwork--no repeat designs).
Originator of the built-in ARMREST and RIBREST body bevelling.
Guitar characteristics
Beyond three steel-string sizes, a concert classic and two flamenco
models, physical, acoustic and aesthetic details tailored to each
player.
Contacts
26 Noble St. Unit 12
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M6K 2C9
(by appointment only)
(416) 536-2135
Larrivee Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
Lowden Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Lovely all-wood bindings, purflings, solid top-side-backs on all models.
Very light weight construction. Prices range from $1,600 - $4,000
(USD). Sitka or Cedar tops, Mahogany, Rosewood, etc. sides, backs.
Custom orders can be placed so you can pick out the neck width, tone
woods, etc that suit your tastes. Evidently there is no extra charge
for such custom orders, provided the selections come out of their
current stock. Some interesting features on their guitars are: No
truss- rod access via some plate on the headstock. The reasoning being
that a the hole in the headstock weakens the neck. In order to access
the truss rod you can a) buy a special tool and adjust it (or have a
qualified repairman do the same), or b) drill a hole in the brace just
inside the sound hole. Most doctors prefer (a)! Additionally, braces
are not scalloped. Instead, they are shaved in lateral thickness. This
avoids the weakening of scalloped bracing, while also lightening up the
braces. Tops and backs are made from split wood, rather than sawn.
Contacts
Ireland:
Lowden Guitars
8 Glenford Way
Newtownards
Co. Down
Northern Ireland
BT 234 BX
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9182 0542
Fax: +44 (0) 29 9182 0650
The Lowden Guitar Co.
1 4950 F.A.A. Boulevard
Fort Worth
TX 76155
USA
Tel: +1 (800) 872-5856
Fax: +1 (817) 685 5699
info@lowdenguitars.com
Manzer Guitars Company profile
Manzer guitars are built by Linda Manzer in Toronto (since 1974). She
makes archtop, steel string and harp guitars, plus many original
designs, including the Pikasso and the Harp/Sitar guitar. She is the
designer of the "Wedge" 1986 (tapered body design) and
distributor/designer of the "Jazz Cat" archtop guitar pickup.
Guitar characteristics
Handmade acoustic guitars using only the finest aged woods. Several
standard flattop and archtop models available plus customized
instruments. Maximum 18 a year. Brochure $3.
Contacts
65 Metcalfe St.
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M4X 1R9
(by appointment only)
(416) 927-1539
manzer@interlog.com
Marc Silber Company Profile
Contacts
Marc Silber Guitar Co.
930 Dwight Way (#9)
Berkeley, CA 94710
www.marcsilbermusic.com
marc@marcsilbermusic.com
Maton Guitars Company Profile
Founded in 1946 by Bill May who decided to make his own guitars because
he was unhappy with the quality and price of instruments available in
Australia at that time. Maton is derived from his name and "tone". By
the mid-sixties, Maton had an established reputation throughout
Australia and with many overseas artists.
Guitar characteristics:
Maton mainly produces premium quality acoustic and acoustic-electric
dreadnoughts and cutaways. All have solid tops, mostly of sitka spruce
with some cedar and Australian timbers such as Tasmanian King Billy
Contacts
Maton Guitars
9 - 11 Kelvin Road
Bayswater North
VIC 3153
Australia
Fax +61 3 720 7273
McGill Guitars Company profile
Paul McGill is a guitar maker in Nashville, Tennessee. Through out his
career, which began in 1976, he has been involved in all aspects of
guitar making, design, repair and restoration. He currently makes
classical guitars as well as his unique resonator guitar.
Guitar characteristics
Price range $2500-$5000 approx. Delivery time 1-2 years. Output 20-25
guitars per year. Building philosophy: To specialize in building
instruments for new and unique purposes (and) To assist players in
discovering a distinctive tonal identity.
Contacts
Paul McGill-McGill Guitars
2818 Columbine Place
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 385-9071 (voice)
(615) 352-9876 (fax)
conecaster@aol.com
Olson Guitars Company profile
All guitars are handmade by James A. Olson in Circle Pines, MN. Jim
makes about 40 guitars a year and has been making guitars since 1977.
The wait for getting is currently 1 and 1/2 years. He never has more
than one assistant. Some of the best known players who play Olson
guitars are James Taylor, Phil Keaggy, David Wilcox, Sting, Paul
McCartney, Leo Kottke, Pat Alger, Russ Barenberg, and Justin Hayward of
the Moody Blues.
Guitar characteristics
Olson makes mostly what he calls a concert "small jumbo" which are
shaped like a jumbo but smaller than a dreadnaught. The sound is
beautifully clear and balanced from top to bottom and are very easy to
play. He also makes dreadnaughts. His guitars feature east Indian
rosewood back and sides, sitka sruce or western red cedar tops, five
piece laminated neck (rosewood center, maple, mahogany outer) with a
carved volute on the back of the headstock. Tortoise shell binding on
body, herrinbone top purfling (3 ring sound hole rosette, back center
strip).
Contacts
11840 Sunset Ave
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(612) 780-5301
Santa Cruz Company profile
Founded in 1976 by luthier Richard Hoover and repairpersons Bruce Ross
and William Davis. Hoover became the sole owner of the company in 1989.
Guitar characteristics
Dreadnoughts, OMs, archtops, 000s and a few original designs compose the
SCGC catalog. All guitars are built to a Richard Hoover philosophy of
"stress free" construction - meaning that top braces are glued in flat,
rather than arched, and braces are split along grain lines, rather than
cut. This relaxed assemblage emulates what Hoover believes to be the
secret in vintage, "opened up" Martins: the fact that time and usage has
relaxed the stress inherent in the construction process.
Contacts
Santa Cruz Guitar Company
328 Ingalls
Santa Cruz, CA USA
95060
+1 408 425 0999
Schoenberg Special Note
Schoenberg is currently not producing guitars. From Eric himself:
"Believe me, I'll announce it when I get these guitars rolling
again. Probably be a while yet, though."
Company profile
Guitar characteristics
The concept has been to return to the true qualities and features of the
OM guitars of 1930, which for [them] has always been the peak of modern
guitar history. [They] have added modern features, such as cutaway and
trussrod, because our foundation is making guitars to be played rather
than collected. [His] playing experience and knowledge of guitar
history and specs as they relate to the needs of the players gives [him] a
unique opportunity to design instruments that can enlighten todays
players as to what is possible in the world of great fingerstyle guitars.
Contacts
38 Shore Drive
Concord, MA 01742
Music Emporium
165 Massachusetts Ave.
Lexington, MA 02173
(617) 86-000-49 (voice)
(617) 86-000-51 (fax)
Sergei de Jonge Guitars Company profile
Serge has been making guitars for 24 yrs. He also runs a 2 month guitar
making course in his studio accomodation with vegetarian meals provided.
Guitar characteristics
Professional concert calibre classical and steel string acoustics. Can
be custom built with a wide variety of options including cutaways,
multi-string, and various hand-picked woods.
Contacts
883 Robson St.
Oshawa, Ontario
Canada L1H 4C6
(905) 576-4636
Sergei.deJonge@myna.com
Somogyi Company profile
[Evidently?] Ervin Somogyi guitars are only available directly from
Ervin himself.
Guitar characteristics
Six-string guitars in the following styles: classic, dreadnought,
modified dreadnought. Back and sides of East Indian rosewood, padauk,
figured or birdseye maple, mahogany, or figured koa. Tops made of Sitka
spruce or cedar top, quarter sawn and aged. Mosaic pattern rosette
around soundhole, Ebony fingerboard of various widths. Hard (18%)
nickel-silver frets. All wood bindings and purflings. Simple diamond
snowflake position markers. Schaller or Van Gent tuning machines.
Quarter-sawn mahogany neck and head. Compensated bone saddle.
Scalloped bone nut. Clear finish: .005 inch thick. Hardshell case. Price:
$4,100.
Contacts
Ervin Somogyi, luthier
2606 McGee Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
Steve Kauffman Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Uses only solid woods. Brazilian Rosewood, sitka spruce most common.
Unless client wants something else. Has used California native wood,
walnut for sides & back. Custom orders. Prices start at ~~3500.00. All
hand made by Steve. Built for Steve Miller, J. Kaukonen.
Contacts
Kauffman Lutherie
Steven J. Kauffman
1089 Oak Hill Rd.
Lafayette, CA 94549
(510) 283-6520
Tauber Guitars Company profile
Guitar characteristics
I aim to design and build the highest possible quality of instruments
made from the highest quality of materials. Customer satisfaction is
paramount. Price range:$2100 and up. Current length of waiting list:
About 8 months. "Special" info: I specialize in small body steel string
acoustic guitars for the virtuoso finger-style player and classical
guitars and lutes for the concert musician.
Contacts
Charles Tauber
Tauber Guitars
601-223 Jackson Street
West, Hamilton
Ontario, Canada, L8P 4R4
Phone #(905) 572-9078
Tauberc@candu.aecl.ca
Thompson Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
Windy Hill Guitars Company profile
Started building Dreadnaught Acoustics in 1995. To date (Oct 1996), I
have built 14 guitars, mostly from Martin parts that I get fron Guitar
Makers Connection.
Guitar characteristics
I use the same materials and glues that Martin does with one exception:
I do not use paste wood filler. I feel it dulls the tone and my guitars
bear this out. I experiment with body shapes and have used the relaxed
bracing pattern on two guitars. People who have played them feel they
are better than most Martins they have played. No waiting list yet
except for repairs (far too many of those) Price range from $800-1200.
Contacts
Mike Mears
Windy Hill Guitars
10160 Hampton Road
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
1.3 Resonators
National Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
National Resophonic Company profile
Small company in San Luis Obispo, CA. Originally started by two people,
and have grown since.
Guitar characteristics
They make both metal-bodied and wood-bodied resonator guitars. The tone
of their guitars ranges from very raucous (single-resonator metal-body)
to very warm (three-resonator metal-body). The tone of the wood-body
single- resonator guitars is smoother than that of a Dobro. These
guitars tend to inspire fanatical devotion, partly because there is a
mystique to them and partly because they are just fantastic guitars.
These guitars are all capable of incredible volume.
Contacts Dobro Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
1.4 Archtops
1.4.1 Larger Makers
Heritage Company profile
When Gibson abandoned Kalamazoo, MI for Nashville and Montana, several
Gibson luthiers chose to stay in Michigan. They acquired the old Gibson
factory on Parsons Street and began making guitars in the old Gibson
style. At first they concentrated on solid- and semisolid-body
electrics, but before long they started making archtops with floating
pickups (i.e., no extra holes are cut into the top for the pickup or
controls - they are mounted on the pickguard, and the jack goes out
through the strap button). They make a variety of cutaway 16, 17, and
18 inch archtops. They are very nice guitars and are rather economical as
archtops go.
Guitar characteristics
Nice woods, wide, flat necks, traditionally-shaped f-holes, cutaways.
The decorations are on the florid side. Most of the archtops are
modified versions of traditional Gibson archtops, specifically the Sweet
16 (16 inch, like the Gibson L-4), the Eagle series (17 inch, variants on the
L-5), and the Super Eagle (18 inch, similar to the Super 400C).
Contacts
228 (?) Parsons St.
Kalamazoo, MI
1.4.2 Luthiers
Partial List
Andersen
Benedetto
Collings
DAngelico II
DAquisto
Nickerson http://www.crocker.com/~archtop
Santa Cruz
1.5 Classical and Flamenco
Dennis Hill Guitars Company profile
Dennis trained under DAugustino La Prenzi (sp?) and builds primarily
fine classical and flamenco guitars by hand. He will make steel string
guitars on a custom order basis. He builds 15-20 guitars per year.
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
Dennis Hill Guitars
508 Harrison Ave.
Panama City, FL 32401
(904) 769-0111
K&S Guitar Co. La Si Do Steve Ganz Company profile
Works alone, hand building a few classical guitars per year.
Guitar characteristics
Wood for individual guitars individually chosen/obtained from selection
of rosewood (e.g. Indian, honduras, brazilian, bubinga), maple, spruces,
cedar. Necks of mahagony or spanish cedar. Various woods in bindings,
linings, and bracing. Fingerboards [are made] of ebony [and to] scale
length from 635 to 665. Guitars are individually made, four guitars
[were built] in the last year.
Contacts
Bellingham, WA
360 647-0639
sganz_guitars@geocities.com
Eduardo Alan Moreno Moore Company profile
Guitar characteristics
Contacts
Santiago, CHILE
(562) 225 24 98
eduardo@morenomoore.cl
2. Guitar Buying
(SS) Steel String Only
(S/C) Steel String and Classical
(C) Classical Only
2.1 Beginner
Price: $100 - $300
Top: Laminate with few using solid wood
Side/Back: Laminate
Here are some of the brands that I can think of. There are *loads* of
guitars off the Asian market, and they probably are comparable to any in
this list.
A&L (SS)
Fender (SS)
Charvel (SS)
Ibanez (S/C)
Norman (SS)
Washburn (S/C)
Yamaha (S/C)
2.2 Mid-Range
Price: $300 - $800
Top: Split between solid and laminate
Side/Back: Mostly laminates with a few that have solid sides
Some of the guitars have solid tops. The sound for these
instruments is good. Finish on the guitars are usually glossy.
Any exceptions to the above comments will be noted.
Charvel (SS)
Dauphin (C)
Fender (SS)
Guild (SS)
Ibanez (S/C)
Ovation (S/C)
Seagull (SS) (most w/ solid tops)
Simon & Patrick (SS) (all w/ solid tops)
Takamine (S/C)
Washburn (S/C)
Yamaha (S/C)
2.3 High-End
Price: $800 - $1,500
Top: Mostly solid a few laminates
Side/Back: Split between solid wood and laminate
Depending on model, maker, or a sale, you might get a real beauty for
alot less than expected. The use of a variety of tone woods is
important in this category. Combinations of woods for a variety of
effects determine the sound and feel of a guitar. These guitars are
usually mass produced, but there are probably a few that have some
hand-detailing, and finishing.
Alvarez (S/C)
Gibson (SS)
Guild (SS)
Martin (S/C)
Ovation (S/C)
Seagull (SS)
Simon & Patrick (SS)
Takamine (S/C)
Taylor (SS)
2.4 Concert
Price: $1,500 on up
Top: Must be solid
Side/Back: Must be solid
Expect to pay a pretty steep premium for Brazilian Rosewood, although
there is an unsupported rumor that Thompson Guitars will make one from
Brazilian for under $3,000. (anyone have better facts?) Many (all?)
of these dealers will accept custom orders to mix and match different
dimensions and woods.
Breedlove (SS)
Collings (SS)
Franklin (SS)
Gallagher (SS)
Gurian (SS)
Larivee (SS)
Lowden (S/C)
Olson (SS)
Santa Cruz (S/C)
Schoenberg (SS)
Silber (S/C)
Thompson (S/C)
3. Guitar Miscellany
3.1 Building and Repairing
Guitar Kits The Kit Factory
San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 583-5160
Luthiers Mercantile International
P.O. Box 774
412 Moore Lane
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(800) 477-4437
(707) 433-1823
(707) 433-8802 (fax)
lmi@lmii.com
Martin Guitars
510 Sycamore St.
Nazereth, PA 18064
(800) 247-6931
http://www.mguitar.com/GMC/index.asp
Educational Centers American School of Lutherie
420 Moore Lane
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 433-7384
The Luthiers Workshop
99 Moody St.
Waltham MA 02154
(617) 894-4292
alcarruth@aol.com
National Guitar Summer Workshop
NGSW
Box 222
Lakeside, CT 06758
(800) 234-NGSW
(860) 355-0199
http://guitarworkshop.com
Organizations Guild of American Luthiers
8222 South Park Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98408
(206) 472-7857
Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans [ASIA]
PO Box 341
Paulsmiths, NY 12970
(518) 891-5379
Books "The Acoustic Guitar"
Don Teeter
"Classic Guitar Construction"
Irving Sloane
"Steel-String Guitar Construction"
Irving Sloane
"Tradition and Technology"
William Cumpiano/Jonathan Natelson
Rosewood Press
Comment: "Cumpiano builds by hand, is very knowledgable and explains things well."
"Understanding Wood"
Bruce Hoadley
Comment: "This is an essential text for serious builders."
3.2 Other Resources
Internet Web Sites
Comprehensive sites
http://www.museweb.com
http://www.guitarnotes.com/rmmga
http://www.guitarist.com/cg/cg.htm Classical Guitar
http://www.luth.org Guild of American Lutherie
http://www.guitarmaker.org Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.svlg.org Sacramento Valley Luthiers Guild
http://bumpy.braille.uwo.ca/ag Acoustic Guitar Resources
http://www.museweb.com/ag/resources.html Acoustic Guitar Resources
http://www.guitarnotes.com/links/guitars/acoustic _guitars1.shtml
http://www.engr.unl.edu/ee/eeshop/music.html Musicians and Injuries
Guitars on the Net
http://members.tripod.com/handmadeguitars RMMGA guitar makers
News Groups (usenet)
rec.music.makers.guitar.acoustic Acoustic Steel-String Guitar discussions
rec.music.classical.guitar Acoustic Classical and Flamenco Guitar discussions
rec.music.makers.builders Builders of all instruments
FAQs 4., Thanks millions, RMMGA and RMCG
5. Updates and Suggestions
Tim Maggio