Featured: James Tyler Tylerbastar Gumbo w/Bacon
"A little background. The Tylerbastar with Gumbo is a unique Tyler model only available at CR Guitars. Its inception was a series of conversations I had with Jim Tyler. We decided it would be cool to conjure up a hardworking jazz/blues musician who switched out the pickup on the road and ditched the pickguard, leaving the pickguard screw holes still in place. We named the guitar after him - Eddie "Gumbo" Gillette.
The result of our collaboration is the beautiful guitar you see here. It's one that only Jim Tyler could create. A Tylerbastar with Gumbo only comes around occasionally - and it's a fantastic instrument...'" - Craig
Featured: Steve Grimes Jazz Nouveau, 2004
"Steve Grimes is one of a few luthiers who build world-class archtop guitars and flat top steel strings. I am fortunate to be able to offer an exquisite Jazz Nouveau carved top guitar in the shop.
"This particular Jazz Nouveau was custom-built in 2004 for John Pearce, the founder of John Pearce String Company. This model incorporates a carved top with a flat back with an extended cutaway. For this particular build, Steve selected his finest set of Koa matched with a lovely spruce top that has wisps of bear claw figure. This guitar bridges the gap between flat and archtop guitars in its ability to produce the bass response found in flat tops while retaining the crispness and clarity found only in archtop guitars...'" - Craig
Featured: Collings I35LC Faded Cherry, Ron Ellis P/Us
"Collings has upped their game with their I35 LC Vintage model guitar. That's a challenging task when the company already has some of the finest ES-style semi-hollows on the market. Immersed in the culture of quality and inspiration that drove Bill Collings, they strive to draw from the very best in every Collings guitar. If there is magic to be found, they leave no stone unturned in their search. So it's no real surprise that I'm impressed after playing this inspired model. And I mean genuinely impressed. Besides being a joy to play (impeccable quality) and a pleasure to hold (ergonomic and lightweight), the sound captures the tone of a fine vintage guitar...'" - Craig
Featured: PRS Dragon III, 1994
"An exquisite PRS Dragon III has made its way into the shop. The PRS Dragon III is a sought-after and beloved rare instrument. This guitar is #21 in the limited series of 100 crafted in 1994. Additionally, it's only one of a handful done in a tortoiseshell finish. Just look at the pictures to see its artistry and craftsmanship. It's near mint, rare, and even has Paul Reed Smith's signature on the backplate...'" - Craig
Featured: Benedetto Custom Benny, 2011
"This Benny is a very special custom guitar created with premium woods, selected and hand carved by Bob Benedetto. It is an absolute joy to play.
"Acquired from the original owner - a gigging guitarist - this Benedetto has inspired him for over a decade. This exquisite instrument covers Gibson and Fender tonal territory with its chambered body, tapped dual humbuckers, and middle single coil pickup. Yet it has its own very special voice...'" - Craig
Featured: Blue Arch Oldie Acoustic Archtop
"When my good friend and owner of CR Guitars, Craig Snyder, tells me to "Stop by the shop; I've got some cool guitars you need to check out," I hightail it over there. This particular sunny winter was archtop day—I had the great honor of playing several incredible and historic archtops from some legendary builders, including one guitar, the "Oldie" from a builder I hadn't known before, Krzysztof Trześniowski of Blue Arch Guitars. As I lifted Krzysztof's guitar from its case, I immediately noticed how alive it was. Simply grabbing the neck and placing the guitar on my lap produced vibrations that I could feel and hear. It was like handling a hand drum, like an Irish bodhrán. This guitar is exceptionally light and perfectly balanced. Then I played a few notes. I was not prepared for the experience that began to unfold. Its sound enveloped me as if I were in a small concert hall. It has what I like to call a "personal soundstage." It was fantastic. I looked at Craig, and he knew exactly how delighted I was....'" - Mark Dzubia
Featured: Moffa Coraline Semi-Hollow, 2018
"I'll admit that sometimes my visual preconceptions get in the way of fully appreciating a remarkable instrument. When I first saw the Coraline model, the guitar that came to mind was a two-pickup Gibson Howard Roberts. But it's not that. Nor a 175. It's its own thing. Nicco's instruments are like that. They turn your expectations upside down. Their finishes are reminiscent of old-school violins - as are the way the tops and bottoms are joined together. Yet while he has the chops and extensive knowledge to build traditional archtop designs, he doesn't limit himself. His guitars are meant to be played today, and as such must meet the demands of today's players...'" - Craig
Featured: Gibson 60th Anniversary 1960 Standard, 2020
"I am highly impressed with this 60th Anniversary Les Paul. I firmly believe that GIbsons are hard to beat when Gibson really puts its heart into it. (You know what I mean). This minty example is that legendary company at the top of its game. This LP is a non-aged, no-nonsense, lightweight, and acoustically resonant (8.3lbs) guitar that celebrates an iconic year in Gibson's long history. The original dealer hand-selected the maple top, which is stunning and really captures that old-school vibe. The V2 neck carve is righteous, not too thick and not too thin; very comfortable indeed. Its unpotted Custombucker pickups sound like…well, exactly the way you’d hope a Les Paul should sound...'" - Craig
News:
Radack, Master of Design
"Every once in a while, I come across a guitar that is a complete thought, meaning it's on the money right out of the gate. It's not a replica of an existing design, not a guitar built as a builder's conceit or a craftsman's whim. Instead, it's an instrument drawn from a store of knowledge from the builder's skill and player feedback. Add into that mix an inspired design, a sense that there is a niche to fill, and the desire to serve it, and you have the ingredients for something special And then, you hope it all works. Straight to the point, Radack guitars work. Beautifully... - Craig
...Read MoreFriends of CR Guitars: Adam Levy
Adam Levy is widely respected as a "musician’s musician" — with many featured turns to his credit. His memorable solos on Norah Jones' album Come Away with Me are shining examples of his handiwork. His bluesy lines on Tracy Chapman's hit "Give Me One Reason" tell a juicy story, with not a single note wasted. He's a nuanced accompanist as well, as can be heard on Allen Toussaint's recording of "American Tune." He's also featured on recordings by Vulfpeck, Anaïs Mitchell (composer of Hadestown), Meshell Ndegeocello, Ani DiFranco, and Amos Lee...
...Read MoreThe Creek Time Machine
The Time Machine we're referring to here is the Creek Time Machine Series, three "new vintage" acoustic guitars that are simply stunning. They are inspired by legenday acoustic guitars, but these are not just vintage replicas. They venture beyond that...
...Read MoreAn Introduction To Scott Heatley
Heatley Guitars was founded in 1997 with a very humble loan and a tiny shop. From the beginning the idea was to build high quality guitars in small numbers and it remains that way to this day. The output is kept limited to ensure the quality stays high...
...Read MoreThe Yanuziello Milano Series - Interview w/ Joe
Like every artist Joe Yanuziello is always looking for new territory to conquer, the next mountain to climb. Enter the first in a 10 piece Limited Edition Series called the Milano, what Joe considers his next level instrument. It's that great. So great we decided to interview Joe for a feature on his new Milano Series. Joe's insatiable curiosity has taken him off the beaten path to a line of unique guitars that harken back to the European electrics of the early '60s, particularly Italian makers, that over the years have become quite collectible in the vintage market. Read on to find out about the truly remarkable Milano Series...
...Read MoreFriends of CR Guitars: Jostein Gulbrandsen
Jostein Gulbrandsen, who has done many product videos for CR Guitars and is a longtime friend of CR Guitars owner Craig Snyder is originally from Norway. Since 2001 he has been based in New York where he received his master's degree in jazz guitar from the Manhattan School of Music in 2003. Gulbrandsen has played at Kongsberg Jazz Festival, Blue Note, Birdland, BB. Kings, Cornelia Street Cafe, Smalls, Smoke, Blues Alley, The Kennedy Center and many other places. He has toured in Norway and Scotland and also held master classes at Agder College of Music and Hobart and William Smith Colleges...
...Read MoreRecent Arrivals:
Rob Radack Hemi Semi-Hollow

Drawing inspiration from his fascination with short-scale and smaller body guitars, Rob made a short-scale instrument that was fully realized, a complete instrument, a guitar that a player would pick up and fall in love with before they even realized it was a short scale...
Maxmonte Thames OM, 2019

The Thames model is Max's modernized take on an OM-style instrument. Sonically it's full, rich, and balanced sounding, something to expect from a fine rosewood-body guitar. Still, it also has the open woody quality associated with mahogany acoustics...
Blue Arch Oldie Acoustic Archtop

Krzysztof's Oldie reflects every nuance of your playing. The dynamic range is hyper-extended. If you're a player who uses a lot of dynamics as a part of your technique, you'll be transported. It's so much fun to play an instrument that is so responsive to what you put into it...
Stephen Marchione Mahogany Vintage Tremolo

Stephen's store of highly selective materials inspired him to build this Vintage Tremolo guitar. It is crafted with tonewoods not typically seen on S-style guitars, designed to have its own inspiring sonic signature...
Collings CJ45 T

With its solid fundamentals, thick trebles, and balanced bass, this CJ45 T is the perfect acoustic to accompany a singer, for recording or just plain inspiration. This sunburst beauty is Collings' tip of the hat to pre-war Gibsons, and man, did they nail it...
Otto D’Ambrosio Allegro Girasole, The Sunflower

Otto D'Ambrosio used this guitar as a presentation piece at guitar shows. It is his personal instrument, and it shows off the full range of his lutherie chops from sonics to inlay and metal work...
Grit Laskin Classical Cutaway, 2017 - NEW PRICE

Grit is a gifted luthier, best known for his beautiful and incredibly detailed inlay work. For proof of his lutherie skills, look no further than this guitar. It's superb by any measure. The rare (and nearly un-obtainable) African blackwood sides and back are deep, dark, and rich...
Marchione 20th Anniv Classical, 2010, NEW PRICE

Crafted in 2010, this very special Marchione has matured like a fine wine, which has deepened its soulfulness. The artistry is superb, of course; it's a Marchione - and the playability is equally sublime...