Featured: Collings CJ-45 T
"It's a beast! This Collings CJ 45 T has just blown my mind. Everything is dedicated to the joy of making music. It's a guitar you can't hide behind; it's an honest representation of you, the player-- with no frilly, "reverby" overtones to cover you up. Put another way: it’s music in, music out. And it’s glorious music to boot.
"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...'" - Craig
Featured: Collings 470 JL Antique Blonde
"Great collaborations and great relationships are built on thoughtful conversation. Julian Lage and Collings guitars must have had profound and inspiring conversations to bring forth one of the finest new guitars I have played in recent years.
"The Collings 470 JL has finally arrived in all its antiqued blonde glory, the result of years-long conversations, engineering, testing, tweaking, playing, and listening. Julian and Collings continually prototyped their model over and over until everything was just right. And the Collings 470 JL is just right; everything on this guitar is as it should be...'" - Craig
Featured: Collings I-35 Aged LC Custom
"Another one of these amazing custom I35 guitars has just arrived! This custom model is ordered especially for CR Guitars. I've been tinkering with my semi hollow recipe and I think this particular guitar is everything I hoped it could to be.
"If you’re a fan of classic era 335s, I don't think you will find a better guitar out there. Take it and play it alongside anything. You’ll be as jazzed as I am. First, you should know that like a 335, it’s a laminated top. But what you probably don’t know is that Collings matches laminates to particular instruments. An I-35 LC doesn’t get the same laminate as Collings' other models. It's specifically for this instrument - and it's all about the recipe...'" - Craig
Featured: Collings 03 Maple G 12-String
"I am a big fan of 12 string acoustic guitars. As a session player, I’ve relied on them when a track needed to be enhanced; they provide that extra sonic spice that can transform just-good-enough to great. For me, they’re an invaluable musical tool, whether they’re the glue that holds the rhythm section together or as a solo instrument (a la Leo Kotke). The tricky part is finding a worthy 12-string. It just isn't easy. The truth is that many elements must come together to make an excellent guitar. The perfect scale length, a comfortable neck carve, inspiring tonewoods, and body design all have to unite to create a great Instrument.
"It's no surprise that Collings has brought all those elements together; this maple body O3 12string is an absolute joy to experience and a treat to play. The sound is rich, warm, and focused without the boomy bottom end that accompanies many 12 strings; it's pretty impressive. The fit, finish, and playability shows Collings at their best. The woods (flamed maple/German spruce), the tortoise bindings, and the slotted headstock add an elegance to this killer guitar...'" - Craig
Featured: Scott Heatley Parisienne Mercedes Yellow
"This current offering is Heatley's Parisienne model, and it is a beauty! Scott nails it here with the rich and elegant quality of his work. Everywhere I look, this guitar has something that catches my eye - the handmade knobs, the elegant inlays, and a cool retro-style headstock that winks to the past. The finish is exquisite; a warm, buttery-looking Mercedes Yellow. I love it!
"I'm a big fan of Wolfstone P90s (they are Johan Gustavsson's go-to), and they kill in this Parisienne. And the sound is as exceptional as its beauty. Sonically it is smooth and balanced, woody and rich with an organic personality that can get nasty with a flip of the switch; it would pair well with just about any genre of music. This guitar's playability is righteous, with a beautiful '59 style neck profile and fine fretwork. Every aspect of this guitar has been thought out and executed in an inspired and masterful way...'" - Craig
Featured: Lowden S32J Jazz Nylon, preowned
"I first fell in love with Lowden guitars over 20 years ago because, to me, they made the best nylon string crossover guitar on the market. The Lowden S-32 Jazz is a nylon-string guitar that appeals to steel-string players and classical players alike. I could imagine Earl Klugh, John Mclaughlin, or Pat Metheny appreciating this wonderful instrument.
"What makes this a fantastic versatile nylon is that it was designed to be a crossover guitar from the beginning. It's not a concert classical guitar adapted to a steel string player by laying on a different neck and adding a cutaway. It's a pure, pure crossover guitar. The neck width and carve will feel immediately at home for a flat top player. The neck body joint is at the 14th fret, just like a modern steel string...'" - Craig
News:
Buscarino's Tree Of Life
The first thing that will draw you to this fantastic archtop guitar is its inspired beauty and artistry. Luthier John Buscarino and inlay artist Larry Robinson tap into their remarkable skills to create this one-of-a-kind Tree of Life guitar...
...Read More
The 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 More
An 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 More
The 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 More
Friends 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 MoreFeatured Videos:
- CR Guitars Features: Collings I-35 LC Custom Faded Cherry
- CR Guitars Features: PRS Private Stock Archtop II with Piezo
- CR Guitars Features: Johan Gustavsson 59 Bluesmaster Limited
- CR Guitars: Unboxing Stephen Marchione Semi Hollow
- CR Guitars Features: Daniel Slaman Sisterhood #6
- James Tyler Psychedelic Vomit
- CR Guitars Features: Yanuziello “ala Frisell” Spruce Top (4K)
- CR Guitars Features: Raymond Kraut Modified Dreadnought
- CR Guitars Features: Lowden S35 WA/RC 2015
- Fryette Aether Amp Part 2 - In the Shop with David Torn
Recent Arrivals:
Collings CJ-45 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...
Lowden S32J Jazz Nylon, preowned
What makes this a fantastic versatile nylon is that it was designed to be a crossover guitar from the beginning. It's not a concert classical guitar adapted to a steel string player by laying on a different neck and adding a cutaway...
Collings CJ Mh A SS Varnish SB, 2010
With a rich, complex tone full of sweetness, this CJ is more than just one of Collings's best jumbo instruments. It's particularly alive and open, most likely because of being played night after night by the highly gifted guitarist/ composer, Adam Lev...
Collings OM3 G SS Cut, 2018
The mission behind this guitar was to have a "CR Guitars" model Collings that would satisfy anyone's all around acoustic needs. That meant first and foremost it had so be a superb sounding instrument...
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...
John Zeidler T-Style, 1982
Besides its obvious beauty and craft, this electric guitar has a tremendous voice, blistering and articulate with an enormous range of tones. Funk, country, jazz, fusion – you name it – was no problem for this beauty...
Moffa Dark Lorraine, 2017
From the moment you pick this guitar up, you'll know this is completely hand made by a builder with a singular point of view (and the means to achieve it) about the heights a semi hollow guitar can reach. The sound is unique (he's not copying anything), alive and oozing with character...
John Buscarino Tree Of Life
The first thing that will draw you to this fantastic archtop guitar is its inspired beauty and artistry. Luthier John Buscarino and inlay artist Larry Robinson tap into their remarkable skills to create this one-of-a-kind Tree of Life guitar...
Creek CJFG 1957, Time Machine Series
Inspired by the legendary classic fretted instruments of the '40s and '50s, Creek has created some of the finest vintage style guitars available – without the stratospheric prices. They are light in weight, beautifully finished, and artfully aged by Japan's finest luthiers...
Creek CSJ 1959, Time Machine Series
Inspired by the legendary classic fretted instruments of the '40s and '50s, Creek has created some of the finest vintage style guitars available – without the stratospheric prices. They are light in weight, beautifully finished, and artfully aged by Japan's finest luthiers...
Creek CJEG ‘40s, Time Machine Series
Inspired by the legendary classic fretted instruments of the '40s and '50s, Creek has created some of the finest vintage style guitars available– without the stratospheric prices. They are light in weight, beautifully finished, and artfully aged by Japan's finest luthiers...
PRS Private Stock McCarty 594, 2017
This exceptional guitar is not ostentatious in any way, but rather has a refined aesthetic, and also succeeds in being visually exciting, the kind of guitar that gets your heart racing just looking at it. The now classic bird inlays are sophisticated yet simple, and you'll love the curly maple binding...
Joe Parker DMO Electric
Joe Parker's excellent DMO model guitar satisfies all sonic and esthetic expectations and more. He took a classic design platform and turned it into something more by adding an artfully crafted German carve to a beautifully grained swamp ash body...
Grit Laskin Classical Cutaway, 2017
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...
Sadowsky Jim Hall, 2004
Sadowsky's Jim Hall model is a guitar that speaks perfection in every way, from the fit and finish, to its selection of woods, to its wonderful liquid jazz tones. It is a guitar designed for the working musician, yet it is entirely worthy of being in any elite guitar collection...
Ken Parker La Gioconda Archtop, 2015
Built in 2015, the Parker "La Gioconda" is a stellar example of Ken's superb work. Yes, it has the pianistic range of tone and playability of Parker's best work, but it is not an incremental improvement on existing archtop designs. It's totally its own thing...
Marchione 20th Anniversary Classical, 2010
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...
Theo Scharpach Vienna Joe, 2018
This is simply an exquisite guitar. It's built and finished with old-world craftsmanship of the highest order. Starting with Theo's exquisite and rare tonewoods. Whatever magic dust Theo adds to his build process is evident and appreciated. Everything here is so well thought out...
Park Little Rock 18
The Park Little Rock 18 has become a favorite. The LR18 combines a modified version of the preamp of a plexi 50 and the lower-powered, user changeable power amp of the Park Little Head...
Yanuziello Deco Lap Steel, 2014
Joe Yanuziello's Deco Lap Steel is one of the hippest looking instruments currently in the shop. It's overflowing with awesomeness. That's no surprise, it was built by the extraordinary luthier Joe Yanuziello. This instrument is stunning, fun, and sounds like a million bucks...
