CR GUITARS - hand selected

Featured: Swope MG CRG Custom

"I've known Chris Swope for quite a few years, from back when he was working for Roger Sadowsky. There are few places that are better training grounds for builders than Roger's shop. He has a clientele of the most demanding and discerning pro players, and working for Roger is a master class on learning the differences between a good and a great guitar. Following his time with Roger, Chris went on to join the Gibson Custom Shop. Chris, like all of my builders, goes to great lengths to make an instrument that is well thought out, skillfully built, with a laser focus on the end user. That's why I'm so pleased to welcome him as a new builder for me to represent at CR guitars.

"Our current MG offering is chock full of high end boutique essentials. I felt this guitar deserved a bit of a star studded treatment. I told Chris, let's take your basic MG and upgrade as much we can for a CR Guitars custom version..." - Craig

Featured: Stephen Marchione Vintage Tremelo

"In my mind, there is a spectrum of guitar builders. It ranges from assemblers to builders to craftsmen, to artisans, to artists. An artist imbues every one of his (or her) creations with a part of his or her soul. It's something that's hard to characterize in words, but it's something you can feel the moment you touch the instruments. There's no question that Stephen is a true artist.

"Always searching, Marchione has upped his game by gently refining his VT for 2019. His use of torrefied woods, refined shapes and contours and tweaked pickups has added next level sensibilities to an already superb design. As always, Stephen chose only the finest mastergrade woods for this build. And to top it off, he dressed this VT in a sublime transparent limed butterscotch nitro finish..." - Craig

Featured: Lowden Wee Lowden Jazz (WL-35 GR/AS)

"New for 2019, the Wee Lowden Jazz is an exciting and inspired addition to George Lowden's very popular WL model guitars. I have been a huge fan of Lowden nylon Jazz models over the years and this smaller body Wee Jazz is no exception. After spending time with the WL-35 I have become completely seduced by what it offers.

"It's remarkably comfortable to play with an alive and warm tone. The neck carve is superb, something that should appeal to any flat top or electric player. The pickup system is right on. LR Baggs is one of the best, and its onboard controls make it a breeze to use on stage or in the studio. Finally, the woods and build are world class - just what you'd expect from George Lowden. All the elements come together to bring you a true bespoke guitar..." - Craig

Featured: Mario Beauregard MB Semi-Hollow, 2008

"I have known Mario Beauregard for many years and have always been deeply impressed with both the man and his guitars. So I feel quite fortunate to have the opportunity to offer my first Beauregard for sale - a stunningly beautiful 2008 semi-hollow MB model. The MB design is very unique, and offers the guitarist a wonderfully versatile instrument that has all the woody resonance and build quality of a fine electric archtop in an extremely comfortable and original body style.

"Depending on how you string the guitar up, you can run the gamut from serious jazz guitar to blues, rock, or fusion while never losing the essential acoustic quality of the guitar. This is one of those wide-range instruments that can transcend styles and draw the music out of you..." - Craig

Featured: Collings 290 Faded Crimson, Preowned

"We have many great guitars here at CR Guitars, but perhaps the most straight forward LP design platform is the Collings 290. The beauty of this guitar is in its simplicity. Body, neck, two pickups, no extras, no carved top, no flamed figured wood - a complete thought. This guitar is purely about tone, vibe and performance. The aged finish is deep and realistic, and no corners were cut. It's an organic design steeped in deep guitar history and executed to the ultimate perfection by the folks at Collings.

"Our current offering, a 2018 preowned 290, is in near mint condition with little evidence of being played. It features an aged finish, bound fingerboard, Throbak P90s and Collings wrap around tailpiece..." - Craig

Featured: Ulrich Teuffel Niwa Prodigy 2019 Namm

"Ulrich Teuffel deeply believes that a guitar's design should add to a player's creativity by not imposing a mindset on what a guitar "should" sound like, or predispose the player or audience to expect any particular style of music. While there are some who prefer more traditional designs, and those who adore Teuffel's instruments, both sides agree: there's no argument over his incredible craftsmanship and dedication to pure excellence.

It's important to note that Teuffel's designs are created to a purpose - to be incredibly ergonomic - and to remove any barrier between the player and the creation of music. While the Niwa is well known among aficionados of Teuffel's work, this is a very special instrument. This particular Niwa Prodigy was crafted for, and featured at, the 2019 NAMM show. Stepping back from his typical matte finish, Ulrich has put the wood front and center..." - Craig

Featured: Gustavsson Bluesmaster Special, Preowned 2002

This guitar was previously owned by the brilliant guitarist Matte Henderson. In his own words:

"This is a one-off Johan Gustavsson Bluesmaster Special, crafted in 2002, during the salad days of JG Guitars. It is the earliest serial number JG that I've owned/operated and splits the difference between Les Paul Special and Telecaster admirably. This particular instrument serves to be the blueprint for the now venerated Fullerblaster model. As far as tone, imagine if a Les Paul Special and a slabboard pre CBS Tele had a child. This JG BM Special would be their Tone Baby."

News:

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...

Tao Guitars; Engineering Prowess, Cultural Finesse

We have been fortunate to obtain a few Tao Guitars over the last few months and honestly, we're completely blown away. From their automotive-inspired body carving/shaping to their unique finishes to their impeccable build quality these are instruments that truly stand out. When you examine the myriad of small details that make these instruments what they are you get it; these are guitars built by consummate designers with an engineer's edge. Every aspect has been considered and deeply designed. Designed for tone, designed for ergonomics, designed for visual impact. Tao guitars are created by true artisans. You simply HAVE TO check them out.

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...

Recent Arrivals:

Knaggs Severn Tier 1 HSS, 2015

For those of you not familiar with Knaggs guitars, they're from the gifted hands of Joe Knaggs who worked for PRS for 25 years, moving his way up to be the director for their R&D and Private Stock guitars. So he knows fine instruments...

Collings I30LC Aged Sunburst Preowned

It is rare that a preowned Collings I30 LC comes into the shop, especially one with an aged finish. But here we have it, a stunning near mint 2017 I30LC in an aged sunburst finish. The tone is absolutely addictive. It can travel from jazzy warmth to a Grant Green style soulful funk...

Benedetto Custom 7 String Archtop

This current offering was one of those special Stroudsburg era guitars and was created for a wonderful professional guitarist. What makes this particular 7 string so special is that it is a duplicate of the one that Bob made for none other than the great Bucky Pizzarelli...

Gretsch G6192 ‘53 Electromatic II Relic

This very special guitar is about as good a Gretsch as you could ever play. Built in 2014, this very rare model came into being as a tribute to the great, and severely overlooked jazz guitarist Billy Bean...

Daniel Slaman Jazz Pauletta

Daniel Slaman's new solid body electric model, the Pauletta, is a wonderfully bold statement; no punches pulled here. Slaman set out to create an archtop sounding electric that was feedback resistant, rich and woody sounding, and inspiring to play...

Collings CJMRG Preowned, 2015

Originally sold by the shop, this 2015 Collings CJ was custom ordered with Madagascar rosewood body and a German spruce top. Where this guitar particularly shines is that it's got a very wide range sound and at the same time a real personality across its tonal range...

Sadowsky Broadway LS-13

Blistering soulful tones to addictive playability are provided by this Sadowsky Broadway LS-13. The H/S/H pickup configuration is stellar when paired with Roger's proprietary preamp system. If you can only bring one guitar to a gig, you'll definitely want to consider the LS-13...

PRS 509 Artist Package Faded Whale Blue

It’s finally here. This stunning PRS Artist Package 509 has arrived over a year since I ordered it. And it is everything I hoped for and more. My inspiration for bringing this PRS into to the shop was seeing the legendary session guitarist, Dean Parks, play a similar PRS in a concert with David Crosby......

Mario Martin CR Custom ‘56 S, Burst

For this CR Custom Mario used the same woods as a model '56, a lightweight alder body (unbelievable at just 7 lbs!!) and one piece maple neck. The neck carve needed to be very player friendly with a soft chunky V profile and, like the '56, a very satiny feeling...

Sugita Kenji Carrera 00

At just 3.7 lbs this Carrera is a pure joy to hold. With all of this guitar's stellar attributes, what stands out is the tone. What amazing tone! The sweetness of a vintage 00 Martin but with the focus and clarity of a modern bespoke guitar...

Michael Greenfield Model G3

This is truly one of the best small body guitars ever. Michael originally built this guitar to be his personal instrument and chose options that were close to his heart. Everywhere you look there is evidence of sublime craftsmanship yet there is nothing glitzy going on here...

TLL Marvin

The Marvin is an exquisitely made instrument with careful attention paid to all the things important in a well-made bespoke guitar. The fit and finish, the binding and inlay work are all top notch. The fret work is up there with all the fine builders represented at CR Guitars...

Rick Toone Spearfish Prototype

Rick Toone offers instruments that are head turning works of art, yet wonderfully playable. This Spearfish is the very first ever Spearfish and is absolutely unique. It serves as both prototype and as a new (pivotal) evolution of design thinking.

Froggy Bottom M DLX Preowned 2016

This was a very special build for the folks at Froggy, using the finest and rarest woods available. The back and sides are old growth 5A chocolatey Brazilian rosewood - really rare and desirable stuff. The top is old growth German spruce with a touch of bear claw harvested in 1876...