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: James Tyler Classic, Brazilian Fingerboard

"This Tyler features an amazingly beautiful Brazilian rosewood fingerboard that came from a noted luthier's private stash. It's just one of the things that make this an exceptional new Tyler, and it elevates the playing experience to "11" (as Nigel would say). The rest of the instrument is pure Tyler. And that's saying something.

"You're probably already familiar with alder bodies, so here's a little background on mamywo. It's not a common word in the Western world and is an acronym for "Malaysian mystery wood."  While that may not sound enticing in print, it is in a guitar because it's light in weight (good!) and acoustically loud with great sustain (even better!). It's a perfect wood for electric solid bodies. Had we had a globally connected world back in the '50s, it might have been Leo Fender's first choice for Strats and Teles...'" - Craig

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: Collings CJ45 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: 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

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