Featured: Yanuziello Washi Paper Deluxe (#1 of 7)

"This new Yanuziello Washi has so many levels of greatness, it's difficult to know where to start. You're probably as thrilled as I am by the way it looks, so let me begin with how it excels as an instrument.

"I'm struck by its lively articulate sound and its impressive sustain. The pickups are terrific. They're Curtis Novak's take on the old Japanese Guyatone single coil pickups from the '60s. Combined with its 25 1/2" scale, I'm tempted to say the Washi sounds like a Tele on steroids, but that wouldn't give you a complete idea of their tonality and versatility. The pickups, combined with the 6.8 lb. solid yellow poplar body, give this beauty a sound that's all its own...'" - Craig

Featured: Gil Yaron Bone-I 2015

"I have always been impressed with Gil Yaron's instruments, and our current offering is no exception; it's a fantastic guitar made by one of today's top builders. Gil cut his teeth in the '90s doing detailed restoration work on fine vintage instruments. He knows these classic guitars from the inside out. He knows what makes them tick. He knows the secret sauce. He knows the proper geometry. He knows the feel. And most importantly, he knows the sound.

"Gil's sensibilities are in complete harmony with the magic of a vintage guitar, so much so that he could replicate one perfectly. Instead, Yaron distilled all that vintage charm and goodness into his unique design, and added inspired ideas and masterful craftsmanship into the mix...'" - Craig

Featured: Grit Laskin Classical Cutaway, 2017

"You may know that I'm a big fan of Canadian luthiers - and Grit Laskin holds a place in the top rank of Canadian builders. 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, a feast for your eyes; they're the perfect complement to the finely grained western red cedar top, which is a feast for your ears.

"The guitar's voice is bold and clear with outstanding sonic balance. The trebles "pop" while the mids and bass notes are clear, full, and well-rounded. Grit's blackwood beauty would be at home in any musical setting, from Bach to Bossa...'" - Craig

Featured: Monteleone Hot Club 1988

"John Monteleone is rightly known as one of the greatest luthiers in the world. His archtops are on permanent exhibition at New York's Metropolitan Museum, while his mandolins are in David Grisman's hands as well as those of the Modern Mandolin Quartet. Eric Clapton loved his Monteleone so much that one wasn't enough - he had to have two. Mark Knopfler doesn't just own a Monteleone, he wrote a beautiful song ("Monteleone") to honor its builder. A master of archtop builds, John's flat top guitars are equally impressive. They are magnificent instruments; rich, vibrant, and exquisite. The craftsmanship is beyond reproach with playability that would delight the most discerning musician.

I've known John for over thirty-five years, and I'm proud to have one of his fine instruments available for purchase...'" - Craig

Featured: Scott Heatley Baritone Electric

"In the mid '90s, I loaned Pat Metheny my Manzer baritone. After playing it for an hour, he found it so inspiring that he called Linda and ordered one on the spot. Baris can do that to you. They get under your skin; they scratch a creative itch you didn't even know you had.

"Every musical nuance you would want from a baritone electric is crafted into Scott Heatley's build. The scale length is perfect, letting the player tune from A-A, B-B, or C-C. The hand-wound pickups capture the complete sonic range with a distinctly clear and beautiful tone. The playability is enviable, perfectly tuned in, and a joy to play. And the craftsmanship, the choice of materials – look at that maple top, the fit and finish, it's all masterfully executed – everything that's part and parcel of a typically terrific Heatley build...'" - Craig

Featured: PRS Archtop Artist 2004

"Just in, a stunning example of one of my all-time favorite PRS models; the Archtop Artist. PRS Archtop Artists are exceedingly rare, built between 2002 and 2004. Falling somewhere between a Private Stock and standard issue, this PRS Artist Archtop comes equipped with upgrades only available on custom-ordered guitars. The back is carved artist-grade maple, while the top is a beautiful piece of carved Sitka spruce. The fretboard is Brazilian rosewood inlaid with paua birds. The headstock has a Brazilian veneer, and an inlaid PRS signature. The back of the headstock has Paul's gold script with "To Kevin" in gold as well. (Kevin must have known someone.)...'" - Craig

Featured: Buscarino Virtuoso Corey Christiansen, 2000

"I love when I get to play a guitar commissioned by a recording artist. Those instruments have a certain mojo, attitude, and inspired point of view; they are a complete thought. And because they're commissioned by a musician, you know all the choices are made for aesthetics and to inspire great music.

"You are in for a treat when the luthier is famed John Buscarino, and the player is the noted jazz guitarist Corey Christiansen. The 2009 Buscarino Virtuoso that is currently in the shop is a fantastic archtop. It is one of the very best Buscarino's I've played; its acoustic voice is so rich, woody, and pleasing. The Virtuoso model is the zenith of Buscarino’s guitar models. It is a platform that calls for John to use his most exquisite materials most elegantly...'" - Craig

Featured: Ken Parker La Gioconda Archtop, 2015

"There may be no more brilliant a luthier working today than Ken Parker. I've known Ken since I played his very first archtop some 40 years ago. He is maybe the most courageous builder I know. His creativity is evident from his early Parker Electric Fly to his commitment to bringing the archtop into the modern playing world. The hours and hours of guitar chats we have had could fill a book, and what has always impressed me is his relentless quest for excellence and invention, leaving no stone unturned to build a better guitar. His deep knowledge of all things guitar is encyclopedic. I suspect that if you gave him a box of pencils, a brick, and a hubcap, he would somehow be able to coax something inspiring from them. He's a one-of-a-kind explorer in what a guitar can be.

"Built in 2015, the Parker "La Gioconda" is a stellar example of his 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 - at its heart, it's an acoustic guitar...'" - Craig

Featured: Marchione 20th Anniversary Classical, 2010

"Just when I thought I had reveled in the full range of exceptional Marchione builds, here I am with a fine example of his most traditional instrument, the Marchione 20th Anniversary Classical. Crafted in 2010, it 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. What quickly drew my attention is the wide dynamic range crafted within this guitar. Positioning your right hand close to the fingerboard brings out sweet, warm musical passages while drawing your hand back towards the bridge draws out the brighter high end and its explosive dynamics. It's a joy to have such tonal range at your fingertips...'" - Craig