CR GUITARS - hand selected

Featured: Nico Moffa Americana “New Model”

"Straight from the skilled hands of Nico Moffa, I'm pleased to offer his very latest model archtop - the Americana. According to the builder, its sound is inspired by the historic American guitars which were the backbone of classic electric jazz guitar.

"But, as with many talented artists, Nico wanted to put his spin on the model and revise it in "Moffa" style. Nico has a way of drawing the most guitar-ness out of his materials and design, resulting in a stunning and modern looking handmade jazz box that is eager to be played..." - Craig

Featured: Collings Custom CL Deluxe, Aged Black/Cherry

"This isn’t a cookie cutter guitar. It's a guitar with a story.

"Over a year ago I came across a picture of an early '60s Gibson Les Paul in a rare 2 tone color combo of black top and cherry body and neck. This is something Gibson did on some very custom high end builds. I immediately knew I needed to contact my friends at Collings and have them do this custom finish on a few guitars. While I was at it I wanted each guitar to be upgraded with several cool options, each one adding to the guitar's vibe and esthetic. Collings was happy to comply - from the added binding and peghead flourish inlay to the top purfling, from the custom Peter Green voiced Throbaks pickups to the aged hardware. And to top it off, I wanted a flamed eastern maple top under that beautiful black finish. I think you'll appreciate the enhanced upper harmonic content that a dense figured wood provides.

"All the added goodness is here, all the care in the build are done to give the player an an inspired playing experience..." - Craig

Featured: Collings I30LC Deluxe Aged Black/Cherry

"I love a good story. One of the reasons I've owned so many vintage guitars over the years is the story they have to tell. A story that's imbued in the wood in every ding, dent or wear mark. It's also why I love bespoke guitars. They have a story, too. They're part of the luthier's soul, his or her past, present and future; an extension of their history and craft.

"I know from first hand knowledge how much research and care have gone into producing the I30LC. From its custom designed trapeze tailpiece tailored to provide just the right amount of string tension, to the perfect blend of lightweight laminate woods for the trestle braced body, everything and I mean everything is right and tight here..." - Craig

Featured: Mario Beauregard MB Semi-Hollow, Preowned

"I have known Mario Beauregard for many years and have always been deeply impressed with both the man and his guitars. Mario and I have long discussed getting his guitars into the shop but for one reason or another - be it timing, schedules, or logistics - it just never happened.

"So I feel quite fortunate to have the opportunity to offer one of his fine instruments for sale - a stunningly beautiful 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..." - Craig

Featured: Tommy Rodriguez Jr. Esquire

"I'd like to introduce a new builder to the CR guitars' hand selected realm of guitars. His name is Tommy Rodriguez and he is one very talented builder. Well known in the classical guitar building world, he has recently upped his visibility as a maker of electric guitars. Tommy has deep skills and it really shows in this current offering, the Jr. Esq.

"Personally, I'm not a one bridge pickup guy but quite honestly this guitar can make me go to the other side. It's like an Esquire on steroids or a Junior with a lot of attitude. The workmanship is top notch and the playability is outstanding. If you like big necks that are comfortable and well carved, I don't think you will do better than this.." - Craig

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:

Collings 290 Custom

The tone just bleeds out of this guitar, with clarity and a voice that is just alive. This is yet another example of Collings taking a beloved historical instrument, capturing the essence of what we love, and making it available to us with incredible playability, stability and a beautiful finish...

Triggs Custom New Yorker Preowned, 2013

Jim Triggs is one of the few builders who really carries on the D'Angelico tradition; one look at the headstock and you'll see the continuity. This particular instrument is a 2013 custom 16" D’Angelico-style New Yorker, with a touch of classic Gibson L-5 CES added with its built-in, rather than floating pickup...

Daniel Slaman Pauletta, Amber

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

Slaman Old School Dome Custodian

The Old School Dome offers an archtop player a comfortable way to step into the nylon world without giving up playability. As a "Custodian" guitar it was crafted with rare woods that Daniel has been collecting from around the world; an added beauty to an already sublime instrument...

Yanuziello ala Frisell Deluxe, Preowned 2017

Straight out of a collection, this 2017 near mint Yanuziello is just a killer guitar. CR previously sold a beautiful electric that was very similar to the one Joe made for Bill Frisell, and this particular Yanuziello is a deluxe version of that very guitar, with premium woods and appointments...

Moffa Dark Lorraine, Pre-owned 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, alive and oozing with character...

Stephen Marchione MK1 Modern, preowned 2018

Straight out of a collection we have a 2018 marchione MK1 Modern in mint condition. This guitar is very resonant due in part to Stephen's choice of Spanish cedar body and neck. Spanish cedar is very much like a light weight mahogany...

Sadowsky LS-15

Based on Sadowsky's well-known and loved SS-15 model, the LS15 offers a longer scale (25 1/2"), two PAF style pickups and 16 frets to the body. Like the SS-15 the 1 3/4" body depth makes this a very comfortable archtop to navigate...

Sadowsky Jim Hall Model

This 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 worthy of being in an elite guitar collection...

Sadowsky LS-17

Roger has added another dimension to the LS-17. The 17" body, the 25 1/2" scale, and PAF pickup were all designed to satisfy players who are used to a more traditional archtop, but all the particulars were designed in such a way that the player could become one with their instrument.

Sadowsky Semi-Hollow

Roger designed the semi hollow for players who want a small bodied guitar that has the warmth and voice of a hollow body, but is resistant to feedback so you can rip it up with overdrive if you want to. It is a player's dream...

Sadowsky SS-15, Preowned

This 2014 preowned example of the Sadowsky SS-15 is in extremely fine condition and is a real winner. The body size is perfect for travel and the sound is sweet, clear and immediate. Its neck shape is a medium C with the right amount of taper...

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. 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...

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...

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...

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.