Featured: Asher Electro Sonic A+ Koa Top, 2022
"Inspired by Bill Asher's own lap steel model, his Electro Sonic guitar is designed for both bottle-neck players and any guitarist looking for fat tone and great sustain. The neck is hand-carved with a smooth transition into the body for easy access to the upper frets. This instrument has perfectly executed fretwork and exquisite construction. Asher's fine custom detail work is of the highest order, with an impeccable eye for body design..." - Craig
Featured: Mario Beauregard MB, 2010
"Having Mario Beauregard visit us was a pleasure. Having him drop off a stunning 2010 MB model in a beautiful translucent black finish was an absolute treat. Having just been refreshed by Mario himself, it's like a new guitar. The MB design is unique and gives the guitarist a wonderfully versatile instrument with all the woody resonance and build quality of an exemplary electric archtop in a highly comfortable and original body style..." - Craig
Featured: James Tyler SE HD White Shmear
"James Tyler is one of the most consistent and gifted guitar builders out there; I still need to find out how he achieves such sustained excellence. The beauty you see here is a brand new, extraordinarily stunning Tyler SE HD in White Shmear. This example has a lightweight, resonant alder body that is acoustically alive. Plugged in, it sears and rips and has that beautiful Strat tone you love without being quacky or edgy..." - Craig
Featured: Collings D1-T 100-Year Sitka Spruce
"Our newest Collings addition is a stunning and extraordinary D1-T acoustic. The Traditional Series (or "T-Series" guitars) represent an exciting vintage-inspired tonal variation on the distinctive Collings sound, designed and crafted to showcase the most desirable characteristics present in coveted pre-war instruments. Bracing and tone woods are adjusted for weight and thickness to create a voicing characterized by warm, rounded highs and a present low midrange while retaining a quick attack and strong projection..." - Craig
Featured: Fender 1967 Jazzmaster NOS Masterbuilt, 2019
"New in the shop from an impeccable collection of fine guitars comes what may be the only masterbuilt Jazzmaster in the world that sports an Antigua finish. The brilliant Ron Thorn built this one-of-a-kind minty masterbuilt Fender Jazzmaster. Fender never offered their unique Antigua finish on their classic offset models; this Jazzmaster was commissioned to fill that hole. Because of its unique details, it was a guitar only Ron could build..." - Craig
Featured: Briggs Reserve Stock Apollo
"In addition to it being absolutely stunning, this Briggs goes well beyond eye candy here. The Apollo is a fantastic player's guitar. The '59 neck profile is what I like, medium/full with just the right amount of shoulder. The guitar has a pleasing acoustic resonance that blooms when plugged in. Played through my blackface Princeton Reverb, I can only describe the sound as glorious. With any combination of pickups I choose, this is a sonic beast that covers any sonic road you decide to travel. Hats off to you, Jack Briggs, for an absolutely killer guitar!..." - Craig
Featured: Collings I35LC Vintage Sunburst
"Collings has upped their game with their I35 LC Vintage model guitar. So it's no real surprise that I'm impressed after playing our most recent I35 CLCV. And I mean genuinely impressed. Besides being a joy to play (impeccable quality) and hold (ergonomic and lightweight at 6.6 lbs), the sound captures the tone of a fine vintage guitar. The builders found a way to capture that throaty, dry, woody, articulate vintage sonic palette right out of the box--no years of waiting. To improve the experience, they tweaked their neck profile and warmly aged the finish and hardware to elevate the vintage vibe. Sporting this beautiful sunburst finish, the I35LC Vintage is a guitar destined to be a classic..'" - Craig
Featured: Sam Guidry OO Brazilian/European Spruce
"I was fortunate to meet luthier Sam Guidry at this year's Artisan Guitar Show in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Fortunate because he is not only a great guy, but as a former instructor at the renowned Bryan Galloup School of Luthiery, Sam builds spectacular world-class guitars.
"This exquisite OO Brazilian, in particular, was the one I had a chance to play at the show. It stood out to me from the dozens of fine acoustics on display. I just had to have it in the shop. While it is a OO body, the sound is bigger than you'd expect from a smaller instrument. This beauty covers all sonic territory, rich and full with robust deep bass, articulate mids, and exceptional highs. It is remarkably touch-sensitive; play softly above the sound hole, and the guitar sweetly whispers; play hard closer to the bridge, and the notes bloom with power...'" - Craig
Featured: Tom Ribbecke Testadura, 1996
"The Ribbecke Testadura is a semi-hollow body style guitar handcrafted by the legendary luthier Tom Ribbecke. I've known Tom, as well as owned his instruments, for over 25 years. He is one of the G.O.A.T.'s (greatest of all time) of modern-day guitar builders, having built instruments for the world's finest players and mentoring many of the new generations of luthiers. Tom is a high-quality individual who crafts high-quality guitars.
"The Testadura is a testament to his supreme building skills and sensitivity to players' needs. This semi-hollow wonder is a carved archtop that works under any playing situation. This fine example was built in 1996, well before it became fashionable for boutique builders to use the 335 platform as the backbone of a guitar build. The Testadura is a brilliant instrument in every way, shape, and form...'" - Craig
Featured: Rick Toone Goshawk, 2022
"This Goshawk is a superb Rick Toone creation. Like all of his guitars, it reflects a very particular point of view, one that was developed via close conversations with players. It's a great guitar. Once you play it, you'll understand why Rick's instruments have such a passionate following.
"Thanks to its 10-way switching and sensitive tone and volume controls, it's incredibly flexible. The volume control is designed to interact with an overdrive pedal or overdriven amp. The roll-off will cause the overdrive to clean up beautifully...you can ride the volume and dial in any blend of overdrive. All you need for stage, studio, or home blasting is here...'" - Craig
Featured: Suhr Aura Tea Burst #88 of 100, 2021
"John Suhr knows guitars; he really knows them — inside and out. And, just as important, he knows the players; their needs, desires, and musical passions.
"Given his background and experience, and skills, it is no surprise that Suhr's 20th anniversary Aura is such a well-executed and refined ‘burst-style guitar. Everything about this build is top-notch, from the select tonewoods, the fit and finish, the weight (under 8 lbs), and the Aura's extraordinary playability. I love the meticulously designed Thorn Bucker PAF-style pickups; this guitar sings, dances, and grinds plugged in...'" - Craig
Featured: Collings I35 LC Vintage, Aged Blonde
"Collings has upped their game with their new I35 LC Vintage model guitar. That's a challenging task when the company already has some of the finest ES-style semi-hollows on the market. Immersed in the culture of quality and inspiration that drove Bill Collings, they strive to draw from the very best in every Collings guitar. If there is magic to be found, they leave no stone unturned in their search. So it's no real surprise to me that I'm impressed after playing this new model. And I mean genuinely impressed. Besides being a joy to play (impeccable quality) and hold (ergonomic and lightweight), the sound captures the tone of a fine vintage guitar...'" - Craig
News:
A Trio of Great Collings Electrics
"I have long been an admirer of Collings guitars - and have been a dealer for 12 years. It seems as though they up their game every time they make a new instrument. Truth be told, many Collings go through the shop so quickly, they never make it to the web site. Right now, I have three exceptional Collings in the shop. I can’t recommend them highly enough." - Craig
...Read MoreRadack, Master of Design
"Every once in a while, I come across a guitar that is a complete thought, meaning it's on the money right out of the gate. It's not a replica of an existing design, not a guitar built as a builder's conceit or a craftsman's whim. Instead, it's an instrument drawn from a store of knowledge from the builder's skill and player feedback. Add into that mix an inspired design, a sense that there is a niche to fill, and the desire to serve it, and you have the ingredients for something special And then, you hope it all works. Straight to the point, Radack guitars work. Beautifully... - Craig
...Read MoreFriends of CR Guitars: Adam Levy
Adam Levy is widely respected as a "musician’s musician" — with many featured turns to his credit. His memorable solos on Norah Jones' album Come Away with Me are shining examples of his handiwork. His bluesy lines on Tracy Chapman's hit "Give Me One Reason" tell a juicy story, with not a single note wasted. He's a nuanced accompanist as well, as can be heard on Allen Toussaint's recording of "American Tune." He's also featured on recordings by Vulfpeck, Anaïs Mitchell (composer of Hadestown), Meshell Ndegeocello, Ani DiFranco, and Amos Lee...
...Read MoreThe 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 MoreAn 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 MoreThe 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 MoreFriends 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 MoreRecent Arrivals:
Tao T-Bucket H.A.L. 2020

This custom guitar was built using the Tao brothers' relentless attention to detail. Its inspired design speaks for itself. This is a simply wonderful, tuneful, and joyful guitar to have in your hands...
Ibanez JSM20TH John Scofield Signature, 2021

Based on Scofield's original JSM model, this semi-hollow JSM20TH celebrates the pair's partnership in style with a series of sleek finishes and appointments...
McKay ‘64 Cherry Block Mark 335

The McKay '64 Cherry Block Mark 335 is a recreation of the classic semi-hollow guitar built with deep attention and skill to maintain all the magic and mojo of that golden era of guitar building...
Sadowsky Chuck Loeb LS-13

Roger Sadowsky hand-crafted Chuck's guitars throughout Chuck's illustrious musical career. The recent model was based on Sadowsky's Broadway line of electric guitars...
Collings 02HG, 2014

Small is beautiful, especially in this case. This Collings O2 is a comfortable body size; you want to pick it up and just start playing. Once you do, it's hard to put down...
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...
Julian Gaffney Modified Dreadnaught

Julian Gaffney builds an exceptional steel string guitar; having one in the shop is an absolute delight. Gaffney's Modified Dreadnought is the largest guitar in this builder's line up...
Galloup Borealis, 2005

Our current offering, a beautiful 2005 Galloup Borealis model, is an elegant and sophisticated guitar, expressively built with only the finest woods and artistry. From the rare "tree-flamed mahogany" to the Laskin-inspired arm bevel, this is a player's dream...
Rob Radack Hemi Semi-Hollow

Drawing inspiration from his fascination with short-scale and smaller body guitars, Rob made a short-scale instrument that was fully realized, a complete instrument, a guitar that a player would pick up and fall in love with before they even realized it was a short scale...
Maxmonte Thames OM, 2019

The Thames model is Max's modernized take on an OM-style instrument. Sonically it's full, rich, and balanced sounding, something to expect from a fine rosewood-body guitar. Still, it also has the open woody quality associated with mahogany acoustics...
Blue Arch Oldie Acoustic Archtop

Krzysztof's Oldie reflects every nuance of your playing. The dynamic range is hyper-extended. If you're a player who uses a lot of dynamics as a part of your technique, you'll be transported. It's so much fun to play an instrument that is so responsive to what you put into it...
Collings CJ45 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...
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...