CR GUITARS - hand selected

Featured: 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. Crafted with lightweight tone woods by one of the finest builders, this dual pickup version of the Pauletta offers the jazz player a truly honest alternative to a hollow body guitar while giving the rock and blues player a familiar tonal palette.

"This Pauletta is one of the most versatile solid bodies I have ever played. The combination of the custom Charlie Christian and Duncan P90 along with the handmade 250 style tailpiece add a sonic quality that I haven’t experienced in other solid body electrics. The CC sound is immediate and present with a warmth and brilliance that is addictive and truly satisfying to a contemporary jazz guitarist. The P90 is rich and hits that perfect blues button right on its head. To my ears this guitar can cover the full musical territory of a 'burst, 335 or electric archtop..." - Craig

Featured: Slaman Old School Dome Custodian

"I am very fortunate to be able to be able to represent Slaman guitars. Not only is Daniel an extremely talented luthier of the first order who's sensitive to a professional player's needs, he's also a fine human being imbued with passion for the instrument. As a talented player himself, he deeply understands the nuances of a guitar's build and has the high and rare level of skills to translate his vision into an instrument.

"It's no wonder Pat Metheny has of late been showing up at gigs armed with his Slaman guitars including this model, Slaman's latest, the Old School Dome Nylon electric archtop. Developed together by Pat and Daniel, the Old School Dome offers an archtop player a comfortable way to step into the nylon world without giving up the playability he is used to. Lately this has been Pat's go to nylon string guitar..." - Craig

Featured: Sadowsky LS-15

"In the over 40 years since I’ve known him as a friend and luthier one of Sadwosky's stellar qualities is how he's been extremely attentive to a guitarist's needs. Put briefly, he listens. He has never rested on his legendary laurels. In fact, he is still driven to make the finest and most impeccable instruments possible. I (and countless others) deeply admire that drive.

"All of which brings me to his newest archtop model, the Sadowsky LS-15. Based on his 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. The more I play this guitar the more I'm impressed with the ground it can cover..." - Craig

Featured: Sadowsky Jim Hall Model

"Simply put, Roger Sadowsky's Jim Hall model archtop is one of my favorite jazz guitars on the market today.

"To be honest I am a bit emotionally vested in this guitar, having been somewhat involved with its evolution. Over the years that Roger was working on its build I had the good fortune to play almost every iteration and prototype, and had the open ears of Roger, who was willing to listen to my feedback and suggestions. The end result is a classic jazz guitar that in my opinion would be able to stand alongside any laminate archtop guitar made today. It 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 I feel it is worthy of being in an elite guitar collection. A brilliant guitar designed by a brilliant builder for Jim Hall, one of the greatest jazz guitarists to have ever walked this earth..." - 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: 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

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:

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...

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-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...

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...

Gustavsson Bluesmaster Special, Preowned 2002

This is a one-off Johan Gustavsson Bluesmaster Special, crafted in 2002, during the salad days of JG Guitars. It splits the difference between Les Paul Special and Telecaster admirably. This particular instrument serves to be the blueprint for the now venerated Fullerblaster model...

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...

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.