Johan Gustavsson Bluesmaster-S, 2012

This Bluesmaster Semi comes from the very first group of semi-hollow guitars Johan built, and CR Guitars was fortunate to host their premiere. Every one of that initial batch was exceptional, but this one was my personal favorite.

All great guitar makers have their own thing, their slice of the universe, an oasis where they can express their vision of what a guitar can be. The fortunate ones find an audience that appreciates their work and gives them the opportunity to share their creations and continue refining their art. Johan Gustavsson is in that elite class of builders.

Johan not only builds great guitars, but he also has that spark that inspires players to become intensely connected to his work. His guitars are discussed, revered, analyzed, and sought after. What sets Johan apart is his profound understanding of what makes a great guitar truly exceptional. He's a humble seeker of refinement who cares about every detail and "gets it" in his DNA.

This particular Bluesmaster Semi was initially sold in 2012 and has since found its way back to CR Guitars, seeking a new home. It's in near mint condition with some light buckle rash on the back. All the original paperwork is included, including the CITES certificate for the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.

The flamed 3D maple top is stunning, with just the right amount of mineral streaks that evoke a vintage burst. The Brazilian rosewood fingerboard adds both visual beauty and a familiar, rich playing surface. The Throbak pickups are the perfect choice for this instrument, delivering that vintage voice with all the character and responsiveness you'd expect.

The guitar speaks for itself. It has everything you'd want in a Bluesmaster, yet the semi-hollow construction brings another level of tonality into the mix. There's a particular bloom, a woodiness, and harmonic transience that goes beyond Johan's solid-body Bluesmasters. The notes have just the right amount of compression. It's about as sweet as you can get. This is an outstanding example of Johan's work, a masterful instrument that takes semi-hollow construction to the highest level.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.