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2007 Mark Geiger Fingerstyle 'Lucky 12' Cutaway
Mark Geiger
Though most 'Lucky 12' soundboard guitars will be on a custom order basis for clients, this guitar was commissioned by us and is offered for purchase. The 'Lucky 12' soundboards, available only through Fine Guitar Consultants, are old, submerged Sitka spruce, seasoned in the most ideal conditions you could hope for. The tone is superb and the visual figuring is mesmerizing. For the back and sides of this guitar, Mark Geiger chose quarter sawn Dalbergia Congestaflora rosewood from his seasoned specialty woods. Stucturally desirable as well as visually appealing, the tonewood is similar in character and is a cousin to Brazilian rosewood (also a Dalbergia)--without the tendencies to crack or split.

This Geiger has all the desirable mechanical characteristics of a fine hand made instrument. It is even, balanced, loud, and responsive to a light touch, as well. Here are a few words from the Maker regarding his fourth experience making guitars with this special soundboard material: "I've built four guitars using Lucky 12 tops so I think I can say with experience that the tops have been, not only gorgeous to look at but also consistent in their tonal qualities. These four 'Lucky 12's' have been strong and rich in both bass and treble, can be played softly without losing articulation or hit hard and still have the headroom. Most of this I believe is in the top."

None of that begins to describe the lively energy and the magical sustaining, singing properties of this instrument--the great heart and soul of this guitar. Measured across the ebony fretboard to the ebony bridge, the scale length is 25.5". A 1 3/4" nut width and a nicely hand carved medium thicknessed 'C-shaped' Honduran Mahogany neck lends itself nicely to fingerstyle playing. Beyond that capability, this guitar can be strummed with whatever rhythmic grooves you you ask of it. Tons of headroom; warmth without muddiness. It is balanced, gutsy-yet-sweet, and will grow from here as the new instrument is played in by its owner.

The sound floats up around your head through the side sound port, while projecting loudly to the audience. It has easy playability. Though only a 15" lower bout measurement, this guitar has a bigger sound than you might expect. An added piece of comfort is the built-in arm rest that mark has installed. Rick Ruskin, one of our favorite fingerstylists, demonstrated this instrument at the last Healdsburg Guitar Festival in California. Mark Geiger has been making guitars since the 1970's. If it wasn't for another day job that he has had, now part time at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood as Foreman of the Wood Trim department, he might have been more widely known as a guitar maker by now. We are happy to 'discover' his well-seasoned talent.

From 'Star Trek' to 'West Wing' to hand made guitars, Mark Geiger has been fashioning wooden wonders that stand up to the tightest close-ups! Click on the thumbnail photo at right to see these close-ups. If it calls your name, let's talk about whether it may be a good fit for you and your music. Other Geiger variations can be ordered through FGC with a reasonable waiting time for delivery.

$5,885 with the Lucky 12 upgraded soundboard
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