Fine Guitar Consultants Guitar List 1

fine hand made guitars




More Fine Guitars for Sale (a partial listing of guitars on hand... please call for others offered confidentially.) For all types of instruments shipping in soon, click here to read the "New Items Coming In Soon" page. If music is important in your life, choosing the right instrument is a top priority. An extra guitar with different playing characteristics can take you down a new musical road. Enjoy the ride! --Richard Clicking on the small photos to the right of the descriptions will show you detailed views. Of course, Internet pictures cannot do these guitars justice. All guitars in Fine Guitar Consultants' inventory must pass our standards for cleanliness and originality. These instruments are exciting examples of the luthier's art. You are now seeing the cream of the cream. We accept US Money Orders, personal checks and wire transfers. Ask us about trade-ins and financing.
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"Historical Trio of Archtops" Until recently, they were on display in a dedicated showcase at NAMM's "Museum of Making Music" in Carlsbad, CA. They were part of the exhibit "String Fever," displayed along with John D'Angelico's and James D'Aquisto's workbenches, leather apron and record books...and other important icons of guitar history. The 3 historical instruments originally offered as a combined purchase, can now be bought separately. Wes Montgomery's personal guitar 1963 Gibson L-5C Wes Montgomery was taken by a heart attack on June 15, 1968, at the age of 45. He was a good-hearted man who always took time with guitarists to lend encouragement. He would hand over his guitar for a try to anyone who asked. In this regard, Wes stands as a role model for music artists. There is a lesson in grace. Not incidentally, Wes Montgomery was one of the few original creative improvisational forces in 20th Century American jazz. Many jazz guitarists work at emulating his playing style and musical ideas. Others are strongly influenced by his musical thinking. Missing for thirty years after his death, this 1963 Gibson L-5C walked in to a music store in the hands of an Indianapolis resident one March day in 1998. The guitar had been exposed to the heat of a fire. Some time after, an unknown individual used furniture stripper on the guitar, melting much of the binding. The instrument then found its way to an antique store. Its owner, having purchased the stripped, bare wood guitar (remarkably all woods and most parts salvageable), sought an estimate for restoration. After identifying the costs--too much for the owner to handle--the owner of the store, our seller, paid thousands to take ownership of this beleaguered icon of jazz history. Restored masterfully by Gibson--in exchange for bragging rights to show it around for a couple of years at trade shows and conventions-- the famous guitar was eventually returned to its present owner. It looks and sounds much like it did when Wes Montgomery played it exclusively at the peak of his recording and performing career. We recently recieved this beautiful guitar (originally hand made for Wes) and plugged it into a Standel amp to get Wes's sound from that period. Wes prefered his 1965 Standel Super Custom amp at that time. The vibe is so cool with this guitar. It is a thrill to play, especially knowing the ground that was broken in American Jazz by Wes with this very instrument. $140,000

George Barnes's personal guitar
1962 Guild George Barnes "Acousti-Lectric" Prototype
This was virtually the only instrument George Barnes played for the last 15 years of his life from the studio to Carnegie Hall. A reawakening to the vast musical contribution he made to the music world is now taking place. You will be reading major articles in the months to come, as the venerable Guild Guitar Company begins its celebration of 50 years of guitar making. This guitar and a memorium to Barnes can be found on page 2 of the 2003 Guild Guitar catalog. George conceived and designed this guitar himself. His heart and soul belonged to jazz. His daily "bread and butter" for a time in his life though, was earned playing several "alternative" gigs a day in the studios of New York City. Now we know who was playing on so many of those early rock songs from the '60's! Click here and read the list of Rock 'n Roll songs that Barnes played on with this guitar! The next player/caretaker of this "Acousti-Lectric" prototype will posess one of the most innovative, and, we believe, soon to be famous guitars in existence. In the May issue of Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, you can read the first of a 2-part article by Richard on Barnes' life and career. This guitar, discussed in the JJG article, was George's dream guitar. The pace at which he performed and recorded was hectic. He didn't want the hassle of carrying more than one instrument around all day between studio calls. So, here we have a guitar with great acoustic characteristics that has 2 pickups suspended on an internal mahogany rod carved from a single piece of wood, extending from the neck block to the end block. The pickups "float" in the center of small surrounding air spaces where pickup rings would normally be employed. The air spaces port the instrument without the need of f-holes. The guitar is now less prone to feed back at louder volume levels. Brilliant--but expensive to build! This prototype was made by veteran luthier Carlo Greco of New York. Be sure to click this link for a closer look. Guild only made 4 others from this prototype, with production changes. The solid Western Red Cedar top was carved inside and out, by Carlo's hand. The back and sides are laminated. The sides are 2-ply Poplar and the back is 4-ply, with the outer layers Maple and the inner layers Poplar. This configuration helped ensure that feedback would be a non-issue. In the May, 2003 issue of Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, you can read Part 1 of a 2-part article on Gearge Barnes' life and career. The article was completed with Part 2, published in August, 2003. (Also, this instrument is our current Pinup Guitar.) George's last jazz combo featured the rhythm guitar work of Duncan James. Duncan plays in San Francisco these days. Click here to read a comment from Duncan.
$69,000

Price reduced: Merle Travis's personal guitar
1962 Guild Merle Travis "SOLOMASTER" Prototype
The only Merle Travis model by a guitar company (Gibson made a few Specials with Merle's name on the fret board and one tribute guitar with beautiful painted illustrations by luthier/artist Bruce Kunkell honoring him), this was Merle Travis's dream guitar. It is a hand made, carved archtop with an oval hole. The entire top was carved from the outside only--not on the inside! Like many of us, even after getting our dream, Merle tinkered with it over the years. We have photos documenting snapshots in time during this instrument's life, showing different pick-up configurations. Merle was always looking to improve and hone in on his sound. R.C. Allen, who did a lot of tech work on Merle's gear during his life, worked on the fingerboard and put in his final and favorite pickups.This guitar was treasured by Merle. As soon as it arrived here at FGC, we plugged it into a Standel 25L15, Merle's favorite amp. (The reissue 25L15 that FGC offers today is based on the original circuitry of Merle's Standel serial number #2!) The importance of Merle's contribution to American music was huge. After all, Merle was the mentor and model from which many guitar players' hero, Chet Atkins, shaped his playing style. Merle, in turn, had carried forward the musical ideas of Mose Rager, Ike Everly, and others in the thumbstyle tradition. This guitar was made personally by Guild Production Supervisor Carlo Greco. Carlo had also completed the George Barnes guitar (above) earlier that year!
Price reduced to $68,000

This "Historical Trio of Archtops" is a grouping that represents some of the best Country, Blues, Jazz, and Rock 'n Roll to come out of America in the 1960's. One caretaker--one owner--can still have the opportunity to feel the musical vibe that is so palpable here and purchase all 3. What a thrill to instantly have such an important collection of guitars that are central to our musical heritage. Now that the instruments are off display, they are ready for the next caretaker. There is substantial documentation on the history of all 3 guitars, and many original related items are included in the sale of each guitar.
$289,000 for all three, as listed above, or choose one that has the most meaning for you. Do you know someone in your community who would like to permanently endow these guitars to a museum in your area? You could take an active role in keeping the memory of these great musicians alive through their guitars. Call Richard to discuss your ideas.

SOLD--Another just in! 2003 Vines Artisan Grand Concert Cutaway
Many desirable characteristics are present in this guitar. Tony Vines worked by himself for a number of years, creating this guitar model, figuring out precisely how to make it the best guitar he could possibly make. Tony is a gifted player, which is a bonus in seeing things from both sides, I believe. I have much respect for this capable luthier (I don't use that term lightly.). The materials on this instrument (which is available for sale--we also have a permanent sample) include back and sides of Beeswing Mahogany. The figuring is both unusual and beautiful; difficult to accurately capture in a photograph. The top is a new discovery that Tony brings to us: Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Imagine the quick snappy attack of Adirondack Spruce crossed with the warmth and richness of Cedar! Add an easy feel--even with the 25.7 scale length, and you have a guitar that is fun to play, complex in dynamics, and posessing a power and clarity to cross over from one style of music to another. Macassar Ebony Bridge, a Gaboon Ebony fingerboard, Mother of Pearl "V" headstock logo, and bone nut (1.75") and saddle. 5-piece laminated neck, green Abalone soundhole purfling, a 2-way adjustable truss rod along with Gold Schallers and Ebony buttons complete the guitar nicely. Drop to alternate tunings if you wish. These guitars hold up to the task!
$4,650 with Ameritage case SOLD (Base price is $3,725, which includes a 5-piece laminated neck.)


2003 Baxendale & Baxendale Superlative
a luthier with a legendary background comes to Fine Guitar Consultants 2003 Baxendale & Baxendale Superlative Rising from factory employee ranks to become owner of Mossman Guitars in the 1980's, Scott Baxendale then put himself in a position to discover the secrets of the ages. In the workshop at Gruhn Guitars, Scott had the opportunity to see and feel inside 30's and 40's Martins and Gibsons. Wise old luthiers left clues for Scott on how to shape and position braces, how to thickness soundboards and generally make instruments that were responsive. This Golden Age was before manufacturers listened to their accountants, overbuilding instruments to minimize warranty returns. Scott Baxendale, with his talented son John, now make guitars that build on that considerable experience. This is a Spruce/Mahogany thinbody dreadnought cutaway. The lower bout is 15.5", upper bout 11.25" 25.5" scale length, with a nut measurement of 1 3/4". The string spacing at the bridge is 7/16 between the 1st and 2nd, 2 5/16" overall. The body thickness at the upper bout is 2 3/4", increasing to 3 5/8" at the bottom of the guitar. This is an unusually successful thinbody dreadnought. I played the one that Travis Tritt used in his first hit video, and was knocked out by the sweet feel, volume, and snap of this blues/rock/country/fingerstyle/flatpicking guitar. Yes, it does all these things well, with headroom to spare. I met Scott Baxendale the day I played that instrument at the Museum of Making Music. Tritt's guitar, originally commissioned by Warner Brothers for promotional purposes is on display there, in Carlsbad CA. I asked Scott to make more using the same concept and materials, for our clientele. As Baxendale & Baxendale's exclusive representative, we are grateful to have yet another stunning contender for you to consider. Yours can have the nut and neck dimensions that will work best for you. This one is available, new with warranty. $4,600 ($4,200 in non-cutaway version)



2004 Baxendale & Baxendale Superlative/Side Ports Exactly like the one above, but with the addition of 2 beautifully designed, small sound ports ($300 option). In addition to the sound coming off the front of the guitar, you can enjoy extra sound floating up out of the guitar around your head. If you play for yourself in the living room or record in the studio, you will appreciate this variation on the Baxendale & Baxendale Superlative. Very cool. $4,900


2004 Stephen Marchione "FGC Special" SolidBodyNeck TM Our clients have enjoyed the special hand made electrics we've offered over the years. Here is an exciting and unusual one. Have you ever stepped up to home plate--swung--and connected solidly with a hardball? Do you know the feel of the shock wave that reverberates down the length of the bat? Well, the musical equivalent is thankfully more sensual and just as satisfying. It is this SolidBodyNeck TM guitar that is carved from one piece of old growth Mahogany! It is here in my hands, and I am smiling from ear to ear. Who needs a consultant to tell you about properly fitted neck joints on this guitar? No one. There is no neck joint. You'll get a pure, total energy reaction, vibration, and singing sustain every time the pick fires off a note! The photos only hint at the beauty of the wood grain turned by nature and Stephen Marchione's hands. You can take in the dramatic pattern in the broader expanse of this one-piece design. Excuse me. I had to go take a walk to calm down. With the exception of his locking Sperzel tuners, Marchione has his hardware and pickups made to proprietary specs. Not only is the sound from his humbuckers vintage creamy smooth, but his impeccable neck angle, fret job, and setup make his guitars studio perfect. The nut width is right at about 1.72" and the SolidBodyNeck TM guitar weighs in under 7lbs (about 3 Kilos for you clients outside the USA). This model, exclusive to Fine Guitar Consultants, is available. We have 2 in stock for immediate delivery. $6,800 with custom Glen Kronkhite black gig bag...upgrade to leather is available.

New from Australia 2004 Spira 14-fret OM Sitka Spruce top over Western Australia Sheoak (a cousin to Lacewood) back and sides. An unusual and rock solid Victorian Ash neck is a beautiful feature, well carved. An Omnibus is inlaid and etched in pearl on the Indian Rosewood fretboard (similar bridge material). Sheoak peghead overlay, Gotoh chrome tuners with pearloid buttons. Superb sustain, crisp attack, strong fundamental notes, good headroom, clarity with a sweet punch. This is a little beauty. We'll be hearing more from Jack Spira. This is his 116th guitar. Tommy Emmanuel played it when it first came in and appreciated his fellow countryman's work! Great job, Jack. We'll find a home for it. Yours? Give a call. Jack Spira will be doing a "Lucky 12" guitar soon... $3,300

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We proudly represent more than 36 fine makers

All Instruments come with better hard shell cases unless noted. US Money Orders, Checks, or computer bank wire transfer accepted. Financing, terms, trade-ins are available, circumstances permitting. Not responsible for errors or ommissions, subject to prior sale, and price changes due to market conditions.

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