Claudio Pagelli is one of a handful of luthiers who excel in guitar luthiery combined with exquisite aesthetic design without being gaudy or ostentatious. I love great inlay work, but …
Mike Baranik RE-1
Mike Baranik has been around for a while making great acoustics. I met him way back in Healdsburg and we talked about guitar tops and his use of Colorado Spruce …
Pagelli Anniversary 40
Claudio Pagelli is one of a handful of luthiers who combine a modern artistry with forward looking designs, materials, and techniques. His Anniversary 40 acoustic guitar is no different in …
Lavoie Baritone Acoustic
Baritone acoustics are a special breed and you don’t see them that often. Even more rare that you see them designed with a modern aesthetic, and perhaps one-of-a-kind that you …
Gibson Shark Archtop
You don’t think of Gibson as being a maker of modern guitars as they have been stuck in the vintage craze for quite some time. This is understandable as that …
Yamaoka Archtop FT-15
Yamaoka has been making magnificent, more traditional archtops and solid-body guitars in Japan. But recently, he’s been working on a unique guitar with a “floating top.” From his Facebook page, …
Cranmer Guitars: Archtop #003 – KPL5
Though Cranmer Guitars has not been around very long, and he’s a relatively young luthier, his designs and sensibilities have a sense of maturity and innovation. What drew me to …
Ergon AV
Adriano Sérgio of Ergon Guitars makes some stunning guitars with unique design attributes with regards to body shape, chambers, and sound hole openings. These remind me of Gaudi in some …
Sankey Sempervirens
Michael Sankey has always pushed the limits of guitar building — whether it’s design, construction, or in the case of his latest guitar — Sempervirens — materials. It features the …
Boutique Guitar Showcase: Cosmo Music, Toronto
The idea behind the Boutique Guitar Showcase is to bring to the public a taste of what modern guitarmaking has to offer. In the past, you would have to travel …