George Harrison

George had a lot of cool guitars.  Here we see some of them from the '80s.  As the month of April closes I would like to thank everyone who has checked in to this Blog.  Over 4000 so far.  What shall we do in May?  May seems like a great month for playing guitar music.  Let's all make a point to play guitars outside during the month of May.  There is nothing better than music in the park.

Olive Drab ES-335

What could be more appropriate for this dull and dreary day than an Olive Drab ES-335.

George Jones and his Martin

Goodnight Mister Jones.

George Jones

The best of the best.

George

Thank you for all of the great tunes.

Michael Reno Harrell--Part 2

Michael Reno's magic act.  Nothing in the hands...  Tip:  Guitar players should never wear  large belt buckles.

Michael Reno Harrell

My man Michael Reno.  He'll even do a concert in your living room.  Check out his music and his guitars on his Web site.

A Guitar Called Jack--Part 87

Customized mother-of-pearl script inlay on the fingerboard looks wonderful and costs less than you might think.  Xaver guitars rule!

A Guitar Called Jack--Part 86

With this venetian cutaway, this guitar is as easy to play as it is to listen to.

A Guitar Called Jack--Part 85

Solid figured maple binding contrasts nicely against the striking figured walnut back and sides.

Merle Haggard

To verify yesterdays photo, here is the Mighty Merle himself with the guitar with the 'Hag' inlay.

Hag

What a great inlay!!

Don Ross with Xaver Grand Concert

Another shot of Don Ross playing this great Xaver Grand Concert.

Trigger

Why did Willie Nelson name his guitar after a horse?

Roy Rogers

What do these two images have in common?

Pickin' in the Parlor

My favorite musicians are all family.  My Grandaughter Sarah plays piano, flute, clarinet, trombone and guitar.  And she sings.

Don Ross at the Elmira Guitar Show

You've seen this Xaver Grand Concert before--it really gets around.  A gorgeous little guitar with a big sound.

JBH

Right now I am very interested in a small guitar with a large sound.  This piece really grabbed my eye.  Just from this photo, you can tell the workmanship matches the asthetic design.

A Guitar Called Jack--Part 84

If you've never tried a guitar with a Laskin-style armrest, you owe it to yourself to find out just how comfortable it can be, and how it can enhance your playing performance.

J-200 Red Wine

Another look at this beauty shown 30 March with two other great guitars of the same finish.

Xaver Mini Jumbo sunburst

This is Gerry's first project using granadillo for the sides and back.  He also used it for the peghead veneer and backstrap as well as the soundhole rosette.  The tone is very pleasing with considerable sustain.  He added the cherry red sunburst to complement the red tones in the granadillo.  This is a very versatile and playable instrument, with substantial projection.

Xaver Dreadnought with cutaway

There is a reason why dreadnoughts are so popular.  They are very playable and do not compromise on sound. That is what Gerry has tried to build into this guitar.  The projection is quickly evident, with a nice balance across the spectrum.  With fast action, a cutaway, and a K&K pickup, this guitar is geared towards the professional musician who needs reliable sound each night out, with minimal effort. 

Xaver Mini-Jumbo with side soundport

This mini-jumbo guitar is as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the ears. The subtle sunburst is achieved with a dye called "Aged Natural Cherry". The soundboard is sitka spruce. The fingerboard and bridge are cocobolo, and the side soundport is reinforced with figured maple. As with other Xaver mini-jumbo guitars, this instrument is equally at home being strummed as it is being finger-picked. This guitar is currently on display at the Ottawa Folklore Centre. So, drop by anytime and check it out.

Casper

Who is that old guy with Casper?

Casper's Maton

Now here is a guitar I would love to play.  Of course, I love to play any guitar.  But there is just something about a smaller sized guitar with a big, full, rich sound that has got to fascinate, allure, beguile and captivate.

Casper Esmann and his Kobler guitar

Beautiful work by Christina Kobler.  Notice the Christina Kobler strap and the "Casper" inlay on the fingerboard.  Does Casper love his Kobler guitar?  Seems he has another one on order.

Xaver Grand Concert

I have never seen this guitar as it was a custom build.  It features a sitka spruce soundboard, figured maple sides and back, and ebony fingerboard, bridge and binding. If you like what you see, Gerry can build one like it for you too.  You must see this guitar's custom inlay on the headstock.  Just visit the Xaver guitars website for this and much more.

Xaver Mini Jumbo with cutaway

Another great Xaver Mini Jumbo.  This fine piece has an owner, but I'm sure Gerry would be more than happy to make one just like it for you.

Xaver Mini Jumbo

This Mini Jumbo blew my mind the first time that I saw it.  The dark binding between the maple and sitka spruce is such a delight.  I believe the neck is walnut and the bridge and fingerboard East Indian Rosewood.  See this and other Xaver guitars on the web site.  I had to show two photos of this guitar because it is truely just too great a piece to show just one angle.



Xaver Dreadnought

How about this East Indian Rosewood beauty.  Mother of pearl around the soundhole and also around the fingerboard.

Garcia and Grisman

Garcia and "The Dawg", together, "Grateful Dawg".