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Please check out my
specials,
which are guitars that are already made and can be
shipped immediately!
NEWS: September 2020:
I have stopped
taking new guitar orders
As I slouch towards my full retirement, I am no
longer taking guitar orders. If you are a previous
customer, please call me.
My guitars (steel string or classical/flamenco) have a basic set
of features that come with the
base price. Please see these basic features, as listed
below. This base price is quite low.
(Don't worry, I'm well enough compensated for my time!)
This allows customers to obtain
a hand-made, hand-voiced guitar at a reasonable price.
Therefore, special features not included
in the basic features cost extra: cutaways, inlays,
pickups, special tuning machines, etc.
The price is the same for any size/style of steel string guitar
(D, slope-shoulder D, GA, 000, 00,
Size 1, Size 5.) The price is the same for any model
classical guitar (20th century Ramirez style,
Hauser Sr. copy, I have other designs as well if you are
interested in a Torres copy, Manuel Ramirez
copy, others.)
Click
HERE for sound clips of my guitars
See how my guitars are built:
Steel String Guitar Construction
Classical Guitar Construction
Guitar
Set-up
These may also be of interest:
Violin construction
Major Modifications
Building a Les Paul kit
You can learn about
set up
and compensation here.
Frets: I use a fairly large fret wire: The "crown"
is what you see of the fret.
Crown dimensions (inches):
CW = 0.080 inch (2.0 mm, ~5/64 inch)(crown width)
CH = 0.043 inch (1.1 mm, ~3/64 inch)(crown height -- as
rolled: this will vary slightly because
of the fret-leveling process)
I can use other fret wire sizes on request from a customer.
Tuning machines: Gotoh chrome-plated machines are
standard. I like these better than the other options
out there. I can put different machines on your guitar.
This may cost extra. Here are examples of other tuners:
Truss rod: for steel string guitars, my standard truss rod
is either the
LMI TRSDS rod or
This is an excellent, reliable truss rod. The wrench is a
9/64-inch Allen key. The truss rod access will be
at the headstock.
I use Spanish cedar linings. They are wonderful for
strength, weight, and tone, easy to work
with and they smell wonderful. I can use mahogany linings
on request.
I choose my own tops, one at a time, based on stiffness and
aesthetic qualities (and for bearclaw for some tops.)
These are shots of me at my top
supplier: Pacific Rim Tonewoods, where I pick my tops:
Examples of wood I use:
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| AAA Sitka |
AAA Engelmann |
AAA western red cedar |
AAA redwood (option at
increased cost) |
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| Plain mahogany (steel
string standard) |
Padauk (steel string
standard) |
Bubinga (steel string
standard) |
Indian rosewood
(classical standard) |
My steel string size specifications, with Martin sizes for
reference:
|
Dimension |
B1 |
B0 |
B00 |
B000 |
OM |
GA |
D |
Martin 0 |
Martin 00 |
Martin 000 |
Martin D |
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Scale Length: |
24.9 |
24.9 |
24.9 |
24.9 |
25.4 |
25.4 |
25.4 |
24.9 |
24.9 |
24.9 |
25.4 |
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Frets clear of the body: |
12 |
12 |
12 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
14 |
14 |
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Width at lower bouts: |
13.00 |
13.75 |
14.50 |
15.25 |
15.25 |
15.63 |
15.63 |
13.50 |
14.31 |
15.00 |
15.63 |
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Width at upper bouts: |
9.25 |
9.88 |
10.60 |
11.75 |
11.75 |
11.62 |
11.50 |
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Body depth at tail: |
4.15 |
4.25 |
4.30 |
4.15 |
4.15 |
4.50 |
4.88 |
4.19 |
4.06 |
4.13 |
4.88 |
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Body length: |
19.00 |
19.13 |
19.13 |
19.38 |
19.38 |
20.00 |
20.00 |
19.13 |
19.63 |
19.38 |
20.00 |
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Overall length: |
38.00 |
38.00 |
38.50 |
40.00 |
41.00 |
41.00 |
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(OM and 000 are the same body the only difference is the scale:
000 has the 24.9-inch "short"
scale and the OM has the 25.4-inch "dreadnought" scale (this is
true for Martin OMs and 000s
as well). The shorter scale is more comfortable to play
for most people: it requires less force
to fret the strings.)
My standard rosette (click on the thumbnail):
My standard headstock crest for classical and flamenco (click on
the thumbnails)
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| Standard classical headstock and crest |
Flamenco headstock with friction peg holes and
standard crest. |
Standard classical headstock and crest Flamenco headstock with
friction peg holes and standard crest.
Check out the new
Guitar
Woods page for more information on wood.
Hard-shell Cases:
Click on this picture for more pictures:
I will provide hardshell cases from TKL These cases are the
"Professional Series," models 8900,
8905, 8915, 8916, and 8975. I only provide these cases
with guitar orders.
Click on this link:
http://www.tkl.com/?siteid=products&pr=str&pr2=guitar
Then click on the type of guitar
Then click on the link the case with a number "89XX":
8900 (classical, B00)
8905 (000, OM)
8915 (Dreadnought)
8916 (GA)
8975 (Size 1)
The only difference between these cases is the size and shape
These cases are the best I have been able to find for a
reasonable price. They are lined with
open-cell foam wrapped in attractive velvet. They fit
great. These cases are used by many makers.
I will not deliver a guitar without a hardshell case. It
is essential to protecting my work and your
investment.
Check out my
page about TKL cases.
I am also readily reached at:
jwblilieno-spam@barbarossa-guitars.com (Please
remove the obvious "no-spam" part of my address)
Legal Stuff
All guitars sold in Minnesota are subject to 6.5% sales tax.
PURCHASING POLICY
All transactions must be in U.S. dollars in the form of cash,
money order, certified bank draft, bank transfer (wire), or
PayPal. Final satisfaction of CITES or any other necessary
export/import regulations are the responsibility of the buyer.
WARRANTY
My instruments are guaranteed against defects in materials and
workmanship for my life as an active luthier. I will not cover
damage due to fair wear and tear, abuse, neglect, extremes of
temperature or humidity, or natural disaster, nor can I be held
responsible for the tendency of Brazilian rosewood occasionally
to develop hairline fractures despite decades of proper
seasoning.
Periodic maintenance is the responsibility of the owner and is a
condition of warranty. Repairs or alterations performed by
someone other than myself risk cancellation of this warranty.
All shipping expenses for warranty work are the responsibility
of the buyer.
RETURNS
For fifteen days after receipt, if a custom instrument proves
unsuited to the player, it can be returned for the purchase
price, less the $500 non-refundable portion of the deposit. If
not in original condition, the cost of restoration will be
deducted.
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