Vintage and Collectible Guitars

Rick Turner Compass Rose acoustic guitar

Great Acoustics: Rick Turner’s Personal 2007 Compass Rose Guitar Speaks to His Forward-Thinking Style

Rick Turner created many unique Compass Rose acoustics, but this one—regarded as among his finest—was the luthier’s personal guitar and a showcase of both his bold concepts and skilled execution.

1933 Martin 12-Fret D-28-photo-Gary Scott-Gruhn Guitars

Great Acoustics: George Gruhn’s Exceptionally Rare 1933 Martin 12-Fret D-28

This 1933 Martin 12-fret, slot-head D-28 is George Gruhn's favorite flattop steel-string guitar. Here's why.

acoustic guitar body shapes (martin and gibson) from acoustic guitar magazine

A Guide to Identifying Common Acoustic Guitar Shapes and Sizes

The steel-string acoustic guitar appears in many different sizes and shapes. This guide gives a general understanding of the most common styles and what they may offer players

Ask the Expert: Can I Use Medium Strings on My Prewar Martin?

Will using medium strings on a 1936 Martin D-18 put too much pressure on the the instrument over time? Ask the Expert.

Buck Curran and his 2009 Sobell acoustic guitar

Great Acoustics: Buck Curran’s Long Lost 2009 Sobell Model 1

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Buck Curran’s tale about his 2009 Stefan Sobell Model 1 is more uplifting than some other tales of "the one that got away."

Great Acoustics: A Pristine 1943 Martin 000-18 with a Fascinating History

This 1943 Martin 000-18 was originally a gift to a Spanish immigrant to Monterey, California, who was a regular performer along the famed Cannery Row.

closeup of bridge, soundhole, and pickguard of jerry garcia martin D-28 acoustic guitar

Jerry Garcia’s 1943 Martin D-28 Acoustic Guitar Finds a New Home—and New Players

Jerry Garcia’s Martin D-28 acoustic guitar was likely acquired by the guitarist in the late spring of 1970. Now it has a new owner to care for it.

2021 Santa Cruz OM Custom-Tunnel-13-Redwood-1

Great Acoustics: A 2021 Santa Cruz OM Custom with a Storied Past

This Santa Cruz OM Customwas made with several storied tonewoods, including Tunnel 13 redwood; Brazilian rosewood; and figured mahogany sourced from the Tree.

Great Acoustics: 2020 Collings OM3 Alaskan

Sometimes when a guitar is built using unique materials, it comes with a backstory built deep into its woodgrain. Take the new Collings OM3 Alaskan seen here. It’s one of six guitars made for the shop’s premier dealers using a combination of unusually colored Sitka spruce, curly mahogany, and special appointments

Great Acoustics: Preston Thompson Masterpiece #2 Koi Pond

From the January/February 2021 issue of Acoustic Guitar | By Greg Olwell The Masterpiece series from Preston Thompson Guitars is a ... Read More...

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