Handmade Guitars by Bob Gramann

I've been playing guitar for over 40 years. I first built a guitar in 1992 from a kit. The result was so satisfying that I had to build another, and then another, and so on... Now I'm constantly watching out for neat wood to make into guitars. My delight in the results of careful thinning, bending, and finishing fine woods has grown with every guitar.

Most important is achieving such a rich, full sound that it is loud enough for performances without amplification. Amazingly, even tiny adjustments can enhance both tone and volume, producing a responsive instrument that feels good to play. Building these "live" guitars has become almost an obsession. Any idea for a new feature or an improvement means I have to build a guitar to try it out. I build only a few instruments each year, so I have always tried to build something I would want to play. So far, I feel successful. And, I feel honored by the great players that have bought my instruments.

For some time, there has been a buzz among luthiers that Osage Orange (and its South American relative Fustic) is a sound-alike replacement for Brazilian Rosewood. I have now built a few guitars with this wood and make the claim that it sounds better. These guitars have a well-balanced and rich tone. And, this sound is available from me without any upcharge for exotic wood. A cutaway guitar of this wood that I completed in June, sold immediately. The owner loves it.

I have decided to name my guitar models after rivers in Virginia to make them easier to discuss.

Currently, I have these guitars available for sale. Prices start at $2000. Cutaways, fancy trim, and exotic woods cost more:

Rappahannock

The Rapphannock has a body size very close to a Martin OM/000. Scale length, nut width, and body depth can be customized. It is available with or without a cutaway. This is currently my favorite size to play. It gives a rich tone with good projection and is not so large that it is difficult to reach around. Two of the Fustic Rappahannocks have sold so far this year. The one below is the last one available for sale until I make more. I will make more. These are great sounding guitars. All listed below have a 24.9" scale
Fustic (#42) (1 3/4" nut) (yellow body, great sound) **
East Indian Rosewood (#22) (1 11/16” nut)cutaway
Black Locust (#45) (1 3/4" nut)
Osage Orange Cutaway (#47) (1 3/4" nut)
Honduran Rosewood (#49) (1 3/4" nut)
Panama Rosewood Cutaway (#50) (1 3/4" nut)
Fustic Cutaway (#54) (1 3/4" nut)

York
The York has a classical body size. The sound of these is amazing given the size.
These are all gone. I will start another soon.

Maury
The Maury is size of a Martin dreadnought except that the waist is pulled in to make the notes sound more clearly. Both of these have a 25.4" scale.
East Indian Rosewood dreadsized guitar (#35) (1¾ nut) as good as an EIR guitar can sound
Honduran Rosewood with Florentine cutaway (#27) (1¾ nut) (On display at The House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, MD. Hear it.)

Dreaded Maury A True Dreadnaught
Osage Orange (#48) (1 3/4" nut)

James
The James is the largest guitar I make. It has a jumbo body 16.25" across at the lower bout. These have a 25.4 scale length. You expect a big sound out of these guitars and you get it.
Zebrawood cutaway (#18) (1 3/4” nut)
Mahogany slope-shoulder (#21) (1 3/4” nut) This might be the best sounding mahogany guitar you'll ever hear.

Hazel Run
The Hazel Run has a very small body (12" lower bout) but a normal length (25.4 scale) neck. It was designed to be an easy-to-transport guitar that plays and sounds like a full-size guitar. It sounds a lot bigger than it is. These sell for $1500.
East Indian Rosewood (#28) (1¾ nut)
East Indian Rosewood (#25) (1 11/16” nut)

Deep Run
The Deep Run is even smaller than the Hazel Run but it has a tremendous sound. These sell for $1250 and include a small gig bag
Black Locust (#53) (1 13/16" nut)

Classical
East Indian Rosewood, Englemann spruce top (#32)
Fustic Classical, cedar top (#37) (On display at The House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, MD)

Open Back Banjo
12" walnut pot, wide neck, great sound (#52)

* On display at Acoustic Axis, 2405 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
** On display at Picker's Supply, 902 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Each has a pleasant feel for the player and a big, full-toned sound. Prices start at $2000.

Bob Gramann
122 Laurel Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22408

(540) 898-0611
bob@bobgramann.com

Fredericksburg Songwriters' Showcase

Performing at the Showcase

2/25/09