I try to keep my pricing as far away from the automobile buying experience as possible. You won't have to buy Option Pack 2b (the one that includes the executive cup holder and the monogrammed steering pod) just to get air conditioning.

   Resonator guitars have a little advantage over standard acoustic instruments. They can be made from just about any gorgeous wood, provided that it can be worked into the necessary shapes. I use only premium grade non-endangered woods. When I cook, I use the best and freshest ingredients. I know that my guitars will turn out to be exceptional only if I adopt the same attitude when choosing wood.

  Wood prices vary a good deal based upon availability, the phase of the moon, and the size of my roof rack. I get my wood from various sources: Luthier's Mercantile International (LMI), local hardwood lumber yards (Downes & Reader or Anderson & McQuaid), or bartering with other luthiers. You can get a pretty good idea about how a certain wood will increase the price of the guitar by looking at the LMI catalog or Web site. Some woods are nearly impossible to get - like the rope grained cherry on my 12-string prototype. If you already own wood you would like me to use and I think it is large enough and can be formed properly, the price of the instrument can be reduced accordingly. Of course, you would be responsible for the shipping cost.

Basic 6-String Resonator $2800
Basic 12-String Resonator $4600

  My basic 12 and 6-string resonator instruments have East Indian rosewood (palisander) or wenge (a chocolate brown African wood with straight grain and black striping) backs, and sides, and tops. Neck material can be either mahogany or walnut. Binding on the body is made of solid wood complementary to the woods used on the sides, back, and top. There is no binding on the neck or headstock. The neck is 12 frets to the body.

    I use he new National™ Hotrod 9 1/2" cones.

   The price includes a hard case, gold Schaller Vintage open back tuners, solid brass tailpiece, ebony fingerboard, and carbon fiber biscuit bridge. Mother of pearl positions are inlaid at the 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th frets (side dots for 5, 7, and 9). I spray various finishes myself, but I have to send out the guitar if you require a nitro finish. Brain cells are expensive these days.

Partial Options List

Cutaway	$400
Bound fingerboard and head	$350
Snake (or other real or imaginary animal) marquetry / inlay on body	$1500 - $2500
V-joined head	$200
Gold Waverly™ tuners with gold buttons (6-string)	$150
Gold Waverly™ tuners with gold buttons (12-string)	$300
Calton case	$600
Nitro-cellulose finish	$400

   I'm sure you are wondering about the price I would put on my the custom 12-stings shown on this site. The Snake is $6,000.00 while the Bat can be purchased for $5,500.

Necessary Legal Stuff

   I cribbed most of this from my good friend Aaron Green, who is an extremely gifted classical guitar maker. I designed his Web site and learned a lot about the practical side of the lutherie business in the process.

  All guitars sold in Massachusetts are subject to 5% sales tax. Cost of shipping is the responsibility of the customer.

   Commissions require a deposit of 1/3 of the total cost. A second payment of 1/3 of the total cost is due when the instrument is halfway complete and the remaining payment is due when the instrument is complete.

   I can ship instruments in stock for approval upon receiving a cashier's or bank check for the total price of the instrument. The customer will have 48 hours after receiving shipment to decide whether they wish to keep the instrument. If the guitar is returned within this 48 hour period, I will refund payment. If the instrument is not returned within 48 hours, it will be considered sold. All costs for shipping and insurance are the responsibility of the customer.

   Prices are subject to change. The price of a commissioned guitar will be locked in once the initial deposit is received. Various things such as the aesthetics can raise the price significantly.