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2016 Musser SJ - Englemann Spruce / Brazilian RW - $6,500 (Eliot)
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A 2016 SJ from renowned luthier Don Musser, originally built for Norman's Rare Guitars, where he sold his first guitars and has continued working with for 50 odd years. The list of musicians who have at least one Musser in their collection is impressive. This one has a gorgeously bursted Englemann Spruce top, 1 3/4 nut width, nice medium depth C neck profile... but the real wow here is the old growth, pre-CITES Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. Just wow. I shudder to think what this would cost new today... and it plays and sounds incredible. See Don's handwritten note included with the guitar for build details. The responsiveness particularly of the high end is truly inspiring. Very rich sound with a great balance of vintage and modern sensibility. Musser is a stout builder and innovator, always aiming for longevity and stability, yet this guitar isn't excessively heavy or cumbersome in any way, in fact it's rather sporty feeling with the slightly shallower body (shallower than a Gibson southern jumbo, what it's based on). Back tapers toward body, not quite an "arched" back but has an arc for sure (I've read it's for stability). All in all a guitar for the ages.
Video: https://youtu.be/-kbs1gKSpPs
* instagram: @mercywizard *