We have gotten started on a new prototype guitar based upon the OM style body but with radically different soundboard bracing.  The basis for this bracing is the fact that extra stiffness enhances the higher frequencies and less stiffness is conducive to the lower frequencies.  We are calling this bracing "OFFSET DOUBLE X" and our goal is to achieve the best of both worlds.  We will never abandon the more traditional style bracing and the vintage tone that goes with it......but will continue to push the envelope in search of beautiful tone.  We will let you know how this turns out.......  Rick

Coming soon.....the ultimate OM-SP.....sorry this one is taken..... Just thought you might like a look.  It is going to the CROWN OF THE CONTINENT GUITAR FOUNDATION. (www.cocguitarfoundation.org) The National Guitar Workshop will be there at the festival which is held at beautiful Flathead Lake Lodge in western Montana August 26 - September 2, 2012.  Anyway here is a sneak preview of their instrument that is soon to be done.

Back and sides are old school (straight grained, perfect quarter) Brazilian Rosewood......soundboard is select Engelmann Spruce from British Columbia.  Trimmed out with Abalone purfling and rosette and Purpleheart and maple bindings this guitar is just waiting to sing!   Meticulously built to be the ultimate experience in an OM style.

Coming soon! This pair of D-BG guitars are made especially for Bluegrass.  Their sound will be big, deep, punchy, loud and awesome.  They are a matched pair, not only identically built but also have the same DNA.  Look closely and you will see the African Padauk back and sides are cut from the same billet, the tops are from the same Alaskan Sitka Spruce, the necks are from the same Paradise Black Walnut tree.  It will be interesting to see how close these twins are in sound.  The Montana Guitar Shop bag of tricks has been thrown at these guitars for the ultimate Bluegrass experience.  Reserve one of these Cannons soon before they are gone OR reserve both of them for a special discount.

All wood bindings (Purpleheart & Maple), Purpleheart and Bird's Eye Maple rosette. The Peghead overlay is Brazilian Rosewood.

It is pretty awesome to see and hear who by many is considered the world's formost blues guitar player: Joe Bonamassa.  Joe held a guitar clinic for the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation last August.  Here is a picture of him spending time on a Montana Guitar Shop OOO-SP.  He is an avid guitar collector, toured with B.B. King when he was 12 years old, has 11 albums to his credit.

Typically the conifer trees (evergreens) are used for guitar soundboards with the Spruce varieties (Sitka, European, Adirondack, Engelmann, etc.) being the most common.  Some of the other conifers used are Western Red Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, Redwood and yes even Pine.  Every different species of wood has it's own particular tonal properties and has to be voiced accordingly.  Voicing a guitar top involves every aspect of guitar construction but what has the most effect is the bracing wood and how it is constructed and shaped and then the proper thicknessing of the top.  To read an involved explanation I refer you to Ervin Somogyi's wonderful book "The Responsive Guitar".  Ever loving to explore new territory I just recently finished voicing a Montana White Pine top for a 14 fret OM style instrument and judging from all the tapping; it is going to be a REAL CANNON.  This guitar was built very understated (Butternut back and sides) with the intention of seeing how much tone we could sqeak out of what would be considered ordinary woods.  Hope you get a chance to hear it!

Go for the tone!  Rick.....

It is a real pleasure to me to correspond with my customers through the process of, first, how they want their guitar built and secondly keeping in touch through the building process.  Letting them know where we're at.  E-mail has worked so well for this exchange of ideas and I believe produces a bond between the customer and myself that helps create an instrument they can truly feel is their own.  And I believe I have made a friend for life.  From start to finish of having a dream guitar built it usually takes many, many e-mails and sometimes phone calls.  And if you are considering that special guitar you can rest assured we will take our time and do it right and not rush the process.........

Here are a couple pictures of a recent custom order from a family that lives in Alabama.

Hand building Acoustic guitars takes skill and is time consuming so these guitars are not inexpensive.  But I would like to let you know, guitar making is a labor of love for me and I am thankful to have the opportunity to follow this passion.  I would like you to know as a prospective customer you will be receiving a QUALITY instrument that many makers would charge much more for.

Kindest Regards, Rick McCollum......Montana Guitar Shop

Antonio de Torres (1817-1892) was born in Almeria, Spain and is credited with being the father of the modern day (especially classical) acoustic guitar.  We have to give him thanks because we incorporate in our OOO-N nylon string a modified fan bracing based upon his design.  Guitar makers have learned a few things since Antonio Torres and have many advantages (like humidity control in the shop) that he didn't have, yet it has been said that his guitars had "sound that transcends the sum of its parts".  THAT statement is our goal at Montana Guitar Shop.

The soundboard and bracewood for this OOO-N modified classical is select Swan River Valley Engelmann Spruce.  The bridge plate is select Washington state Yew .  All these pieces are allowed to acclimate together for a period of time before being glued in the go-stick board.

After braces are expertly glued to the soundboard (joints so good...they become ONE) they are meticulously hand carved and sanded.

Traditional Spanish foot construction for the OOO-N.  Select Spanish Cedar is used for the foot and neck construction.  Since the arch of the back (15' radius) is trimmed with our (in shop designed ) side trimmer, the curve of the foot and end block perfectly mate to the arch of the back.

With African Padauk sides and back and impecable construction we have a winning combination to give a lifetime (and more) of musical enjoyment.  You will love the tone and playability.....better than the sum of its parts?  Wish we could get Antonio's assessment.

Rick

What's inside REALLY counts when it comes to acoustic guitars and at Montana Guitar Shop we take our time to make sure your instrument will "HAVE THE TONE!".  Bracing wood is only the most select. And unlike guitar factories is hand carved AFTER it is glued to the soundboard and back.  Glue joints are done with good squeeze out (which is painstakingly cleaned) unlike guitar factories which must use a minimum of glue to avoid extra time with cleanup.  We have developed through the years what we think is the best balance of strength AND resonance.  A guitar with beautiful balance and extraordinary tone (and structural integrity) that will sound sweeter and sweeter generations down the road.  Notice the cap over the X joint?  We want your guitar to be an Heirloom your great grandchildren will cherish.  Notice the bridge plate?  It is quartersawn Yew Wood......yes the same wood bow makers use.  It is very hard yet has a flex to it that is part of the reason a Montana Guitar has that crisp, special tone that is so enjoyed by listeners.

Let us build the love of your life!  With Kindest Regards....... Rick

                  What could compare to a Montana Paint horse?

How about a MONTANA PAINT GUITAR from Montana Guitar Shop!!!!  This pair of OOO-SP guitars are made of Montana grown woods and are they ever sweet to play.........and exceptional tone....... One has Paradise Black Walnut back and sides.....the other Paradise White Walnut back and sides.  Both have Swan River Valley Engelmann Spruce tops.  Fretboards and bridges are made of rare Montana grown Mountain Mahogany, not really a mahogany at all but on the Janka hardness scale as hard as Ebony.  Naturally these guitars have all wood bindings and bracing is hand carved, you won't find a factory instrument like these.....                                                                                                

May we serve you by building the guitar of your dreams?

                          Rick McCollum