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You are here: Home / Customer Testimonials / Customer Testimonials: Monarch 12 String

Customer Testimonials: Monarch 12 String

“Greg Maxwell’s 12-string Monarch guitar is the product of an artist. I played the guitar among a small of group of rock-climbing paramedics during my interim stay in Richmond, Kentucky, before returning to Kailua, Hawaii, and the comments about the guitar were: “a beautiful work of art”; “the best sounding guitar I’ve ever heard”; “an amazing piece of artisanship.” For me, the lucky owner, the set-up of Greg’s guitars make them easy to play—even a 12-string! During my visit at Greg’s shop, he let me play his Kingston Jumbo model and its powerful projection filled the room with its beautiful tone. Complimenting his art of guitar building are Greg’s expertise of functional design and his sincere hospitality, making my visit to Greg’s shop both an informative, welcoming experience, and a momentous journey from Kailua, Hawaii, to Grandview, Missouri. Thank you Greg”

— Leonard Wilson, Kailua, Hawaii

Exceptional Tonewoods

Fine wood is the heart of every Dogwood guitar. Greg has been collecting rare and highly figured wood for over three decades, and he is always on the lookout for the best sets of both top and back/side wood for his custom guitars. Exotic wood of the … [Read More...]

1975 Gibson Hummingbird Restoration

While meeting with a customer and his daughter about designing a guitar for her, he showed me his Gibson Hummingbird that his daughter had been playing. Using the serial number and other identifying characteristics, I was able to date the guitar … [Read More...]

Making a Spalted Maple Rosette

The rosette on an acoustic guitar, along with the peghead and bridge designs, is a big part of the custom builder's signature. Often a particular design will immediately identify the guitar as being made by a specific individual. Perhaps the amazing … [Read More...]

Customer Testimonials: Taylor 12 string setup

I had a well known luthier in Columbus do a setup on my custom Taylor 12 string including having a bone saddle and nut made. The work seemed good but a while later while using the guitar for recording I noticed a strange light buzzing sound in the B … [Read More...]

The Kingston Jumbo

I've always been particularly drawn to jumbo-size acoustics. I learned to play guitar in the early 1970's when John Denver was at the height of his career, and the sound he got from his jumbo Guild 6 and 12 string guitars made an impression on me … [Read More...]

Luthier Services & Labor Estimates for 2026

I am semi-retired but taking on some work at my discretion. Please see my Retirement Announcement in the menu for details. … [Read More...]

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