Thank you for choosing to order one of my handmade acoustic guitars. From the day we begin to design your dream guitar until the moment you first see and hear it, you are in for a fun and special time. I will work carefully with you to make sure the process is easy and the end result spectacular!
The first step in choosing the elements of your instrument is often a visit to the Dogwood shop, although I certainly can work with you over the phone or via email. In this meeting you can see and play a couple of my guitars. Top sets and back and side sets of various tonewoods are available for viewing, and we can discuss design elements and options. Tone is always of premier importance, so I will ask about your playing style and what you consider important when you listen to a guitar.
All my guitars include a set of standard quality features as part of the base price. These include a voiced and tuned Spruce top selected for your tonal preferences and playing style, wood bindings with decorative purflings, shell rosette, bone nut and saddle, hand leveled and polished frets, hand cut shell peghead logo, bound Ebony fretboard, and a five-piece laminated Mahogany and Maple neck.
As explained in the article, “Voicing and Tap Tuning”, the choice of wood for a guitar top has a profound effect on the tone of the instrument. All my top sets are individually subjected to dynamic and static testing to measure their material properties. This imperial method of building guarantees that your guitar will have concert quality tone with superior clarity, balance, and projection.
Various options are available should you desire a truly customized instrument. These include venetian cutaways, custom rosettes, custom fretboard inlays, exotic back and side sets, Waverly tuning machines, EVO gold fret wire, top, back, and side shell purflings, and other custom design elements. Contact me to discuss your ideas and costs.
A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to establish your place in the build schedule. I will give you an estimate of when work on your guitar will begin. The full balance is due at the time of delivery. The wait time depends on your place in line as well as my setup and repair schedule, and averages 6-12 months. Progress reports and photos of the work will help you through the wait! It will be worth it.
You will find that I am very easy to work with, and I will take all the time you need to answer your questions and help you with your decisions. I have a very good eye for design and may offer alternatives to some of your choices if I feel it is warranted, but the final decisions are yours. Designing your guitar and then watching it come to life is a thrill that goes beyond words! I am looking forward to working with you and enjoying the process right along with you.
Please read my FAQ page for the answers to the most common questions.
Thanks,
Greg Maxwell
“Greg’s guitars are products of an artist. I played my new Monarch guitar for a small of group friends 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…” –Leonard Wilson
