With our unique catalog of luthiers, each offering instruments in the bench built technique, custom instruments have become our specialty.  If you visit the Arriving Soon section of our website, you will find that we have build slots reserved with all of our luthiers well in advance of scheduled delivery dates for new (*) orders.  In this way we can offer you premium customer service with the shortest wait time for your custom instrument.

Whether you have a specific model in mind that you wish to have built with custom appointments, or exacting specifications to suit your personal needs, we can assist you in commissioning a custom guitar from any of our builders.  Our extensive experience in working directly with luthiers at Bourgeois, Collings, Huss & Dalton, National Reso-Phonic, and Santa Cruz provides you with a broad array of custom design services.  We can assist you in designing custom specifications from start to finish.

Here are some examples of the custom features available to you (varies by builder):

• Upgraded Master grade tone woods (Examples: Ziricote, Cocobolo, Madagascar Rosewood, Sinker / Bee's Wings / Flamed Mahogany, German Maple, Brazilian Rosewood, Macassar Ebony, Koa)
• Upgraded sound boards (Examples: German Spruce, Italian Spruce, Carpathian Spruce, Engelmann Spruce, Redwood, American Red Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, Adirondack Red Spruce, European Red Spruce)
• Custom binding, purfling, & esthetic appointments (Examples: 41 / 42 / 45 Style Abalone inlays, wood bindings, multicolored herringbone purfle, custom rosettes)
• Nut width and string spacing
• Custom neck profile
• Custom sunbursts and finish options (Examples: Varnish vs. Nitrocellulose Lacquer)
• Optional headstock veneers
• Custom fretboard inlays
• Tuners options
• On-board electronics
• Deep body construction option
• Custom top voicing, specific to your string attack or playing style (Examples: Adirondack Spruce bracing vs. Sitka Spruce)
• Hide glue construction option

After an extensive discussion and council with our staff, we will finalize the entire list of specifications (both standard with custom options), and prepare a personal quote for your approval.  Once you have made the final choice for your custom appointments, a modest deposit is required to have your order placed.  Here are the minimum initial payment amounts, determined by the final pricing for your custom instrument (Note - In the event you elect to cancel your order, payments are non-refundable):

* The average build-to-order time for custom orders is 4 to 6 months, depending upon the builder and your choice of options.

With as many as 250 new & pre-owned instruments in stock, you will also find we have another 200 new instruments on order with our builders at any given time (visit the Arriving Soon section of our website for more details).

We continually offer a full range of models and features for the limited brands we represent.  With extended build-to-order schedules, we need to place orders many months in advance to keep pace with demand.  Should you like to reserve an instrument which we have on our build schedule, you can place a "Hold" on any instrument with a modest deposit.  The balance is not due until your new instrument arrives, and is ready to ship!  Here is how we calculate the deposit required to reserve your order:

Please note, as we are taking the instrument ‘off the market’, your initial deposit is non-refundable should you elect to not complete your purchase.

We know how it is to find the guitar of your dreams when you least expect.  With so many excellent hand-crafted instruments in stock, this can happen to visitors when least expect.  Of course our extended term layaway plan is open to our online website visitors, both local and international.

So for those of you who want to secure a purchase immediately, even if your budget isn’t quite ready, we offer a 90 day layaway plan so that special guitar doesn’t get away.

You can purchase any new, pre-owned instrument, or amplifier in stock with an initial deposit of 25%, and take a full 90 days to complete your purchase (or less time, if you wish to pay it off early) - With no additional fees or interest.  Once your initial deposit is received, your instrument will be removed from inventory display, stored safely in its original case, and marked as reserved on our website.  Upon receipt of your final payment, we can immediately arrange shipping to you.  Here's how it works:

Please note, as we are taking the instrument ‘off the market’, your initial deposit is non-refundable should you elect to not complete your purchase.  Please don’t hesitate to call and discuss our layaway plan, should you have questions or need to make special arrangements that will work best for you.

A-Style mandolin players are forced to make a tough decision in regards to how they put a strap on their mandolin.  F-Style players have the ability to loop the strap around the scroll, which works quite well.  A-Style players are basically left with 3 options...

Looping the strap around the body, beneath the fretboard extension.

This works, though it presents a few issues.  First, it is not the most attractive option.  Second, it places the strap along the top of the body, which will in time wear through the finish.

Using a loop on the headstock, between the tuning pegs.

You will find many players who use this method and it works well for them.  One consideration is that it can tend to get in the way of your left hand.  Another is that it feels a bit imbalanced, especially for players accustomed to the feel of looping the strap around the scroll of an F-style mandolin.    The mandolin can't move as freely as you may like, although this could be a plus for some players.

The Strap Button

This is perhaps the best option, so long as you are willing to have a hole drilled into the heel of your instrument.  Collings mandolins utilize a mortise and tenon joint for attaching the neck, so you don't have bolts to worry about like on acoustic guitars.  It does, however, need to be very carefully drilled and the placement is very critical so that it doesn't hinder access to the higher frets.  Kym Warner and Tim O'Brien both have a mandolin strap button on their A model mandolins.

Guitar Humidification Tips :

So, it's time once again to wince & fret over the dreaded "humidification" drill... well, for many of us in dry cold climates, where the furnace runs from early November through March, it can be quite a headache. We share your concern for the need to take good care of your mandolin or guitar, for fear it will suffer poking fret ends, a top seam crack, or worse - even come to need a neck reset.

There are so many varied recommendations on the market, on forums, and in magazines - but where to turn? We've spent years searching for a simple low-maintenance product that works, and can instill confidence in your efforts. I think we may have a solid suggestion in the specialty products from Oasis. Their unique design provides water vapor transmission, without the worry of liquids wicking into your case or on your instrument, and with a simple glance you know when it is time to refill.

"How many humidifiers will I need in my case"? Well, obviously that will vary depending upon your RH (relative humidity). Our instrument builders typically agree, 45% RH +/- 5% is ideal (range of 40% to 50%) year round. To determine how much moisture you need to add to the case atmosphere you will need a hygrometer. Oasis has a simple, compact designed digital hygrometer that will fit inside your case. There is an assortment of well designed, versatile humidifiers from Oasis to suit your application needs, for safe keeping inside your case and inside the sound hole.

View all Humidification Products

Shipping a Guitar:

We are pleased to report, we receive a lot of positive comments from customer about our shipping procedures.  While we are all worried about shipping instruments, whether to far away places or just across town, this step by step process has served us well.

Much of what we do is just precautionary common sense, however - our experience rivals many for shipping hand-crafted instruments.  Every day we are on the receiving end of shipments coming from our builders, shipping guitars from California, Texas, Virginia, & Maine to us in Nashville.  In all types of different weather, we have seen the best and worst case scenarios from builders who ship more than 2,000 instruments per year.

Here are the procedures we have refined over the years... We hope they will also serve you well:

- Detune the guitar to relieve tension on the neck (not "totally", because if there is no string tension the bridge pins can come loose and find themselves rolling around in the case)

- Secure all "loose items" in the case compartment (usually wadded or crunched paper stuffed on top of items works here, to prevent any case keys or items from coming loose in transit)

Secure all items in the case compartment

- Support the headstock (both over and under) with a cushion of crumpled 40# paper (newspaper will work fine... You are trying to create a wedge shape, front and back, which will "hold or suspend" the headstock inside the case, reducing any "shock" factor)

- Wrap the headstock in tissue & / or bubble wrap (so the 40# paper won't leave any marks)

Support the headstock with crushed paper

Cushion the top of the headstock

- Wrap the entire case inside a full size plastic bag to prevent case burn & contain the environment from temperature / humidity changes (a plastic bag this size is hard to find, so if doing this yourself, you might want to use a couple of large trash bags, the kind you use for yard work)

Wrap the entire case in oversized plastic bag (sealed)

- Attach to the plastic bags with shipping tape, large double-folded sections of bubble wrap on the outside of the lower bout of the case (front, back, and bottom).  If you are using bubble wrap from a roll, these are usually sectioned in 12" lengths.  One 12" square double thick attached to the front & back will usually be sufficient.  Fold one double thick section in half, and tape it long ways across the bottom of the case.

Attach bubble wrap in critical areas

- Create a "cushion" on the  floor or bottom of your box.  Crushed paper will do well here, though it needs to be crushed tightly.  Build up the corners in the bottom of the box where the case will rest, as the case is round on the bottom.

Bottom of the case is round, so insert crushed paper into the bottom corners of the box

- Insert the guitar & case inside the box, while tightly packing crumpled 40# paper around the upright case until full (the idea is to totally suspend the case inside the box, away from the outer container. When done correctly, you can turn the case upside down and notice from "feel" the case has not moved and should be stable in shipping).

Insert the case into the box, support voids inside box with crushed paper

Finish adding packing to top of box

- Place "Wait 24 hours" weather warning label on top of box flap (of course we "wait" a full 8 to 24 hours on most all our instruments, summer or winter - to avoid any rapid change in temperature to the instrument).

Apply "cold / hot" weather warning label

- Mark the box with arrows "THIS END UP", on all 4 sides near the top of the box - add "FRAGILE" labels or write this visibly on the box as well.

"This End Up / Do Not Stack" label

In our experience, your best bet is to ship all instruments via FedEx (FedEx Express service costs more, but offers a higher level of package handling as well).  The final word on shipping?  Make sure you have private insurance to cover the replacement cost of you instrument - don't get caught trying to settle a claim with a shipper who will usually find fault with your packing efforts, regardless of how good they might be...  Good luck!

Your hand-crafted instrument is made from the finest materials available, and need to be treated responsibly.  In order to insure that yours will last a lifetime in good condition, we recommend you follow these guitar maintenance guidelines:

Solid wood instruments and their finishes are affected by temperature, as well as humidity.  They shrink and swell as their environment changes, which is why we maintain our shop at 45% relative humidity and 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unfinished areas such as fretboards & bridges (also the interior of acoustic instruments) take on and give off moisture.  Exposure to low humidity can shrink wood, “delaminate” lacquer and cause acoustic sound-board tops to crack.  There are tell-tale signs to watch before this happens, such as string action dropping, tops sinking, fret ends protruding, glue joints separating, grain sinking, etc.  (Learn more about your options for controlling humidity here).

A dry or sunken top can also put stress on the sides of an acoustic guitar.  Back seams on acoustic guitars & mandolins can also separate due to dryness. High humidity can cause instruments to swell, causing binding separations, splitting joints etc. These types of damage are not covered by most builders’ warranties.

Please keep your instrument in its case and use a soundhole humidifier to regulate the RH (relative humidity) when necessary; especially if you live in dry areas or cold weather regions where indoor heat is required.  Please follow the instructions on whatever humidifier you choose and beware of over-humidification.

Most mountain states have dry climates, however even areas near the beach in southern California can have days with single digit humidity.  An apartment building in New York City can likewise be damaging without the proper care.  A small digital hygrometer, placed in the room with your instruments (or even inside the case), will help you monitor the climatic conditions to which your instrument is exposed.  A room humidifier might help in some areas.  Conditions with a relative humidity below 40% or above 60% can begin to cause stress in any instrument built from wood.

Always store your instrument in its hard-shell case.  Be sure to remove any accessories that might damage the instrument through prolonged contact, i.e. capos or anything made of vinyl or plastic.  The rubber padding on certain stands, and also chemicals such as insect repellant can also cause damage to the finish.  Even the dyes used in some leather straps may “bleed” into the finish of your instrument.

If your instrument is equipped with a pickup, we recommend removing the battery before shipping your acoustic guitar, and also during extended storage periods.  (For detailed shipping advice, see our FAQ “Shipping Procedures”)

Never use an abrasive wax, or any polishes that contain citrus oils or silicones.  While they may not cause immediate damage to the instrument’s finish, they could impact future finish work, should it ever be required.

If you have any questions concerning the care and maintenance of your instrument, please contact us by email info@artisanguitars.com or give us a call by phone at 615.595.2544.  Whether your question is about an instrument you purchased from us – or a brand that we don’t offer, we are pleased to offer our advice and assistance.

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As Written on the Santa Cruz Website:

In our endless quest for the best products to enhance, protect, and maintain your prized Santa Cruz guitar we have developed a premium wax specifically for SCGC's nitro cellulose lacquer finish. The formula has no additives such as silicone that could harm your finish. It contains some proprietary elements in very high quality Carnauba wax that will protect and enhance your lacquer finish.

A wonderful benefit of SCGC Wax is that it doesn't leave an unsightly white line around the edges of the bridge or fingerboard where it extends over the guitars top or where the neck heel joins the body. It is still prudent to avoid a build up of wax in these areas. Be careful not to get wax or polish of any kind into cracked or chipped finish as it will seriously resist any future attempts to repair the finish. Do not use on bare wood such as the fingerboard or bridge as the wax will dry white in the pores. We will have an excellent treatment especially formulated for SCGC's unfinished wood surfaces available soon. If your neck has a satin finish it was applied to make the neck faster by reducing drag. Don't use wax or oils on these necks as it will diminish this benefit.

Make sure that the guitar is free of debris that could cause abrasion. Use a scratch-free cloth such as Micro-fiber, flannel, etc. and use the cloth to dip a small amount of wax, way less then a teaspoon. Only apply to one surface, back, top, or one side at a time. Start with the back at first, as it is a surface free of obstructions. Apply the wax using a circular motion to completely cover the desired area. Let it set for one to three minutes. Using a clean cloth and a circular motion you will remove the wax and achieve a great gloss at the same time. You have created a beautiful surface that will protect your fine finish from perspiration, skin oils, or errant beverages for a long time.

To Purchase: Click Here

We feel our core signature brands collectively represent the very finest bench-built instruments presently available in the “medium” production range (300 to 1800 instruments annually).  In becoming more familiar with the comprehensive & extensive list of models offered, together with their individual voicing characteristics, we are able to draw upon each builder’s resources to offer literally hundreds of different model guitars, at the highest level of master craftsmanship & materials, for practically any playing style or purpose.

Perhaps biased in our goals, we believe that limiting our focus to a small number of select brands allows us to become intimately familiar and specialized in the individual design philosophy of each master luthier, from the evolution of their processes to their daily procedures.  By devoting our entire staff & business resources to just a handful of core brands, we believe each member of our team can best serve our responsibilities as an authorized dealer, and in turn bring value to each individual customer.

In this endeavor Artisan Guitars is able to offer a broader inventory selection for each coveted brand, and we hope the best selection of custom instruments for you to choose from.

“Mass-Production vs. individually bench-built instruments”

In the past several years, the most well renowned production style builders have contacted us with offers to represent their companies.  While perhaps enticing to consider, it would seem to require an exhaustive effort to attempt provision for a superior level of service with any one of these brands.  We also find these larger companies have business objectives & needs which do not directly align with ours.

Our clientele have very specific needs, each in search of instruments that offer superior responsiveness, who seek the highest standards of workmanship and finish quality.  They desire sonic excellence & playability, without the risk of searching dozens of instruments to find the single instrument which meets these standards.  We have found these needs are best served through bench-built construction, where each wood set is hand selected, and each instrument individually voiced for maximum performance.  These are the heirloom instruments our grandchildren will be playing 50 years from now.

“Bench-built medium production range vs. boutique builders”

We strongly support the ongoing study of lutherie, and have great admiration for the dedication of individual builders at all skill levels.  Over the years, many of today’s finest boutique builders interned under the skilled hands of master luthiers Richard Hoover, Dana Bourgeois, & Bill Collings.

For clients who seek the personal attention & direct interaction with an individual builder, we recommend drawing upon the resources of dozens of builders within the marketplace who work directly with the public (as opposed to a dealer network).  We have observed that those who are successful in this endeavor also similarly enjoy working directly with the individual player.

Artisan Guitars, defined…

Ultimately our goal is to match your needs and skills with the instrument that will best satisfy your expectations.  We offer an exhaustive amount of personal attention to each customer to achieve this goal.  Our promise is to answer every question to the best of our knowledge, and spare the typical salesmanship practices of the marketplace.  In most instances our efforts lead to rewarding, long term personal relationships with musicians all around the world.

These statements best define our culture, and who we are!  If you are looking for hallmark customer service, honest advice combined with a high level of expertise, you’ve come to the right place.

If you've ordered a guitar from us, you will see an important sticker we place on all of our outgoing packages that states "Do Not Open for 24 Hours."  Depending upon the season and weather conditions, this wait time is strongly recommended due to potential changes in temperature that can occur between the shipping facility, truck and your environment.  Obviously, this change in temperature can be more pronounced at different times of the year, so it is not necessarily a firm rule, although some common sense measures should be taken before unpacking.

First... feel the outside of the shipping box.  Is it cold? Hot?  After allowing the box to acclimate to your interior climate, place your hand on a wooden table in your office or living room for comparison.  Does it feel like it is the same temperature as the shipping box?  If so, open the box and feel the case through the protective plastic bag.  Does it feel cold or hot?   Once again, compare to some wooden furniture in the same room.  If it does not feel like it is the same temperature, wait to open the case.  If the temperature feels the same, it is safe to remove the plastic and open the guitar case.  Feel the guitar itself... if it still feels warm or cold, close the case immediately and let it sit awhile longer, otherwise it is now safe to play!

Sudden changes in temperature can cause devistating damage the lacquer or varnish finish on instruments... With these common sense measures, you can be assured that your new guitar will be unpacked in the same condition that we sent it from our shop.

This is a good time to also mention, we "de-tune" most instruments prior to shipping, to reduce tension on the headstock during transit - so don't be surprised to find your new guitar has arrived out of tune.  It's just a safety precaution.  (Note: This does not apply to resonator instruments, or those with a floating bridge, such as mandolins and some archtops).

Our customers often ask us for advice when it comes to insuring such valuable instruments.  Without hesitation, we always recommend Heritage Insurance Services.  They know and understand musicians and their instruments and all of our customers have had great experiences with their guitar insurance.

Coverage Highlights:

• All Risk of Direct Physical Damage
• No Deductible
• Consequential Loss in Value Due to Breakage
• Agreed Value - Your Value is Guaranteed
• Worldwide Coverage
• Minimal Exclusions
• Fast and Fair Claim Service
• Phone Quotations - Immediate Coverage
• No Membership Fees

Contact:
Heritage Insurance Services, Inc.
1-800-289-8837
info@musicins.com • http://www.musicins.com

In the top menu of our website, you will find a "What's New" link.  This takes you to the latest post on our website, not filtered by specific category.  This is a great section to visit to find out our latest posts without having to search each specific category.

Located on every page, just above the sidebar, you will find a Facebook "Like" button.  When clicked, this places a link on your facebook profile letting your friends know that you "like" our post and allows your friends to follow the link and check out the instrument as well.

Our monthly newsletter is a collection of shop news and general happenings going on at Artisan Guitars. This is delivered via email once per month and requires a subscription using the form below. You can unsubscribe at any time using the instructions at the bottom of our emails.

We have setup an option so that our users can receive a daily update of all the new items we posted during the previous 24 hr. period.   If we post 5 new guitars, your email will contain links and a brief description for each new guitar posted.  If we didn't post anything, you will not receive an email.  You can unsubscribe at any time via the instructions at the bottom of the emails.

For your convenience, we have included the signup form below...

Artisan Guitars utilizes RSS feeds as a way of delivering content to various news readers.    For specific details on what RSS is, please visit http://www.whatisrss.com/.

The Artisan Guitars homepage features an RSS Icon at the top of the sidebar, located right next to the Twitter and Facebook icons.  Clicking this link will open our RSS feed, which you can use to subscribe using your browser, mobile phone, etc.  Please refer to the instructions for your desired RSS reader for help setting up the feed.

When you click on a thumbnail in one of our listings, you should see an image overlay page with a larger image.

To save the image to your desktop, right-click the image title, located directly below the large image and choose "save target as" or "save link as."

To view an even larger version of the photo, click on the image title located below the large image to open the image directly, then use your browsers zoom function to zoom into the full size image.

Artisan Guitars does not accept liability for incorrect spelling, printing errors (including prices), incorrect manufacturer’s specifications or changes, or grammatical inaccuracies in any product included in the Artisan Guitars website. Prices subject to change without notice.

Artisan Guitars will never trade, share, sell, or release any of your personal information to anyone without your permission. We do not send unsolicited emails or spam.

We try to simplify our shipping policy, with a priority on minimizing your costs and assuring you the shortest, safest, delivery method and time.Shipments on most orders over $199 to the continental US are shipped free of charge. Please note that this does not include Bose Amplification Systems. Shipments to APO / FPO for citizens on duty in our Armed Forces, here and abroad, receive our free shipment policy.

Orders outside the continental US will incur shipping costs. Please note, our shipping calculator may not include all fees at the time of purchase. You will be sent a separate electronic invoice for actual shipping costs when your order is processed. Your order will be shipped upon receipt of payment for shipping expense.

Most US shipments will be made via FedEx Ground. International shipments will be made via Global Priority Mail or Bax Global, depending upon your location.

Actual charges for guitars and amps vary for shipments to Canada & Mexico. Call or email for a shipping quote to other US territories or international destinations. We are not responsible for any import duties or taxes that may be due upon arrival. Please appreciate we cannot misrepresent the value of your purchase to minimize any duties, as this invalidates any insurance claims for loss or damage.

Our internet shopping cart will not add shipping charges to your order, as most shipments are free of charge. When charges apply to international shipments you will be sent an electronic invoice via PayPal, after your purchase, for any shipping charges that may apply. Once you make payment for the invoice your purchase transaction is complete and your shipment will leave immediately.

You will be provided a tracking number via email the day your purchase is shipped, so that you can monitor its arrival. In most cases FedEx Ground shipments will arrive within 3 to 5 days. International shipments will vary depending on the carrier.

We appreciate your decision to purchase an instrument from Artisan Guitars. It is our goal to assist you in avoiding an impetuous purchase, to ensure you are totally satisfied with your purchase (as much as is possible, prior to actually playing it).

Our staff is trained to spend an extensive amount of time discussing your playing style, the type of music intended for your new instrument, as well as other instruments in your present collection.  Our crew has broad experience in discussing instrument design elements, from string spacing to tone woods, and everything in between.

We also work hard to ensure that all products are accurately described on our website and we take utmost care in preparing all products for shipment. These elements combined have created our hallmark customer service, all in an effort to make your purchase experience both enjoyable, free of sales pressure & worry!

Our "3 Day Approval" period offers you a full 3 days to play your new guitar, mandolin, or ukulele in the comfort of your own home or studio.  (During inclement weather, this trial period may be extended a full 24 hours upon request.  Provided your local weather is severe, it might be best to wait a full 24 hours to allow the instrument to acclimate slowly from extreme temperatures).  Amplifiers, sound systems, and electronic equipment is non-returnable.

If your purchase is not as you imagined, you should notify us of your intent to return it within 72 hours of receipt - for a full refund of your purchase price, less out-bound shipping expense. We have no hidden fees, and do not charge a restocking fee.  Our conditions are simple:

- You must 1st call to obtain an RA # (return authorization) prior to return.

- Your return must include all the original packaging and equipment which shipped with your purchase.

- All items must be in original salable condition and deemed "as new" upon return, subject to our inspection standards.  As we feel our trial period and return policy is generously decided in favor of the customer, we cannot emphasize enough the instrument must be clean from any playing marks, with no sign of wear / damage, regardless of how minor.

- Return shipping (and insurance) must be prepaid at the buyer's expense.  In the event of damage during return shipping we can not refund your payment, and you will need to file a claim with your shipper.

Allow 7 to 10 business days to process your return, which includes sufficient time for safe shipping & inspection of the instrument, then we can refund your full purchase price, (less actual our shipping costs).

Note: This return policy does not apply to custom ordered instruments.  This policy does not apply to international orders / purchases - international purchases for our instruments are non-returnable.

Contact Artisan Guitars to get total charges including shipping and bank details before attempting to send a wire transfer. Artisan Guitars reserves the right to refuse the payment or charge extra if your bank charges fees to our account that are incurred upon our receipt of the transfer. Please consult your bank for their procedures regarding wire transfers.

Orders will be shipped as soon as the wire transfer is received.

Our shopping cart is fully integrated with paypal.  Simply choose paypal during checkout and you will be directed to Paypal.com to complete your payment.

Contact Artisan Guitars to obtain / verify total charges including shipping before attempting to send payment. Artisan Guitars will only accept bank-issued or Western Union money orders. All other money orders will be returned to the sender, without exception. The money order should be made out to Artisan Guitars and payable in US Dollars for the amount of the order plus shipping charges (and taxes if you reside in the state of Tennessee). Send the money order to:

Artisan Guitars
Suite 11-GG
230 Franklin Road
Franklin, TN 37064 USA

Orders will be shipped as soon as the bank-issued or Western Union money order is received.

The name and address of where the order is being shipped to must match the name and address of the credit card owner. The issuer of the card will be contacted to verify that the name, address, and card number match. In most cases this process is instantaneous, however, if the card issuer does not respond with a verification within 7 days after placing the order, you will be contacted and given other options for payment. After credit card payment is verified, your order will be shipped. If orders are to be shipped to a different address than the one associated with your credit card, we would prefer that you pay with PayPal or money order instead.

Artisan Guitars is pleased to accept international orders; however, please read the following information before you place your order.

Our online website shopping cart will not accept credit card orders for international purchases.  Our payment preference for 1st time international purchases is a bank wire transfer (please see “Paying by Wire Transfer” below). Credit card orders will not be accepted by phone, as we cannot positively verify details with international bank cards.

Orders outside the continental US will incur shipping costs. Please note, our shipping calculator may not include all fees at the time of purchase. You will be sent a separate electronic invoice for actual shipping costs when your order is processed. Your order will be shipped upon receipt of payment for shipping expense.

International orders are subject to customs duties & VAT fees upon arrival in the destination country.

All shipments are fully insured for the full purchase amount, for your safety & security.  For this reason, we are unable to reduce the declared value of your purchase to circumvent these fees.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

For customers in the United States, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted for online or phone orders. We also accept PayPal and bank-issued or Western Union money orders for non-credit card orders. Personal checks are NOT accepted.

Guitar Consignment and Trade-In:

We are often asked about taking trade-in’s toward purchase of a new guitar, or one better suited to your playing needs. It seems common practice for some shops to reference a “trade” publication for pricing guidelines, which do not appear to take into consideration current resale or market value of a particular instrument – yet are more or less arbitrary. We have heard from our clients that many shops will then also offer only 40% to 60% of that “book” value.

This practice seems to leave a poor impression of the industry in general, and doesn’t seem fair to you, the seller. Alternately, the shop owner is taking the risk of tying up their inventory dollars in a “trade” – which may be some time in coming before he or she gets the appraisal price for the instrument.

For these reasons, we have established what we consider to be fair trade & consignment policies, which works for sellers, buyers, and us too. We have heard some shops charge as much as 25% consignment fee to sell your instrument. Our fee is more competitive, and offers you a sensible alternative to the dreaded “trade” option:

Straight Consignment

• Our fee is 20%
• We ask a minimum of 30 to 60 days to allow us to sell your instrument, but if you find a buyer before we do, we are happy to return it to you, and there is no fee, just return shipping expense.
• You will receive payment within 15 days of buyer’s 3 day approval period (bare in mind we may need to ship to the buyer, which will add to this time frame).

Trade Consignment

• Our fee is 10%
• You can apply the proceeds of the sale to your new purchase / order immediately following the buyer’s 3 day approval period
• Or, our 10% fee can be applied retro-active to your purchase today, if you consignment an instrument within 30 days of your purchase.

Straight Trade-In

• Our fee is 30%
• For those of you who wish to finalize an immediate purchase, we try to give every consideration to worthy trades, particularly if your instrument is one of the core product brands we feature.
• After establishing a fair retail price for your instrument, we will work on a premise of 30% commission, offering you up to 70% of the value for your instrument on trade towards a store purchase.

"What price will my guitar or mandolin sell for?"

When attempting to establish a resale value for a pre-owned instrument, we conduct a bit of research on the internet to see what is currently available on the market, adding to a careful inspection of the instrument with regard to it’s wear, repair history (if known), and age. Together this information is evaluated with the current price for a new replacement model of the same specifications (when pertinent). You have full approval for both the list (or asking) price, as well as the “minimum” selling price, prior to signing your consignment agreement.

Some additional advice on pricing… If your instrument is of a mass-produced brand, which currently sells new for 25% off, this can dramatically reduce the street value of a pre-owned instrument. We ask you to bare this in mind with regard to resale expectations.

On the other hand, we have had great experience selling hand-crafted instruments at higher than expected street values. With more than 2500 web hits per day, our national & international clients have come to rely upon us for excellent customer service and advice on their purchases.

"I worry about my guitar being mishandled while hanging in a shop"

A final note… Your instrument is well cared for in our shop. We do not allow visitors to play unattended, we use a mylar pickguard cover for every demonstration, and make frequent string changes so that your instrument is well cared for during it's stay. Your guitar is fully insured by Heritage Insurance Company while in our possession, and in transit to its new owner.