boutique Electric Spotlight
Eliot Hunt | August 27, 2024
It’s been a long, hot summer here in Boston (and just about everywhere else, it seems). Between cooling off at the beach with family, we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes—placing orders, spec’ing out guitars, and forging new relationships with builders - we know, tough job!
As luck would have it, we’ve just received a stunning array of instruments from our talented roster of builders. We're excited to welcome the very talented Josh Williams and his Gibson-inspired guitars to The Music Emporium family, as well as reintroduce you to old friends like Novo Guitars and Damian Probett, who have each delivered a batch of remarkably cool guitars.
Rounding out our Summer '24 collection are a new guitars from shop favorites Healy Guitars, Retrograde Guitars, and Tim Bram.
We’d like to take a moment to explain how we define "boutique" at The Music Emporium, as this understanding can help frame our collection and highlight what makes the boutique industry truly special. While "boutique" can mean different things to different people, for us, it refers to a segment of the guitar industry comprised of independent businesses, often led by a single luthier who crafts each instrument - typically an original design or improvement on an old design - from start to finish. In some cases, these luthiers have grown their operations into small to medium-sized companies, allowing them to produce more instruments while providing employment within their communities. However, the heart and soul of the brand’s identity—no matter how many instruments are produced each year—always stems from the founder’s original vision.
As you can imagine, sustaining a life as a boutique builder is no small feat. The skills required and the risks taken are immense—encompassing woodworking, metalworking, finishing, setup, and even winding pickups—along with the challenges of running a business and providing employment. The founders of these companies are responsible for bringing their vision to life, navigating the many obstacles that come with crafting an instrument from start to finish, often with little room for error due to the tight budgets involved.
Despite these challenges, some master every aspect of this process and do so consistently. We’re proud to say that our roster of boutique builders, while not exhaustive, represents the best of the best currently working in the industry. After spending time with one of their instruments, we’re confident you’ll understand why we consider ourselves fortunate to collaborate with such high-caliber artisans.
When we use the term "boutique," we mean top-tier craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to excellence—qualities that are at the heart of every instrument we offer. We’re also proud to support the entrepreneurs who drive the creative spirit (and local economies) in our industry.
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Without further ado, here is our Summer 2024 Boutique Electric Spotlight. Have fun exploring!
Josh Williams' journey into guitar building started with a deep-seated passion for engineering, hands-on craftsmanship, and a lifelong love of music. What began as a suggestion from a friend has evolved into a thriving endeavor where Josh and his dedicated California-based team pour their heart and soul into every instrument they create.
Each guitar is a testament to their commitment to the craft, tailored to meet the unique needs of each player. Rather than a faceless serial number, every guitar proudly bears the name of its future owner which is how each member of the team refers to the guitar as it makes its way through the shop - a personal touch that demonstrates how much care is put into each build. The result? Guitars that not only offer impeccable build quality and effortless playability, but also deliver responsiveness, feel, and tones steeped in the rich heritage of vintage Gibson-style instruments.
We’re thrilled to welcome Josh Williams to The Music Emporium family. His guitars embody everything we stand for: exceptional craftsmanship, personal connection, and a deep love for music. Great guitars, crafted by great people—it's as simple as that.
For over two decades, Trevor Healy has been quietly crafting guitars in his western-MA shop that reflect his deep expertise and passion for the craft. Alongside his small team, he’s focused on creating original, visually stunning instruments that are as enjoyable to play as they are to behold. Each piece they produce isn’t simply 'another guitar'—it’s a lifetime companion, designed with unexpected electronics, pickups and wiring that surprise and inspire.
Whether you’re on stage, in the studio, or just jamming at home, a Healy guitar is perfect for those who seek inspiration from original designs. Not to be missed!
For those who’ve kept an eye on the boutique electric guitar scene over the past two decades, the name Dennis Fano should be a familiar one. Starting his career at Matt Umanov Guitars in New York, Dennis transitioned from repairing instruments to creating them, founding Fano Guitars in 2001. His innovative designs quickly garnered a devoted following of players including Walter Becker, Jared Scharff (SNL band), Gary Clark, Jr. and scores of others.
After selling Fano Guitars, Dennis channeled his expertise into Novo Guitars, a company based in Nashville, TN, that has since become a beacon of creativity and craftsmanship in the guitar community. We're really excited to rekindle our relationship with Dennis and his team at Novo Guitars, welcoming them back to our family after a brief pause during the pandemic.
Whether you’re revisiting Dennis’ work or discovering Novo Guitars for the first time, there’s no better time to explore these genre-defying instruments. Expect nothing less than guitars that challenge convention and redefine what’s possible in tone and design.
photo credit: usa today
UK-based Damian Probett is a renowned luthier whose expertise and passion for guitar building have earned him a stellar reputation among musicians and collectors alike (his name regularly appears in conversation alongside the likes of Johan Gustavsson, Gil Yaron, and Michael Stevens). Over the years, Damian has honed his impressive skills to produce guitars that not only pay homage to the golden era of guitar-making but also incorporate modern innovations to meet the demands of contemporary players.
Damian’s instruments are celebrated for their meticulous attention to detail, premium materials, and exceptional tonal quality. Each guitar is handcrafted by Damian with a commitment to excellence, ensuring that every instrument is a true work of art.
Whether you are a professional musician, casual player, or an avid collector, a guitar from Damian Probett would quickly become one of your favorites in your collection - just ask the lucky owners of these rare instruments.
Working at The Music Emporium is way more than just a job for music nerds like ourselves—it's a daily adventure in exploring some of the finest acoustic and electric guitars available, be they vintage treasures or boutique masterpieces. But beyond the thrill of handling these incredible instruments, what truly excites us is getting to know the visionary minds behind them.
Take, for example, Glenn Nichols of Retrograde Guitars. While the Retrograde name might be new to some, Glenn's craftsmanship is anything but. With a career that includes leading the finish department at Santa Cruz Guitars for close to 10 years, overseeing French Polish restorations for esteemed classical guitar maker Kenny Hill, and serving as Bill Tippin's right-hand man for years, Glenn's expertise speaks volumes and is deeply expressed in his original design guitars.
We are proud to showcase his exceptional instruments and to be part of his journey as he continues to build guitars that resonate with soul and vibe. For us, it's connections like these that fuel our passion and commitment to offering only the best boutique guitars to the guitar community.
For jazz guitar aficionados, there's been a noticeable shift towards more compact and manageable instruments—none more celebrated than the Fender Telecaster, thanks in no small part to the masterful playing of icons like Bill Frisell and Julian Lage.
Enter Tim Bram, a master luthier based in Pasadena, MD, whose work we've admired and represented for several years now. Tim’s craftsmanship is nothing short of extraordinary, blending classic archtop construction and tones with the sleek (read: comfortable), familiar profile of the Telecaster. His Tribute Archtop epitomizes this marriage, offering a smaller, more user-friendly guitar that still delivers the rich, classic tone you expect from a full-sized archtop.
These guitars are not just instruments; they are hand-crafted works of art, each one meticulously made by Tim himself. This level of craftsmanship means that availability is incredibly limited - we only see a handful every year. If you’re as captivated by Tim’s unique vision as we are, don’t hesitate—these guitars are in high demand, and each one is a rare find that won't linger long. Trust us, adding one of Tim’s creations to your collection will be a decision you'll be glad you made.
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