If you're looking for something new that's both beautiful, alive, a blast to play - and - made by a luthier with an eye towards sustainability? You need to check out the award-winning Mendocino.

To help achieve this goal, a 1-piece Honduran mahogany body is hollowed out (with the exception of a narrow center block) and topped with a 500-700 year old piece reclaimed Redwood, also 1-piece.

For this build, we asked Barry to make a double cutaway baritone, and the results are spectacular. Like the 6-string Mendocino, the baritone model is incredibly lightweight, balanced, and very alive and resonant (no surprise here given Barry's background). It's beautifully made - and finished in a beautiful Dark Burst - has a slightly chunky, late-50's Gibson-esq carve with a slinky overall feel, and sounds amazing.

Speaking of tones, the Lollar Goldfoils are a perfect match for this guitar. Open, airy, killer chime...clean tones are a no-brainer. There's both an articulation and fatness to the sound that reminds us of a Jerry Jones or vintage Danelectro baritone, but with a slightly more open/chimey tone. With some gain? Classic low-fi, deep bass swampiness that's incredibly fun and inspiring.