Forums and other sources of info about Shenandoah guitars
On the internet for more than 20 years, and more than 11,000 members strong, the AGF has long been a wonderful source of info about all aspects of acoustic guitars and related subjects. The Webmaster has been a member of this forum for well over a decade and it has my highest recommendation
A decade ago, v.1 of this website received a somewhat chilly reception at the UMGF. That was then, and this is now, and I am pleased to report that v.2 of the Shenandoah website has received a much warmer welcome. Many members of the UMGF have commented on the subject and each has added immensely to the collection of raw data and first-hand experiences that continues to accumulate. Many Thanks to All
Another forum with a sizeable membership (just shy of 10,000) and long history (at least 15 years), this one is focused on guitars made by Tokai Gakki Ltd of Hamamatsu, Japan. A great source of info regarding both the guitars marketed directly under the Tokai name and the many other brands who relied on Tokai to produce instruments for them since 1947
Links
There are two basic time periods that well describe the world of luthierie in the modern age: before the Guild and after. Devoted from the beginning to the principle that detailed information about building musical instruments should be shared freely among the trade and the world at large, the Guild of American Luthiers was founded in 1972 and is still going strong more than 50 years later
This site is filled with the absolutely stunning workmanship of the late Stephen Barber and Sandi Harris, who spent decades building meticulously researched reproductions of all sorts of instruments that were originally made in Europe during the Rennaisance and Baroque periods. To call this stuff “eye candy” is the understatement of the century. The fact that the majority of (if not all) of their work was done with hand tools, in substantially the same way as the originals were built, is nothing short of awe-inspiring
Stringed Instrument Builders and Repair Persons
Commercial Sources of Stringed Musical Instruments
A valued contributor to this website ever since its return as v.2 , Dream Guitars lives its stated values every day by continuing to host HighRes pics of rare and fascinating instruments long after they were sold. Their website is as much a museum of rare and beautiful treasures as it is a means of commerce, and is well worth the attention of anyone who appreciates skilled craftsmanship and the breathtaking results of that skill
Historical Resources
Ever wonder what guitars were like 150 years ago, and what kind of music was being played on them? This site will answer both of those questions in a way that is both entertaining and informative. As an added bonus, it is also a great place to learn about the times that C.F. Martin Sr lived in day-to-day, and how the guitar fit into those times
A large portion of this august institution’s holdings can be viewed online, and it’s well worth the effort to explore their site. As one might expect, much of the collection is made up of European instruments but there are also a few interesting surprises lurking in more obscure corners of the website
Another early contributor to this website, Elderly has been around since 1972 and in the world of vintage guitars, old guitar stores are a Very Good Thing. Even the most cursory look around their website will confirm that notion to most people’s satisfaction. Their YouTube channel alone is a wonderful resource for a number of different reasons, but my personal favorite is the opportunity they provide to take a peek inside a repair shop with a well-deserved reputation for doing First Class work
Some people say family-owned independent businesses will never be able to survive in a world dominated by the likes of Guitar Center. The fine folks at Thunder Road are living proof why those naysayers are wrong, and they prove it 6 days a week (including Sunday!), as even a brief look around their website will show. You’re not gonna find this kind of selection (or service….) at GC. Their vintage guitars are choice, the prices fair, and their YouTube channel is a delight
Shenandoah guitars get around, occasionally turning up in places one wouldn’t normally expect. This shop was one of those places, and the owner has been a pleasure to deal with. From the Home page to the descriptions found on the individual pages, it is clear that these folks know (and love) guitars. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go spend some time figuring out what I need take over to the pawn shop. All of the stuff these folks listed for sale is highly desirable, indeed, but Oh! that fretless P-Bass!….
Replay has been providing sales and service to the Greater Tampa area since 2015. An early and valued contributor to this website, granting permission to use their HiRes pics gave all of us a chance to take a close look at one the rarest production models of Shenandoah guitar ever made. A trip thru their website will give you numerous examples of their knowledge and attention to detail, along with highlighting the presence of two skilled and experienced in-house luthiers. Now that’s great service!
When you’re a left-handed guitar player, finding an instrument that’s not fighting you in many ways can be quite a challenge. Finding even one lefty guitar in a shop or on a website is not at all common. Jerry’s has dozens of them, all in one place, all in excellent condition and ready to ship. Due to their valued contribution to the Shenandoah site, we all now have a chance to take a close look at one of the very few left-handed Shenandoahs ever made