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Use the form on the right to contact us.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding your instrument, repairs, any instruments we have for sale, ordering an instrument, or any instrument you wish to sell.

1000 North Rand Road No. 224
Wauconda, IL, 60084
United States

847-864-7730

I began making guitars in 1966 in Dayton Ohio, where I worked out of my house. From 1968-1970 I lived in Mexico City, returning during the summers to build instruments at the Dayton location. 

During this time I was studying Anthropology and playing flamenco guitar professionally in various troupes in Mexico and around the U.S. In 1972 I moved to Chicago and worked briefly out of the back of a music store before moving to my present location in 1973. 

At that point I gave up any pretensions of being a professional guitarist and dedicated myself full time to lutherie.

 


My 800 Greenwood Street shop has undergone several renovations and changes over the years, the most recent being the 1995 massive renovation I did of the outside and inside of the building. 

As a result, my building is now climate controlled throughout the entire 4,000 square feet, and it has now acquired a nicer facade, with more interior showroom space than was previously available. 

Consequently, we are better able to serve those who prefer to visit the shop to select an instrument from our extensive inventory, which is housed in glass fronted rosewood cabinets. Being able to play many instruments side by side is very helpful in making a final selection, and we have full repair/restoration facilities on the premises for minor action adjustments to major restorations of valuable collector instruments.

1992 Thomas Rein No. 81

1992 Thomas Rein (U.S.A.) No. 81, 645 mm scale, 50 mm nut, strings spaced 42 mm on centers between 1st and 6th.  Action at the 12th fret measures 3.5 mm on the bass side and 2.5 mm on the treble side.  Spruce top, Indian rosewood sides and back, original untouched french polish of shellac which shows some minor dulling and shrinkage around the instrument, a strictly cosmetic issue which could be padded over to spiff up the appearance if desired.  Machines are original gold Gotoh deluxe.  A nice, traditional, very well made guitar with exceptional clarity, uniform sustain, interesting tonal palette and good dynamic range, a guitar that is somewhat Hauser-like, but with a bit more Spanish character.  Action is easy and everything is very controllable by the player.  Professionally owned and used for many years, this instrument has stood the test of time and is a reliable workhorse which would travel and record very well.  $5,000