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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.

R. E. Brune No. 399

 

1985 R. E. Bruné Artist Model No. 399 (USA) 653 mm scale, 51 mm nut, Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood sides and back, Original French Polish, Rodgers tuning machines. These have been very popular with many top professionals, and the second Bruné guitar owned by Andrés Segovia was a 1986 Bruné Artist Model (No. 418).  The sound is very vibrant and rich, extremely colorful and with a huge dynamic range.  There is a reason why Brazilian rosewood was the first choice of top makers and players who wanted the very top performance levels from their instruments, and this guitar embodies these features.  This instrument is very easy to play, yet can be pushed to maximize the volume without buzzing.  It does have some visible playing wear, especially on the top, which is expected when an instrument is used for its intended purpose. This was the first year the Artist Model was introduced, which had deluxe features (Brazilian rosewood, Rodgers tuning machines, elaborate Hauser style purfling scheme, French polish) not offered for the Concert Model. This instrument is very easy to play, yet can be pushed to maximize the volume without buzzing.  It does have some visible playing wear, especially on the top, which is expected when an instrument is used for its intended purpose.  In a way, it makes it all the easier to play, as one need not worry about adding one more insignificant nail mark when digging into the musical expression of a performance.  None the less, the price is significantly less than the cost of a new Bruné Artist, and there is no wait for delivery.  $12,000