www.classicalguitars.ca

Handmade
Classical Guitars
by
Fritz Mueller

Ordering an Instrument

My instruments are tailored to the individual player. I build a standard body size and shape, but woods, style of top construction (double-top or solid top), decorations, and many dimensions are chosen to meet the needs of the customer.

See the specifications section for a detailed listing of the dimensions of the standard model.

Please contact me to discuss your requirements.

Standard Model

• Soundboard: Engelmann spruce, European spruce, western red cedar, or redwood; either traditional solid or new double-top construction;
• Back and sides: Indian rosewood, cocobolo rosewood, bigleaf or European maple;
• Neck: Spanish cedar;
• Bridge: Brazilian rosewood;
• Fingerboard: elevated fingerboard of ebony;
• Finish: French-polished shellac on the soundboard; lacquer on back, sides, and neck;
• Scale: 65 cm.

          $8,500.00 US funds (spring 2008)
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Includes Gilbert tuners, a hardshell case, and a one-year warranty.

Price includes

• a heavy-duty hardshell case;
• Gilbert tuners;
• Maintenance instructions and supplies (including an electronic hygrometer/thermometer);
• One-year warranty.

Typical options available at no additional cost

• Double (or composite) construction for soundboard;
• 64 cm scale; 64.5 cm scale; 63 cm scale (new! and very successful!);
• Choice of neck width, thickness, and cross-section;
• Choice of string spacing at nut and bridge;
• 20th fret for treble strings;
• Adjustable neck rod;
• Soundport;
• Armrest;
• Access door with magnetic latch.

Recommended options

• Graf tuners. The base price includes Gilbert tuners. Graf tuners are also available at additional cost. These are perhaps the world's best tuners and are made here in Canada. Several models are available. Graf model LF-02, for example, can be substituted for $250. See the Graf website www.graftuners.com for details about the tuners.
• Karura flight case. A hardshell case is included in the base price. However, a heavy-duty, carbon fiber Karura flight case (www.karuracase.com) with a padded case cover (www.coloradocase.com) can be substituted for $750.
• Extended warranty. The base price includes a one-year warranty. A five-year warranty is available for $1000.

Other available options - please inquire for prices

• Back and sides in Madagascar rosewood, Honduras rosewood, or other alternative woods;
• Cutaway;
• Left-handed models;
• Rodgers, Alessi, or other tuners;
• Custom work of all types, including repairs, restorations, and historical reproductions;
• Note that I no longer offer Brazilian rosewood or African blackwood for back and sides because of their endangered status.

Purchase policy

A refundable deposit of $500 US secures an order and an estimated delivery date. The balance is due upon completion of the instrument and before delivery. Should an instrument prove unsuitable, it can be returned within 7 days of receipt. Payment, less an allowance for shipping, will be quickly refunded. Guitars with unusual custom work may need to be resold before payment can be refunded.

All prices are given in US dollars. Payment may be made in either Canadian or U.S. funds. Payments may be by cash, money order, certified bank draft, wire transfer, or via Paypal.

Waiting list

Once construction is initiated, building time is typically 2 to 4 months. Current waiting period (spring, 2008) is approximately 3 years. A refundable deposit of $500 puts you on my building list with an estimated delivery date.

Occasionally I have guitars in stock that were not made with a particular customer in mind - no waiting period! Please see the listing of available instruments, or inquire. Note that these are not "seconds", but are instruments of the highest quality.

Shipping

Within North America all guitars are shipped via courier. Shipping times in Canada are usually 3 to 5 days. Shipment from Canada to the US typically takes one week. I handle all customs and brokerage details, and prepay the freight and insurance.

Guitars are shipped in their cases, which in turn are carefully packed in heavily-constructed shipping cartons.

Shipping charges are in addition to the base price of the instrument. Shipments to the US typically cost $200 US. Inquire about shipping charges to other destinations.

Warranty

All guitars come with a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. For details, please go to the warranty page. A five-year warranty is available at additional cost.

Maintenance instructions and an electronic hygrometer/thermometer are included with each instrument.

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