A guitar's primary function is usually measured in musical terms; its ability to produce precise notes, chords and passages on demand. Consistency is the ultimate test of its perfection. But to master luthier and craftsman John Buscarino, this is only a beginning. John is a solo artisan handcrafting guitars suited to each customer's personal needs. His instruments are prized not just for the beautiful sounds they produce, but also as the cherished possessions they inevitable become. Guitar player Steve Morse considers his Buscarino guitars "treasured works of art," as do many of John's customers. John is unique amoung today's guitar builders in that he apprenticed with not one but two master luthiers. The first was Augustine LoPrinzi, from whom John learned the finer points of building classical guitars. John later worked with famed archtop builder Robert Benedetto, spending years perfecting the woodworking skills that today make him a master luthier in his own right. John has created hundreds of exquisite guitars using proved methods passed down over generations. He is constantly refining these time-tested techniques, taking each to new levels of perfection in mastering the art of lutherie.

Mandolin Brothers receives at least four archtop guitars per year from John Buscarino. If you wish to reserve one please call us (718 981 8585 or 718 981 3226) and place a $100 "right of first refusal" deposit which "holds" the next available guitar of the style you've selected. Right of first refusal deposits are fully refundable and apply to guitars built to standard specifications which we have ordered for stock. Such instruments are subject to the standard 3-day approval we provide all mail-order purchasers. Special appointment and custom option guitars are available to you on a special order basis only, which order requires a 50% deposit and 50% due upon completion. Special orders, once placed, are non-cancellable, non-refundable, and non-approval. Please call us for any and all further information. Our business hours are 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday (New York time).

The Virtuoso

The masterpiece of this instrument collection is the Virtuoso . From top to bottom, this is the most elaborate of the Buscarino archtop guitars. Master grade woods are standard throughout. The headstock's exotic burled-wood faceplate is adorned with an ornate inlay and a unique mother-of-pearl banner inscribed with "Virtuoso." Burled wood veneers on the back of the headstock and the heelcap complete the exotic motif. The specially patterned mother-of-pearl inlays are standard in the fingerboard and tailpiece, although block inlays may be substituted. Delicate fine-line binding is employed throughout the instrument. Virtuoso options include natural wood binding and vine inlay fingerboard and tailpiece. Our Price $18000

The Monarch

Regal without pretensions, the Monarch was designed in collaboration with master archtop luthier Robert Benedetto. It follows in the tradition of the master handing down years of perfected methods and designs to his apprentice. Possessing all the features of the Artisan, the Monarch boasts several attractive additions. Crowning this guitar is a large Benedetto-style headstock with mitred purflings and pinstripe-enhanced binding. The F-holes are fully bound and also trimmed with mitred pinstripe purflings. Only the finest quartersawn seasoned instrument woods are used in it's construction, and as with every archtop guitar in the Buscarino lineage the Monarch is meticulously assembled and tuned. A long list of options and color choices (including the sunburst finish), allow the Monarch to be custom-designed as a guitar fit for a king. Our Price $10000

The Artisan

Especially designed with the working musician in mind, the Artisan is a practically priced archtop that stands on it's own as a quality player's instrument. It's statement of elegance and simplicity makes this guitar a pleasure to own and play. The Artisan is constructed of single-A woods, and comes with a solid ebony tail-piece and pickguard, floating pickup, and three-ply, plush-lined, single-arched case. The Natural finish is standard. Single-line binding on the f-holes is available. Simply a great guitar. Our Price $7000

The Cabaret

The Cabaret is the perfect blend of traditional classical guitar and an acoustic archtop guitar. Specifically designed to meet the needs of the jazz or fingersytle player, the Cabaret is based on the Herman Hauser I classical guitar design, yet it incorporates traditional classical building methods with modern innovations necessary for today's jazz and fingerstyle playing. The graceful cutaway facilitates grater access for playing the upper register of the fretboard. Its carved back, unique among nylon-string guitars, enhances the lower midrange while aiding in projection. The two-way adjustable truss rod gives easy access at the headstock for a perfect set-up. Special pickup systems available for amplification of that beautiful acoustic sound. Our Price $6000

The Carved-Back Acoustic

If you've been searching for the ultimate steel-string acoustic jazz sound, consider this: Any Buscarino archtop model can be constructed as a carved-back acoustic guitar. Fashioned in the archtop motif, this instrument is unique among steel-string guitars. Available in several wood options, it is built with a traditional x-brace flat-top, finely tuned for an exquisite, perfectly-balanced sound. The sound hole rosette is fashioned in abalone with multi-laminated pinstripes. The bridge is pinless and made of solid ebony, as is the handcrafted pick guard. Options include matching wood binding and pickup systems. Carve out your own musical niche. Call for price.

Archtop Options

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