Here are some pictures of just a few of the instruments that I have built over the years. (More will be added as time permits.) Some of these items will be for sale soon as part of the Herb David Guitar Studio 50th Anniversary Signature Line. You can email me for more details.

Custom Classical Guitar

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The Story:

I built this beautiful classical guitar in 1977 for a customer and friend, and it found its way back to us over 20 years later. It's made with all solid wood -- an alpine spruce top, rosewood back/sides, and a Spanish cedar neck -- and has a nice resonant sound. Other appointments include a Gabon ebony bridge and fretboard, German handmade tuners, and a one-of-a-kind rosette design that I created.

Herb David Stratocaster

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The Story:

A Strat copy I made here in our shop many years ago, in the '80s. It has a handmade maple neck, nitro-cellulose finish, and lower-output pickups that sound nice for moderate rock, blues and jazz.

Lute Guitar

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The Story:

The only one of its kind, my Renaissance-inspired lute guitar is hand-crafted with a solid spruce top, solid koa back and sides, and tortoise-like binding. The design features the oval shape of a lute and the flat back and top of a guitar, a fretted rosewood fingerboard, and rosewood bridge. It plays like a guitar, but with a pleasing, mellow, lute-like quality. This 50th Anniversary piece will be available for purchase by December, 2011. (Price: $1,800)

Brian Boru Harp

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The Story:

The Brian Boru harp is a replica of the Celtic harp made for Brian Boru, the last High King (“Ard Ri”) of Ireland, to honor his defeat of the Vikings in the 11th century. The original now resides at Trinity College in Dublin and is played only on rare occasions. My signature edition is carved with symbols from the Book of Kells. By commission only. (Price: $4,500)

Zebra Mandolin

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The Story:

Hand-crafted from rare, solid zebrawood, my 50th Anniversary mandolin also features cedar braces and lining, a mahogany neck with square-steel truss rod, and a rosewood fretboard and bridge. It's a stunning piece that looks and sounds gorgeous. Available by December, 2011. (Price: $595)