2013 Shelley Park Encore

Shelley D. Park is a master luthier in Vancouver. Her focus is on the Selmer-Maccaferri style instruments of the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s, the kind of guitars made famous by Django Reinhardt and other “Gypsy jazz” players, Her work is stellar, I would have to say the very best of any I’ve seen in the modern era. This particular one, an Encore Model, was built eighteen years ago with the very best of materials. The back and sides are of stunning, straight-grained African Blackwood looking for all the world like the Brazilian rosewood used on 1930s Martins, and there is a soundport in the side at the upper bass bout. The binding is African Blackwood, as is the head plate. The soundboard is Engleman spruce, fingerboard and bridge the finest ebony, tuning machines the coolest Millers from Switzerland with bone buttons, appearing as if they’re straight from the 1930s but with the most modern internal mechanisms. I’ve played a heck of a lot of repros, the vast majority inexpensive imports that just don’t count in my book, and a few luthier-made examples that were quite good, but none anywhere near this caliber. I’ve also owned a 1944 Busato that sold for $18,000 and believe me, this guitar is right up there with the very best. Its volume and tones are huge, clear and deep at the same time, evoke Nuages, Swing 42, and Minor Swing the instant you pick it up. Condition is pristine, not a scratch on it and the setup is superb. Not another like it to be found, anywhere. $4995 w/ohsc