This month most of the staff favored unusual and custom made items, from a modded amp to a guitar made with old-school hide glue and electric guitars with custom made pickups. Read on to check out all our July Staff Picks.

Jim Baggett – SOLD! Taylor Koa 12 Fret BTO Acoustic Guitar
This guitar has a very nice sound and I think the Koa is well suited to the Grand Concert body style. Beautiful detailing on this too.

Jim’s pick, this Taylor Koa GC was a custom order, put together for the store by Eric P.

Josh Baldridge – Anderson Raven Electric Guitar
For anyone looking for a comfortable and well balanced version of a Jazzmaster, Tom Anderson’s Raven is a beautiful model. The Raven is a more sleek take on the classic offset body design and I for one am a big fan!

Josh picked this Anderson Raven, which has a Jazzmaster vibe and a perfect build throughout.

Eric Mardis – Chuck Lee Fretless Banjo
I can’t play it, but I love trying. It sounds incredible in minstrel tuning, double c, g minor… it’s addictive!

Eric M.’ s fallen for this Chuck Lee Fretless Open Back Banjo!

Eric Putnam – Tom Anderson Short Hollow Mongrel Electric Guitar
I love the versatility of this guitar. I would feel confident taking it to anything from a blues gig to a metal gig. It doesn’t hurt that it plays like a dream as well! 

Another sleek Anderson electric caught Eric P.’s attention, this versatile Mongrel.

Ted Kritikos – Analog Outfitters The Road Amp Head
I mean just look at this amp! It sounds incredible too.

This new Road amp from Analog Outfitters gives you grit galore and a casing made from recycled road signs.

Mike Horan – Repair Luthier – Leo Posch DM Acoustic Guitar
I just put fresh strings on this guitar and holy cow! It just about blew the barn doors off! This acoustic has incredible projection for a brand new guitar.

Luthier Mike H. is blown away by this Kansas made Leo Posch DM acoustic.

Matt Harmon – Repair Luthier – Skreddy Little Miss Sunshine Phaser Pedal
Easy to use, great sound, super quiet, and is seafoam green. Other phasers don’t even come close.

Matt H.’s pick, the Skreddy Little Miss Sunshine Phaser!

Mike Runyon – Repair Luthier – Eastman E20P Acoustic Guitar
Obviously this is made from quality materials…Rosewood back and sides, an Adirondack top, Ebony fretboard & pyramid bridge. It has a huge sound, but a balanced output whether you’re lightly picking or powerfully strumming. I think this is one that will certainly age nicely.

Luthier Mike R.’s pick, the Adirondack-topped parlor, the Eastman E20P!

Susan Willits – Calton Cases
Great American made case for guitars, banjos, mandos and more. They’re sturdy enough you could drive your tractor over it (I think)! I love the bumpers around the latches too, plus they come in great colors.

Susan W.’s pick, the indestructible Calton Case!

Thomas Hamm – Collings 290 DCS Electric Guitar
Reminiscent of an old Melody Maker or LP, this Collings 290 DC S is everything awesome about a vintage Gibson, but somehow even cooler. It’s probably because we have the same haircut.

This Collings 290 DCS is the perfect rocker, and Thomas H.’s favorite this month.

Anne Tangeman – Gehring Fender Vibroverb Conversion Amp
For years now, Gehring has been putting a few, very special amps for sale in our store and we’re always proud to have them. He’s a local amp genius and comes up with brilliant mods and conversions. This Vibroverb is a great example. Instead of a touchy vintage amp, this is now an incredibly great sounding, super reliable amp with a vintage vibe that’s set for the next millennium.

Jeff Gehring’s created another masterpiece amp with this Bandmaster to Vibroverb conversion.