World-CIass

A Partial Listing of Our Source and Distribution

Points Throughout the World
The History of Valley Arts
ln 1967 , the folks from Valley Arts
music store first hung their shingle in
the San Fernando Valley. They quickly
established the enviable reputation as a
leader in guitar repair and modification.
Before long, thcy began creating one-
,,\ /"r
of-a-kind instruments for some of the \W,r,,k),,.A=, ''

top studio musicians in the L.A. area. .r,,r, !

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l

The word quickly spread about these rI rïli.t

rlt t
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Hollywood "gurus" who, unlike the big,
conglomerate guitar companics, were
actually lístening to musicians and
meticulously hand-crafting instruments
to fit their individual style of playing.
Valley Arts became the ultimate axe,
with money no object, for the cream of
the Hollywood music scene.
Back in 1993, Valley Arts teamed up
with Samick Music, the world's largest
manufacturer of musical instruments.
Their years of hard work and dedication
to quality finally paid off when they
moved their Custom Shop to Industry,
California and created a whole new line
of instruments, while continuing to cre-
ate one-of-a-kind custom guitars for the
worlds leading players.
lnterlock@ Neck Joint
Gives you the sustain
qualities of a set-neck
with the serviceability of
a bolt-on.
Birds-eye Maple
This rare, incredibly
stable wood makes for a
gorgeous neck and is
used on all Custom Pros.

Swamp Ash
ln addition to the great
tone, our Swamp Ash has
a beautiful "vanilla fudge
swirl" grain pattern to it.

We Start from "Scratch"
-1
Original Concepts
Many custom shops use pre-fabricated Valley Arts is now the
bodies and necks. Not so with Valley Arts. Research & Development
Because of Samick's global manufacturing, center for the world's
we now have access to the world's largest largest guitar maker. This
stock of raw wood. Every Custom Pro body means trend-setting starts
and neck is hand-sawn an shaped "from right here. When you buy
scratch" using solid planks of the finest a Valley Arts, you get fhe
woods from around the world. most current technologies.
Quilted Maple
Quite possibly the most
beautiful wood on the
planet (and certainly one
of the most expensive),
Valley Arts makes Quilted
Maple available as either
a top laminate or as a
complete solid piece for
the entire body.
ML2 Tuned Resonance
Actually redistributes and
"corrects" the body density,
The result is a balance of
all string volume and a
richer, more powerful
sounding guitar.
Ouality
'\. \ \ .\.
- over 133 years of experience in building
P"-"
-:f"'r** 'tL
LiÍetime to 10-Year
TransÍerrable Warranty
We not only offer a
Lifetime Warranty, but you
also have the option to
offer an additional 10 years
of coverage if you should
ever want to transfer own-
ership to another party.
Attention to Detail
Finished assembly of all
Valley Arts guitars has
been called "second to
none". Every Custom Pro
is personally signed by its
maker, and a separate
checklist is also initialed
by each luthier every step
of the way.
lncredible Finishes!
As a small custom shop,
we work together very
closely and constantly
seek to inspire one
another to higher
excellence in our
respective positions. ln an
effort to create new and
exciting colors that
complemented our new
direction, we looked to the
head of the Valley Arts
paint shop team to create
new and unique colors.
The result: The "Marteen"
series fouhd throughout
this catalog.
Over a Century oÍ Experience
The Valley Arts team combines
"one-of-a-kind" instruments for the world's elite.
Complete Woodshop
Many custom shops
"farm out" various parts.
Not so with Valley Arts.
From original templates
to finished fabrication, our
wood shop is equipped to
design and manuÍacturer
anything you desire.
Introduction
Designing an instrument of creation is
no small task. The ultimate combination
of wood, steel and inspiration is nothing
less than an art. At Valley Arts, we have
worked for almost 30 years to maintain
the current state-of the-evolution of art
and inspiration. Our quest is simple: To
blend vintage values with leading-edge
technologies. The result is what you see
before you and what you are about to
uncover.
From small beginnings to world-wide
acceptance, Valley Arts guitars have set
new standards for excellence. As you
peruse this catalog, notice the woods,
the colors, the technologies, the art. And
remember, there is no substitute for
excellence. This is the finest line of
instruments with technologies found
nowhere else in the world.
This is hand-crafted art.
Quality Hardware
First-class components including pickups
by Seymour Duncan and EMG, bridges by
2Tek, Trevor Wilkinson and Floyd Rose,
tuners by Gotoh, Grover ad Kluson and
strings by GHS.
 -i#fro

CALIFORNIA PRO SERIE$

7R,7RS, TNLrTMS
1
lnto eÍre
/
Ín
t:f' v
,::: : We looked long and
i!
hard for the finest vintage
,,When Valley Arts Was first introduced, we
.ii

vibrato bridge on the market.

'. obtained instant identification with our distinctive
Valley Arts body logo. We also became known for Our search ended with this
Wilkinson tremolo.
our use of 24 fret necks with a 24 3/4" scale
Express yourself!
length. We've chosen to preserve our roots and
include these trademarks in our introductory Cal BurgundY
Pro models. ReO
The 7RS and 7MS utilize a stop-tailpiece for
that sofià tone and sustain which is necessary for
playing both yesterday's and today's music. The
7R and 7M come with a vintage tremolo.
' For added versat, rty, the humbucker pickup is
automatically split for single coil
performance when the S-way Bloctt
selector switch is placed in the ::::: r
,----.1
4th position.
(luil) 7W With rosewood
fingerboard on a quarter-
fiffia .' sawn maple neck.

StoP'Ío'ilPlece
a Bloctt

7ills
the 7RS but with a maple
fingerboard. fiilil!
SPECIFICATIONS . 7MS, 7RS
Body: .......2-Piece Alder 7Rs
Heel: . .. .. ..4-bolt

Neck: ....Quarter-sawn Rock Maple

Fihgerboard: ....Rosewood or Maple 7 Same Íeatures as
Markers: .Abalone dot the 7R but with a maple
Frets, Scale: ....24, 24 314" fingerboard on a quarter-
Pickups ..S/S/H Duncan-Designed sawn maple neck.
Selector: ..S-way Switch (4th position split)
Controls: ..1 Volume, 1 Tone
Pickguard: .......Tourtise Shell or White
Bridge: ....Stop-Tailpiece
Tuners: ..Die-cast 6-in-line Wh*e
Hardware:,.......Gold
Colors: .....Black, White, Burgundy Red
Candy Red, Hunter Green
Other: ...Wilkinson Key Spacers
CALIFORNIA PRO SERIES
DLX?,DLX8
An instant classic featuring a hand
selected, book-matched, light weight
\ |?Í}ïrbcote
Swamp Ash body. Couple this with gold
Valley Arts has been "traditionally"
hardware and a pearl pickguard (and
known as a 24 treï, 24 314" scale guitar
back plate) and you have the ultimate
company. But there is a sound and a feel
in looks, style and sound.
that comes out of a longer,22 Fret, 25 112"
SPECIFICATIONS . DLXT Series scale guitar that is unique and necessary
Body: ....2-Piece Swamp Ash to a lot of players today. Enter the Deluxe B
Heel: .......4-bolt Scarf-Joint" series Íeaturing a little bit larger body than
Neck: .......Quartersawn Hard Rock Maple the 7 series.
Fingerboard: ....Rosewood or Maple
Markers: .Abalone Dot
t,#{#x8R 6tlllÍ rl
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rttitlt
Frets, Scale: ....24, 24 314" t--itl
(l!!!t'
\
FireBursl
Pickups ...S/S/H Duncan-Designed íc
Selector: .S-way Switch ít!u!' 1
i
Controls: .1 Volume, 1 Tone

tu
rttttl]
Pickguard: .......Pearloid t
Bridge: .....Wilkinson Vintage Vibrato i.:ljl.-ij:r:t-t
Ídeffils
Tuners: ....Die-cast 6-in-line
Hardware : ........Go|d
Colors: ....Marteen Gold, "Purpleteen",
q u e€ u rsi'
With rosewood Íinger-
;?i::'fi',.:iJ ;álX board on a quarter-sawn
Fireburst, Black, White, maple neck.
Burgundy Red
Other: ......Wilkinson Key spacers
AntiqYe
Bursr Same as the DLX 8R
with a Maple Íingerboard
DLXTNI DLXTR on a quarter sawn maple
neck.

$PECIFICATIONS . DLXS Series

ct!t!)
Fire rruur I
Body: .......2-Piece Swamp Ash
Burst Heel: ........4-bolt Scarf-Joint'*
Íiltflt Neck: .......Quarter-sawn Hard Rock Maple
l': .' .-^! .l Fingerboard: ....Rosewood or Maple
*]',,r,;u,'li&
It/arkers:. ..Abalone dot
Frets, Scale: ....22, 25 112"
Pickguard:.......,Vintage Pearloid
.\ flTil!ID Picki;ps ....S/S/S Duncan-Designed
Same Íeatures and
colors as the DLXTR wiih
Seiector: ..S-way Switch
a maple fingerboard.
iiontrols: ..'ï Volume, 1 Tone
[::.icqe:: .............Wilkinson vintage vibrato
'i-Lrn,:i"s:
........,...Die-cast 6-in-line
Ha :clv;are: ........Go1d
crtirr:; [1ïË3,3""i9,'Ï;iiiïH;;,
frans White, Trans Red,
Fireburst, Black, White,
Burgundy Red
An$que
Bursr Other: ....,..Wilkinson Key spacers
 *t:+,ffi:,-
riËffï'=
There are plenty of "custom shop" builders who can make
exotic guitars . . . and there are even more who can sell them
at a high price. Only Valley Arts balances the world's most
prestigious craftsmanship with ground-breaking performance
features that literally establishes a new industry standard.
Here are two examples oÍ this leading-edge technology:

Set-in Neck Valley Arts . The Perfect

Bolt-on Neck
rÉ.*'ï-
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The traditional set-neck
promotes longer sustain but . .
replacement is very expensive
and the action set-up is limited.
This kind of neck can be
easily removed if necessary but . . .
The Valley Arls lnterlock@
. neck/body juncture gives
you the sustain qualities of a
set-neck, with the
serviceability of a bolt-on.

bolting the neck to the body can sacrifice sustain.

--rnWË,riÈ
**:
-$
,e:i't This desiqn is known for its
MwE :' Íat tonal character but . . .

it loses crisp definition on the

lower strings (gets kinda muddy).

Muddy Lows

# Thin Highs

This design is known for its

defined tone but . . .
it thins out" as you play
higher up the neck. Valley Arts . The PerÍect Balance
Valley Arts Patented ML2 Resonance Technology* ,' :
gives you the best.of both worlds; Íat, succulent highs'
"r""i:
and crisp, punchy lows without the compromise. ,,,1ï]:,irilj

*: 4Í"'jt'
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 l.' ,: ,:.: :'.j.

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WirhffiL2'qnd
lnterlock
We enhanced the
Deluxe series by
Technology
adding the lnterlock@
and the ML2@. For
added versatlllty, the
humbucker pickup is SPECIFICATIONS . IML7, TMXL
split into single coil Body: .......2-Piece Swamp Ash
when the S-way selec- Heel: .lnterlock@
tor switch is placed in Neck: ........Quarter-sawn Rock lvlaple
the 4th position. Fingerboard: ..... Rosewood or Maple Írons
Markers: .Abalone dot Red
Frets, Scale: .....24, 24 314"
Pickups ....S/S/H Duncan-ftesigned
Selector: .S-way (4th pos;ti'.:n split) ctl$]
$:lsgl
Controls: 1 Volume, lTcne |lun}
l,rlli li
Pickguard : ........Pearloid
liiv.rl Bridge: .....Wilkinson Viniace style
or Floyd Rose ,r:r Locking
fiffi#
{llllll .n ïi'iii ft Tuners: ....Die-cast

Ijp
fi iriffi
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Hardware : .........Gold
Other: .......Wilkinsor Key Spacers I _-H----
.fiiËHj Colors: Marteen Gold, "Purpleteen", il TNIXL Same as Ine
"OrangeteeÍ1", Antique Burst, Trans White, TRXL but with a Maple
í:tf,FI fingerboard.
Same as the IML 7R with Í',Ë*r Trans Red, Fireburst, Black, White,
a maple fingerboard on a í,t Burgundy Red
t'íl
one-piece, quarter-sawn rf,tl,
rock maple neck. i
t
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ffiËrf;ffiffi
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Ë"iiji

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l$tt7R TRXL
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SERIES ffuirtr ur.z) BA$SrV&V
SPECIFICATIONS. BASS lV & V
This guitar is really special. Body: 2-Piece Swamp Ash
We shaped it to a smaller T Heel: 4-bolt Scarf-JointrM
style body (including a smaller Neck: . . Quarter-sawn Rock Maple
"ValTel" headstock) and fin- Fingerboard:. . Rosewood or Maple
ished it off with a pearl pick- Markers: Abalone dot
guard and gold hardware. Frets, Scale: . . 21, 34"
Pickups PJ Duncan-Designed '' o["
When we added the ML2
Technology, the tonal charac-
Serecror: None ïl
teristics we achieved can only
Controls: 2 Volume, 1 Tone :f,
Pickguard: ...None ll
be described as "warm fat Bridge: . . . . . . Wilkinson or optional 2-Tek ll
highs" (particularly from the
: ilffiXïgïï,ryfiiïH;1 flfil
11th fret and up on the neck
humbucker), with "crisp lows
that ring and sustain for
years". (Well, almost.)
l:ffJJ.'
;nH;l-u:silÈ:
- tllli
Black, white, Bursundy Red

SPECIFICATIONS .7ST
lllll
Body: .......1-Piece Mahogany
Heel: .. .....4-Bolt
Neck: .......Rock Maple
Fingerboard: ....Rosewood or Maple
t $r "o'sv #fiilf
Markers: ..........Abalone dot rriiF
Frets, Scale: ....24, 24 314"
Pickups ....H/S/H Duncan-Des. ,,tflfF inË' $fiilí
Selector: ..S-way Switch
Controls: .1 Volume, 1 Tone , .'r,
,t'iltill .;_ ilfilttlili
Pickguard : ....... Pearloid
Bridge: .....Stop Tail (7ST)
Tuners: ....Die-cast 6-in-line
,=$iw lilI|
fitill
Hardware : ........Go|d

Colors: "Ë:3*ot l,ii,ïï "'"-'u"

rVwith.strinss
TililI
An$que
Burst
Marteen Gold,
"Purpleteen",
"Orangeteen",
,.,
:i':..
{t #ill|
,iltrl
Antique Burst, rilEilI
Trans. White/Red,
Fireburst,
ilttr
iilDIl
,ilrtI
Black, White,
tiltrtI
Burgundy Red
'ltrI;

,ffi{d#ffm

#trilts
CHARLIE CHRISTIAN
Limited Edifion Gommemorqlive

ln September oÍ 1995, Valley Arts made an

exclusive agreement with D'Leco Acoustic
lnstruments and the family of Charlie Christian to
build two very special Jazz instruments in his
memory. (Of course, part of the sales proceeds go
directly back to the Charlie Christian Estate.)
lntroducing the "Solo-Flight", the first of a new,
affordable and vei'y collectable Jazz guitar series,
endorsed by the Christian family. Two Valley Arts
models are offered in a 1 6 112" and 17 118" bout size.
While these new "Solo-Flight" guitars have not
been formally introduced, already orders for lower
serial numbers have been placed by eager players
and collectors. Low serial number reservations are
available on a first-come basis.
j*
SPECIFICATIONS . 516 & 517
Body: .......Maple top, back & sides
Heel: Built-ln
t
:
t

Neck: .......Hard Rock Maple il

Fingerboard : ....Solid Ebony
Markers: ..Abalone Pearl
Pickups ....Floating Humbucker
t
Controls: ..1 Volume, 1 Tone h
Pickguard: .......Ebony
Bridge: .....Ebony, Adjustable r
Tailpiece .. Ebony t/'
rt
Tuners: ............De1uxe Die-Cast
Hardware : ........Gold
I
#
s16
Upper Bout: .....12"
Waist: .......9 314"
:h
Lower Bout: .....16 112"
Depth : ....... .......4"
Frets, Sca|e . ....22, 24 314"

s16
Upper Bout: .....12 314" I
Waist: .......10 3/8" .*', \ 'f";
Lower Bout: .....17 1lB" ï
Depth : ....... .......3 7 lB"
Frets, Scale: ....20, 25 112"

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 BENSON SIGNATURE SERIES
. -)

RBl, RB2,TEXAS "T, "-, /

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SPECIFICATIONS . Texas "T"
Body: .......1-Piece Alder
Top:. ........Quilted Maple
Heel: .. . .. ...4-bolt
:
Neck: .....Bird's-Eye Maple
Fingerboard: ....Solid Ebony
Nlorteen Markers: ..Abalone dot
Golcl Frets, Scale: ....22,25 112"
Pickups ...H/Hot Railr'/S
Selector: ..S-way Switch
Controls: .1 Volume, 1 Tone
'r RBz same as the w/Push/Pull Split
Texas "T" with a standard Pickguard: .......Vintage Pearloid
sized body, your choice of
gold or chrome hardware,
Bridge: .....Vintage T style
optional flame maple top
Tuners: ....Die-cast 6-in-line
and a Benson violin-
Hardware: ........Go|d or Chrome
shaped pickguard.
Colors: Marteen Gold, "Purpleteen",
"Orangeteen", Antique Burst, Trans
White, Trans Red, Fireburst, Black,
ÍÉxAs*Í" White, Burgundy Red
nodY
1ilorrcen Over'drzed*Í"
Asleep at the Wheel's Grammy winning )
"King of Texas Swing" also happens to be a ,,ï
RBl
6'8" giant of a man (minus the hat and boots)
with hands the size of dinner plates. Because
' Bloclr
of this, Ray asked us to build him a guitar:
with an over-sized T-shaped body because
the "others felt like toys". The finished guitar
not only fit him like a glove, it also became an
exciting new alternative for "normal" sized
players as well. While the instrument shown
here sports a Texas-shaped plate, the guitar
is also available with a vintage style pick-
íllfflr
guard for players who don't happen to live in
the Lone Star State. \
Standard size alder T
Ray also designed the electronics for d\ body with chrome hard-
squeezing out every combination necessary ware, two single coil pick-
for maximum "twang" and versatility. All ups and 3-position selector.
Duncan-Designed, the pickups feature a
humbucker at the neck, a splittable Hot t.7
Rail'" in the center and a traditional single-
coil at the bridge with a dizzying array oÍ
choices made possible by a S-way selector
switch and push/pull tone pot.

Page 9
2Ftr'
Kiler
"tï;et Btue Burst,
Antique Burst, Cherry Burst,
Trans White, Trans Red, Trans
Blue, Fireburst, Black, White,
Burgundy Red, any graphic your
little heart desires, Grape-Cicle,
Cherry Cicle, Cream-Cicle,
Fudge-Cicle, Berry-Cicle,
Lemon-Cicle and any other
flavor you can dream up.
ffi'.."
Flat-top 1-piece alder
body, rosewood or maple
fingerboard, S/S/H pickups,
thru-body string feed, black
or gold hardware.
CENOMODELS
Blues paid many, many visits to our
Custom Shop and, with the help of our
master luthiers, literally started with raw
wood and shaped the neck and body with
\3 his own hands. Together, they built a gui-
\í tar that expands all the boundaries and
gets right to the very core of expression.
It's a simple, elegant, rock-and-roll
machine. A unique Wedge-Head'" design
allows the S-on-a-side tuners to be locat-
ed closer together Íor the smoother,
straight string pull of a 6-in-line. A special
Solo-Heel'" neck/body junction allows for
easy access to the upper frets. Also,
Blues has conjured up a whole new
series of "Cicle flavors" (grape, cherry,
lemon, fudge, etc.) in a beautiÍul burst.
Give us a call for details!
SPECIFICATIONS . Model VASCB
Body: ..,.1 Piece Alder
Top:.. ........Quilted Maple
Heel: .......4-bolt Solo-Heel'"
Neck: ....Birds-eye Maple
Fingerboard: ....Solid Ebony or Maple
vAscB Markers: ..........Abalone dot (offset)
Frets, Scale: ....24, 24 314"
Pickups: ...H/H, Duncan Trem-Buckers'"
Selector: .3-way Switch
Jl,3Ë*" Controls: ..1 Volume, 1 Tone
Pickguard: .......None
Bridge: ....Floyd Rose Locking Trem
Tuners: ....Die-cast Wedge-Head'M
Hardware:........Go|d or Black
Other: ......Available with optional ML2
. :: Creotn'
I
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5-o'
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Flat-top 1-piece alder
body, rosewood or maple
fingerboard, S/S/H pickups,
vintage style black or gold
tremolo.
Page 1 0
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This is the ultirnaïe rn (;,,i:rlili'i,. tl' ,.,ij'

"a ia car'ie" guitar buiidrrig. [,]r:stont {i, hrri';"..,

,.
S .+F{ "
Pro guitars reflect all the quaiitres &**,*.
fHffi
that make Valley Arts the mcst
celebrated Custorn Shop in the
world. They affor"cJ you the at.,iiiiy
ffi .:
ít$f;#
to have a guitar or bass made to IIIIfr l.r
11

$i,ti$ c7Bs21É $Íf,#tr

. r!6fatl
the exact specifications you need. !!!l I Er
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Ê:,,

You choose the wood, the br:ciy 1iiilii f,tËil#

shape, the pickups, the hardware, 4[!!Ep
qËfllF ililItrff
the color, everything. Our luthiers
will build it to your exact sper:ifica- tff#il$
tions. lt's like having your o\ffÍt
lÍllfll$ .,
.s+Ë&ijr iltfrtË
Custom Shop. Seen here are a s

few diÍferent models and styles we #$tr#ffi Trons

have built in the past. #fftrffi
Green

24 Frets, 'i.:Sê tf;tril#

Flc,
,#tff## 22 Frets, Floyd
Locking Tremr i,,tilted
Rose Trem, 1-piece
c8Bs25,v maple top, 1-r
body, EMG p',
alder
i.
]*#ff#tr
Ëffffiils
quilted maple body,
EMG pickups.
ttr*n
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& fitrfftm c8Qs?rÊ',
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iltfriln
trntrrm
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illcnn
22 Frels, Wilkinson ilillItfr
ilmlFfrtr
vintage vibrato, quilted
maple top, 1-piece alder i

body, EMG pickups.

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Page 11
 rcv4

How to Order Custom Pros:

The Valley Arts Custom Pro ordering system
is really quite simple. Excluding colors and
optional ML2'and lnterlock', the basic model
number is made up of 7 positions (or squares)
which represent the Íollowing categories:

"C" always designates "Custom Pro"

I Body size (8/8 or 718)
I I Your choice of body wood

r+
I I I "S" or "T" body style

t+
1. 2. 3. 4, 5. 6. 7.

Your choice of tailpiece

Duncan or EMG pickups

Fill in the squares with the following choices:

1. This space never changes

C...Designates "Custom Pro"

2. Body Size Color Codes:

8...8/8 Size (full size) NL: Natural
7...718 Size BK: Black
WH: White

3. Body Wood AB:Antique Burst

Q...Quilted Maple VB: Violet Burst
F...Flame Maple VBB: Violet Blue Burst
G...Figured Maple GB: Green Burst
H...Lightweight Maple BB: Blue Burst
S...Swamp Ash FB: Fire Burst
A...Alder KB: Black Burst
GKB: Green Blackbst
M...Mahogany
RKF: Red w/Blackbst
B...Bent Top Quilt or Flame BKB: Blue w/Blackbst
C...Carved Top Alder WB: Watermelon Burst
AMB:Aquamarine Burst
4. Body Style
S...Conventional "S" Shape TB: Trans Blue
T...Conventional "T" Shape TK: Trans Black
TR:Trans Red
TC:Trans Creme
5. Pickup ConÍiguration
TP:Trans Purple
0...H/H (2 Humbuckers)
TG:Trans Green
1 ...H/S/H (Hum/Single/Hum)
2. . . S/S/H (Single/Single/Hum) MB: Midnight Blue
3...S/S/S (3 Single Coil) OB: Oriental Blue
CR: Candy Red
6. Tai lpiece ConÍi guration EG: Emerald Green
1...Floyd, Rear Route KG: Kelly Green
2...Floyd, Pickguard SG: Sunset Gold
3...Stop-tail, Rear Route MG: Marteen Gold
4...Stop-tail, Pickguard OT-Orange Teen
5...Vintage Trem, Rear Route Pï Purple Teen
6.. .Vintage Trem, Pickguard Gï Green Teen

Page 12
 LUTHIER'S CHOICE SERIES
From its inception, this gui-
tar was a classic beauty
possessing all the charm
and elegance of a master-
piece. The selection oÍ wood
is the very heart of its
incredible tone. The one-
piece, carved Honduras
mahogany body and head-
stock are, all hand-trimmed
with white binding. The base
of the rosewood fingerboard
is hand-carved to a fine
point. Abalone position
markers add to the sleek
design of the birds-eye
maple neck. We installed a
stop-tailpiece with a
Nashville Tu ne-o-matic
bridge for that good old tone
and "sustain for days"
sound. We topped it off by
adding 2 Duncan P-90 style
pickups that scream with
vintage tone.
GTLC
Anticlye
Bursr
Page 1 3
SPECIFICATIONS. CTLC
.1 -Piece Carved
Mahogany
.Bolt-on :
Neck: .Birds-eye Maple
Fingerboard: .Rosewood
Markers: . . . .Abalone dot
Frets, Scale: .24,24 314" Same as the C7-LC
Pickups .Duncan Pg0s with EMG SA/SA/85
Selector: . . . .3-way Switch pickups, S-Way bElector
Controls: .1 Volume, 1 Tone and herringbone binding.
Pickguard: .None
Bridge: .Stop-Tailpiece
Tuners: .... .Die-cast 6-in-line
Hardware: .Gold
Colors: . . . . .Trans Blue
These instruments are so
individually unique, we
choose to name each one
according to its own charac-
teristics. Hence the name
"Tono de Unica Personalidad"
Each model comes with its
own Certificate of Authenticity.
These models are extremely
limited.
LccA
Features include:
AAA solid spruce
top; rosewood back
and sides; herring-
bone binding; pearl
inlay; ebony bridge;
bone nut and
saddle.

ïi#'rlïffi
srgnature'
The Inspiration
- By John Maher, Director of Marketing
It was the 14th Annual KLON Long Beach Blues
Festival. Headliners included Little Milton, John Lee
Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite and James Cotton,
with a special tribute to the music oÍ Robert johnson
Íeaturing Robert Lockwood, John Hammond, Rory
Block and Kevin Moore (AKA "Keb Mo").
The stranger next to me was sipping a cool,
dark, Negra Modelo. As I looked upon my wimpy
"Lites", I decided to strike up a conversation in the
hopes oÍ weaseling away one oÍ his prize brewskis.
As it turns out, the stranger was Mr. Steve
LaVere, Blues historian and agent Íor the Estate of
Robert Johnson. Steve got to talking about how his
dream was to help orchestrate the creation of the
ultimate acoustic guitar for the serious Blues musi-
cian, and how he wanted to dedicate the instrument
to the memory oÍ the "King oÍ the Delta Blues".
At this point, the last thing on my mind was the
guy's beer. As he raged on about how he wished he
could get someone, anyone in the guitar business to
listen, I was already picturing the guys in the
Custom Shop finishing up on the Íirst prototypes.
To make a long story short, we struck a deal. A
deal that gives a portion oÍ the sales proceeds right
back to the Robert Johnson Estate, and gives every
guitar player access to what has been hailed as the
Íinest Blues acoustic ever made.
But it didn't come easy. ln Íact, as the agent Íor
the Johnson Estate, Steve LaVere had the weight of
the entire Blues community on his shoulders. Not
only was his own personal reputation at stake, but
the integrity of the Robert Johnson name also hUng
in the balance. These things had to be perted.
Philosophy
- By Steve LaVere, Agent for the
Estate oí Robeft Johnson
We began by researching old,
vintage instruments and "dime
store" guitars from the 1930s;
anything that remotely resembled
the many different brands and
styles oÍ guitars Robert Johnson
had access to back then. During
this research, we found that
every one of these old guitars
had one characteristic in com-
mon;they all sounded like bath
tubs. Kinda "nasally". With skinny
little frets and weak, rough-cut
internaltop bracing. None of
these old guitars measured up to
the tone quality and projection
power oÍ today's advanced
acoustic guitar designs.
This posed a whole new prob-
lem Íor the Estate because, while
preserving the "look" oÍ the 30's,
we also wanted musicians to
have a great sounding instrument
for today's more demanding
stage and studio applications. We
decided to ofÍer the best oÍ both
worlds by preserving the old, vin-
tage "look" while incorporating
today's more advanced acoustic
guitar designs.
i:ï$ïi 'ï;
ïïn ïiloort
Keb Mo
lnset:
as Robefi.
'.'s:ïÏi'Ï""
ano
his life
tnusic
The Process
The Íirst six prototype models were made with six difÍerent inter-
nal top bracing patterns, each possessing its own unique volume,
balance and tone characteristics. Then, Mr. LaVere and "Keb Mo"
met with our Valley Arts Custom Shop luthiers. They spent the
entire day analyzing the sound oÍ each instrument under every type
oÍ acoustic and "ampliÍied" application.
After choosing the best sounding bracing pattern, four more pro-
totypes were built, this time with different neck and head stock
shapes, different fret sizes, and four unique top and soundhole
inlay patterns. The vote was unanimous when it came to the Íinger-
board; solid ebony with mother-oÍ-pearl abalone inlays and, most
importantly; big, Íat, German silver frets for precise string intonation
and easy, easy string bending.
After receiving final approval on all of the above, we then built
four more prototypes (that's 14 so Íar in case you lost count) and
sprayed the bodies with contrasting finishes. We outfitted these gui-
tars with different hardware, and were asked to come up with varia-
tions on the types oÍ decal applications for the Íront of the head-
piece. The Estate had to approve everything including the studio
portrait on the inside label, the 14K gold plated headpiece logo decal
and, yes, Robert Johnson's signature which was reproduced from
his marriage license Íound in Hazelhurst, Mississippi.
The end result is the world's best looking, best playing, best
sounding acoustic for the Blues musician (which also happens to
be on of the most collectable instruments in recent history). The
Íinal prototypes were introduced at the 1Sth Annual KLON Blues
Festival with the help of our Íriend, Jeff Healey, who pulled the win-
ning ticket Íor a guitar drawing to highlight this historic event.
The Motivation
Finally (because we know it'll come up), it's important to mention
here that, as the agent Íor the Johnson Estate, Steve LaVere is the
"Blues Policeman" (as Keb puts it). Steve makes sure that a portion
oÍ the proceeds Írom the sale of every guitar goes right back to the
Robert Johnson Estate. We at Valley Arts want you to know that
this whole, long, drawn-out, tedious project is the result oÍ a love
and respect for the music and community that make up the Blues.
While, of course, we have to make a proÍit to stay in business, it is
not our intention to exploit this rich musical treasure in our
American heritage. Our goal is only to earn the right to represent it.