1994 Jeffrey Elliott SP/IN (ex Earl Klugh)

Here we have another great instrument by Jeffrey Elliott, this guitar features gorgeous and aged materials including European spruce for the soundboard and Indian rosewood for the back and sides, head overlays and bindings. It also has an elegant one-piece Spanish cedar neck. The custom Rodgers tuning machines have Jeff's proprietary sideplate design. As we've mentioned many times in the past, Jeff's guitars feature distinguishing aesthetic characteristics in the headstock shape, extremities of the custom Rodgers tuners and even in the label artwork, which to our eyes resemble the maple leaf, symbolic of this guitar's birthplace in the Pacific Northwest. Another great design feature is in the central ring of the rosette which is made of natural-state Western big leaf flamed maple, inlaid with circles of brass and mother-of-pearl which represents Elliott's love of astronomy, symbolizing the birth of stars from giant galactic nebulae (there is one additional "star" in the seam at teh foot where the sides join together - see image in gallery). Under the soundboard, there is a dedication to its first owner, the great guitarist Earl Klugh who owned the guitar until 2007. The sound of course is lush and full with great clarity in all voices - it has the grandeur of Hauser and the beauty of Torres, yet carries the distinct sound of its builder at the same time. It is no wonder that his clientele include the likes of Julian Bream, Marcelo Kayath, Ralph Towner, Leo Kottke, Jonathan Leathwood and Ekachai Jearakul, just to name a few. Although a second-hand instrument, it is in excellent, like-new condition. As with all Elliott guitars that come through our doors, Jeff always extends his personal warranty to the new owner.

Orfeo Magazine No. 10 - West Coast Luthiers