Jol Dantzig Signature Series Concept:
Each Signature guitar is hand-built—one example only.
Jol Dantzig’s creations are unique and timeless in style. Influenced by his background in art and vintage guitars, each instrument is an original piece built by hand. Each of Jol’s artistic visions are designed and built from the ground up around a unique concept.
Some feature original vintage parts from his personal collection of hardware. Others may be crafted around a particular piece of fine tonewood or motif from a book, film or other inspiration. Original parts are machined, cast, turned and carved rather than relying upon off the shelf items. This approach clearly distances Dantzig’s work from the norm. Due to the extreme amount of time required to craft each project, a maximum of only four guitars per year can be built.
Although his work is influenced by the instruments from the golden age of guitar building, Dantzig’s work is not merely replicating the past. The man sums it up this way, “The best ideas are ones that haven’t been done, but look as though they surely must have been.”
Owning a Dantzig Instrument
When you commission a Jol Dantzig Guitar, it is yours from its birth as an idea, through the extensive labor of its construction to its debut as a complete reality. As soon as you hold the finished work you’ll know that it is no mere guitar. Jol Dantzig builds instruments with a living soul and personality. Please refer to our builds in progress (below) for more detail.
Inquire
About the process in Jol’s own words:
Each guitar I build has a compelling story and what I call a pre-history. The first step is building the vision, or soul of the guitar. This takes time to develop, and even continues to be refined as the instrument’s construction progresses. My influences are varied, drawing from history, art and culture as much as traditional instrument references.
As these themes are developed, parts can be made, finding just the right combination of materials. Components are machined, cast, or even scavenged in order to bring the right elements to the build. When I use new parts, they are always created to my specifications either in my own shop or by a select group of artisans and vendors whom I trust and admire. These components must always serve the theme and purpose of the build. As I massage the concept and build the instrument, I log it all down in a journal along with samples of color, scraps of material, poetry and photographs. It’s all contained in a hand bound book with a hand painted cover—a copy of which is available with the guitar.
Clients also have the option of having their build unfold online via my Workshop Blog.
Acquiring a Dantzig Guitar
Like what you see? Then let’s discuss building your signature instrument.
Dantzig guitars are also built on commission. Each instrument takes hundreds of hours of thought, sketching, and design—not to mention endless hours of hand construction. All for your enjoyment.
We invite serious inquiries—all builds are available until a deposit is received. Pleas email to schedule a consultation.
Signature Guitar Gallery
Builds in Progress
VISTA—SOLD
A logical extension of my design lineage. Commissioned by a collector with exquisite taste and complete trust in the design and build process. Hand-carved spruce top on a mahogany body with matching Honduras neck. Black ebony fingerboard and headstock faceplate. This was the first use of the “Claw” inlay of abalone and mother of pearl—seven hand cut pieces fitted at the twelfth fret. The idea was to bridge the gap between a jazz box and a more modern roots-rock guitar without losing the open look and sound of the former. Thus the name—Vista. Understated faux tortoise binding of Italian cellulose surrounds the entire instrument. More>
TRACKER—SOLD
The concept was simple—literally. My client wanted a back to basics guitar that was sophisticated in its execution. The idea that simple doesn’t have to be boring appealed to me because it was the exact opposite of the flashy, inlay-laden “boutique” guitars that permeate the market. Built from extra-heavy straight-grain Honduras mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard devoid of any inlay. Hand-wired with vintage Western Electric cloth covered wire and vintage switching components and the unobtainable John Grail humbuckers. Prototype locking Klusons and a featherweight aluminum wrap-around bridge. To further the aesthetic, I finished it in low-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer. A no frills, rock machine with a built-in soul.
THE CROW INQUIRE
I’d been playing guitar for about six years when I first heard Charlie Christian. Of course, everything changed that day in 1970. My teacher, Mike Bloomfield, implored that I study Muddy. Jeff Beck cited Cliff Gallup and Scotty Moore, and Keith Richards wasn’t bashful about praising Chuck Berry. Peter Green and Clapton went on and on about B.B. King, Otis Rush and Buddy Guy. However, hearing Charlie Christian banging out amazing single-note electric runs in recordings from 1939 set me straight. Above all, Christian’s mysteriously raw tone floored me. With this lingering memory haunting me, I started to build the Crow. My design was fueled by the writings of Ginsberg and Kerouac recalling the journey of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty across America. Their wanderings reminded me of touring musicians. Bands of traveling storytellers, who—like crows—are clever scavengers. In mythology the crow is a harbinger and messenger. I wanted my instrument to reflect the dark, mysterious lives of these souls. More>
SAKURA INQUIRE
Proceeds to benefit tsunami relief
The difficult Japanese winter ends with the arrival of cherry blossoms. In April, the Hanami Festival celebrates the rebirth and symbolizes the transience of life. The Sakura guitar features front and back, hand-engraved, nickel plated ornamental steel plates with my original artwork in a traditional Japanese style. Petals of genuine rose gold, stems and leaves in green gold and a rising sun of 24kt yellow gold adorn hundreds of hours of hand work by master engraver Heidi Roos. Twin humbuckers hand-built by my friend Seymour Duncan feature twin-tapping single-coil simulation and engraved nickel covers. Vintage cloth covered wiring and oil-filled tone caps. More>
HELL’S HALF ACRE INQUIRE
The trail driver’s whip and lasso were as crucial as his pistol and rifle. After pushing dusty herds of beeves north for weeks along the Chisholm Trail, the cowboy’s first stop for pleasure was in Fort Worth’s south end. Nicknamed Hell’s Half Acre, it was here where commerce ran roughshod over everything in its way. This instrument is designed in tribute to the lawless and bawdy reputation of both the herdsmen of the 1800s and the modern rock musician. A half-herringbone purfling recalls the twisted form of the cowboy’s lariat and gun-blued appointments with 24kt gold, hand engraved eagles complete the scene. Vintage Western Electric cloth-covered wiring and salvaged electronics from a Chicago telephone switching station. More>
Additional Builds Available
There are always themes waiting to be built—you only have to ask.
• WHITE CHAPEL
• EDEN
• THE NATURAL
• SANTA FE
• BLUE ANGEL
