Montuoro / Style 4 Special / Guitar
Style 4 Special "The Hammer"
This Style 4 is one of the biggest guitars I have built to date. The overall depth of this guitar is just shy of a dreadnought's, which is especially deep for my style of building. The aspects that make it "special" are its Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and Bear Claw sitka top. We kept the ornamentation simple. A small amount of ivroid and wood purfling sets it off. This instrument is a good example of what I can build that, while not an exact historical representation of a pre-war instrument as far as aesthetics are concerned, retains the tone of a pre-war guitar.
This guitar's nickname, "The Hammer," is very well suited. It has a truly gigantic and robust sound, full of harmonic overtones that last for days. I would dare to say this guitar can hold up next to any pre-war rosewood dreadnought or instrument of equal size. In fact I have a 17" Larson Bros-made Prairie State in my shop, and the comparison is quite astounding. This guitar possess every bit of what people are looking for in pre-war rosewood dreadnoughts. It will be heard over banjos, mandolins, and any nearby explosions. "The Hammer" has a string spacing slightly wider than 1-5/8" with a bridge spacing of 2-1/8". The scale length is my mainstay these days of 25.6" which helps add to the power and sustain. The headstock shape is my simple "crown" with the Montuoro Guitar Co. pearl dot logo.
The soundhole has been enlarged from 3-7/8" to 4-1/8". It is amazing how enlarging the soundhole by just 1/4" allows the sound to blossom. In theory we are pushing the soundhole even closer to the center of the X brace, similar to what is referred to as "forward bracing". I admit this kind of tone may be way too much for some people. Oddly enough this guitar was built for someone who doesn't even use a pic but wanted a larger guitar. Played finger-style it also excels, although it may be too large for most traditional finger-style players. If your playing style is similar to that of Tony Rice, John Carlini, or Bryan Sutton look no further. In fact, I invite them as well to see for themselves.
Frankie Montuoro
2.08
Montuoro Guitar Co., USA 
I am one of very few luthiers alive who has had the good fortune to be exposed to a substantial quantity of Larson brother
TERMS / WARRANTY
Please contact me directly for detailed pricing.
A minimum deposit of $1000 is required on all orders to secure a spot in the building schedule. This deposit is refundable only at the discretion of Montuoro Guitar Co., minus a $750 planning and consultation fee.
If the order is cancelled after materials have been acquired, or if specific sets of rare materials (i.e. Brazilian Rosewood) have been chosen for your build, the entire deposit will be forfeited.
Guitars ordered with woods such as Brazilian Rosewood and/or with custom inlays and details will require a larger deposit based on the cost of these upgrades.
A non-refundable deposit of 30% is required 30 days prior to my beginning your build. This amount is based on the instrument's final cost. The entire balance is due before shipping. All guitars are shipped UPS, overnight only! Prices do not include shipping, insurance, taxes or duties.
Turn-around time of your instrument will be 10 to 12 months from receipt of the minimum deposit.
Warranty All Montuoro guitars are covered by a limited warranty to the original purchaser only against defective materials or workmanship.
Montuoro Guitar Co., upon notice of any defect, will repair or replace, at their option, any defective part or material. Purchaser shall assume and pay the cost of all shipping or postage charges (to and from) of the repaired guitar.
The warranty does not cover cracks in wood or finish, nor normal wear and tear to the instrument. Items such as frets, tuners, nuts, saddles, pick guards and finishes are not covered under this warranty. They will wear or require adjustments due to normal use.
Damage incurred by misuse, accidents, acts of God, normal wear or natural cracking of wood or finishes due to changes in temperature and humidity is not covered under this warranty. It is very important to maintain a consistent environment for the instrument. Try not to subject it to extremes in temperature or humidity. This is very important to note!
Damages incurred during shipping are not covered under this warranty.
Tone is a subjective matter and is not covered under this warranty.
Scalloped braced guitars using anything heavier than light gauge strings over an extended period of time will void this warranty.
No other written or oral warranty applies.
Valid only to the original owner.
