Styles Page

  
 
  John Greven, luthier

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(Click Model Title or unerlined text for Photo page.)

There are four basic decorative styles I have developed over the years. From very simple to elaborate and unique, these "styles" can be applied to any of the body sizes I make. The are:

The Herringbone Standard Patterned in detail after the 1930's vintage Martin Herringbone, the Greven Herringbone features the distinctive Herringbone wood purfling around the top edge, delicate abalone snowflake fingerboard inlays, Brazilian rosewood headstock overlay and an unbound ebony fingerboard. A simple pearl banner, hand engraved with my name adorns the headstock. Ivoroid bindings surrounding the body edges.
The Herringbone Deluxe TheHerringbone Deluxe is similar in appointments to the Standard Herringbone with the addition of bound headstock and fingerboard with more elaborate headstock and fingerboard inlays. There are any number of Deluxe inlay patterns to choose from, the birds being one of the most requested. Please contact me for more details.
The White Lady The White Lady evolved through working at Gruhns making reproduction Vega banjo necks. I wanted to create a guitar equivalent to the Vega Whyte Lady complete with elaborate heel carving and hand engraved pearl inlays, especially my famous "naked lady" inlay.. This decorative style includes abalone top, back, and rosette trims and some of my finest woods. A real working showpiece.
The Presentation The top of the line is represented by my Presentation grade guitars. They utilize only the best materials available and are each one created to order to be unique works of art. They can be quite simple with very subtle decorative touches or as wild and elaborate as imaginable. Each represents the best of what is possible and is a true collectors edition. Out of my total production of about 1250 guitars, there have only been 32 Presentation models made. It is special.
 

All of the body sizes listed on the Models Page are available as either the Herringbone, Herringbone Deluxe, White Lady, or Presentation. You may also mix and match decorative touches between the four styles to produce a custom guitar or be daring and draw outside the lines to create a totally unique piece of musical art. I often execute customer supplied inlay patterns when they are unable to find something appropriate in my vast inlay files.

Contact me for further information.