Jewitt Guitars

In my new role as Jewitt Guitars Ambassador, I not only get to play the lovely 00-13c that Jeff sent me, but I also get to help sell his other guitars that are available!

I’ve worked with Jeff since late 2021 when he sent two guitars to The North American Guitar, where I helped market and sell them. After those found homes, Jeff brought us another six guitars, plus I got the chance to play many more at guitar shows, Cedar Rock Studio and Guitar Gallery, and during workshop visits - everything from small-bodied parlors up to SJs, with just about every “typical” tonewood you can think of.

From those first experiences with his work to now, I’ve seen how much his build style has evolved in just a few short years.

For anyone who loves the traditional Martin style, his earlier guitars (some of which are available) are right up your alley, and he continues to capture that same warmth of tone in newer guitars. More recently, through his collaborations with player Matt Thomas and fellow builder Ryan Gerber, he’s incorporated the kinds of modern fingerstyle guitar techniques many boutique players are looking for - Manzer wedges, specially carved slim C neck profiles, soundports, unique appointments and color schemes, and of course, premium tonewoods.

I’ve had the chance to play every one of his guitars currently located with him in Cleveland, as well as those at Cedar Rock. I am happy to answer any questions or offer guidance for anyone considering buying one of these Jewitt guitars or commissioning a new one!

I have personal experience with all the guitars listed below! These are all available with Jeff at his shop in Cleveland, OH. I can also share my thoughts on the Jewitt guitars available at Cedar Rock Studio & Guitar Gallery.

Full disclosure: I do get a nominal fee if anyone purchases one of these guitars through my referral.

OM Maple/Engelmann – On sale for $3,000

I was thoroughly impressed with this deep-bodied OM in Jeff’s shop on my last visit in June. Maple doesn’t get a fair shake among a lot of players, but the clean tone is so excellent for amplified on-stage playing, and many maple guitars have a lot of warmth and depth - including this one! Having been built in 2017, this slightly older guitar is a great opportunity to get into a handmade guitar at a very reasonable price.

0 Mahogany/Sitka - $5,800

This might be my favorite guitar in Jeff’s current in-shop batch. I just love a good parlor guitar! While you’re never going to get dreadnought-style bass and fullness in a 0 or parlor, this one doesn’t suffer from that nasally narrow-banded frequency sound of many other parlors. It just sounds like a full-bodied guitar that happens to be small. Plus, it’s hard to argue with those classic appointments and comfortable set-up.

000-12 White Oak/Adirondack - $6,000

Speaking of tonewoods that don’t get enough attention, have you played an oak guitar yet? This one was a favorite of Kim’s at TNAG/CVG, and I think Jeff’s wife Susan will be sad when it sells! Jeff’s nicknamed it “Crunch", as it’s a fabulous guitar for bluesy slide guitar and thumbpicking. Not to stereotype it, though. Its warm, clear sound works great for my Celtic-flavored arrangements, too.

OM-MT Walnut/Sitka - $5,000

This was the prototype model for what would eventually become Matt Thomas’ signature OM. With pared down aesthetics compared to what Jeff does now on the OM-MT models, this elegant guitar features Black Walnut and old-growth Sitka Spruce, with a Manzer wedge and extremely comfortable neck carve. If you want some of those modern touches but a low-key, timeless look and warm tone, this is a perfect option.

SJ Mahogany/Sitka - $7,500

Possibly the only Jewitt guitar I’ve played with a soft matte finish (Jeff’s usual polyurethane finishing is done in-house), this lively SJ is an excellent rhythm guitar and folky fingerpicker. Just a little bigger than a standard OM, the curvaceous body delivers up just a bit more fullness.

OM-C Cocobolo/Cedar - $8,000

Here’s another one I got lots of time with during its stay at TNAG. I believe this was the first of his Artist Series models Jeff brought to us. EVO gold frets and master and premium grade tonewoods make it feel a touch above the usual. If you’re looking for the perfect fingerstyle OM with loads of complexity and nuance but no lack of fundamental warmth, I can’t recommend it highly enough.