The structure, fit, finish and playability should all be flawless in an heirloom instrument. That’s a given. The real craft is in the development of the tone.
I take a very bracing-centric approach to tone, wherein the bracing pattern and the individual tap-tuning of the plates determine the modal movements of the plates and, ultimately, the output of the acoustic system.
Responsive, brittle, rich with overtones; these are the things that make a stand-out instrument.
Lastly, an instrument should be built to outlast you! The glues and materials used, and the methods of construction determine whether the instrument holds up and whether or not longevity-sustaining repairs, such as neck resets, can be done without degradation to the guitar.
The above-mentioned qualities are all non-negotiable. The rest is up to you, the player.
Eric Schaefer
An Eric Schaefer Guitar can be acquired one of three ways:
One: online; by surveying the available instruments at ericschaeferguitars.com/available-instruments/
Two: in person; by making an appointment with Eric to visit his showroom in Bernville, Pennsylvania
Three: Custom Build; by commissioning a custom build through one of Eric’s Custom Build Slots.
In Person
Visiting the showroom introduces you to what Eric has available at the time. If a match between player and instrument is made, then this option can secure a guitar in your hands right now, as opposed to waiting for a commissioned build. This is by appointment only. Drop-ins are not welcome. You can set up an appointment here.
*Please plan ahead to schedule a visit. I am often scheduled out several weeks.
Custom Build Slots
Commissioning allows the player to work collaboratively with Eric on building a bespoke instrument that fits the hands, sensibilities, and desires of the player.
There are currently 2 available Custom Build Slots for the Winter of 2025. Scroll to the bottom of the page to reserve a slot.
Three models start at a base price of $7,300
Dreadnought | Orchestra Model | 000
One model starts at a base price of $5,800
Parlor (Size 1)
The Base Price Includes:
The Soundboard
Choice of Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis), Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), or Honduran Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
The Braces
Choice of Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis), or Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
The Back and Sides
Choice of East Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia), Granadillo (Platymiscium yucatanum), or Honduran Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
The Neck
Honduran Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
The Fingerboard and Bridge
Choice of Gabon Ebony (Diospyros crassiflora), or Macassar Ebony (Diospyros celebica)
The Headplate
Ebony or alternate wood of choice
The Rosette
Black and White Purfling Rosette
Binding
Ebony
The End Graft
Ebony, Wedge-Shaped
The Backstripe
Ebony or none
Fingerboard Position Markers
Mother Of Pearl dots (fingerboard face and side)
The Bridge Pins
Ebony with ‘Parisian Eye’
The Saddle
Compensated Bone
The Nut
Bone
Tuning Machines
Gotoh 510 Mini Tuners in Cosmo Black or Gold
Fretwire
Evo Gold Jumbo or player’s choice
Fingerboard Radius
20″
Number of Frets to the Body
14 for Dreadnought, Orchestra Model and 000. 12 for Parlor (Size 1)
Nut Width
1 3/4″
Saddle String Spacing
2 5/16″
The Strings
Light Gauge (0.012″, 0.016″, 0.024″, 0.032″, 0.042″, 0.054″) Phosphor Bronze or player’s choice
Hardshell Case
Ameritage Silver Series
The Finish
Hand Rubbed, Polymerized Tung Oil and Linseed Oil (Tru Oil)
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Yes
Options Available at Added Cost:
Style
Cutaway (Florentine): $600
ESG2 Bridge Design: $500
ESG2 Headstock Design: $200
The Soundboard
Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens): $350
‘Sinker’ Redwood: $450
German Spruce (Picea abies): $300
Adirondack Spruce (Picea rubens): $300
Other: Inquire
The Back and Sides
Ziricote (Cordia dodecandra): $450
‘Tiger’ Myrtle (Nothofagus cunninghamii): $950
Tasmanian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon): $350
Koa (Acacia koa): $600
Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa): $500
African Blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon): $650
Other: Inquire
The Neck
Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana): $400
The Fingerboard and Bridge
Ziricote: $200
Finished Maple: $700
Wenge, for bridge only: $200
The Rosette
Solid Wood Rosette: $200
Radial Wood Rosette: $250
Offset, Radial Wood Rosette: $350
Offset, Radial Wood Rosette embedded in Solid Wood Rosette: $700
Mother Of Pearl Rosette (Includes MOP purfling scheme around soundboard perimeter)
Other: Inquire
Binding, Backstripe, End Graft
Rosewood: No Added Cost
Curly Maple: $100
Koa: $100
Other: Inquire
Purfling
Dyed Black/White, Dyed Colors or Maple; Top Only: $250
Dyed Black/White, Dyed Colors or Maple; Top, Back and Sides: $850
Mother of Pearl, Top Only (Includes MOP Rosette): $1,800
Other: Inquire
The Bridge Pins
Bone with or without Ebony Dot: $50
Fingerboard Radius:
10″, 12″, 14″, or 16″: $150
Nut Width and Saddle String Spacing
Custom: $550
Tuning Machines
Steinberger Gearless Tuners (Black): $200
Steinberger Gearless Tuners (Gold): $250
Countersunk Tuner Heads/Washers: $150
The Finish
French Polished Shellac: $900
Reserving a Custom Build Slot
- Pay the deposit amount ($2,000) to reserve the slot
- Eric will contact you directly to guide you through the process of customizing your instrument to your needs.
- Eric will keep in touch, and keep you updated until delivery.
WINTER 2024/2025
* Eric will begin the build in December 2024 and deliver by March 2025
