Prices, Standard Items,
and Options

Prices effective Jan 25, 2011

                     A Word About Commissioning A Guitar from Gerald

Your order is the beginning of a relationship between you and the builder. If you wish, you will be involved in the decision making process of building your instrument. It is more important for you to find the guitar that meets your wants and needs than it is for me to sell lots of options; therefore I will help you choose wisely regarding value.

I will help you learn about woods and materials. We can use your playing style, physical characteristics, playing venues, and personal preferences as benchmarks to discuss the elements of tone, playability, intonation, aesthetics, and volume. As much as possible I will try to dispel myths and lore so you can make intelligent decisions about the design 
of your instrument. 

Just as important, please do not feel intimidated about what you may not know. While my expertise is guitars, yours may be something else. I will help you understand the lingo and the names guitar parts so you can feel confident in our discussions. 

Sheppard Grand Concert with beautiful Striped Macassar 
Ebony back and sides. A wonderfully responsive tonewood

Petite Concert
Grand Concert
Grand Auditorium
Jumbo
Dreadnought

Standard Appointment Models

Appointment models are pre-chosen "option packages", for lack of a better term. These packages give you discounts as opposed
to "à la carte" menus. Each of these designs are available in any body style. Of course, instruments may be customized to your specifications. Some fees may apply.

The Minstrel - $8,190*

   Standard features:  

• All Master Grade wood construction
• East Indian Rosewood, or Honduran Mahogany back and sides.
• Choice of master grade top woods including Western Red Cedar, Engelmann Spruce, or Sitka Spruce.
• Bone nut and saddle, saddle fully compensated for every string
• Abalone Crown position markers 
• Adirondack (Red) Spruce bracing (considered the best)
• Fully Scalloped top bracing
• Fine quality Ebony fingerboard, bridge and headstock Overlay
• .135" wide Choice Blue Paua Abalone Pearl Rosette
• Ebony/Abalone eye bridge pins
• MOP Inlayed Sheppard "S" logo
• Paua Pearl fingerboard side dots (deep, colorful pearl)
• Dyed purflings
• Choice of Ebony or Curly Maple binding.  
• Two-way double-action truss rod
• Carbon fiber reinforced neck (new standard item as of 2011)
• Gold Gotoh tuners or gold Grover tuners
• High gloss finish
• High quality hard-shell case.
• Limited lifetime warranty

-------

The Madrigal - $8,780*

    Standard features: (*) denotes upgrades from Minstrel

• *Mammoth fossil ivory saddle, fully compensated for every string
• *Mammoth fossil ivory nut
• *Special Abalone Pearl Wing/Crown design position markers 
• *Deluxe dyed purflings
• *Super 510 Gotoh tuners (other brands available)
• *Blue Paua Abalone pearl backstripe  
• All Master Grade wood construction
• East Indian Rosewood, or Honduran Mahogany back and sides.
• Choice of master grade top woods including Western Red Cedar, Engelmann Spruce, or Sitka Spruce.
• Adirondack (Red) Spruce bracing (considered the best)
• Fully Scalloped top bracing
• Fine quality Ebony fingerboard, bridge and headstock Overlay
• .135" wide Choice Blue Paua Abalone Pearl Rosette.
• Ebony/Abalone eye bridge pins
• MOP Inlayed Sheppard "S" logo
• Paua Pearl fingerboard side dots (deep, colorful pearl)
• Choice of Ebony or Curly Maple binding.   
• Two-way double-action truss rod.
• Carbon Fiber reinforced neck (new standard item as of 2011).
• High gloss finish.
• High quality luthiers hard-shell case.
• Limited lifetime warranty

-------

The Ave Maria - $9,850*

   Features include all those of the Madrigal plus:   

• Choice Blue Paua Abalone pearl rosette, top perimeter purfling
• Bound headstock and fingerboard
• Four piece mitered side purfling
• Gold Super 510 Gotoh tuners w/Ebony composite Buttons
• Walrus fossil ivory saddle and nut

*Base prices for standard features each model as described above. Prices shown do not include shipping, taxes where applicable, or any other fees.

Summary of Standard Features for all Guitars

Details

Comments

n/c

Bridge Pins

Appointments

Standard

Comments

Optional Appointments and Features
 

• Flamed Koa Binding
  Brazilian Rosewood
  Macassar Ebony
  African Blackwood
  Bloodwood
  Cocobolo  

- Choice Blue Paua (.063" or
   047"  

Narrowline^© Pearl Inlay Top
Edging, Choice Blue Paua

$700

$700

What is "Narrowline^©" Pearl?

"Narrowline^©" is a very narrow, and very elegant line of pearl inlay. Aesthetically it means "less is more," because it allows an understated look, while imparting the iridescence of pearl. Ask about choosing "Narrowline^©" pearl anywhere standard pearl is normally used for the same price.

With regard to open back tuners, I recommend Waverly brand. They are expensive but they are excellent. They are offered several styles.

Mini Tuners are available. 

Shallow or deeper body (depth at tail block)

Custom Neck Profile
Custom nut width only

Usually no charge


$280 (includes custom nut width)
$100

Other Fine Tonewoods
(Click here to learn about tonewoods)

Terms:

A $1,000 deposit is required upon commissioning of the instrument. Deposit is non-refundable if the order is cancelled after thirty days of order date, or before receipt of the instrument.  The deposit helps defray initial expenses and guarantees you a spot in the production schedule at the price quoted. The balance is due at time of shipment. In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with your purchase and there is no damage to the guitar, you may return it within three days for a full refund minus shipping charges. Highly customized instruments may require a larger deposit and may have other restrictions with regard to refunds. Approximate delivery/build time will be posted on quote at time of commissioning.  Prices do not include government fees, taxes, or shipping/insurance costs. I charge actual cost for shipping and insurance. There is no charge for packaging and handling. Instruments delivered within the state of Tennessee, or received at Sheppard Guitars are subject to state sales tax.