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The retail showroom in Burlingame offers a selection of fine vintage instruments as well as selected examples from contemporary builders. The usual hours are 9-5 Monday through Friday. Occasionally I am out on a local errand or on an overnight trip to Los Angeles or Eugene. It is always best to call (650) 515-1014 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make an appointment time. The shop address is 1519 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, CA 94010. Sometimes I can come in on a Sunday or in the evening, so please ask.
 

Two Websites Now
Hannah and I are in the first stages of splitting the web site in two. www.steveswanguitars.com will continue to feature guitars and related fretted instruments. www.steveswandoublebasses.com will be the new home for all things related to string basses, doublebasses, upright basses, bass violins, doghouse basses, bass fiddles... you get the idea.

Website Photos
Hannah and I are working together to get through some significant technical roadblocks to getting photos up in a timely way. If you would like to see a set of the photos from any of the listed instruments currently without photos, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I'll send them along.
 

GUITAR NEWS

Coming Soon

- 1939 Martin D-28
- New Marty Lanham (Nashville Guitar Company) Custom 12 Fret D
- Early 1950 Martin OOO-28
- 1970 Martin D-28
- 1966 Martin D-28


Rockbridge Guitars
Coming back in on trade-in is a mint condition 12 Fret Jumbo (Roy Smeck Stage De Luxe style) that sports my all-time favorite sunburst of any that they have done for me. This guitar has been played enough to develope a fine musical voice. For a complete description and a full set of photos, please see the "Rockbridge" page.


Vintage Gibson Flat Top Guitars
The latest Roy Smeck Stage De Luxe converted by Alan Perlman dates from 1935. It has a very expressive voice and has had the nut width narrowed to 1 3/4". For a complete description and a full set of photos, please see the "Gibson" page.

 
Vintage Martin DreadnoughtThe latest group of fine old Martin Dreadnoughts added to inventory are a deep sounding 1947 D-18, a huge sounding 1947 D-28, and an astounding 1936 D-18. For full descriptions and complete sets of photos, please see the "Vintage Martin Dreadnoughts" page.


Vintage Martin Other Size
The latest arrival is a very interesting 12 fret 2-18T from 1928. This guitar is very lively and has a 19th century look with the long, narrow shape and high soundhole position. For a complete description and a full set of photos, please see the "Vintage Martin Other Sizes" page.

 
Martin after 1970
Just in is a near mint condition 1989 Special D-18, one of the guitar-of-the-month series. With a great neck angle and a strong voice, this guitar will be gone very soon. For a complete description and a full photo set, please see the "Martin After 1970" page.

Gibson
The most recent addition is one of two prototype maple L-Century model guitars made in 2010 for Elvis Costello to replace his original 1936 L-Century that was lost in the Nashville Flood. For a complete description and a full set of photos, please see the "Gibson" page.

Guitars by Other Builders
Just in is the 1996 Julius Borges Prototype Standard (12 fret OOO) model made for Eric Schoenberg. It is extremely light weight and features bar frets. For a complete description and a full set of photos, please see the "Guitars by Other Builders" page.

Archtop Guitars
Just in is a nearly mint condition 1939 Gibson L-30 archtop wtih the original case. A fine sounding and easy playing time machine guitar. For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Archtop Guitars" page.

Solidbody Guitars
My favorite solidbody guitar in the shop is the Rich Hoeg "Hillbilly Deluxe" birdseye Maple late 1940s style guitar. With a short scale, DeArmond pickup, and Merle Travis styling, you can really get in touch with your inner Deke Dickerson with this one. For a complete description and a full set of photos, please see the "Solidbody Guitars" page.
 
Electric basses 
The latest additions are a 2001 Hofner, a 5 string fretless Celinder, and Marcus Miller's personal Celinder Jazz Bass with red LEDs on the edge of the fingerboard! For complete descriptions and full sets of photos, please see the "Electric Bass" page.
 

APPOINTMENT HOURS
 I am in the shop 9-5 Monday through Saturday except for occasional buying or delivery trips along the west coast or local errands during the day. It is always best to call (650) 515-1014 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make an appointment. I would hate to miss you when out on a local errand or gone on an infrequent overnight trip to Los Angeles or Eugene.