Rockbridge
Rockbridge Guitar Company began in 2000 and since then have made a strong presence in the bluegrass, country, rock, and americana worlds with custom guitars in dreadnought, jumbo, and OM styles. A three man custom shop, Rockbridge Guitars only produces about 40 high quality instruments per year. Making a variety of sizes, the standard string length is 25", though the new Advanced Jumbo model will have a 25 3/8" string length. Exclusive to Steve Swan Guitars is the 12 fret Smeck style Jumbo, developed from my experiences with the classic Gibson Roy Smeck Stage De Luxe and Radio Grande models from the 1930s. Performing artists currently using Rockbridge guitars include Dave Matthews, Ray LaMontagne, Dave Stewart, Waddy Wachtel, Ben Harper, Jim Hurst, Roy Curry, and Rolly Brown. Rockbridge guitars made for my shop always include specially selected back and side sets and aged tops from my personal supply of tonewoods.
Coming Soon: New long scale (25 3/8") Advanced Jumbo model in African Rosewoodwith European spruce top.
New 12 Fret Smeck Radio Grande style Jumbo (318/12)
My new all-time favorite of the the Rockbridge 12 fret Jumbos, this guitar combines the complexity and ringing tone of a fine grain European spruce with the solid bass and lower midrange response of dense African rosewood back and sides. Honduras mahogany neck with round neck profile, Waverly 4060 G-98 style tuners, Ebony headstock overlay with script pearl "Rockbridge" logo, 1 3/4" nut width, Ivoroid bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with 2 mm pearl dots, Ivoroid body bindings, Black and white purflings, Brazilian rosewood rectangular bridge with 2 1/4" string spread and drop-in saddle, Ebony bridge pins, Tiger stripe pickguard left loose in the case pocket, Turtle-oid strap buttons at neck and butt, Brazilian rosewood butt wedge. This guitar has a very broad tone palette, great dynamic range, and an easy response that makes it a real pleasure to play. With TKL hardshell case.
$5475
New 12 Fret Jumbo (Smeck) (286/11)
An exceptionally lively and tonally complete example of my favorite Rockbridge model. My own supplied heavily quilt figured african Sapele (similar to Mahogany) back and sides, My own supplied stiff and brilliant sounding bearclaw figure European Spruce top, Waverly tuners with metal buttons, Ebony headstock overlay with pearl "Rockbridge" logo, 1 3/4" nut width, Ivoroid bound Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard (my supply) with small pearl dots, Ivoroid bound body, Black and white multiple purflings, Brazilian Rosewood (my supply) bridge with drop in bone saddle, Ebony pins, Tortise tiger strip pickguard, Brazilian Rosewood heelcap, Black line backstrip, Turtle-oid strap buttons, Voicing for light guage strings. This gorgeous looking guitar is also spectacular sounding, with broad range of tone color available. One of the best yet. With hardshell case.
$4650
New Advanced Jumbo (296-12)
This is my first 14 fret Rockbridge guitar, a huge sounding Advanced Jumbo model. 100% vertical grain African Rosewood (I've been saving this set for 13 years), Stiff European Spruce top specially selected from my supply, Mahogany neck with round profile and some nice flame figure, Waverly 4060 G-98 style tuners, Ebony headstock overlay with script pearl "Rockbridge" inlay, Bone nut, 1 3/4" nut width, Ivoroid bound Ebony fingerboard with historically accurate pearl advanced jumbo style inlay, 25 3/8" string scale, Ivoroid body binding and heelcap, Black and white top purfling, Cream-black-cream soundhole rosette, Ebony bride with drop-in saddle and 2 1/4" string spread, Ebony bridge pins, Tigerstripe pickgurd with historically accurate shape, Turtle-oid strap button and endpin, Rosewood butt wedge. The bold, solid voice is everything that I expected from this great new design for Rockbridge. This rosewood set has really found a guitar worthy of its rarity and tonal quality. With Cedar Creek hard case.
SOLD
2010 Smeck style 12 Fret Jumbo (256/10)
A very strong-voiced example of my favorite Rockbridge model. Artist grade Adirondack Spruce top supplied from my stock, Very dense "tiger claw" figured Mahogany supplied from my stock, Mahogany neck, Waverly tuners with ivoroid buttons, Ebony headstock overlay with pearl script "Rockbridge" inlay, 1 13/16" nut width, Ebony fingerboard with 2 mm pearl dots inlay, 25" string scale, Ivoroid body binding with black and white purfling, Black and white line purfling soundhole rosette, 4" soundhole, Ebony bridge with drop-in saddle and 2 5/16" string spread, Ebony bridge pins, Tiger stripe pickguard loose in case pocket, Tortoise plastic strap buttons at heel and endpin, Sunburst with larger pattern and lighter red color than previous examples. The voice is very strong and colorful, a joy to play. With Cedar Creek case. (Photos to follow Rockbridge Smeck (25610)
$3250
