For Sale: TRADED - 2014 John Allison custom OM cutaway German/Palo Escrito

[JohnnyD123]

Offering my '14 John Allison custom OM cutaway with German top and straight-grained Palo Escrito back and sides. Excellent +++ condition.
Asking $3,250 net, plus actual shipping; reasonable offers considered.

Specs: 1 3/4" nut, 25.5" scale, 2 3/16" string spacing, 15" LB, a standard OM sized guitar. A superior light build weighing in at only 4 lb 2 oz.









When I first played this guitar a year ago January at Hearts Home acoustics, Boerne TX, I started out playing finger-style, given this is an OM. It sounded very good, even across its range. A good mix of fundamentals with the overtones that an OM-sized body can produce. Palo Escrito is a form of Mexican Rosewood, so it has some RW attributes, but it is much lighter than EIR. After 20 min, I pulled a pick out of my jeans watch pocket, and then WOW - WHAT a VOICE! Within the next few minutes, I decided to buy this one immediately and put money down before lunch hour that day!

John Allison worked for years at Collings and in 2004 he branched out and opened up his own shop in SE Austin. He is quite a builder and good guy, who welcomes your phone call anytime. Make no mistake, this is no Collings. Think of starting with the best Collings OM you've heard and then add these tone woods and John's personal touch - it's just amazing! Check out the neck join to the cutaway! Even many great builders do not take the time for fit and finish like the work that is present here.

There is one minor impression on the upper binding of the 1st fret of the neck. It's position makes it only cosmetic, since your hand does not touch that part of the neck, except perhaps to hold a blues F chord (which I do often and never noticed it). John Allison actually delivered this custom to the original owner with this small mark on it. I did not notice it until I owned the guitar for a week. Otherwise, this guitar is immaculate. The original saddle had cracked (included) and it was replaced with a synthetic. I would suggest a setup after it acclimates to your environment and have a bone saddle installed. This guitar was a $5,600 custom build two years ago.

A year ago, it was only this and my McAlister that I played. I took this guitar with me on every business trip (2-3 times a month) in its OHSC, which is a flight case with John's logo inscribed. Now after adding a Tippin OMT and a Stephen Kinnaird CS in the last 6 months, something has to go!

I'm mostly looking for a straight sale, but I do have 3 interests depending; a concert quality classical guitar (spruce/RW with no Spanish cedar), a high-end Baritone and would love a 27 to 28" fan-fret, or a 12-fret 00 short scale. I know what I want and it must also be a luthier hand-made instrument; so please no offers of major guitar company guitars, including the big 3 and not even Bourgeois nor Collings, or the like. Yes they all make great guitars, and have had many in a past life.

I have many friends and good references on AGF. No worries here. It will ship FedEx insured to your home of office. Thanks, JD

[Guitars44me]

JD is a straight shooter and a great guy. We have spoken repeatedly about different instruments, and corresponded about this one! We also did a couple trades that worked out great!

If you don't know about John Allison there's plenty to read about him on this forum! Super nice guitars by all reports

Best on the sale and congratulations to the new owner!

Cheers

Paul

[JohnnyD123]

very much, my AGF friend and soul brother from the left coast (in the mountains east of the buzzz of Southern CA). Best to you, Paul. God bless you for playing your music for the the seniors and many others across these SW United States. Next time I'm out west, at my mountain home in Prescott AZ, we need to hangout and play guitar. Yeah man. Thx

[Earwitness]

I haven't played all that many Allison guitars--it's not like there are all that many in the world anyway-- but I will vouch that my Allison is pure magic. Never played anything better.

Good luck with your sale.

[JohnnyD123]

You can't go wrong with a German spruce topped John Allison

[invguy921]

Nice guitar JD! Looks like a super deal to me. If I wasn't in such an 'unloading" mode, I'd likely take a shot at this one.

Best of luck with your sale!!

[JohnnyD123]

and you certainly know fine guitars!

[JohnnyD123]

is now traded to one of my best AGF buds!

[dtune]

What did you get in return Johnny?? Probably prying but dying to know.

[Guitars44me]

Another trade with JD. We are on a roll. He got my Mint Martin Custom Shop

0000 12 fret (M body) in birds eye Maple and carpathian spruce.

I am really looking forward to checking out this Allison!

Play on AGF!!!

Cheers


Paul

[dtune]

Oh boy. I wanted to pitch your Martin M but I've had health issues keep me one the fence lately. Johnny has a good one there!

Cheers!

[JohnnyD123]

Originally Posted by dtune

What did you get in return Johnny?? Probably prying but dying to know.

Dale, fair question and I would have let you know. I've been offline today and Paul beat me to it. I'm not usually a Martin guy, but this one might even be odd enough for my tastes! It is a unique beauty and trading with Paul is the best!

This Allison can outplay any Collings, Bourgeois or similar OM, no matter what tone woods. Palo Escrito with this beautiful straight grain is a very light RW and German tops are King!

I'm very happy to have had a year with this one. Paul and I both got something special in trade. We'll both know for sure by the weekend. Can't wait.

[dtune]

Thanks. Enjoy your new guitar! I'm not a Martin guy either but those wood combos in a 12 fretter had piqued my interest.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

[Guitars44me]

JD and I have had a couple nice long talks on the horn lately! Always a pleasure, John.

Allison should arrive this pm. I will be at gigs, and may not get to pick up from the PO until tomorrow am.

This one will put me even more over my limit, and something will need to go soon! Yikes.

But it is so much fun trading. How else can us working stiffs check out such fine, rare, high end guitars by builders we can not find in local (or any) stores?

Thanks JD! I am stoked you are loving that CS 0000 12 fret Martin!

Cheers, all

Paul