From their small shop in Hillsborough, NC, Pre-War Guitars construct aged reproductions of iconic American-made models from the '30s and '40s. Described as the "new old guitars of the future," Pre-War guitars are not the same as other vintage-inspired guitars. They are designed to have the sound, the feel, and the look to match. Pre-War produces perfectly setup, old-sounding, and old/beat-up looking guitars. The Herringbone is the flagship Pre-War model. It is a 14-fret dreadnought with an Adirondack top and Brazilian back and sides: the perfect recipe for a cannon that can go toe-to-toe with any Loar or Mastertone. This Herringbone was completed in 2023. It features a Shade Top vintage sunburst on the finish, and the herringbone trim around the top looks just right. This one was made with a "1.5" distress level, so it has the feel and vibe of a played-in—but well cared for—vintage relic. Thanks to torrefied woods (including the top and brace material) and hot hide glue construction, it captures the sound of a vintage relic, too. This Pre-War packs a big, bold sound that is articulate and detailed across the register. It has treble that cuts and shimmers, but there's plenty of warmth and low-end content as well. Chords are sweet, and single notes shine. It has a wide dynamic range—with a soft touch, it is sweet and pretty, but when you dig in, it comes through loud and clear. This 2023 Pre-War Herringbone is gently used. Because of the 1.5 distress level, it's hard to tell what is authentic wear and what was done by Pre-War. Most importantly, the frets are clean and the setup is excellent. It has a 1-3/4" nut width and a soft V neck profile. Pre-Wars are known as bluegrass cannons, and this one absolutely fits that description. But to be fair, it has a much wider range than just the bluegrass genre. Like a good old D-28, it is a versatile guitar that seems to do everything well. Pre-War Guitars advertises a build time of 24-30 months, but this 2023 Herringbone is ready to ship to your door! It includes its original Geib-style hardshell case.
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