Many decisions go into making a world-class guitar. My focus for your instrument is to achieve three fundamental goals:

BODY STYLE

We offer several guitar body shapes and thicknesses to meet the playing styles and preferences of our customers. Each body type has unique sonic characteristics. Larger guitars offer more overall volume and deep rich tones. Smaller guitars are more comfortable to hold but still have incredibly rich and sophisticated tone qualities. The price of each body style includes standard options shown throughout our buyer’s guide. Aesthetic options are available at an up charge that depend on the market prices.

CUTAWAY OPTIONS

Many musicians prefer easy access to the highest frets of the guitar fingerboard. For these players, I offer two styles of “cutaway.” The Venetian, or rounded, and the Florentine, a pointed cutaway.

My preference is to only use a cutaway for the Grand Auditorium, but I am happy to add the cutaway style to any guitar body type. 

ARM BEVEL OPTIONS

An arm relief bevel can be added to the side of the guitar body. This contoured feature makes playing the guitar much more comfortable. We have two bevel options:

• Deluxe Smooth Bevel

• Deluxe Contoured Bevel

TOP TONEWOOD

The Top Tone Wood has significant influence on the sound of the guitar. All tops are at least AAA grade. I use mostly Spruce for tops because, well, the sound is just hard to beat! I also use Redwood sometimes for the rich earthy tones produced. I look forward to discussing how to achieve the sound you are looking for.

Top Bracing is made of Sitka Spruce. The Bridge Plate is made of Rosewood or Maple. Kerfing is made of Basswood, and the Neck Block and Tail Block are made of Honduran Mahogany.

Every glue joint in the guitar is precisely fitted to eliminate sloppy, thick glue lines that would damp the vibrations of the structure. The finest luthier-grade aliphatic glue is used to ensure exceptional sound transmission.

BACK AND SIDE TONE WOOD

Many excellent woods are available for your guitar. These woods are selected for tone quality and aesthetic appeal.

I source my wood from reputable importers that follow the strictest guidelines of proper forest management. Responsible forest management ensures that these beautiful resources will be available for many generations.

STANDARD BACK AND SIDE TONE WOOD OPTIONS

The Standard Back and Side options are excellent choices for a great sounding guitar. The price for the Standard Back and Side woods are included in the base price of the guitar.

PREMIUM BACK AND SIDE TONE WOOD

Exotic woods from all over the world are used in high quality lutherie. These woods offer a wide range of tonal qualities and stunning visual features. Many woods are available with special aesthetic character such as wood burl, grain flame, beeswing effects, waterfall and quilting effects, and many shades and colors. Please visit one of my favorite suppliers, Luthiers Mercantile for more back and side ideas. (Click here)

Exotic woods can be used for your guitar with a charge that depends on market price. Here are just a few examples of available exotic tone woods. There are too many to include here. I am happy to discuss other options with you.

Note: Luthier Danny Davis is allergic to Cocobolo so no amount of money will make him build with it!

ROSETTES

The rosette is the central visual element of the guitar’s look. From simple elegance to tastefully inlayed mosaics, the rosette reflects the artist’s style and personality. Rosettes can have one ring, two rings or three rings, called “wheels.” Custom rosettes using wood, shell and metals can be designed in consultation with the luthier. Price for custom designs are based on materials and design complexity.

STANDARD ROSETTE OPTIONS

• Black/White Fiber

• Herringbone Fiber

• Colored Wood Strips

PREMIUM ROSETTE OPTIONS

You can add shell inlay to your rosette for an additional $75. For more intricate custom rosette designs, the up charge is dependent on market value and complexity.

• Mother of Pearl Shell

• Abalone Shell

• Donkey Shell

• Custom Design Rosettes

Custom Rosettes

Here are just a few custom rosettes created in our shop. Price depends on materials and complexity.

BINDINGS

Bindings are added to the edge of the guitar to protect the top, sides, and back woods from moisture intrusion and from bumps and dings. This is an excellent opportunity to enhance the beauty and visual definition of the guitar. Bindings are applied to the guitar body and fretboard. We can also bind the head plate. Bindings are standard on all my guitar bodies, fretboards and head plate.

STANDARD BINDING OPTIONS

• White or Black Boltaron - Boltaron is a plastic material that has been long used in fine instrument making.

PREMIUM BINDING OPTIONS

Wood bindings make an excellent natural-looking accent for a guitar. Many exotic woods can be shaped to match the edge profile of the guitar and are used as a durable and attractive binding. There are many more premium binding options available than those shown here.

PURFLING

Purfling are the decorative edging just inside the body and headplate binding. Purfling highlight the shape of the guitar and add a bit of interest. They can be made of wood, fiber, plastic, or shell.

STANDARD BODY PURFLING OPTIONS

• No Purfling (Binding only)

• Herringbone

• Black/White Fiber

• Colored Wood Strips

PREMIUM BODY PURFLING OPTIONS

• Green Select Abalone

• Paua Abalone

• Mother of Pearl

• Donkey Shell

FINISH

Each guitar is finished using the highest quality nitrocellulose lacquer. The process yields a very thin and durable protective coating. We can apply a beautiful high-gloss finish or our luxurious satin finish. This is included in the base price.

SHADING AND COLOR

The overall presentation of the guitar can be enhanced by use of shading and color during the finishing process.

CUSTOM INLAY

Personalize your guitar with hand-cut inlay. Our team is happy to create a design especially for your guitar. Inlay can be added to the guitar neck, head plate, end graph, truss rod cover or body. Price depends on materials and complexity.

BONSAI LOGO INLAY

The headplate of each Danny Davis Guitar is adorned with the signature Bonsai Tree logo. The logo art is included in the base price of every guitar. The Bonsai Tree may be inlaid with white or gold Mother of Pearl. The encircled medallion may have a variety of background material. There are two options included in the base price for the logo presentation.

• Bonsai Tree

• Bonsai Tree Medallion

TUNING MACHINES

Each guitar comes with high quality tuning machines. For pin-type tuners, we use the Gotoh or Schaller brand. All Triple O Parlor guitars with a slotted headstock are fitted with Waverly tuning machines. These are excellent tuners that ensure pitch perfect control. Many other tuning machines are available depending on market prices.

SET UP SPECIFICATIONS

Your guitar will be expertly set up to your exact specifications. Your neck will be hand carved to fit your grip.

Please consider the following points regarding how you want your guitar to feel in your hand. I am happy to discuss details and make suggestions for fit and function.

• String gauge preference: light, medium, heavy

• Fretboard radius: usually 12 inches

• Nut width: 1-11/16, 1-3/4, 1-7/8, etc.

• Neck Contour: Round, “V”, “C”, other

• Action: Low, Medium, etc.

• Pickup: I prefer LR Baggs Anthem and Fishman Infinity Series (cost of pickup + $75 installation)

• Pickguard: $50 installation

• Strap Pin Locations