Frequently Asked Questions

We always welcome your questions and comments! However, before contacting us with a question, please see the FAQs below as your question may have already been answered therein.

Yes, it’s true that the first generation of the Conti Guitar was an all solid woods instrument, competitively priced at under $2,000. And yes, we continue to offer the Solid Wood version of the Conti Guitar with the Heirloom model, at an attractive price.

The worldwide economic conditions during the last seven years placed the Solid Wood model out of reach for some aspiring jazz guitarists.  The laminate model isn’t a change, but rather a response to the strong demand for a mid level model that had the same great looks, same “plays like butter” neck, beautiful neck and head stock appointments – at an extremely affordable pricing structure that is commensurate with the lesser cost of raw materials.

Due to our shipping volume, FedEx provides us with preferential shipping rates. In our experience, Fedex is also the most reliable, and most importantly, “damage free” shipping service worldwide. We extend those highly discounted rates to our international patrons at great savings.  For a custom deeply discounted FedEx shipping quote, please click here. EMS shipping is also available for some countries.  We will provide you with the best shipping option for your location.

Short answer:
Conti Guitars are not made in any single factory location.

Long answer:

In 2008, after the superb results of a one year evaluation of the first generation Conti Archtop, Robert commissioned Peerless Guitars to manufacture the first generation of Conti Guitars to his specs. Those guitars entered into global circulation in the late spring of 2009.  As evidenced by numerous user photos and written commentaries, the Conti Equity Edition was well received by the jazz guitar community.  In an effort to bring the Conti Equity Model to the consumer at a price under $2,000.00, Robert committed to a huge production volume of instruments, as that business decision served to offset the continually rising cost of raw materials for the duration of the first production run. The last guitars of the first generation instruments were all acquired by owners in the mid part of 2015.

In late 2015, Robert was once again faced with the task of addressing many requests for design additions and other specifications. In an ongoing commitment to offer high quality guitars to consumers at affordable prices, it is imperative for a successful manufacturer to stay abreast of the continuously changing costs of labor and raw materials in various international manufacturing sectors.

After finalizing the new model designs, Robert entered into seemingly endless negotiations, as the manufacturing environment had changed substantially since 2007-08, prior to the production of the first generation Conti Guitars. More specifically, during that period of time, many major brands either bought the best foreign factories, or in lieu of purchasing a factory, they simply bought the entire annual production capacity of a factory.

As a result, moving forward, several high quality peripheral components are now produced by a wide variety of craftsmen and artisans for final assembly. The Solid Spruce Tops, Bodies and necks are still made to Robert’s specs by Peerless Guitars, considered by several major brands as absolutely the highest quality OEM* in South Korea (See Note Below). The desirable high quality Ebony components sourced from India are custom fabricated by another group of carefully selected skilled artisans. Additional quality component brands include the Tone Pros TOM Bridge, or The Gotoh TOM Bridge, Grover Imperial Tuners and Switchcraft Output Jacks and Kent Armstrong Pickups.

For the second generation models, in an effort to keep the cost to the player as affordable as possible, there is extensive negotiation involved in an extremely complex manufacturing process.  This process includes parts production from the highest quality artisans from Eastern Europe, the UK and Asia, prior to final assembly by Robert’s selected group of exclusive OEM-Only Luthiers.

In past years, in response to occasional requests, we readily provided the names of our OEM luthiers. As our luthiers began to receive several unsolicited requests from individuals to build various spec guitars, they requested that we refrain from providing that proprietary information to the public, as they do not accept individual orders.  More specifically, our builder luthiers are strictly OEM, as they favor an uninterrupted steady income and employment from an established brand. Therefore, other than the data above, we are not authorized to disclose any other proprietary information as to our luthiers and other component suppliers. As very well documented on the ContiGuitars.com website, and the new Conti Guitars Facebook page, one can easily and reliably verify, that our owners are more than satisfied, with the superb high quality of the instruments they purchased. Likewise, you are also well assured of quality, as the Conti Brand Name is on the headstock.
 
 
*The attached photo was taken at the 2010 International NAMM Expo. As indicated on the banner at the rear of the booth, since 1975, the Peerless Guitars Company has manufactured high quality guitars for just about every major brand name manufacturer.

From its inception, our mission was to provide a high quality archtop to worldwide patrons of our learning resources at a price that most everyone could afford.  When you purchase directly from the manufacturer, you “cut out the middlemen” and save hundreds and hundreds of dollars in unnecessary markup.  If our guitars were offered through the typical distributor/dealer network, final pricing to the consumer would be at least three times higher.

No distributors, no dealers – direct from us to you.

Additionally, we are able to maintain pre-shipping quality control on every guitar. Final inspection and set-up is completed seasoned luthiers – and you can rest assured of quality, as the Conti brand name is on the head stock, and no guitar is shipped until Robert signs off on the instrument.

Although the vast majority of our owners prefer a gig bag for comfort and ease of handling, we do offer a hard shell case upgrade option for $126 that you can select when ordering your new Conti Guitar.

All Conti Guitars are set up with Conti Preferred Gauge Strings which are round wound strings in the gauges 11-14-20 (wound)-28-38-48.

Yes, you may ship a set of your favorite strings to us and our technician will install them during his setup and final inspection of your Conti Guitar.

Not so much related to the guitar itself, but still a frequently asked question.  No matter the playing situation, Robert always uses the Dunlop .38mm Nylon Pick. For an in depth explanation for the reasons why, see The Precision Technique in the Source Code DVD Series.

Yes! As part of our first class service, and in an effort to ease any worries about ordering a guitar via the internet, we provide all new owners with a video of Robert Conti playing and introducing you to your new guitar. Acquiring a Conti Guitar is a truly personalized experience we believe you won’t experience anywhere else.

Contact Us By Phone:

Toll Free in the USA

888-JAZZ-DVD (529-9383)

International

1-702-240-8127

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