Conti Guitar Worldwide Owner Comments
Please enjoy this sampling of photos and commentaries from owners of Conti Guitars around the world.
Note: Items dated before October 2016 refer to the 1st generation Conti Guitar.
Carles Vidal – Barcelona, Spain
The Equity guitar arrived in just 2 days from Las Vegas, NV to Barcelona (Spain)!!! First consideration: it’s more pretty in direct, photos do not do justice. Second: I was pleasantly surprised by the great acoustic tone and volume unplugged. Third: plugged in my Acoustic Image Clarus 2R + Raezer’s Edge 12ER … the sound is superb, very impressive, warm and sweet. The volume and tone controls give much play to experiment with them. I love her neck and the shallow Florentine cutaway. I very much appreciate the work of Mr. Robert Conti offering such a high-level guitar at a very affordable price. Thanks again, Mr. Conti. Besides, I am lucky to have a guitar played by Mr. Conti himself. A little extra that makes me very happy. Thanks also for all the kindness shown to me by Mike.
Guy Guerra – Naples, FL
I received the guitar. It’s was delivered in perfect shape. It was seen and heard by virtually everyone at the [National Guitar Workshop] campus, about 300 people. I was excited about it, and carried it on my back or played it every night of the week. I would have put a www.robertconti.com sign on the gig bag if possible, that’s how much of a believer I am in his teaching, and how much I like the guitar!
Michael Canyon – Compton, CA
I’ve played the Conti Guitar in a big band setting (18 piece) playing 40’s swing and in a sextet. I really liked it for the longer gig because of its light weight; it didn’t dig into my neck after hours of playing. It is very comfortable. I like the feel of the neck and it is an attractive instrument. I own 26 guitars, both archtop and hard body and the Conti is in my top five to gig with. I have appreciated the professionalism Mr. Conti has shown with all of his products. (I’m a repeat customer, and proud of it!) I’ve met him at a couple of trade shows and he is warm, friendly and sharing. I may not be getting much better but I sure feel good about playing Conti’s songs, both from his books/tapes and from his Just Jazz Guitar submissions.
Peter Bas – Houston, TX
Unpacked it Friday, still admiring it, playing it, admiring it, playing it, etc. The Equity matches your description in all ways, the photos really don’t do the guitar justice. Came through in great shape, you guys know how to pack ’em. Also thanks for the DVDs and the tuner, much appreciated! Best wishes to all, continued success and thanks again.
Robert Mercer – Mason, OH
Received the guitar as you know and I love it! I raised at the bridge and still have the action set low at .01/.02 at one and .04/.05 at the twelfth. It is unlike any archtop I’ve played in that the combination of the scale and the 16 fret body make it feel like a longer scale which is most comfortable but of course it is shorter for efficient chords and increased warmth. Very nice. I am interested in what Mr. Conti’s set up is. Must be extremely low based on where this guitar was when I received it. I’d guess straight neck with .01/.02 or less at the first. .03/.04 at twelve? This will be my primary guitar for everything but finger picking.
Michael Hallberg – Bridgeville, PA
Mr. Conti, It was an absolute pleasure meeting you last week. I still can not believe you and Mike hand delivered the guitar to me in person at my hotel in Las Vegas, NV. I’ve had a few days to play it and the “Conti Guitar” plays like a dream and sounds as beautiful as it looks. Your guitar will be the standard I use to evaluate any other guitars I may play in the future. You got it right! The success of this guitar could only be limited by the level of promotion and advertising it receives. I’m a customer for life.
Terry Gillen – Tring, UK
Even though I own a Conti Equity archtop, I couldn’t resist the temptation to buy a honey blond Heirloom. Recognising an anxious customer, Mike ‘held my hand’ through the purchase and import process and FedEx did an excellent delivery job. As for the guitar, what can I say that hasn’t already been said by other ecstatic customers? It is visually stunning, the build quality is impeccable, the playing ‘feel’ is excellent (size and balance of the guitar, neck dimensions, profile and fretboard radius – how did you guys get it so ‘right’?) the set-up is spot on, even after a journey of several thousand miles, and the sound is crystal clear everywhere on the fretboard. The name Heirloom is apt because that is what it will become. It is a truly lovely guitar and, at this price, even after paying to import it, it’s a bargain. My sincere thanks to everyone.
Steve Negri – Summerville, SC
This year I gave myself a truly fine gift for my birthday. Witness my Ruby Red Conti Heirloom Guitar. It is the finest instrument I have ever owned, including a Gibson Gold Top Les Paul, a Gibson ES355TD, a Martin Classic O model, and a Johnny Smith model Gibson to name a few. The action is unsurpassed and the tone is mellow and superb. Such a pleasure to play and hear. Thus have I satiated my guitar lust for years to come. If I live another seventy-three years I may become its equal.
Dave Illig – Houston, TX
“Right out of the box the Entrada played perfectly. Low action with great tone. I am extremely impressed with the quality of the guitar. The ebony fret board is made with a very high quality piece of ebony, the grain is incredibly tight. I am very surprised that the bridge, tail piece, tuning knobs and even the nut cover are all ebony. I’ve seen guitars that cost three times as much as this one that don’t have that level of high quality accouterments. The machine heads are very smooth and have a very high gear ratio which allows for precise tuning. The playability and rich tone far exceeded my expectations. I have no idea how Mr. Conti can produce a guitar of this quality at such a reasonable price.” -Dave Illig – Houston TX
Joe Basebase – Las Vegas, NV
I’ve had too many guitars in my lifetime but the Entrada I recently bought is outstanding. I love playing it and it has killer action with a beautiful jazz tone. Does not rattle anywhere which is unusual. It is very acoustically live unplugged and has a killer tone through my AER. The thin body is very comfortable to hold sitting or standing and is lightweight. I must thank Bob and his staff for excellent service. I really love this guitar. Thanks again. mahalo!
Lucas Costner – Nashville, TN
“A great guitar I will enjoy for many years! Packed well and played great straight out of the box!”
Knew I had to have another…
“After purchasing my Ruby Red “Conti Salita” model guitar in May of 2017, it was obvious I had finally found the perfect Jazz guitar for me. I never wanted to be without it and I knew I had to have another. I wondered that if I was so impressed with the mid-priced Salita model, what would the top of the line Heirloom model be like? So I ordered one and I am SO glad I did! My new Antique Sunburst “Conti Heirloom” model guitar exceeds all expectations for a pro level Jazz guitar! The superior build quality and attention to detail is second to none. The finish is stunning, but most of all, it plays like an absolute dream and sounds fantastic! It arrived perfectly set up with super low action, so all I had to do was tune it and play. Since the Salita model I previously purchased and
Amy Ferman – Cambridge, MN
“Just thought I would let you know that I love my new guitar!! I will send you a photo and hopefully also a video. It plays perfectly right out of the box. I have been getting acquainted with her for the last couple of hours. 🙂 And thank you so much for the tuner and the awesome customer service. I loved the video!” – Amy Ferman, Cambridge, MN
Conti Entrada is the right guitar
I’m 65 and have been playing guitar for 55 years. I started with Rock/Blues and moved to classical guitar. After 35 years in classical I began 10 years of Bluegrass Flatpicking all the while watching, listening and dabbling in Jazz Guitar. I was really turned on watching Pat Martino on several occasions at the Bottom Line in NYC in the 70’s and also was a regular at Gulliver’s Monday Night Jazz Guitar in West Paterson, NJ also in the 70’s. I don’t know why it took me this long to realize Jazz has always been my true love! I now think it’s time to really apply myself in Jazz and I believe Robert Conti is the right person to help me. I have about 15 guitars and I’m sure the Conti Entrada is the right guitar to begin my Jazz Guitar Journey, I’m sure it will not be my last
Love the neck and fingerboard
Just wanted to let y’all know that the guitar arrived. It didn’t get here until almost 8pm last night as my wife and I were on our way out to visit friends. We got home around 1am. That is when I opened up the box. The guitar made the trip fine. I could not put the guitar down and didn’t get to bed until 2am. It is amazing. The Conti Entrada is the most solid hollow body guitar I have ever played! I’m not a tech or a luthier so I don’t know the answer as to why it feels so good in my hands but it does. I love the neck and the fingerboard. I am able to execute runs and passages with more speed and more articulately than any of my other guitars. The sustain is incredible both acoustically (when I practice) and when plugged in. I run
Dr. Paul Vinger – Walnut, CA
“The Salita guitar I received is beautiful, great-sounding, and easy to play—but it never will be played as well as by Robert Conti in the video he made, and sent me, testing the guitar before it was shipped. The care and expertise that went into making it is obvious—thanks to Mike and the crew for a great job. It is a rare treat to have true professionals share what they know and produce in such an outgoing, caring, and sincere manner. I appreciate the teaching enthusiasm and skill Robert Conti has shared with me over the years. I primarily play the piano and have learned a great deal about harmony and music lines from him. Robert’s desire—and skill—at presenting his ideas and philosophy in a clear and entertaining manner is inspiring.”