Conti Guitar Worldwide Owner Comments

Enjoy this sampling of photos and commentaries from owners of Conti Guitars around the world. 

Patrick Browning, Pittsburgh, PA

There’s only one thing better than having a Conti guitar and that’s having two! I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a second guitar for traveling and once again, thank you Robert, Mike and staff. In the mid 70’s I had a black beauty Les Paul that was my favorite guitar but in the mid 90’s we were separated and I could never find a guitar I liked as much. When I received my first Black Conti Guitar, it reminded me of the past so I bought a second (Sunburst) and life is good again! Thanks for a great set of products and service.

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Bill McIllwain – Junction, UT

I was presented this custom built Robert Conti Archtop jazz guitar. I played it the first set and the tone and feel is incredible. The guitars are amazing instruments and are all they should be and more than expected. The neck is like no other, and I mean that coming from a Gibson/Fender man. A must have for the serious Jazz and full tone player. Robert’s customer service is second to none and the Conti crew goes well and beyond, no disappointments here. What an honor to have Mr. Conti bring it to the gig and sit in with me and play the guitar live. He brought the house down!

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Dr. William Bozeman – New Smyrna Beach, FL

I have played many fine archtop guitars, but I must say that my Conti stands out among all of them. Playability was perfect upon arrival. Sound is warm and robust through my Polytone amp – notes are even throughout the length of the neck. Frankly, there’s nothing that I would change about the instrument. To say it’s a great guitar for the money is misleading. It’s a great guitar – period!

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Billy Stanley, Charlotte, NC

Over the years, I have come to rely on my own ability to set up my guitars without consulting the “Pros”. After pulling my new Equity out of the box and picking through a few tunes, out of habit, I grabbed the toolbox. After about 10 minutes and a few delicate tweaks of the bridge and truss rod, this bad boy was singing like a bird and ready to dig serious pay dirt! Now, after playing this fine instrument for a couple of weeks I can honestly say it is my #1 Axe! I am absolutely enchanted with the warm classic jazz tone this piece of wood produces. The action in the neck is silky smooth and the frets are blindingly fast! Playing this guitar is awe-inspiring and beckons the player to reach for their very best! I must say, I have fallen in love and it seems to get

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Mike Keeling, Auckland, New Zealand

Here’s a photo of me with cheesy grin occasioned by my new Conti Guitar which arrived safe and sound, only 4 days Las Vegas to New Zealand! Beautifully packed—might spend some time reading the Las Vegas newspapers! First impressions are of a beautifully finished instrument, the fret polishing is impeccable. It even has that new guitar smell! Going out to the local guitar shop to buy a new strap, won’t insult it with a tatty old one. Buying a guitar sight unseen is always a time of mild stress, will it be what they claim? Will the neck be a small tree trunk, etc.? I read all the patrons’ comments and went ahead. Guess what? They were all right on the nail! It’s a pleasure to play and is beautifully styled. I will never achieve Roberts level of playing but I’m going to have huge fun trying! I always wanted

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Patrick Browning, Pittsburgh, PA

Thank you for being you – I love the books , DVDs and the Conti Guitar is unbelievable. I would like to thank Mike for getting it in my hands around my busy travel schedule and the guitar tech who set it up. It’s true, I unpacked it and tuned it up and it played perfectly. You have no idea how long I have dreamed of being able to play chord melody but until I began your program I really didn’t make any real progress. Thank you!

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Sylvain Goek, Bremen, Germany

I received the Conti Guitar and the Henriksen JazzAmp last Tuesday, in due time. Everything arrived in perfect shape. What can I say about the Conti Guitar? Well, the guitar matches your description in all points. Noble materials, high quality finish. Plugged into the Henriksen JazzAmp, the guitar delivers a clear and warm sound. I would like to thank you guys for your competent and individual support during my purchase (the online support by chat during my order on your website was a unique experience, Steve!) and for the learning material. Congratulations to RobertConti.com for the quality of their products and for the great service.

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Mark Bauer – Cincinnati, OH

I’ve had my Conti Guitar and Henriksen 112 amp for about one month now, and I couldn’t be more pleased. I’ve played three gigs out already and have been very happy with my tone in each venue. I made a small bridge adjustment (raised it slightly) out of the box due to some minor buzzing which is likely because of the high humidity where I live. Since then, all I do is tune and play. The intonation is outstanding and the ease of play is superior to my other archtops. My experience with Mike and the guys during my purchase has been outstanding. Thanks for providing such a high quality, reasonably priced guitar. I will enjoy this rig for years to come.” UPDATE 7/22/2011: “Have I told you how much I LOVE this guitar! Finally I have an axe that produces a beautiful clean jazz sound with the lightest touch…and

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Hans Rønningen, Gjettum, Norway

I am very pleased with my Conti Guitar, thank you. I work as an actor/musician in a theater in Oslo, and I think I will use it in my job this winter. It sounds great and is so light weighted. Very nice. I love the playability and I am happy to have it in my collection.

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Douglas Martin, Woodinville, WA

I finally got a second to write you and tell you how much I’m enjoying this wonderful guitar. It’s hard to fault this guitar for form, fit or finish. I think it’s on the level of a custom shop Gibson, but with some better appointments. I currently have a Gibson ES-165HE and a ES-135 that have both been professionally Plek’ed and they don’t play as well as this Equity right out of the box. I’m really enjoying the lightweight thinline body, can play it for hours and not feel weighted down – my ES-135 feels like I’ve strapped on a bag a bricks by comparison. All I can say is I’m quite impressed with my blonde Conti Guitar, especially the fast, low action Ebony neck. Thanks guys for sending me the close up pictures and helping me feel comfortable about spending 2 large on a guitar I’ve never seen or

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Geordie Thompson – Perth, W. Australia

My Sunburst Conti is a dream guitar and the light weight is a real key factor for me as I had trouble standing for long periods with a full size archtop. This one made all my fellow muso’s jealous with is smooth tone and great feel. Thanks Robert and the Conti team, the support has been fantastic and it’s all a matter of practice now!

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Stefan Haeusser – Bad Endbach, Germany

I received my guitar last week. It arrived in excellent condition! It is really an amazing instrument. So beautiful with perfect action and a warm and sweet sound. The Conti Guitar is very comfortable and it is a joy to play. I am very happy with my Conti Guitar! I want to thank you, for the great service, the complimentary DVDs and the Tuner. Best wishes to all.

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Dr. Michael Yollick – Scarborough, ON, Canada

I received the guitar on Wednesday as promised. I was completely blown away by its appearance. I did not anticipate that a blonde guitar would have the darker brown highlights on the neck. Also the inlay fret markers are stunning and really light up in bright light. The neck is fantastic. I now think I can keep up with Robert with his amazing runs on the guitar. The action is incredible. I have rock guitar, a Music Man Axis Sport which is known for their necks and it is great but I can play even faster and with more control on the Conti guitar. I have an old fender concert tube amp which I had to add a Tech 21NYc and Digitec digital delay to to warm my other guitars. But with the Conti i just went straight into the clean channel and I am in Archtop heaven. I really

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Alan Shaw – London, England

I hadn’t picked up a guitar in months. Arthritis had arrived with age and at 82 years I missed making music. Then I read about the special attributes of the Blondes, and the special features in their make-up. I did truthfully however still have some fears. I put them aside, and Mike was doing everything possible to get the Blonde to me before the VAT (tax) increased in the UK. All went to plan, the guitar was in my hands, and I was playing again. My hand could grasp the fretboard, my fingers were able to find the chords which I had thought were long gone to me, and their most beautiful sounds filled my ears and heart. Everything possible that could be said about this wonderful instrument produced by Robert Conti has been said. I would add that the equally wonderful Robert Conti team that handles their superb product

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Wayne Harper – San Antonio, TX

All I can say is “Oh my God,” just a tweak on the tuning and it was ready to hit the stage right out of the packaging. This is an amazing instrument, what else can be said about a guitar that looks, plays and feels like a handcrafted custom costing 5 times as much. It plays like velvet but yet has a balanced acoustic sustain that rivals any archtop guitar on the market. The action and feel of the neck is superior to anything I have ever played. The pickup placement is ideal for warm pure jazz tones and also has a defined crispness for melodic solo work. As a working musician, this guitar is ultimately my new tool of choice. My deep appreciation to Mr. Conti for making such an instrument a reality. God bless, merry Christmas and happy holidays!

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Murray Biggs – Wellington, New Zealand

I am very pleased with my Conti Guitar, the way it sounds, the way it looks – it really stands out. The amp arrived safe and sound. Have just plugged it in and it sounds great. Please pass on my thanks and best wishes to Robert for a great guitar at a great price and with the Henriksen JazzAmp, what more could you ask for? Mike, thanks to you for all your help; you are a real professional and it has been a pleasure to do business with you over the Internet.

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Dennis Taylor – Munich, Germany

Well, I made it to Germany. I put the guitar in the overhead compartment. Everything went well. On arrival in Munich, I walked out behind a fat lady and no one noticed me, so I didn’t pay any customs. It’s a great guitar. I’ve been playing it since I arrived- really nice tone. And that neck is like glass with great action!

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Dennis Lane – Somerset, KY

For those familiar with the excellent quality of the teaching products of Mr. Conti and the Pinnacle Production Group, it will come as no surprise that the Conti Guitar maintains that very high standard for quality and affordability. In times of a tight economy every dollar counts, and this beautiful guitar is a great value – beautifully made, excellent shipping and follow-up from Mr. Conti’s associates, beautiful to hold and play. I am extremely happy with mine and I am a rank beginner, but this instrument exceeds all my expectations and will be with me as long as I can fret chords with one hand and pick strings with the other. Thank you Mr. Conti for making this guitar available at such a reasonable cost and for your dedication to teaching the skills and joy of jazz guitar.

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Steve Vetter – New Westminster, Canada

Just had to say thanks for the mention at the beginning of the Ticket To Improv, Vol. 3 DVD. It was so cool to hear you talking to me and thanks so much for the compliment you gave me as well. By the way, you’re very welcome for me letting you use my guitar for the video! The more I play this Conti Guitar, the deeper my appreciation goes for this fine instrument. She plays so smooth and even all over the neck that it actually feels like it’s drawing jazz lines out of you. I’m having so much fun playing it. Great stuff Robert, you truly are the man! Thanks to you all at RobertConti.com…..life’s good.

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Looks and feels great

Yes, ‘Bob’ arrived Friday, nice! Loved the intro video, thank Robert for us. My wife Claire watched it with me, and was impressed with his passion for music, the instruments, and the people. Guitar looks and feels great. The nice grain on the top looks like a spruce cap, is that the case? Also, I have to report a dissatisfaction in playability. I don’t know if the guitar could be faulty? I find in life that effort is usually rewarded, however, when I play I don’t seem to be making any effort, but still the sound comes out, I don’t understand 😉 Will contact next week, with photo to follow. Steven Essery – Umina Beach, Australia

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Nick Weakley with his new left handed Port Wine Conti Entrada Guitar

Everything I could want out of a guitar…

“Whilst I am very much a late starter and a beginner with guitars I have very rapidly come to love the quality and feel of a guitar. Therefore although still learning to play and gain a limited amount of skill I am fortunate to have a few good guitars so I cannot ever blame the tools I am using. My new Entrada has everything I could want out of a guitar, quality, looks, it exudes passion and musicality – I just hope that it can turn me into something similar!! The Entrada is the first guitar which has sounded like a jazz guitar from the very first touch. Love it! It plays and feels just right, lovely action, smooth and proportioned neck makes it easy to get the fingering positions. Thank you (Mike), and obviously Robert Conti as well, for my personalised video showing my new guitar. It was great

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Everything I had been looking for

After receiving his personalized pre-ship video Robert, I continue to be blown away by your organization each time we interact. I recall a few years back when I called your company with a couple of questions and YOU answered the phone and we chatted for 15 – 20 minutes. That was very gracious of you and something I knew I would never forget. Well, you have taken things even further with this video. You define personalization and customer service and so many businesses should sit up and see how you do things…we would all be better off for it. Thank you so much. Yes it has been a few years since we did some business together. And I am grateful that you never took me off your mailing list. The email a couple days ago with the Entrada offer hit me just at the right time. You see, I own

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Lou Cicconi with his Conti Equity Archtop

Super sweet machine…

“My Conti Equity is a super sweet machine. It’s kinda like a Byrdland with one pickup. Being a big old guy, the big boxes, though I have several, are sometimes uncomfortable. This fits much better. And at 17″, with great wood (I might add) it doesn’t sound bad at all acoustic. Too bad an American equivalent would probably cost around $5,000.00 or more.” -Lou Cicconi – Odessa, NY

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This thing is flawless and perfect!

I got hold of my Conti Entrada guitar just this evening when I arrived home from my workplace in New York. I let the package acclimate for a few hours before opening it and unwrapping the guitar. This thing looks gorgeous! I played it for almost 2 hours and really enjoyed the feel and playability. What can i say… this thing is flawless and perfect! I’m happy to have this guitar and would be my companion for a very long time. I’m also pleased and inspired to see Robert’s video with his jazz rendition of some of my favorite tunes along with his instructions on the care and maintenance of the guitar. Thank you Robert Conti! Lenito S. – Livingston, NJ

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Paul Getty with his Twin Pickup Blonde Entrada Archtop

New Blonde in the Neighborhood

“Since laying my hands on this Conti Entrada a few weeks ago, it has quickly become my “go-to” guitar. It is not only a pleasure to play due to its flawless out-of-the-box set-up that allows fast, effortless playing, but it also sounds terrific through my large collection of amps, pedals, and computer modeling software. I have about 25 guitars in my collection ranging from a Gibson L5, Super 400., Les Paul Custom, PRS, Fender Strat, – most of the classics. The Conti Entrada not only stands up to head-to-head comparisons with these great guitars, it goes beyond in many respects as a very easy to play guitar that delivers a very wide range of sounds from jazz to blues and rock. It is also very comfortable and relatively light weight yet delivers a very creamy and full big-box sound. If this is your first guitar or your 20th guitar, you

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Gabriel Anfosso, Blonde Heirloom Archtop

Best guitar I’ve ever owned!

“Oh please let me say a few words….I’m SO happy because of you, you are like a father, it’s a real present, a real chance to know you. I don’t want people think I exaggerate. I’m a Professional jazz player and singer, one year and a half I began to work on your material, more and more…..and more. A private Lesson with you, a real gift, hours of pleasure and joyfulness. I work and I work again, my buddy players: “oh you play so nice things now it’s incredible.” To thank you and because I knew it would be great, I decided to purchase a Conti Heirloom Blonde…the best guitar I’ve ever owned!  (I played Gibson 175, Ibanez JP 20, for years, an excellent Epiphone emperor too.)  Photo of me here in December, sound check of a great private gig in Paris). So I’m so happy with what I learn

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Harry Trombley with Natural Blonde Conti Heirloom Archtop Guitar

Plays and feels as good as it looks…

“My Heirloom has arrived and acclimatized to its new environment here in Canada. It plays and feels as good as it looks. The shipping experience was excellent; no problems. I want to thank all of you at Conti Guitars for all the help and service that made my purchase flawless. I would recommend you to anyone who asks.” Harry Trombley – Richmond, BC, Canada

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Robert Gardner, Left Handed Heirloom Archtop

So so easy to play…

The Search For A Lefty Begins… La Palma, Canary Islands I’m a left hander, and only other left handers will understand how difficult and frustrating it is to try and find a shop that actually has some you can try, lots of famous makes dont supply them. The island I live on in the Canary Islands (La Palma) has one guitar shop, and I’ve seen one lefty there in fourteen years. This year on a trip back to the United Kingdom, I went around central London. I couldn’t find one single lefty archtop. Sure, they advertise them online, but they never have them in stock. They are as rare as Hens Teeth! I really didn’t want to spend a couple of thousand dollars on a guitar without trying it first. It would be crazy, wouldn’t it? But when you’ve been looking for over a year, you are left with no

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