Lentz CR Classic Preowned - 2014

Just in is this CR Classic from Lentz originally sold here in 2014 and cared for very well by its owner. The photos in this listing are the ones taken when the guitar first came in but its appearance is identical aside from some VERY LIGHT scratches on the pickguard. What follows below is my original write up for this guitar. - Craig

GENERAL DESCRIPTION, IN CRAIG'S WORDS:
If you came to CR Guitars and this guitar was on a stand across the room, you’d see a familiar shape. The two upper horns, three thin pickups, and tremolo arm; you’ve seen thousands, and played many times. If you're a guitar player, you know this guitar - or at least you think you do. But on the stand across the room is a Lentz JR Reserve, and I promise you don’t know this one. The resemblance to all the S style guitars you have known washes out when you pick it up and play those first few notes. This guitar is astonishing in every way.

In 1954 when the first S style guitars appeared on the market, they were thought of as a joke - a guitar design that would fade away quickly and be forgotten. Those early naysayers were wrong, to say the least, as any look through a current guitar magazine will reveal countless guitars from makers all over the globe that owe their DNA to the original S style.

Over the years millions and millions of S style guitars have been made, including countless instruments assembled from parts acquired from varied sources by guitarists themselves. Variations abound, with diverse guitarists and luthiers finding ways to personalize their S style guitars, and you find such guitars in all walks of music, from pure jazz to death metal.

However, having a great design doesn’t necessarily yield a great guitar, and it takes a very special kind of luthier to recognize the deeper possibilities and brilliance of a traditional guitar design; to work patiently over years and years to thoroughly understand that guitar’s potential. Scott Lentz is that luthier. He has been building his own S and T style guitars for many years, and keenly understands the grand potential of these instruments. In addition, Scott has restored, repaired, and refinished untold numbers of vintage S and T style guitars, and has long been the ‘go to’ luthier for work on such instruments.

Scott and his son bring over 60 years of experience to the guitars they make, and they are tirelessly focused on making uncompromising instruments. They bring their considerably mastery to all the instruments they make, but for the JR Reserve instruments, the goal is nothing short of perfection.

I eagerly await for my Fedex guy when I know that on that truck is a new Lentz arrival. I mean with all the guitars that have passed through my hands you'd think I'd sort of "get over it already" but, no way. I still feel like a kid in the candy store. 

My newest arrival is not being officially called a Lentz Reserve. I mean it has the 25 year old cabinet aged woods, and uber flame neck, same elctronics, same feel and sound. The difference here is that the Reserves are all ultra light one piece bodies whereas this guitar uses a 2 piece body. (Note, Scott says it's two piece but I've have yet to see the seam no matter how hard I look. It sure appears one piece to me. Apparently the body is nearly one piece with 'wing.')

What I love about this guitar is that it is very close in vibe to my beloved '56 Strat. Alder body, one piece maple neck (Scott’s necks are among the best I have ever played, and this guitar’s full, soft V neck is both perfect and a joy to feel in your hand). The handwound pickups and electronics really compliment the build and are comparable to some of the finest vintage guitars I've heard. The finish, of course, is flawless, as are all Lentz finishes. A traditional 3 tone burst with an elegant fade that is so beautiful the photos can’t begin to capture it. The only way to fully appreciate the finish is to have the guitar in your hands.

I just can't say enough about this guitar. It has all the perfection of a master luthier's work, and I can't think of a better way to say it--the soul of a perfect vintage S guitar.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT LENTZ GUITAR
Scott Lentz has an enduing reputation as a legendary guitar maker and restorer of vintage guitars. In fact, before he opened Lentz guitar in Southern California, he had restored hundreds of vintage instruments and had become widely known as "the" guy for vintage finish restorations. Lentz guitars are known for being deeply resonant, uncannily vintage in feel, and for having an expanded tonal pallet. Scott believes that the tone of great vintage guitars is due to the accretion of thousands of tiny details from (of course) the finest tone woods to the interaction of fretboard and neck materials. He is also one of the few electric guitar makers that takes the trouble to use hide glue in his guitars. He counts his vast experience with vintage guitars as the key to developing his ear for guitar tone, and for teaching him what a great guitar is all about. Scott is a restless spirit, ever in search of perfection, never content to rest on his laurels. He is the quintessential guitar maker as artist, passionate about bringing artful and musical guitars into the world. His son Scott, Jr. has now worked with his father for 20 years, and together they are the force behind some of the most finely crafted guitars you will find anywhere in the world.

ABOUT LENTZ SPECIAL RESERVE BESPOKE BUILDS
CR Guitars is incredibly fortunate to have Scott Lentz and his son Scott Jr craft a very select reserve line of classic S and T style guitars. Each one is built using only woods that have been cabinet aged a minimum of 25 years or more. These guitars are built with the deepest knowledge of what these legendary models could and should be. Decades of experience have gone into discovering and executing the elements that give the best of the vintage Fenders their magic. Scott's obsession with every detail has helped him unraveled all the nuances to the magic imbued in vintage Fenders. A Lentz is truly what a Masterbuilt guitar should be. Everything is just is as you'd dreamed it would be. No detail is overlooked, from the chemistry of the lacquer to the handwound pickups, every part and procedure is done for a reason. It's really exciting to be able to share Scott's vision and creations with you.