Author: LedFreddie

Crafters of heirloom quality Tenor Guitars that reflect the quality and performance of premium vintage Tenor guitars.

The Pre Order Launch of the Parlor Queen begins soon!

Posted on by LedFreddie

The opening of the Pre Order Launch of the Parlor Queen is right around the corner.
Premier Series ~ Model 1919 Parlor Queen
An introductory release of 10 guitars is expected.

The Parlor Queen’s exquisite Grande Concert design showcases a powerful yet elegant resonating tone, perfectly suited for comfortable and enjoyable home playing, as well as captivating performances on stage or among friends. The Parlor Queen is a highly versatile tenor guitar that exceeds amateur players’ aspirations for superior quality and fulfills the artistic expectations of professional musicians.

The Forest Sunset edition of the Parlor Queen exudes a distinguished aesthetic reminiscent of vintage instruments. Its satin lacquer finish enhances the rich tones of the carefully chosen solid Sitka Spruce and solid Mahogany tonewoods. The Canadian Hard Maple, encircling the internal Truss Rod, ensures exceptional durability. Completing the exquisite design, the rosewood fingerboard is adorned with Abalone fret markers and vintage cream binding. The Premier Series headstock of the Parlor Queen is elegantly crowned in cream binding, featuring rope Purfling on the front. The Sitka Spruce top is embellished with vintage cream and black binding, accentuated by vintage rope Purfling and Rosette, reminiscent of the stunning craftsmanship found in premium guitars from the pre-1920 era.

In live performances or recording studios, the onboard equalizer allows the Parlor Queen’s voice to resonate through its unique bridge Piezo with an adjustable microphone. This exceptional system enables you to choose either the bridge piezo, the microphone, or both, while fine-tuning the low, medium, and high frequencies to your preference. With adjustable microphone placement, you have complete control over your tone, whether you prefer its depth within the body or closer to the strings, all at your fingertips.

The Parlor Queen comes outfitted with Round 032w, 022w, 014, and .010 strings, specifically suited for Standard Tenor guitar tuning and DGBE Tuning . Don’t feel limited by these options; you can select the strings and tuning that suit your individual style, making the Parlor Queen uniquely yours. Whether you opt for Irish tuning or flat-wound strings for jazz playing, your Queen will welcome your personal preferences.

When not being enjoyed, your Parlor Queen will be kept safe and secure in its luxurious lockable hardshell case, complete with a hand-registered serial number plate.

Prepare yourself for the magnificent reign of the Parlor Queen, the new royalty of tenor guitars.

The Songbirds are taking flight, Don’t wait too long to grab yours.

Posted on by LedFreddie

Danielle joined the Craven Tenor Guitar Family when she purchased her Big Jake Archtop Tenor Guitar in 2022. Originally a Bass player Ms. Greenberg shares her music with fellow members of our owner-exclusive Craven Tenor guitar Family on Facebook. It’s always a joy to hear what piece of music she’ll share next. In 2023, she fell in love with the size and sound of the Shari Ulrich 265 and she was one of the first to embrace the Songbird.

Our inventory of 265 Songbirds are nearly depleted for 2023. Grab one while their available ON SALE.


Our family on facebook is growing, exclusive for owners only and is filled with owners from around the world who support each others creativity and inspire the owner of Craven Tenor Guitars with their beautiful music.

Sister Etta ~ she’ll be back in 2025

Posted on by LedFreddie

The limited series Model 216 sister Etta is a true blues archtop like no others. Solid woods, wide neck and hybrid bridge made them popular and grabbed quickly. Watch for them to return in 2025.

Grab a Craven Tenor while they’re on sale, Models are selling out and once they’re gone, they’re gone until mid 2024.



limited time Mark down on all Archtops ~

Posted on by LedFreddie

The last of the Big Jake and John Lawlor jazz cutaway Models are priced to clear. With the expanding product line of 2024, these two favorites will be retired for the 2024/25 season. The true quality of solid hand-selected woods, each protected by their own lush hardshell cases.

CLICK TO OWN THE FINAL 350JLS AVAILABLE

The Big Jake. The first Archtop Tenor Guitar in production since 1965.
4 colours to choose from while available.
VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES.

Are you shopping for a gift and want it delivered closer to that special day?
When you purchase your Craven Tenor Guitar add a note and
we’ll postpone the shipping closer to that special day.

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them.

Posted on by LedFreddie

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

    That mark our place; and in the sky

    The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

    The torch; be yours to hold it high.

    If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

        In Flanders fields.

introducing ( a very early introduction to the 1919 Parlor Queen

Posted on by LedFreddie

Who better to introduce our 1919 Parlor Queen than Gavin Michael McNutt. If anyone can put our Premium Model through its paces, he can.
The first in our Premier Series of Artisan Tenor Guitars, The Parlor Queen joins with other heirloom quality guitars and enters into the family regally.

From headstock to tail The Parlor Queen has been crafted with elegance, incredible tonal qualities and uncompromising premium quality, hand-selected woods.

The Headstock is bound in vintage cream to accent the new majestic crown, The machine heads are premium-grade Wilkinson vintage tuners. The nut, true bone sits above the Rosewood fingerboard that is bound in vintage cream and embellished with Abalne fret markers.

The tapered neck begins at 38mm at the nut ends at the 22nd fret being 42mm wide. The results are ( as you can see as Gavin plays) free and comfortable spacing allowing for fast action up and down the neck and fabulous spacing for string bending. The Neck depth is a Wide D shape allowing for comfortable playing even for smaller hands.

Premiering November 4th 1:00 pm P.S.T.

The robust body comprised of hand-selected Solid Sitka Spruce top, Solid Mahogany sides and back are finished in hand-polished lacquer to maintain the warm tones and elegant looks. The top is accented in vintage rope style purfling and rosette that was high demand in 1919 and used on Gretsch and other premium guitars of the day. The colour, is truly artwork. Using the same techniques mastered by violin craftsmen, the face of the Parlor Queen is hand-stained and wiped, polished then stained again to create the deep rich colours that only appear on heirloom guitars that have aged to perfection, protected in their hardshell cases.

The unique size of The Parlor Queen is larger than an O body like the 265 songbird yet smaller than a studio guitar. This, best of both world size gives you impeccable sound qualities yet a comfortable fit to nestle in your lap when you play or stand.

The onboard 5 band equalizer provides tuning and so much more. You can dial in your sound using the low, medium and high range bridge piezo pick up and then push the Parlor Queen to its maximum potential by igniting the onboard internal microphone. Fully adjustable, you can position the microphone near the strings or deep into the body to bring out rich deep tones. The battery is located in the pull out tray on the heel of the guitar for easy access.

To protect your Parlor Queen, a hardshell tweed case is included. Each one is presented with a stainless name plate that includes the hand-etched serial number of your queen.

You will soon discover the Parlor Queen is stage and recording quality, crafted for those who have renowned name-brand expectations from their guitars.

Watch for updates from both Gavin and Craven Tenor Guitars for the projected presale release coming in December of the limited first production run of Model 1919 Parlor Queen Tenor Guitar.

The 2 month, Year end sale begins!

Posted on by LedFreddie

We’re inundated with sales this time of year, the hype, the frenzy, the panic. This Sale is different for so many reasons.
NO HYPE OR HOLD BACKS... all our guitars, every single model have been marked down 45% or more.
NO RUSH, PUSH OR PANIC… The sale runs until December 31 while supplies last, sorry no back orders accepted.
GIVING A GIFT OF MUSIC… Let us know when you order if you want us to hold onto it until closer to a birthday, Christmas or special day.
WHY SUCH HUGE DISCOUNTS… Because Craven was blessed with an incredible year of growth. With new models coming in 2024, we could use a little elbow room. *( Plus I like to see people enjoying their new Craven Tenor Guitars).

THINKING OF STEPPING UP FROM A BARITONE UKULELE? Many people have made that transition this last year and now with prices this low, the transition to Tenor Guitar is pretty painless. These two gents made the transition this year and proved you can bring your skill with you from Ukulele to Tenor guitar.

YOU’RE READY TO UPGRADE FROM UKULELE BUT NOT SURE ABOUT STEEL STRINGS? That’s okay, Your Craven Tenor Guitar was crafted by hand including a truss rod in the neck for long life. Switching your strings to Nylon ( or Gut as one Cello player is doing) is no problem. Play nylon and get comfortable and eventually, you’ll make the switch to steel and your Craven will be happy to change along with you.

OKAY BUT WHAT ABOUT UKULELE TUNING WITH STEEL STRINGS? That truss rod and hard Canadian Maple neck gives your Craven the ability to be tuned and restrung as you wish. String, tune and play the way you feel comfortable with tunings compared to Suprano Ukulele, Baritone Ukulele, Cello, Fiddle, Banjo, Dulcimer, Mandolin or tenor guitar tunings like standard or DGBE ( sound familiar Baritone Uke players?)

It’s a great time of year to be able to be a part of a community that loves music and loves their Tenor Guitars. When you purchase a Craven Tenor Guitar you’re invited to join our Owners Only, Craven Tenor Guitar Family on Facebook where you’ll meet owners from around the world including recording artists who own their own Craven Tenor Guitars.

Grab a Craven and jump into an incredible family of owners and music lovers around the world.

https://craventenorguitars.com/shop-x-guitars/

2 days away from the 2 month, Year end sale of sales

Posted on by LedFreddie

Yes, we’re entering the time of the year filled with family events, holidays and endless gimmicky sales pushing us to buy yet another big screen TV for the final room that doesn’t have one.. the guest bathroom!
Well, in the spirit of celebrating without adding the hype and pressure, We bring in the end of the 2023 season with a no-pressure, no-hype sale. All guitars are on sale starting November 1st with super savings and are ideal for gift-giving or completing your collection of tenor guitars.

When you buy one, let us know if you want it shipped to a friend or family member as a gift and if you want it held for closer to that special date. We’ve got an incredible year ahead and a past year of gratitude to celebrate. ld think of no better way than to make the gift of music more affordable for a very expensive season.

Danielle Greenberg Model 265