ORdering Your Sipe Classical Guitar

I want to build an instrument that fits you: your hand size, aesthetic, and your playing style. Understanding your needs is the most important aspect of building a custom instrument.  I look forward to working with you.

It’s all about the sound and playability. I am building instruments to satisfy the most discerning with a level of craft required to give the professional player an instrument that inspires and is responsive to their touch.  

This is a singular craft that is about careful consideration and refinement of every part; all in the goal of building a meaningful, superbly functional, and aesthetically pleasing object. 

It’s not just about fine woodworking or construction techniques and plans. The woodworking aspect is a means to an end. It’s about you and what you hear and feel. We want everything to come together with the design and materials to create a guitar that inspires you.

Process

The first step is reaching out by the form on this page, email me at max@sipeguitars.com, or give me a call during business hours on the Pacific Coast 503-706-0910. We will start by getting an understanding of what you are looking for in your classical guitar and talk through the best model for you and what you want that guitar to sound and look like.

After our conversation I will put together the pricing and timeline for your build.

Once that is accepted, I require a 10% non-refundable deposit to get started. If you are ordering a model from my custom program or are adding highly customized or ornate aesthetics to a regular model a 50% non-refundable deposit is needed to get started.

When your guitar is complete a payment in full (plus the cost of shipping) is required in advance of receiving your guitar.

After you receive your guitar you have 7 days to determine if it is right for you.  If you are not completely satisfied you may return it for a full refund (less deposit).  However, return shipping is your responsibility and I may also deduct from your refund an amount commensurate with any damage incurred while it is in your possession.  Your guitar is guaranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship up to 5 years after your purchase.  If in those 5 years your guitar develops a problem that is not due to neglect, trauma,  or considered reasonable wear I will repair it at no cost. I cannot warranty against damage caused by extremes in temperature or humidity or natural disaster.

Get Started

Additional Customizations

  • Choice of European Spruce, Engelmann Spruce, Western Red Cedar, Redwood $0

  • Sound port is +$150

  • Sound port with magnetic cover +$350

  • 20th fret +$100

  • Arm bevel or rest +$500

  • Subtle doubled binding thickness at lower bout for larger rounding where arm rests +$200

  • Cutaway +$600

  • Elevated fingerboard +$400

  • Upgrade from a Standard plywood case to a Visesnut Active Series case is +$500

  • East Indian Rosewood Back & Sides $0. Other woods are individually priced based on grade and figure, etc

  • Other Machines (Rodgers, Gilbert, Scheller, etc) are available to order

  • Upgrading Spartan model from matte lacquered back & sides to gloss +$300, and upgrading to complete french polish is +$700

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A guitar build from start to finish is usually two to three months in total but I am not usually available to start immediately. My current wait time fluctuates based on the number or orders I have at the moment. Please contact me for more information.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page. email me at max@sipeguitars.com, or call 503-706-0910 during business hours on the West Coast.

  • My Signature and Traditional Models start at $6,800, and the Spartan Model starts at $5,500.

  • Occasionally I will have guitars available through the website. I sell my guitars through dealers in North American & Europe including Guitars International, The Rosewood Guitar, and Siccas Guitars.

  • Through my custom program I often make one or two steel string guitars a year. Please see my gallery of past builds for examples.