Standard Features
THE STARTING POINT IN DESIGNING YOUR GUITAR
The standard features available on Bashkin Guitars provide a multitude of choices that will influence the visual impact of your instrument as well as its tone and comfort in your hands.
Some players prefer to entrust most decisions to Michael. After discussing your playing style, he will recommend a combination of body style, materials and design features tailored to you.
Others find themselves captivated by the intricacies of guitar design and dive deeply into every detail, enjoying the process of shaping their instrument and forming a special bond with it through this creative process.
Michael welcomes anylevel of involvement, whether you want to keep it simple or explore every nuance. And if your tastes extend beyond the standard features, his premium features offer a whole new level of customization.
The Highest Quality Tonewoods
Every Bashkin guitar begins with carefully selected tonewoods, handpicked by Michael for their acoustic properties, visual beauty, and quality of cut. All woods are seasoned and dried, then built in a humidity-controlled environment to ensure the long-term stability of your instrument.
When you place your order, you are invited to consult with Michael on the goals for your instrument. He will provide you with images of the sets under consideration.
Custom Wood Bindings & Purflings
Michael handcrafts all bindings and purflings in-house, using nothing “off-the-shelf”. Each set is milled from the same board to ensure consistent color and grain matching throughout the instrument.
Standard binding and purfling options include Koa, Rosewood, or Ebony, accented with black and white veneer. Other woods are available on request.
Reinforced Headstocks
Each headstock overlay is fully bound and mitered to match the body, creating a cohesive and refined look. On the back, a carved volute and a 0.045" hardwood overlay add both structural strength and visual distinction.View our Headstock Gallery
Signature X-Braced Back for Controlled Stiffness
The X-braced back is a distinctive visual signature of Michael Bashkin’s guitars. Visible through the soundhole, the symmetrically carved braces are capped with elegant hardwood, adding both beauty and structure.
The height at the intersection of the X-brace is carefully shaped to control the stiffness of the back below the soundhole. This stiffness plays a key role in balancing the guitar’s projection to the audience with the sound experienced by the player.
Hide Glue: the Luthier’s Choice for Centuries
All major acoustically active components in Bashkin guitars are joined using traditional hide glue, a time-honored material favored by luthiers.
Known for its superior acoustic properties, hide glue promotes energy transfer between parts, enhancing overall tone. Hide glue is also repairable and reversible.
In addition to its tonal benefits, hide glue is highly heat-resistant and doesn’t “creep” over time like many common wood glues, ensuring long-term stability and durability.
Soundboard Testing Ensures Correct Top Performance
Throughout the building process, the guitar tops undergo testing based on Bashkin-specific standards. This technique ensures consistency across instruments and can be fine-tuned to match the tonal preferences and playing style of each individual owner.
Waverly Tuners: Made in the USA
Waverly tuners are made in the US and I am proud to use these precise high-quality tuners on my guitars. The nickel tuners with vintage style knobs are standard on all my guitars. Gold finish with a variety of knob styles and materials are also available as an option.
