What’s the Best Latin Jazz Guitar ? ... it seems like an impossible question to answer on behalf of every guitarist. From my perspective, however, as a guitarmaker and player, I’ve always had a specific concept of what defines a truly fine instrument for creating, improvising, and interpreting Latin jazz ... I'm referring especially to Brazilian jazz (bossa nova), which was originally created and performed by musicians like João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Charlie Byrd, Baden Powell, and Luis Bonfa. Although I may be best known in many parts of the world for the exotic "custom-made" flamenco guitars I design and construct, I’ve always had a parallel passion for Brazilian jazz and through the years my concept of a fine instrument, designed specifically for this unique art form, has evolved into the "Cacao" Latin jazz guitar (see details below).  The prices for these concert-quality instruments start at approximately US$5,750 ... and based on the current waiting list, I am now accepting orders for custom-made guitars that will be delivered in . If you are interested in having a very unique Latin jazz guitar made to your own specifications, please use the "Order Inquiry" form (below), or contact me directly by e-mail or telephone.  I'll be pleased to discuss your requirements and make recommendations, if you wish, depending on your repertoire, playing style, and acoustic preference. Saludos! Daniel Turner, Guitarmaker www.jazzguitarmaker.com While you browse ... listen to Jazz Guitar Radio, an online stream of sample "background" tracks featuring the music of Baden Powell, Charlie Byrd, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Luis Bonfa. If you have any comments or questions about these uniquely handcrafted, custom-made guitars, please use the following form to contact the guitarmaker. Name e-Mail Address Comments, Questions, ... Daniel Turner The Guitarmaker's Workshop, 212 - 909 Pembroke Street, Victoria,  BC,  Canada. V8T 4Z5 Tel. :  +1 (250) 382-3681 info@bestjazzguitar.com A selection of the best photographs from the gallery of images (above) has been used to create a screensaver that can be installed on any desktop or laptop computer running on Windows XP or Windows Vista.  The process of downloading and installing this screensaver is relatively quick and easy, but if you are not familiar with it, you may wish to read the "Download and Installation Guide".  The sixteen photographs in the screensaver are updated throughout the year as new instruments are completed in the guitarmaker's workshop.  You can view the current collection of screensaver images by clicking on "See Screensaver". [ See Screensaver ][ Start Download ][ Read Download and Installation Guide ] Here's a mobile telephone ringtone for Latin jazz guitar enthusiasts ... [ Listen to Ringtone ]   [ Start Download ] A rare selection of exotic woods and a "master-grade" cedar or spruce soundboard, combined with a unique design, are used in the construction of every "Cacao" Latin jazz guitar.  This special combination gives the instrument a seductive tone, a broad dynamic range, and a percussive character that makes it a perfect choice for musicians who include Brazilian jazz in their repertoire.  The price of these concert-quality instruments starts at around US$6,500 and varies depending on the guitarist's final selection of woods, tuning machines, and carrying case.  If you are interested in ordering one of these fine guitars, there is more information in the section titled  "Ordering a Custom-made Guitar" (below). Standard Features of the "Cacao" Guitar Master-grade cedar or spruce soundboard Madagascar ebony fingerboard with edge binding Graphite-reinforced neck Hand-made "signature" rosette Alessi tuning machines with rosewood buttons French polishing (complete instrument) Cedar Creek Custom Classical case Woods  (see other options in the next section) Soundboard Western Red Cedar Back and Sides Madagascar Rosewood Neck Honduran Mahogany Fingerboard Madagascar Ebony Bridge Cocobolo Rosewood Head Veneer Cocobolo Rosewood Bindings Cocobolo Rosewood Ordering a custom-made guitar is a unique and rewarding experience ... and selecting your preliminary requirements (below) is the first step.  The guitarmaker's instruments are made to the highest standards and each one of his custom-made guitars takes 3 to 4 months to construct and finish by hand, so only 8 to 10 guitars are created each year.  There is a waiting list, which helps to ensure that enough time and consideration is given to the design, woods, and components of your special Latin jazz guitar before construction begins. Every "Cacao" guitar is made-to-order so the scale length, neck size and shape can all be made to suit the hand size and playing style of the guitarist.  These dimensions will be determined before construction begins.  Since completing the following form is a preliminary step, options can easily be changed at a later date, if you wish, after consulting with the guitarmaker.  Standard options are marked below with an asterisk * Back and Side Wood  (wood samples)  Madagascar Rosewood *  Cocobolo Rosewood  Brazilian Rosewood  Hawaiian Koa  Black Acacia  Quilted Bubinga  Wild Olive  Mexican Mango  Zebrawood Soundboard Wood    Western Red Cedar *  Western Red Cedar (light blonde)  Western Red Cedar (dark chocolate)  European Alpine Spruce  Engelmann Spruce  Bear-clawed Sitka Spruce  Hawaiian Koa Bridge, Binding, Head Veneer Wood  (wood samples)  Cocobolo Rosewood *  Brazilian Rosewood  East Indian Rosewood  Madagascar Rosewood  Snakewood  Curly Hawaiian Koa Tuning Machines  (available models)  Alessi *  Rodgers  Robson Carrying Case    Cedar Creek Custom Classical *  Cedar Creek Fine Leather  Calton Custom Deluxe Please include any initial questions or special requirements, which you may have, in the area provided  (e.g.  a question about the acoustic qualities of different woods or your preference for a particular tuning machine model, etc ... ) After you have completed your preliminary specification, click on the  Send Inquiry  button.  Within a few days you will receive a reply from the guitarmaker that includes answers to your questions (if any), the total price based on your initial requirements, and an estimate of the delivery date. A copy of your preliminary "Order Inquiry" will be automatically sent to your e-mail address.  Please verify that your address is entered correctly. Name e-Mail Address Comments, Requests, Questions, ... Are you interested in the exotic woods that are used by the luthier to create his custom-made flamenco, classical and Latin jazz guitars ?  Click here to see samples of the back and side woods he currently has in his workshop, including Brazilian, cocobolo, Siam, East Indian, and Madagascar rosewood, black acacia, flaming Hawaiian koa, Macassar, Mun, and Asian ebony, quilted bubinga, sepele, Tasmanian tigerwood, zebrawood, African and Malaysian blackwood, ancient kauri, and ziricote. The Spanish Guitar Seminar in Cordoba, Spain is held once every two years and is hosted by guitarmaker, Daniel Turner.  It is a very unique and two-day program for classical, flamenco, and Latin jazz guitarists, aficionados, and collectors.  The seminar focuses primarily on the acoustic and physical evaluation and appraisal of fine Spanish guitars.  It also covers the challenges and rewards of ordering a custom-made guitar, as well as the various options available for modifying or restoring a "collectable" instrument. The next seminar begins July 2nd, 2010, just prior to the Festival de la Guitarra de Cordoba (an international gathering of classical, flamenco, and jazz guitarists with performances by some of the world's great "guitarristas").  All Seminar activities are held at the Maciá Alfaros, an elegant and charming hotel and conference center in the heart of Cordoba that offers a relaxing environment with all the amenities necessary for the Seminar.  For more information, visit the seminar's Web site at : www.spanishguitarseminar.com 1  A guitar with vintage black Brazilian rosewood sides together with a "super negra" between two instruments made with Hawaiian koa. 2  Hand-sculptured Brazilian rosewood bridge with a unique black horn-white bone saddle atop a "master-grade" spruce soundboard. 3  A guitar made from highly-flamed Hawaiian koa with a Spanish cedar neck and Madagascar rosewood bindings. 4  The guitarmaker's "signature" Spanish bull horn-style head design with a set of premium-quality Rodgers tuning machines. 5  Golden sides made from exotic Hawaiian koa combined with a bear-clawed sitka spruce soundboard and Brazilian rosewood bindings. 6  A trio of French-polished guitars with back and sides made from three exotic woods ; ziricote, African padauk, and Hawaiian koa. 7  The guitarmaker's "signature" rosette constructed from small strips of colored veneer and inlayed by hand in a spruce soundboard. 8  Perfectly-matched Hawaiian koa sides support a French-polished soundboard made from bear-clawed sitka spruce. 9  A premium-grade Madagascar ebony fingerboard constructed with African ebony bindings along its edges. 10  Highly-figured Madagascar and Cocobolo rosewoods were used in the construction of the back and sides on these "Cacao" guitars. This annual "limited-edition" publication, created especially for the guitar aficionado, features a collection of exotic custom-made classical, flamenco, and Latin jazz guitars handcrafted by luthier, Daniel Turner.  Click here to see how it looks on your wall. To order a copy of the 2010 edition, visit : www.guitarcalendar.net www.spanishguitarseminar.com The Spanish Guitar Seminar ... held every two years in Córdoba, Spain www.finespanishguitars.com Online gallery of Spanish-style guitar photography www.guitarcalendar.net The Spanish Guitar Calendar www.flamencoguitarist.net The "Fine Spanish Guitar" Screensaver www.flamencoguitarmaker.com The "Flamenco Guitarmaker" website www.guitarrero.es ... in Spanish www.guitareflamenco.fr ... in French www.chitarraflamenco.it ... in Italian www.flamencogitarrenbauer.de ... in German www.guitarmaker.jp ... in Japanese www.guitarmaker.cn ... in Chinese www.d-t.mobi The "Flamenco Guitarmaker" website for mobile/cellular devices www.guitarrero.mobi ... in Spanish www.guitares.mobi ... in French www.guitarmaker.mobi ... in Japanese www.supernegra.com The "Super Negra" flamenco guitar for the Passionate Guitarist. www.guitarranegra.es ... in Spanish www.guitareflamenca.fr ... in French www.spanishguitarcapos.com Handcrafted Spanish guitar capos (cejillas) made from twenty-seven different varieties of exotic wood.  Select a wood that matches your guitar and have a capo personally made by a guitarmaker known internationally for his "exotic Spanish guitars". www.cejillas.es ... in Spanish www.fineflamencoguitars.com For Sale : Handcrafted flamenco guitars www.guitarrasflamencas.es ... in Spanish www.guitaresflamencas.com ... in French www.fineguitars.mobi ... for mobile/cellular telephones www.bestflamencoguitar.com What's the best flamenco guitar? www.mejorguitarra.es ... in Spanish www.meilleureguitare.com ... in French www.bestegitarre.de ... in German www.migliorechitarra.com ... in Italian www.flamencogitarr.se ... in Swedish www.violaoflamenco.com ... in Brazilian Portuguese www.bestegitaar.nl ... in Dutch www.kitharaflamenca.gr ... in Greek www.customflamencoguitars.com ... in Russian www.bestflamencoguitars.com ... in Japanese www.bestspanishguitar.com How would you select the best custom-made Spanish guitar ? www.bestclassicalguitar.com How would you select the best custom-made classical guitar ? www.daniel-turner.com Gallery of Custom-made Spanish Guitars (with soundtrack) www.guitarrasexoticas.com ... in Spanish