Mark Blanchard began his lutherie career in the early 1980's while studying physics at the University of California in
Santa Cruz, California. What started out as helping friends adjust their guitars soon turned into a fascination with string
instruments. He continued to do repair and restoration work for many years and in 1994 began designing and building his own
line of guitars.
Although largely self taught, Mark has received instruction and inspiration from a few other guitar builders.
In 1996 he attended an intensive "Free Plate Tuning" seminar with long time Luthier and acoustics expert, Al Carruth.
The theory and investigative techniques Mark learned from Al have led me to a greater understanding of what makes a guitar
sound the way it does and has helped him tailor the sound of individual guitars in a predictable way.
In the fall of 2000 Mark attended a week long intensive archtop building course co-taught by Linda Manzer and Tom Ribbecke.
At this course, he was able to learn all aspects of archtop guitar construction from two of today's top archtop builders.
Mark has been a been a full time guitar builder since 1998. When building a guitar today, he draws from a lifetime of handcraft
experience, many years of lutherie study and practice, and a collection of the finest tonewoods from around the world.
Mark builds his guitars one at a time. This approach allows him to give each instrument his undivided attention and helps him
realize the full potential and individual identity of each and every instrument. He begins with a mental image of the finished guitar
and every construction detail along the way is considered with that image in mind. Body size, neck geometry, wood choices,
voicing and cosmetic appointments are among the many factors that are evaluated and carefully chosen to insure that the
finished instrument fulfills its purpose and has its own sense of identity.
Flattop, fingerstyle guitars are Mark’s specialty. They are known for their clear, balanced, refined tone, easy playability and
immaculate workmanship.
Mark offers five body sizes, from the cuddly 14" Pinyon to the powerful 16" Sequoia.
Blanchard Models
Mark named his guitar models after his favorite local trees.
Blanchard Pinyon ~
Mark’s smallest body size.
It is an excellent choice for
players who enjoy the focused sound
and comfort of a small bodied guitar.
14" lower bout
12 frets to the body
Scale length: 25.0"
Blanchard Juniper ~
The Juniper is a small bodied guitar with 14 frets to the body. It provides small body comfort, short scale
playability and a clear balanced tone.
14.25" lower bout
14 frets to the body
Scale length: 24.75 - 25.25"
Blanchard Bristlecone ~
This is Mark’s most popular body size. It is slightly larger than an OM and offers a clear, balanced sound. The Bristlecone is an excellent choice for a player seeking a 14 fret fingerstyle guitar.
15.25" lower bout
14 frets to the body
Scale length: 25.25 - 25.75"
Blanchard Sugar Pine ~
This is a 12 fret, OOO style guitar. It is a favorite of fingerstyle players who enjoy the rich tone and unique feel of a 12 fret guitar.
15.25" lower bout
12 frets to the body
Scale length: 25.0 - 25.5"
Blanchard Tamarack ~
The Tamarack was designed for versatility. Its mid-sized body blends the clarity and focus of a small bodied instrument with the fullness of a larger guitar. It is right at home with a variety of musical styles.
15.625" lower bout
14 frets to the body
Scale length: 25.25 - 25.75"
Blanchard Sequoia ~
This is Mark’s largest flattop. The extra width and body volume contribute to a stronger bass response and more overall power. It is a great choice for those who like the robust sound of a large bodied guitar.
16" lower bout
14 frets to the body
Scale length: 25.5 - 25.75"
Blanchard 17” Archtop ~
This is an acoustic electric archtop. It features hand carved European maple and spruce, ebony appointments and a floating Kent Armstrong pickup.
Blanchard Pinyon: USED ~ Year 2000 ~ Exc--- condition. Exquisitely figured Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with a fine Red Cedar top. Wood & abalone rosette. Abalone top trim. Curly koa body and headstock binding. Bookmatched Brazilian rosewood headstock overlay. Gold mini Schaller tuners with Ebony buttons. Ebony fretboard with 1 3/4" nut. Ebony bridge with Ebony pins/abalone dots. Clear pickguard. Strap pin in neck and butt. Numerous dinks and nicks in the top, but HEY, we want guitars to get played, right? As a result, it has a great, mellow, mature tone. OHSC included
in our price of Sold!
Blanchard Juniper: New! No One does Ziricote better than Mark Blanchard. This is a particularly handsome set on
this Juniper, one of Mark's newer models. Fine Italian spruce top. Soft cutaway. Ebony fretboard and bridge. 1 3/4" nut width;
2 1/4" string spacing at the saddle; 24.75" scale length. Mini gold Schaller tuning machines with ebony buttons. Ziricote headstock
overlay. Ziricote rosette; clear pickguard. Unbelievable presence and bell-like sound. Plays like butter. Custom fit Cedar Creek case included in our price
of Sold. Front.
Blanchard Bristlecone: Brilliant! Another Brazilian masterpiece from the hands of Mark Blanchard! Gorgeous
Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with a Swiss Alpine Spruce top. Soft cutaway. Brazilian and abalone rosette.
Macassar Ebony binding. Ebony fretboard that measures 1 3/4" at the nut. Ebony bridge with 2 1/4" string spacing at the
saddle. 25.5" scale length. Brazilian headstock overlay with abalone "B" headstock logo. Clear pickguard. Sweet, pure tone.
Clean, clean workmanship. Balanced sound and easy to play, for SURE! Custom Cedar Creek cases included. Sold.
Blanchard Brazilian Tamarack: We count ourselves fortunate to have another Blanchard guitar in stock.
This is his newest model the Tamarack. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with a fine Italian Spruce top. Macassar Ebony
bindings. Stunning Bookmatched Brazilian Rosewood headstock overlay. Brazilian and abalone rosette. Clear pickguard. Ebony fingerboard that
measures 1 3/4" at the nut. Ebony bridge with ebony pins/abalone dots with 2 1/4" string spacing at the saddle. Paua Abalone "B"
headstock logo. Gold Schaller mini tuners with Ebony buttons. Some specs: 15 5/8" lower bout; 11 1/8" upper bout; 4 1/2" deep
at the tail. Multiple purfling lines encircle the top, single purfling lines accent the back and sides. Super neat fit and finish. Super
fantastic sound, clean and even, balanced and responsive. Custom TKL brown alligator case included in our price of Sold.
Blanchard SugarPine cutaway: Nice 'n new, straight from Mark's shop! Flamboyantly figured
Ziricote back and sides with a fine Engelmann spruce top. Soft cutaway. Ziricote and abalone rosette.
Ziricote headstock overlay that is stunning! Gold mini Schaller tuners with ebony buttons. Macassar Ebony body binding. Side
and back purfling lines for accent. Ebony fretboard that
is bound in Ebony and measures 1 3/4" at the nut. Ebony bridge with Ebony pins/abalone dots. Clear pickguard.
This guitar is what one expects from Mark ~ neat fit and finish and pristine, piano-like sound. Extremely responsive
and easy to play. AVS case included in our price of Sold.
Blanchard Bristlecone: SOLD Fabulous! Figured Ziricote back & sides with a fine, fine German top.
Soft cutaway. Macassar Ebony bindings. Gold mini Schaller tuners with ebony buttons. Beautiful Ziricote
headstock overlay with the "B" logo in pearl. Clear pickguard. The sound is bell-like, but with gusto! Wonderful,
wonderful guitar. Usual perfect fit and finish one expects from Mark Blanchard. Our price...
Sold upon arrival.....
Blanchard SugarPine: New, and Dazzling! Dramatic Macassar Ebony back and sides with a
very fine German Spruce top. Soft cutaway. Brazilian body binding. Gorgeous Brazilian headstock overlay.
Chrome Schaller tuners. Combination Brazilian and Abalone rosette. Clear Pickguard. Tasteful Paua Abalone
dot position markers on the Ebony fingerboard. 1 13/16" nut width. 2 5/16" string spacing at the saddle. Ebony
bridge with ebony bridge pins/abalone dots. TKL AVS case. This guitar sounds incredible! Crystal clear, bell-like, refined. The
trebles are especially singing, yet the overall sound is balanced.
Sold.
Blachard Bristlecone: New Bristlecone with soft cutaway. Boldly figured, rare, Ziricote
back and sides with a very fine German Spruce top. Coordinating Ziricote headstock overlay and Ziricote/Abalone
rosette. Chrome Schallers with ebony buttons. 1 3/4" nut width. Clear pickguard. The body and fingerboard
are bound in ebony. Elegant and tasteful looking, exquisite sounding! Every note is clean and bell-like.
Our Price includes the custom TKL AVS case.... Sold.
