NBN Guitars

Like many 60's kids I wanted to be electric guitar but as I could not afford a good one I wound up with a Stella that got me going. After high school I lucked into a great deal on a Martin D-41 which saw me through the early 70's until I came to Boulder and discovered Monty Nivotny. It was Will Luckey (formerly of Magic Music and a friend I had met in New England in 1967) who introduced me to NBN guitars as he had one. I preferred the concert size more than the dreadnought and ordered that model. It cost me all the $ I had and could find as well as helping Monty roof his home.

My 1st wife was an artist and drew the design I wanted for the abalone inlays on the neck and headstock. I watched the progress of the build over 4 months from the laminated neck wood to the assembly of the mahogany body with fan bracing and many nice touches Monty added. It is the best guitar I have ever owned for its resonance and playability. Monty numbered it #14 and in 42 years it has seen a lot of useage and had a few repairs, along the way, but still sounds great. I used a Taylor 614 for gigs from 2004 through 2015 but traded that away so it is my main guitar now, but am looking to buy something for live gigs soon.

I would say it holds it own against many brand name and boutique guitars I have played in the last 5 years save perhaps the high end Taylors and Collings but they are $5-10K and I paid Monty $1200 in 1977. Today this guitar would likely be $8000 or more.

Anyway I hope whoever peruses this site enjoys looking at a one of a kind made by Monty. I have regretted his passing many times over the years when I felt it needed some tweaking from him. Few luthiers and repair techs are brave enough to do more than re-glue a few struts.