Come See Us at the 2022 Woodshed  Guitar Experience!

Jam, Create, and Learn From the Best Artists in the Industry

The Woodshed Guitar Experience is a 4-day, 3-night retreat for guitar players of all kinds!

August 25-28, 2022 - Lake Frances Retreats - Crossville, Tennessee
Watch More episodes → Learn More about the experience →

THE NEW VINTAGE
Welcome to Alsip Guitars

C.R. Alsip, LLC was founded by Jake Willoughby in January of 2012 with the goal of building the finest guitars on earth, at a reasonable price, and right here in the “Good Ol’ USA”.  This is our passion. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a professional musician, you can hear and feel the difference in our guitars.  We take the features that every player desires up a level.

You won't need to upgrade anything on our guitars.  And we can build anything your ears desire.  From exotic woods to deluxe or even airbrushed finishes, we offer just about any option and combination you can imagine. Alsip Guitars is the new one-stop shop for the ultimate guitarist.  Do you like the playability of one guitar but the tone of another?  No problem, we can do that!

THE NEW VINTAGE
Welcome to Alsip Guitars

C.R. Alsip, LLC was founded by Jake Willoughby in January of 2012 with the goal of building the finest guitars on earth, at a reasonable price, and right here in the “Good Ol’ USA”.  This is our passion. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a professional musician, you can hear and feel the difference in our guitars.  We take the features that every player desires up a level.

You won't need to upgrade anything on our guitars.  And we can build anything your ears desire.  From exotic woods to deluxe or even airbrushed finishes, we offer just about any option and combination you can imagine. Alsip Guitars is the new one-stop shop for the ultimate guitarist.  Do you like the playability of one guitar but the tone of another?  No problem, we can do that!

Get the One Guitar That Has It All: Built by Musicians, for Musicians

Features That Make Alsip Guitars Different From Other Brands:

C.R. Alsip Guitars

"Hot Rodded" and "Broken In" is Our Stock

Our guitars need no upgrades, and have that "well worn", "broken in" feel from day one!    We pay special attention to how we hand-shape our necks and do our fretwork so that every guitar has unparalleled playability.   We want them to play and feel like an old classic.  And we "Hot Rod" them to the max so you don't have to.

Our guitars are professional grade instruments & leave our shop ready to tour the world.  

Ultra-Low Action = Ultra Playability

Our guitars are set up to have the lowest action possible! This allows players to set it to whatever they desire, extremely low or extremely high and you will get the same sound either way without that annoying rattle.

Neck-Thru Design

Our neck-thru guitars are straight neck-thru design without the common 3-degree tilt which allows straight string pull and allows lower action for unparalleled playability.

neck thru construction
lowered stop tail-piece

Lowered Stop-Tail-Piece Bridge

Our stop tailpiece guitars have the bridge and the tailpiece recessed into the guitar to allow for low action and to also have the same feel of a tremolo guitar. We listened to many guitar players who wanted a stop tailpiece guitar but did not like how high they set up off of the body. With our system, they set the same height as a standard tremolo or a Floyd Rose would.

Drop-Top Build Option

One of the unique aspects that are offered on our guitars is the "Drop-Top". A lot of manufacturers have carved top or flat maple tops that are glued across the entire front of the guitar, our "Drop Tops" are inlaid tops from various exotic woods. We route out the top of the guitar the same shape as the body with a 12mm lip and drop in the solid top and then they either get our unique wrap around paint job, transparent paint or oil finish. This gives the guitar a unique look and sound.

drop-top
copper shielding

Copper Shielding in Electronics Cavity

We use copper shielding, not paint. Copper shielding eliminates most pickup noise & makes the guitar quieter through high gain amps.

Sustain Enhancement System (SES)

Sustain is a key element to guitar players liking or disliking a guitar. We dove right in and started working on ideas to increase sustain, but not over increase it, and succeeded with our very own Sustain Enhancement System(SES).

Our SES sets the standard in great guitar tone and we believe we have created one of the best tone and sustain-enhancing systems ever produced. Our SES is Patent Pending and exclusive to C.R. Alsip Guitars and is offered on all guitars.

SES for standard bridge
SES for Floyd Rose Trem
CJ Van Sickle
CJ Van Sickle
30/07/2022
Verified
I discovered C.R. Alsip Guitars at the Carolina Guitar Show this past March. I saw a guitar that really excited me visually, and after playing it for quite a while I knew I had to have it. It’s the best playing, best sounding guitar I’ve ever had. I play it every day. I like this one so much, I am having Alsip build another for me.
daniel sanches
daniel sanches
29/07/2022
Verified
This pic is of the "Worship Team" Team at our cowboy church in Irving TX. My Alsip guitar is performing beautifully every Sunday morning and on about half of my gigs monthly, depending on the genre. It plays like a "dream", easily with the least effort of any of the many guitars I've owned over my 50 year career of performing music. The resonance and natural sustain are extraordinary, and my friends and fellow musicians have complimented me often on what a great tone I'm getting with it. Thank you Jake for your friendship and for blessing me with such a FINE instrument. Sincerely, Danny Sanches
jack halsey
jack halsey
29/07/2022
Verified
Hands down, the best guitar I have ever owned.. Jake is incredible.. not only does he build high quality guitars, he can repair a guitar that most think is irreparable.
Gonzalo Gutierrez
Gonzalo Gutierrez
29/07/2022
Verified
I definitely had a great experience here. They took care of me and fixed my guitar like brand new, will definitely be back for any future repairs.
Jordan Brenner
Jordan Brenner
29/07/2022
Verified
Awesome care and professional detail in services. Jake repaired a 90’s Martin for me that had some popped binding and fret grooving. Had been poorly addressed by a previous luthier, but Jake went the extra mile to get her back into peak condition and she plays/looks incredible
diablomozart
diablomozart
28/02/2022
Verified
so far, he has resurrected a strat from the dead (literally), rewired my jem so it actually sounds great, completely fixed 2 project ibanez guitars, and refretted my number one ibanez that i don't trust anybody with...currently has 2 more, one extremely rare, that he is doing major work on...in short, great work...good prices, great communication...if you need a great luthier that can do anything? he's your guy if he can find the time between all my repairs lol
Eric
Eric
09/02/2022
Verified
Probably one of, the best guitars I have ever played. Hand crafted, looks beautify, top components (pickups, switches, etc). I can't recommend these guitars more. I met them at a guitar show, Jake takes care of you and his guitars. I haven't put down the guitar I got since. You can not go wrong!
David Wade
David Wade
09/02/2022
Verified
I can’t express adequately in words, just how grateful I am for the truly exceptional work Jake did on my two favorite acoustic guitars. His quality of work and attention to detail, has no equal. Both guitars required set up and fret work, along with other details missed at the factory, all this accomplished in record time, a couple of days. An Epiphone J200 was less than a year old and a Gibson G200, was just purchased new. What quality control at the factory failed to catch and correct, Jake made better than new. He will be receiving two more acoustics from me shortly, to experience his magic touch. If your guitar needs a healing hand, look no further than Jake. I’m so happy I did.
Andy Pearce
Andy Pearce
08/02/2022
Verified
Fantastic bespoke guitars produced and designed in the USA by real luthier!!! All the best components made to order. Ask for Jake. He’s the best. Be prepared to be pampered😂😆
Daniel Lieving
Daniel Lieving
08/02/2022
Verified
So not only does Jake at C.R. Alsip make some amazing guitars but he also can repair/setup anything with strings on it. He installed an LR Baggs Anthem pickup in my Gibson Hummingbird and my Epiphone J200 along with setup and they both turned out awesome! Very clean work. Most recently I got a Squire Classic Vibe Jazzmaster for Christmas and wanted to make it a Partsmaster. So far he did a Pickup swap, shimmed the neck ,changed pots, filed sharp fret ends and set it up. Already 10x better than what is was from factory. Gonna get him to do some copper shielding, level and polish frets and install vintage locking tuners next. If you’re looking for an amazing Made in Usa guitar or need repairs/setup, Jake at C.R. Alsip is your guy
Jake repairing a guitar

"We want our guitars to play great and ooze the sweetest tone your ears have ever heard."

- Jake Willoughby, CEO/Owner - C. R. Alsip Guitars

2019 NAMM - Anaheim, CA

2019 NAMM Recap

It's hard to believe it's already March as I sit here and write this. It seems like I was just in Anaheim at the NAMM

Read More »

Where Did the Name C.R. Alsip Guitars Come From?

Alsip family

Max Alsip, Connie Rae Alsip, & Ada Alsip

Connie Rae Alsip was Jake’s mother's maiden name. She was a caring and loving person that left a great impact on whomever she met. Connie Rae Alsip-Willoughby was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January of 2011. She battled cancer for a little over a year before succumbing to it on February 28th, 2012. In honor and loving memory of his mother, Jake chose to name the company after her so that her name will live on. Even the C.R. Alsip logo is her actual signature taken from Jake's birth certificate! It's with that passion and love that every Alsip guitar has heart & soul, blood, sweat & tears built into it.

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