Artisan

[John Dubeski]

I've seen a few pictures and certainly have witnessed some E-bay bidding wars, forum squabbles, and plenty of "bring back the avalon" requests but what is the mystique of the Artisan? They sure look handsome but I've never personally held, played or seen one. So, owners and players...Lets see some pics and hear from ya?

CDN Bacon

[John Dubeski]

Sorry, Robin lovers I meant to say "bring back the Artisan" requests.

[bford]

I've never played one either... they do look nice...

[Randy Lutz]

This is a calling for K-sho.

[Jimbo]

Let's vote for it. The K'sho Signature Model Artisan , with his specs- I vote # 1 Lutz sez he's a gun-slinger -

[The Shark]

I'm not sure how many are in the forum "circle of friends", but here's mine. Patent Decal from a '65 335 and a Handwound Seymour from an old Erlewine Automatic I used to have. The top is multiple laminates and it's really light. Post 'em fellas!

http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6069.jpg
http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6070.jpg

[DanKashola]

I had a guy offer me one for 2 k a while back, it too was in the orange . . . I know of only a handfull. I let one go back in the 90's in a tsb finish ... oops! I have inquired with Randy L. but the production schedule at Robin is too tight to start a new project. Dave did take my Flying V order (bless you 'DaVe) so I can't fuss.
Ken knows the ins and outs of the Artisan line better than I .......... tell it all Ken !!

Flog the Mule

[Paul]

How many Artisans are out there? Do we have a count as to how many from Robin Lovers? I have one. Ken has two. Dave R. has one. Any others?

[The Shark]

I've always wondered how many were made. I also wondered if any were made in USA.

[Dave Wintz]

125-150 were made.

25 orange
25 cherry
25 tobacco sb
25 cherry sb
25 black w/gold hardware
1 thin body made in Japan...painted in USA
1 protype made in usa.wine red ..owned by Bart Wittrock
1 "Soloist" prototype all gold...owned by Billy F Gibbons
1 "Soloist" prototype cherry sb...out there
1 "Soloist" prototype ?

[The Shark]

Sorry to be a pest, Dave. Were any of these available for sale in Japan or were they all imported here?

Do you have pics of any of them? If you do, please post 'em.

[BCRGreg]

http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6098.jpg

[BCRGreg]

http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6101.jpg

[bford]

That tobacco sb is the happiness....

[Ken Jones]

Hey Johnny.

Try using the search function at the top of this page and search for "Artisan" in the Subject line. You'll find lots of info that has been posted over the last few years. Here's the link for one of my posts:

http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/6/1488.html

These are my two Artisans:
http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6104.jpg

[BCRGreg]

If only they had big necks.

[Ken Jones]

OK - I realize I'm walking on thin ice here, but in regard to Dave Wintz's post above:

125-150 were made.
(I've never seen anybody that has an Artisan with a serial number over 100. Not say that there aren't any, but I've just never seen one in person or on the internet.)

25 orange (I've seen 4 or 5)
25 cherry (I've never seen a cherry one)
25 tobacco sb (I've seen 5-6)
25 cherry sb (I've seen 7-8)
25 black w/gold hardware (mine is the only one I've ever seen)
1 thin body made in Japan...painted in USA (see the thread here: http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/6/713.html )
1 protype made in usa.wine red ..owned by Bart Wittrock (made by luthier Mike Stevens: http://www.stevensguitars.com/ )
1 "Soloist" prototype all gold...owned by Billy F Gibbons (made by Tokai - all of the Soloist prototypes were made by Tokai. The production run was made by Chushin.)
1 "Soloist" prototype cherry sb...out there (made by Tokai)
1 "Soloist" prototype ? (made by Tokai)

[The Shark]

Mine is S/N 0064. That was the crux of my question above. Were there a "run" of them that stayed in Japan? I don't know. Just curious.

[scot pearson]

Here are some pics of the "thin body, made in Japan, painted in the US....http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6177.jpghttp://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6178.jpghttp://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6179.jpghttp://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6180.jpghttp://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6181.jpghttp://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6182.jpg

[The Shark]

I love this thread. The thin Artisan is fabulous. Ken's guitars make me think stupid things.

If you're sitting out there and haven't shown your Artisan, get to it.

Paul, did you post yours?

[BCRGreg]

I got to inspect that thin Artisan at the factory, when the owner brought it in. Fantastic guitar, that.

[scot pearson]

so I guess it is now officially known as, "the thin artisan"

I like it! It seems to be in good company.... with the other 1's.....

scot

[Paul]

Mine is the solo one posted by BCR Greg. It is also on the left on the billiard table. That was taken at the reunion. The serial number is either 91 or 16.

[Ken Jones]

The other one on the billiard table is my TSB - #0071. My black/gold is #0082. BTW - the serial number is inside the control cavity.

[Paul]

My serial number was written by hand in red marker after someone scratched through the finish. Greg did some work on the guitar after I bought it, maybe he can shed some light.

[BCRGreg]

I'll check my notes and see what I had written down. 91 seems right.

[Tom O'Cull]

I know I'm bringing back an old thread but the Artisans are worth it.
Here is mine, #1005 (the same # is both hand written in the control cavity & stamped on the head) with Duncan pickups & sperzel tuners.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/cousingrandpa/My%20Guitars/2004_0120Artisan0011a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/cousingrandpa/My%20Guitars/6ae40de1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/cousingrandpa/My%20Guitars/f7485cdf.jpg