Fulfilling a lifelong dream that began back in the 1970's when Brian Kiernan apprenticed with Favilla Guitars in New York, Kiernan Guitars' focus is strictly Archtop guitars. A one-man shop, Brian currently builds three models, but is happy to work with you to make sure it suits your taste and needs.

Acoustic Archtop players have long known these style guitars are built to project sound further out from the player than flat-top instruments, and it is often difficult to gauge their playing volume in acoustic settings. Unique to Kiernan Archtops is the small f-hole in the side of the upper bout, providing the player with a 'monitor' of their sound right where they can hear it best.

The Magic Christian

Dedicated to Charlie Christian, this non-cutaway 17-inch Archtop Acknowledges the classic Gibson ES-300 with a few notable updates, including the side F-hole.  With a single P-90 style pickup (or classic Charlie Christian pickup by order), this guitar includes a hardshell case.

• Top and back - Multiple bound, AAA Curly maple laminate, Parallel Top Bracing - Iced-tea Sunburst Finish standard.
• Sides - Hand-bent solid AAA curly maple.
• Neck - 3-Piece AAA Curly Maple 
• Fingerboard - Bound Ebony with Mother of Pearl/Abalone inlays 
• Headstock - Bound and Inlaid Ebony faceplate. Curly or Birdseye maple back veneer.
• Grover Imperial Tuners 
• Rosewood or Ebony Bridge.
• Birdland-style tailpiece.
• P90-style single pickup
• Wired with one volume and one tone  control - 500K pots.
• Hardshell Case included.

Price - USD$2500.00

The T-Bone Special:

A 17" cutaway archtop, this guitar is designed and built for those guitarists looking for an electric instrument in the spirit of the Gibson ES350, with a bit more eye-candy, as you can see in the photo. Flexible enough to handle everything from Jump Blues in the T-Bone Walker style to smooth jazz tones, this instrument evolved from a guitar that Big Daddy designed for himself to gig with.

Specs:

• Top and back - Multiple bound, AAA Curly maple laminate, Parallel Top Bracing - Iced-tea Sunburst Finish standard.
• Sides - Hand-bent solid AAA curly maple.
• Neck - 3-Piece AAA Curly Maple 
• Fingerboard - Bound Ebony with Mother of Pearl/Abalone inlays 
• Headstock - Oversized with Bound and Inlaid Ebony faceplate. Curly or Birdseye maple back veneer.
• Grover Imperial Tuners 
• Rosewood or Ebony Bridge.
• Birdland-style tailpiece.
• Bound Curly Maple Finger-rest.
• P90-style pickups
• No Switches to break - wired with two volume and one master tone  control - 500K pots.
• Hardshell Case included.

Price - USD$2700.00

The Full Monty:
A fully acoustic 17"cutaway archtop designed and built for discriminating jazz players, Brian dedicates this one to his personal guitar hero - Wes  Montgomery.
 
Specs:

• Top - Hand Carved, book-matched AAA Solid spruce - X-Bracing.
• Back - Hand Carved book-matched Solid AAA Curly Maple.
• Sides - Hand-bent solid AAA Curly Maple.
• Neck - 3-piece Curly or Birdseye Maple.
• Fingerboard – multiple bound ebony with Super 400 style pearl and abalone inlays
• Headstock - Oversized with Bound and Inlaid Ebony faceplate, Curly or Birdseye maple back veneer
• Grover Imperial Tuners
• Ebony Tailpiece, Bridge, and Finger-rest
• Optional floating pickup.
• Hardshell Case Included.

Price - USD$5000.00

Prototype Development
Currently Brian has an order for a Full Monty Kona Style – which will have Hand Carved solid Koa and and sides with a Carved Sitka Spruce top. 

Brian’s also building a prototype T-Bone Special Kona Deluxe – this T-Bone Special has curly Koa binding and a curly Koa neck with Three P-90 pickups!! WOW - pics of the guitar body just bound this week will be posted soon!