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Spencer's Guitars

Spencer Bohren utilizes a variety of guitars like a painter uses a paint box. On any given night, he paints his sonic picture using several different instruments. His arsenal varies from gig to gig, but the regulars are a Guild JF-30 sunburst with an arched back; his trusty early '60s map-shaped black National electric; and the 'deco dream,' a National New Yorker lapsteel.

Lately, he's likely to bring an acoustic lap-style guitar made by Max Krimmel, and on occasion, he might play his 1928 National Triolian, or his small-bodied Guild 12-string.

In the studio, Spencer plays a high-strung Gibson J-45, a 1950 National archtop and a couple other electric National and Supro lapsteels. He plays assorted percussion instruments and borrowed mandolins.

When all the stage guitars are safely stashed in their cases and Spencer just feels like playing around the house, his favorite instruments are a couple of obscure, battered guitars, each nearly one hundred years old. Though not made by recognized manufacturers, his tiny Cincinnatus parlor guitar plays ragtime almost by itself, no doubt owing to its birth in the same era. An early 1900's big-bodied, twelve-fret Harwood produces an awesome roar when played as a lap slide. The neck is far too warped to do anything else with it. Neither of these guitars have found their way onto the concert stage or Spencer Bohren album, but they are prime creative tools, nonetheless.