1992 Nickerson Flat Top Cutaway Acoustic – Spruce / Indian Rosewood – Includes Original Hardshell Case – Used Very Good
Brad Nickerson is one of the finest independent luthiers this country has produced — a master craftsman whose archtop work earned him a place in the Chinery Blue Guitar Collection at the Smithsonian Institution, and whose teaching shaped the careers of some of the best repair technicians working in the Northeast today. This 1992 flat top cutaway is a genuine artifact of that legacy — a handbuilt acoustic guitar from a maker who brought the same discipline and attention to detail to flat top construction that he was known for in the archtop world. The Indian rosewood back and sides pair with a solid spruce top in the combination that has defined serious acoustic guitar building for generations, and the Nickerson execution of that formula delivers projection, clarity, and note separation that remind you why the best handbuilt guitars sound different from production instruments. The laminated walnut and maple neck is capped with an ebony headstock veneer, the body is bound in elegant maple, and the ebony fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, and single cutaway for upper register access all reflect the considered choices of a builder who knew exactly what he was doing. At 4 pounds 11 ounces this guitar is remarkably light, and the 25.25-inch scale length gives it a comfortable, slightly elastic string feel that rewards expressive playing.
This guitar came to us once before, and when it left we performed a professional neck reset here in our shop. It has since been traded back in with that work complete — the neck angle is now perfect, the geometry is excellent, and the action is low to medium with room to go lower if desired. The reset was performed carefully and with real intention: Jon Aronstein, our owner, was a student of Brad Nickerson and learned much of what he knows about lutherie directly from Brad, which made the opportunity to reset the neck on this particular guitar something more than a routine repair.
The guitar sounds amazing — huge and punchy with exceptional volume and a remarkable balance across the full tonal range. It is an especially outstanding fingerpicking instrument, where its clarity and note separation shine most clearly. Every note holds together with a piano-like definition that makes complex chord voicings and melodic lines equally compelling. There are two professionally repaired top cracks that are stable and structurally sound, shown in the photos. The guitar is set up and ready to go.
- Make: Nickerson Guitars
- Builder: Brad Nickerson
- Model: Flat Top Cutaway Acoustic
- Year: 1992
- Serial number: 162864
- Country of origin: USA
- Body shape: Single cutaway flat top
- Top: Solid spruce
- Back and sides: Indian rosewood
- Neck: Laminated walnut and maple
- Headstock: Ebony veneer
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Bridge: Ebony
- Nut: Bone, 1.71"
- Saddle: Bone, room for further adjustment
- Scale length: 25.25"
- Binding: Maple
- Electronics: K&K passive undersaddle pickup (installed)
- Weight: 4 lbs 11 oz
- Repairs: Two professionally repaired top cracks, stable; neck reset performed by Mill River Music (Jon Aronstein)
- Modifications: K&K pickup installed
- Condition: Used Very Good – two stable repaired top cracks, neck reset performed, perfect neck angle, plays and sounds exceptional
- Includes: Original hardshell case
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
