FILLMORE
The Fillmore model is a customized hybrid of a Les Paul and a T style electric. A full choice of hardware, electronics, and colors is available. The Fillmore model comes standard with a Honduran Mahogany body and neck, and a flamed Maple top and headplate.
Portland
The Russell Portland semi-hollow body model was introduced in 2010. It features a hand-carved soundboard, body contours on the back, and a slightly smaller (9/10) body dimension than a classic 335.
TELEMARK
• View Details & Photos: "Telemark" 2nd incarnation
• Details & Photos: "Red Molly" 1st incarnation
Russell custom T style electric guitars are several steps beyond.... The Telemark is our 2nd incarnation of this guitar model. New features and improved ergonomics have been incorporated into this design. Russell Telemarks are available in various colors: Persimmon Burst (as shown here), Red Molly, Midnight (black), Blonde, Amber, Royal (deep purple), and Sea Blue. Of course, you can always inquire about additional colors.
The 1st incarnation of our T style guitar, the Red Molly, was custom made for guitarist/singer/songwriter and guitar instructor Marvin Allen and was displayed at the 2007 Healdsburg Guitar Festival.
GNOMON BASS
The Russell Gnomon upright electric bass was added to the Russell line in the summer of 2008. This is a beautifully designed, ergonomic, vertical electric bass with the sounds and feel of a standard bass guitar. It is not meant to be an electric mini-body acoustic bass. The Gnomon is made with either a fanned or standard fretboard. It is also made with either a fretted or fretless fretboard. Both four and five stringed versions are available. The Steinberger high quality, black, adjustable and removable stand with foot peg is included.
WAIMEA
The Russell Waimea slack key model was introduced in 2009. The first Waimea was designed and made for slack key guitarist Jeff Cook.
Nouveau Nylon
• View Details & Photos of a Brazilian Nouveau Nylon
• View Details & Photos of an Indian Rosewood model
The Russell Nouveau Nylon is a hybrid nylon string guitar designed for jazz and fingerstyle as well as classical playing. This Russell model has the warmth and richness of a classical guitar combined with the ease of playability of a fine jazz guitar. The fingerboard is slightly radiused for comfortable fingering and chording. The Nouveau Nylon, while having excellent acoustic tone and voice, absolutely shines amplified on stage. Standard features are: the neck joins the body at the 14th fret, the neck profile is narrower and with a radiused fret board for ease of playability, and a cutaway. A dual pickup system is optional.
AVE CANORA
• View Details & Photos of a Cocobolo Ave Canora
The bracing of the Ave Canora classical guitar is based on either the 1976 Miguel Rodriguez Jr. classical or the Antonio Torres "seven fan" pattern. The plantilla, or body shape, of the Ave Canora is designed by James Russell. A sound port on the upper shoulder can be added if desired.
Little Meadow
The Russell Little Meadow is a smaller sized fingerstyle guitar with a 14" lower bout. It is balanced in tone and very clear - excellent for traditional and contemporary folk guitarists and songwriters. It joins the neck at the 14th fret, though a "Little Meadow 12 Fret" is also available for those desiring the unique tonal qualities of a 12 fret guitar.
A cutaway and a sound port on the upper shoulder can be added. A dual pickup system is available for this model. Dual pickup systems are available.
CASCADE (Jazz Fingerstyle)
The Russell Cascade steel string guitar (formerly known as the JF-15) is rich and balanced in tone. It is a small jumbo, jazz fingerstyle model with a 15" lower bout. This size is ideal for comfort and ease of playability. Dual pickup systems are available.
Deep Lake
• View Details & Photos of a Cedar Top Deep Lake
• View Details & Photos of a Madagascar Rosewood Deep Lake
The Russell Deep Lake steel string guitar is a jumbo fingerstyle model with a 16" lower bout. It has deep, rich bass along with sparkling trebles. This guitar delivers! Options for this model include an elliptical sound hole, a beautiful tortis pickguard, and a dual pickup system.
RUSSELL ARCHTOPS
Russell archtops are painstakingly designed, carved, and crafted with the customary "voice, feel, beauty" standards of Russell Guitars. They are 15" in the lower bout, enabling comfort and ease for the player. All archtops have a dual pickup system.
SCHOENBERG GUITARS
• Photos of Schoenbergs made by James on Flickr.com
Schoenberg guitars are inspired by the best of the pre-war Martins and built by several luthiers for Eric Schoenberg. James Russell is one of these luthiers. Schoenberg Guitars are sold through Eric Schoenberg, via his Schoenberg Guitars shop in Tiburon, California, or online via the Schoenberg Guitars site.
Schoenberg guitars built by James have been displayed at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival and other guitar shows.