Ren Ferguson Montana Rivers Masterpieces #3

~Ultimate functional art that resonates with nature~

The miraculous builder who supported Gibson

A master craftsman who has worked on guitars for legends who have left their mark on music history, such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Tom Petty, and who led the golden age of Gibson acoustics.Ren Ferguson。

He has now left major manufacturers and is creating acoustic guitars at "Ren Ferguson Co." based on his own experience and ideas.

And now, the ultimate masterpiece has been created, one that will write a new page in history.

That's the "Montana Rivers Masterpieces" series.

Montana Rivers Masterpieces

This limited edition series was created as an homage to the majestic natural beauty of Montana and the world's premier trout fishing grounds: the Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone Rivers.

"The area where I live is deeply connected to fantastic fishing. I wanted to pay homage to that and incorporate this worldview into my guitar playing."

As Mr. Ren says, this series features breathtakingly intricate artwork.

The headstock features a depiction of a fisherman battling a giant rainbow trout, rendered in abalone and mother-of-pearl.
The ebony fretboard is adorned with nine different types of flies essential to Montana's rivers, including the Woolly Bugger and Elk Hair Caddis.

Furthermore, the pickguard is made from koa wood or bamboo, resembling a fish basket or fly box.

The ultimate feature is the rainbow trout carved into the neck heel.

The naturally colored leaves give the impression of life about to leap out of the tree at any moment.

The time spent crafting, carving, polishing, and completing a single guitar is a staggering 400 hours.

These are works of art that go beyond mere instrument manufacturing, and can be described as a testament to an almost obsessive dedication.

We make absolutely no compromises when it comes to sound.

However, what's truly terrifying about this guitar is that, despite being so ornate, it hasn't lost sight of its essential nature as a musical instrument.

"My top priority has always been to create guitars that produce the best possible sound, within the limits of the wood available. Decorations should never detract from the sound."

The body is made of Eastern Hard Rock Curly Maple, which produces an exceptional sound.RecruitFurthermore, it brilliantly achieves a bright yet full-bodied and well-balanced sound that seems to challenge the player.

This artistic decoration is not merely for show; it's "functional art" designed to draw inspiration from deep within the player.

I vividly remember when I actually played it at NAMM 2024; even in the noisy venue, the tone was so clear and distinct that you could hear the contours of each individual note.

The impact the series had

The relaunch of "Ren Ferguson Co." and the creation of this album have attracted considerable attention among guitar enthusiasts and collectors in the United States.

An example of how highly regarded they are is what happened at "Wildlands," a charity auction for river and landscape conservation held in Big Sky, Montana.

A custom guitar made by Mr. Ren was exhibited at this event.
Because it was a rare, one-of-a-kind model created by Mr. Len after he went independent, a friendly bidding battle ensued among the bidders for the guitar. The auction was heated, and in an unusual turn of events, the top two bidders each paid $80,000 and took home one guitar of their choice.

This is an anecdote that demonstrates how Mr. Len's guitars are highly valued not only as musical instruments but also as works of art.

Of course, its "playability," which is the very essence of a guitar, is also outstanding. The personal technician for artist Lucas Nelson, who performed at the event, described the instrument's quality as follows:

"I've never seen a guitar in such perfect condition right out of the box. It didn't require any adjustments at all."

It possesses an artistic quality that justifies its $80,000 price tag, while also boasting the precision and sound quality to be immediately usable in professional settings.
This is truly the ultimate example of "functional art."

A miraculous arrival. "#3" out of only 7 pieces worldwide.

Ren Ferguson MT-Jumbo #3

Of the only seven of these completely one-of-a-kind masterpieces ever made in the world, the historically significant #3 has arrived here in Japan at Advance Guitars.

Ren FergusonThis is the culmination of a long and brilliant career, a masterpiece born from the beauty of nature and masterful craftsmanship.

The overwhelming power that this "Montana Rivers #3" exudes, and the details that reside within itRen FergusonWe will delve deeply into the soul of this being.

Ren Ferguson MT-Jumbo #3

The #3 guitar that has just arrived at Advance Guitars is a Montana Jumbo (MT) shape, equivalent to Gibson's J-200.RecruitI am doing it.

This one book contains,Ren FergusonThe philosophy of "functional art" that he infuses into his guitar making, along with his uncompromising craftsmanship, is evident in every detail.

The wood used for the neck and body is the same as that used by "The Watchman (the administrator)".

One of the most distinctive features of this guitar is that the neck, sides, and back are all made from Western maple taken from the exact same tree. This wood has a special history. It comes from a tree over 100 years old that grew on the grounds of a dam in Kalama Falls on the Columbia River. The Japanese dam manager (Mr. Watanabe) who felled the tree kept the highest quality portion for many years as part of his special collection, air-drying it rather than putting it in a kiln. The Ferguson family respectfully refers to this wood, entrusted to Mr. Wren with the words, "I'm sure you can make the most wonderful thing in the world with this," as "The Watchman." This wood, which Mr. Wren himself declares to be "the best Western maple I've ever held," is used without reservation.

Learning from the good old days: Internal structure and the philosophy of "sound"

The top wood and bracing are made of uniformly grained Adirondack (red) spruce, which Mr. Ren acquired in the early 1990s. Notably, the guitar's bracing is intentionally not polished to a smooth finish.
The origin of this idea lies in Mr. Len's experience repairing guitars in the 1960s. "The old guitars from the 1930s and 40s that we cherish and collect often have rough carving marks inside and glue dripping everywhere. Yet they still produce a wonderful sound. I learned that by repairing old guitars in the 60s when there weren't any new guitars," he says.
Based on this experience, he leaves a slight texture inside the guitar. If the surface is too smooth, the sound travels too quickly, so he deliberately slows down the speed of the sound a little, giving it time to mature inside. This internal structure, which Mr. Len likens to the "warm and cozy interior of a cabin," adds a thick, warm, and rich roundness to the fast response characteristic of maple.

Intricate inlays that recreate the scene of fly fishing.

The fly-fishing inlay is not just a design element; it accurately depicts fishing on the Gallatin River, just 5km from the Ferguson family home.

Pickguard:
Mr. Wren has meticulously recreated his grandfather's creel (fish basket) from the 1930s and 40s, a Hardy reel from the 1920s and 30s, a Tonkin cane bamboo rod, and a core wood handle using gold, silver, brass, and abalone.

Neck heel carving:
It's not glued onto a piece of wood, but carved directly from the block.
Then, by applying extremely thin layers of watercolor paint on top, adding a touch of glitter to the spots, and finishing with lacquer,The strong curly grain creates a visual effect that makes it seem as if you can see a "rainbow trout wet underwater" through it.

Fretboard:
The fretboard features a mosaic art design of nine different flies actually used for fishing on the Gallatin River, crafted from abalone and mother-of-pearl. This isn't a randomly chosen design; rather, it was carefully selected from numerous patterns after consulting with Mr. Wren's son-in-law, an avid angler, who asked, "Which fly actually catches the most fish on this river?" It truly represents "real Gallatin River fly fishing" itself.

bridge:
The bridge (and fretboard) is made of the finest African Gabonese ebony.RecruitIt is made of Gabonese ebony, a high-grade wood with a deep, jet-black hue often referred to as "tuna" (pitch black). It is extremely hard and dense, possessing acoustic properties that clarify the tone and further enhance the responsiveness of the maple body. This bridge also features hand-carved inlays symbolizing fly fishing.

The pursuit of perfection: "remaking the body" and the blue river binding.

Actually, this body #3 is the second one. The first body that was made was ready for the painting process, but Mr. Ren rejected it at the last minute because the binding at the body joint was "not perfect" (it was slightly raised). In a typical mass production factory, such a subtle nuance would be hidden by applying a thick coat of paint, but he would not allow that.
The current body, which was redesigned from scratch, features a new idea: "blue wood" has been added to the binding, resulting in a beautiful design where a "river" flows down the side of the guitar.
The inlay on the side of the guitar depicts the rainbow trout's habit of swimming upstream along the river's flow, and eventually it is caught by the angler depicted on the headstock—a grand story unfolding throughout the entire guitar. This instrument, which embodies the world of "fly fishing" through the use of materials, decorations, and design, is an extremely rare guitar and truly deserves to be called a supreme work of art.

From Inoue of Advance Guitars

As a vintage guitar specialist, we have handled countless historically significant instruments. We believe that the overwhelming aura emanating from guitars from the 1930s and 40s is created by the long years and extensive history of playing them.

However, at the Montana workshopRen FergusonMy perception completely changed the moment I held this completed "Montana Rivers #3" in my hands after conversing with him.

Ren Ferguson

Timothy

His aim is not to create "works of art for mere admiration." While an extraordinary amount of passion is poured into every detail, and the instruments are beautifully decorated, once you strum them, the rich, full sound produced by the Adirondack spruce and "The Watchman" maple makes the player want to play more and become a better player.

"A guitar has to be appealing. That way, people will want to touch it. And when they touch it, they'll fall in love with its sound," Len said. Not an excessive ornament that makes you hesitate to play, but "functional art" that makes you want to play it until it's worn out.

This guitar possesses the same "soul" that we love in our vintage guitars, a spirit that transcends time, and it has been with us since the day it was made.

We are proud to deliver this ultimate guitar to guitar enthusiasts in Japan and around the world.

Virginia

A writer and photographer from Livingston, Montana.
While engaging in photography and writing activities with the theme of outdoor activities in various parts of the Western world,
Indoors, we also photograph food and products, including high-end guitars, duck decoys, and premium steaks.

The ultimate expression of unleashed "functional beauty",Ren FergusonIntroducing the 2026 custom models by Guitar and Advance Guitars.

Introducing the miraculous encounter and Ren's historical background.

Visiting the site

I went to Montana, where these top-of-the-line acoustic guitars are actually made. Ren FergusonWe believe that meeting with the family and seeing firsthand the environment in which the guitars are made is very important when delivering them to users in Japan as a distributor.

The incredible skill and teamwork, as well as their attitude and love for their instruments, truly touched my soul.

As the manager of Advance Guitars, I can proudly say that this is the best guitar I've ever owned. It's a truly exceptional instrument that will leave you breathless. I urge you to experience the spirit of Montana with this guitar.Ren FergusonEnjoy the pure, unadulterated sound that is the culmination of family love.

I will be explaining Masterpiece #3 at NAMM.Ren Ferguson

Inoue chatting and laughing with Ren

one thing:
This is a long-awaited masterpiece from Ren Ferguson Co.Up until now, our store hasRen FergusonWorks by himGibson SJ-200numerousFlagship modelor after independenceNew worksI have introduced these guitars to you. And now, I am truly honored to be able to hold once again in my hands what is considered the pinnacle of modern acoustic guitars. I express my deepest respect and gratitude to Len, Timothy, Virginia, and everyone involved in the creation of this instrument.

 

Author of this article:Advance Guitars Store Manager Inoue - Vintage Guitar Researcher

Having been involved with musical instruments since childhood, he is an expert who has been involved in the appraisal and sale of thousands of vintage guitars. He has strong connections with collectors and dealers overseas. Believing that "the history of a guitar changes with even a single color or stamp," he strives to provide detailed and passionate explanations.

Qualifications and experience: Eight years of experience as a musical instrument appraiser, contributing articles and supervision to Guitar Magazine and other publications.

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