Redding California
Jim Cooke, Luthier
Thanks for visiting the website of Bear Mtn Guitars. My
name is Jim Cooke and I’ve been building guitars, violins, and
mandolins since the early 1980’s. Also I’ve repaired thousands of musical instruments of all sorts, and played in bands for years throughout northern California, southern Oregon, and western Nevada.
Bear Mtn musical instruments are entirely handmade by me near Redding, California. Redding is located in the far northern Sacramento Valley where the Cascades, Sierras, Coast Range, and Great Basin all converge making for some of the most beautiful scenery. It is from this spectacular setting that I draw my inspiration to design and build Bear Mtn guitars.
I mostly build 000 12 fret size guitars with an occasional Dreadnaught or 00 14 fret model. Years of thought, study, and experience have gone into developing these handmade custom guitars. Take a look at the photos of my work, and I’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have. Prices start at $4000. I mostly build with bearclaw Sitka or Red spruce and Brazilian rosewood is available. Guitars come with a hardshell archtop case. Email me at jim@bearmtnguitars.com or call 530-549-3670
PICTURE AT LEFT--
Some rather fancy
Brazilian Rosewood.
CENTER TOP--
Carving the headstock diamond.
CENTER BOTTOM--
Floral fingerboard inlay inspired
from the native Lupine flower.
RIGHT-- Finished 000 12 fret
Welcome to Bear Mountain Guitars
