Hidden away in New York’s Greenwich Village, Carmine Street Guitars is more than just a guitar shop—it’s a living time capsule. In an era of CNC machining, factory precision, and global production lines, Rick Kelly’s approach feels almost rebellious. His instruments are not just built; they’re rescued, reimagined, and infused with the history of a city.
For players and collectors alike, Kelly’s guitars occupy a rare space where craftsmanship, history, and tone converge in a way that modern manufacturing simply can’t replicate.
A Workshop Frozen in Time
Rick Kelly has been building and repairing guitars in New York since the 1970s, eventually settling at Carmine Street in 1991.
Step inside the shop and you’ll find something increasingly rare: a fully functioning, old-world luthier’s workshop, where tools, timber, and conversation matter more than technology.
There’s no slick branding, no production line—just a bench, a few trusted tools, and decades of accumulated knowledge.
The shop itself has become a cultural landmark, attracting musicians, artists, and curious visitors alike. It’s a place where guitars are still discussed, played, and built in the same room—a disappearing model in today’s retail landscape.
“The Bones of Old New York”
What truly sets Rick Kelly apart is his material.
Rather than sourcing fresh timber, Kelly builds guitars from reclaimed wood salvaged from historic New York buildings—old hotels, churches, tenements, and even bars.
This isn’t just a sustainability angle—it’s central to the sound and identity of the instruments.
Many of these timbers are:
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200+ years old
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Naturally aged and dried over centuries
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Exceptionally resonant due to long-term seasoning indoors
Kelly refers to this material as “the bones of the city,” and the phrase feels entirely appropriate. Each guitar carries a physical connection to New York’s past—whether it’s a beam from a Bowery flophouse or wood taken from a historic tavern like McSorley’s.
The result is something intangible but undeniable: guitars that feel alive with history.
The “Kellycaster”: Simplicity Refined
Rick Kelly’s signature design is often referred to as the “Kellycaster”—a stripped-back, deeply personal take on the classic Telecaster.
Key characteristics include:
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Single pickup configuration (often neck-position)
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Minimal electronics for maximum clarity
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A distinctive “snake” headstock with three tuners per side
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Lightweight reclaimed pine bodies
The philosophy is simple: remove anything unnecessary and let the wood—and the player—do the talking.
This approach echoes early Fender design principles but takes them even further into minimalism. It’s not about versatility on paper; it’s about feel, response, and connection.
A Client List Like No Other
Despite the shop’s understated nature, Rick Kelly’s guitars have found their way into the hands of some of music’s most influential figures.
Players associated with his instruments include:
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Bob Dylan
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Lou Reed
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Patti Smith
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Bill Frisell
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Lenny Kaye
These aren’t artists drawn to hype—they’re musicians who value individuality, tone, and story. And that’s exactly what Kelly’s guitars offer.
Craft Over Convenience
In a world where guitar production is often about efficiency and consistency, Carmine Street Guitars stands firmly in opposition.
Rick Kelly:
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Avoids modern production shortcuts
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Works largely by hand
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Prioritises feel and resonance over spec sheets
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Builds each instrument as a one-off
Even the shop itself reflects this ethos. It operates at its own pace, unconcerned with trends or industry expectations. In many ways, it represents a philosophy that’s becoming increasingly rare: craft for its own sake.
Captured on Film
The 2018 documentary Carmine Street Guitars, directed by Ron Mann, offers an intimate look inside the shop over the course of a week.
Rather than focusing on dramatic storytelling, the film simply observes:
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The day-to-day rhythm of the workshop
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Conversations with visiting musicians
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The quiet, deliberate process of building instruments
It’s less a documentary about guitars, and more a meditation on creativity, community, and the value of slowing down.
Why It Matters Today
For modern players—especially those immersed in boutique gear, relic culture, and vintage reissues—Rick Kelly’s work offers a different perspective.
These guitars aren’t trying to recreate the past.
They are the past.
Each instrument is:
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Built from materials older than most vintage guitars
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Shaped entirely by hand
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Unique in both sound and story
In a market saturated with “aged” finishes and artificial wear, Carmine Street Guitars represents something far more authentic: instruments that have genuinely lived a life before they ever became guitars.
Final Thoughts
Carmine Street Guitars is more than a shop—it’s a reminder of what the guitar world once was, and what it still can be.
Rick Kelly’s instruments challenge the idea that progress always means improvement. Instead, they point us back toward something simpler: great wood, thoughtful design, and a deep respect for the materials at hand.
For players chasing tone, history, or inspiration, that might be the most valuable lesson of all.
