As temperatures drop and snow begins to blanket North American sidewalks, the Matt’s Guitar Shop team crossed the Atlantic to get closer to the Holy Land of the guitar. It would take more than cold weather to curb their enthusiasm and hunger for exceptional finds!

When it comes to guitars, it is impossible not to return to their American cradle. This is where innovations were discovered and popularized, where Lester William Polsfuss (known as “Les Paul”) and Leo Fender revolutionized the electric guitar and made their names resonate on the lips of musicians everywhere—and on the headstocks of the finest instruments.

Running a guitar shop means traveling regularly to the United States. More than a pilgrimage or a warm gathering among peers, it is a way to reconnect with history and often uncover artifacts that contribute to this magical story. Beyond the religiously organized trade shows (like the NAMM Show, which needs no introduction), going there allows one to grasp the vastness of this country’s musical culture—a culture that swept across the world decades ago—and often to discover exceptional things. Let us not forget that the electric revolution started here, on these New World lands, carried from studio floors to stages by the greatest musicians!

Between rare guitars and visits to inspiring shops, this return to the roots of the six-string instrument brought back its share of surprises. Keep an eye out for these exceptional pieces now brought back to the Old Continent—they are sure to make every enthusiast dream!