Arlene Maltman’s cherry wood Yamaha APX 20 acoustic was stolen from Rue de la Croiserie, Trinity, between 8 pm on Saturday and 3 pm on Sunday.
Thieves also stole her lyrics book, containing words to songs that she has written throughout her life – lyrics she fears are now lost for ever.
The hand-made guitar has mother of pearl embossed on the edges and gold-plated tuning knobs.
It was a present from her parents after she graduated in California in 1991.
She has been unable to find a replica despite trawling the internet for several hours.
The police say that the guitar is so rare that the thieves would have difficulty selling it without it being recognised either in the UK or Jersey.
Miss Maltman (40) is well-known on the local music scene and is also a keen surfer.
All the Island’s music shops have been informed of the theft and are on the look out for the guitar.
