A Dramatic New Grand Concert

Some of you who made it to last year's Healdsburg Guitar Festival might remember my friend Dave Sunoo who helped me at our table there. Dave's in the jewelry business, so he has a keen eye for sparkle. He really enjoyed looking at (as well as hearing) the dazzling variety of woods on display there at the festival and while we were there he picked out a really stunning set of Malaysian blackwood back and sides from Allied Lutherie, which is just up the road. For the top I suggested we use an extra curly set of koa, so we called Big Island Acoustic Koa and asked Josh for "the most dazzling set they had". As you can see, we're pairing this sumptuous combo with some rich bloodwood trim for a really dramatic look. Tonally I expect this guitar to have a super-crisp and articulate attack, really great balance and a fantastic sparkly timbre. Can't wait!

Jeffrey's Guitar is Ready for Lacquer

Yesterday I completed all the final neck-shaping, detailing, and finish sanding on Jeffrey's zebrawood deep baritone, and I brought it over to Addam Stark's workshop where he'll apply the lacquer. Next I'll be working on building some new bending forms and a new outside mold for my Grand Concert shape.

Jeffrey's Neck is Taking Shape

The neck for Jeffrey's deep baritone is in the final stages of shaping now. It's really fun to fuss over the shape of the fingerboard and the neck profile. Jeffrey's looking for a relatively slim neck. We got to meet up at Sylvan Music, our local guitar shop here in Santa Cruz, and he told me what he liked about various neck profiles. Getting down to the gritty here...this guitar will be ready for lacquer real soon.

Bloodwood Binding's In

I've got the bright red bloowdwood binding in on the zebrawood baritone. Bloodwood is a great wood for binding...it has such a deep rich color and an irridescant sheen that you just can't photograph. Next I'll getting started on the neck.

Jeffrey's Zebrawood Soundbox Closed Up

Jeffrey's Sitka spruce and zebrawood Deep Baritone is taking shape. I've braced the back and closed up the soundbox, thinned the perimeter of the top and begun routing the binding channels.

Progress on Jeffrey's Zebrawood Baritone

This week I've been making good progress on Jeffrey's deep baritone cutaway. Here you can see I've jointed the Sitka spruce top and layed in the curly koa rosette. I've also jointed the back and assembled the rim. Next I'll be finishing the bracing of the top and assemble these two components.