Friday, December 25, 2009

Laminate Guitars in the Works

I've been getting a lot of e-mail researching laminate archtops. Linda Manzer and I are in the process (albeit slow process) of making our own laminate material. In the interim I am starting two laminate archtops on spec using wonderful Finnish material from over 45 years ago. The tops will be decided after I have the frames finished and backs attached. I will either use laminate tops or if someone is interested, I will carve a solid top for at least one of them.
One will be a full size 16" model, 14 fret neck joint with X brace and single pickup with ebony appointments and the other will be a 14 1/2" model with 15 fret neck joint, spanish cedar channeled block for feedback control and two pickups with exotic rosewood appointments including tailpiece as seen on the archtop on my site (unless the guitar is sold prior to completion with customer mods). I will post pictures on the guitars as they come along. The materials for both of them are superb and assuming I do my job right, they'll be a nice pair when they are done!

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have on these or any other instruments.

Also the Sarola (or Sarello) is in finishing now and will be something to behold once complete. In keeping with it's unique nature it is getting a finish that will be a work of art in itself. Mark Korven, the owner, played me a few recorded pieces done while the instrument was missing a large side section but strung up. Once done I will be sure to upload some pieces!

So I hope you all have a fantastic New Year and take care of one another! - Tony

Cool article on my good friend Hari Sihvo

http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/738123--the-healing-powers-of-a-good-guitar

Article says it all!!