Building a responsive guitar starts with a holistic aproach to each instrument. Bringing all the elements together in order to achieve the best posible sound is the goal of any master luthier.
Understanding that each component , but especially the soundboard has a certain potential that is different to every other piece of wood you have handled - this is the luthiers challenge, to bring out the best in that piece. Helpful guidlines have been established by our forebears but these have not always harmonized. Recently we have been blessed with acces to the work of Trevor Gore and Gerard Gillet . These excellent makers have shared their extensive research with many Australian and American luthiers in order for us to both measure and quantify more accurately the design and build of each instrument . The results speak for themselves. In early 2019 I had the pleasure of completing Trevor's 3 day Modal Tuning course in Melbourne. Although i was already using many of the concepts outlined by Trevor, it was an invaluable addition to my builders tool kit. I intend to do more of these courses.
Everyone chooses a particular guitar for their own reasons. With good reason Brazilian rosewood has been considered the best wood for the very best instruments. I have been privileged to build many OM guitars from a good stock of 1961 cut Brazilian. More recently I have taken to purchasing Victorian Antique pieces to reclaim the wood for guitars. The results have been amazing, with a combination of aesthetically stunning woods and very responsive guitars. This is not to say that I'm stuck solely on Brazilian Rosewood ; I love many others including Australian natives like Blackwood, Sassafras and Huon pine. These too have aesthetic appeal and command our respect.
You want your guitar to increase in value if possible. This is one of the main reasons I offer Brazilian Rosewood as the perfect choice for high end guitars.
Over the years I have established a trusted relationship with suppliers in Brazil and USA for steady supply of Rosewood. This pic of Sinker Brazilian from 18th century shipreck (Ballast) off the coast of Bahia, South America.
Can I place an order ? Sadly I can no longer do commissions.
How do I buy a guitar? Register your interest to obtain a First, second or third 'right of refusal' for a particular instrument.
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