Acoustics

I build three models of acoustics that run from purty darn small to genuinely big, with a decent middle ground to boot:  Below, you'll find general specs on these.  Of course I am always thinking about new stuff, or new takes on old stuff, or... Anyway, you get the picture:  If you're thinking of something different, let's talk - As my friend Ron says, "If you can think of it, I can probably build it"

Tommy Emmanuel tries out a Madrone '32 L-0; he said "Fantastic,  you got the magic in this one..."

'32 L-O

• In the early '30's, Gibson finally decided to give X Bracing a try.  The '31 and '32 L-0, the base model at the time, (Which would set you back $37.50, by the way!), went through some profound changes in those years, and was, prior to being discontinued in '33, a pretty amazing small-body.  Here's my version

• Body Height = 19.5"
• Upper Bout = 11.5"
• Waist = 9.50"
• Lower Bout = 15"
• Body Depth at Neck = 3.75"
• Body Depth at Heel = 4"
• 12 or 14 frets to the neck
• Scale length 24.75" to 25.5"

A Mahogany '39 Epi gets its first wash coat of shellac.

'39 Epi

• Back in the late 30's, when Epiphone decided to take a swing at the flattop market, they chose an obvious and logical starting point:  They took their wildly popular archtop design, copied the profile, and made a flattop.  With a nod to this wise move, my '39 Epi is based on the same shape.  It's beautiful, graceful, and a boomer all around - What more could we ask for?

• Body Length = 21"
• Upper Bout = 12.5"
• Waist = 10.50"
• Lower Bout = 15.75"
• Body Depth at Neck = 3.75"
• Body Depth at Heel = 4"
• 14 frets to the neck
• Scale length 24.75" to 25.5"

A seriously stripey Maple R.B.

R.B. Tribute

• Remember the scene in Crocodile Dundee, when he smiles at the street punk and says, "Ahhh, that's not a knife - Now, that's a knife!"  Now, thisis what I call a big acoustic flattop.  The design based on Robert Benedetto's signature archtop guitars.  With a graceful cutaway for full fretboard access, it's loud, well balanced, and cuts right through a band. 

• Body Length = 21.5"
• Upper Bout = 13"
• Waist = 11"
• Lower Bout = 16.50"
• Body Depth at Neck = 4"
• Body Depth at Heel = 4.50"
• 14 frets to the neck
• Scale length 24.75" to 25.5"

Electrics

I wanna sing that rock an' Roll; I wanna 'lectrify my soul...

The multi-talented S.W. Special

In all honesty, when it comes to 'lectrics, it's all good...  I've built guitars that were faithful reflections of popular models, and I've also made some truly eclectic one-of-a-kind stuff too:  Take Steve Watson's S.W. Special up there; with a one-piece Swamp Ash body and a serious eye-candy Birdseye Maple neck.  For power, there's a Duncan P-90 in the neck position with an Angus Young signature at the bridge, in the mag section:  Now, there's also a Fishman Power Bridge for acoustic tone that'll blow your mind, (If you don't believe me, ask Steve).  Finally, we got proprietary electronics that'll let ya isolate and/or phase the mag pickups.  In other words, there ain't nothin' this axe can't do and do well.  And again, if you think I'm just blowin' my horn, ask Steve - He'll tell ya...

    Alternative tonewoods are a special treat with electrics, because of the opportunity to use big, beautiful chunks of hardwood, fancy drop plates, or maybe wooden appointments where you'd normally expect to see plastic.  

    Electronics can make or break an electric guitar - That may sound like common sense, but it's not always so...  There's nothing sadder than a great looking axe that doesn't sound good.  I pride myself in clean, cutting-edge wiring that will meet or beat your expectations.  From rock and jazz, to country and folk, they're waitin' for ya...