This is the first of the new design of the small bodied, 13 fret guitar. There are a few changes from the prototype, which is also on this web site. Those changes include a slightly different top bracing pattern, and a straight 1 inch bridge as opposed to my regular belly type bridge. As a result of the new bridge style, the weight of this particular brazilian rosewood bridge is down to 16 grams-substantially lighter than any other instrument I have made, which makes the top vibrate more freely and provides a much quicker response. The top is sitka spruce and the back and sides are mahogany. The soundhole is oversized for bass response and overall projection.The peghead overlay, fretboard and bridge are brazilian rosewood. The nitrocellulose lacquer finish is 30’s Gibson style, dark brown with a sunburst top. The pickguard is tortoise cellulose modeled after the small bodied Gibson’s of the ’30’s. The neck is 5 ply (mahogany/maple/rosewood/maple/mahogany) and joins the body at the 13th fret. It has a 25.4″ scale. The fretwork is semi-hemispherical for comfort and extreme playability. As usual on my guitars, the truss rod is hidden from sight but fully adjustable through the soundhole. The neck is wider than normal at 1 13/16 at the nut. The string spacing is 2 5/16″ at the bridge making this an ideal fingerpicking instrument. It is a cannon, rivaling some dreadnaughts in projection and response. Thanks to Dave Fullerton and David Bland for their assistance in getting this guitar finished (only they know what they did)!
