This instrument was completed in July of 2005. It was built for Richard Withers, one of my oldest friends who just happens to own the eighth guitar I ever built (c. 1980). His request with this commission was to make an exact duplicate of his six string but in a matching 12 string. He even wanted the original logo which I stopped using 20 years ago! So, this instrument is constructed of AAA sitka spruce with very straight grained east indian rosewood back and sides. One concession to modern design was the use of the 5 ply (mahogany, maple, rosewood, maple, mahogany) for increased stiffness and stability given the extra tension on the 12 string neck. The peghead overlay is east indian rosewood. The fretboard and bridge are ebony. The fretboard is plain, with no inlays whatsoever so as to match the other instrument he owns. The rosette and back center strip are herringbone with black-white-black purfling. The instrument has a 25.4″ scale with the adjustable truss rod access through the soundhole. The fretwork is semi-hemispherical for comfort and extreme playability. The tuners are chrome Gotoh minis. My thanks again to Bozo Padunavac for sharing his exquisite bracing pattern for this small bodied 12 string guitar! Now Richard has a matching pair (albeit, separated by 25 years of time)!
