Guitar No. 32

Date Completed: 
Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Last year I began experimenting with a larger plantilla. It all started after I ordered some spruce top plates from British Columbia that arrived with a template outline that was quite a bit larger than what I had been using for the past three years. If nothing else, there was one less barrier to developing a new, larger shape, so I quickly adopted it and have slowly modified the shape with new templates and forms. A larger plantilla doesn't necessarily imply a lower resonance, but it does provide a larger soundboard surface area. 

In addition to using this larger plantilla, this guitar represents a bit more ambition in details. The new rosette color scheme was inspired by a ball of yawn I saw at Hobby Lobby and the octagonal shape hopefully adds a touch of distinction beyond the mosaic pattern therein.

The guitar performs superbly in its projection, deep resonance and clarity in the upper register. With this larger plantilla I really wanted to acheive an instrument with an increased pressence and increased overall top thickness. I think I can say mission accomplished. Expect continued experiments with this design throughout 2016. 

Specifications

  • -Western red cedar soundboard
  • -Lattice Bracing
  • -Indian rosewood back and sides
  • -African mahogany neck with ebony reinforcement
  • -Padauk bridge
  • -Handmade, natural wood rosette and purfling
  • -Friction resistant tuning machines
  • -7th fret position marker
  • -1/2” fingerboard elevation at 12th fret
  • -Fret height = .057” / Fret width = .110”
  • -Nut - 52mm nut width Saddle - 59mm string spacing