Experimental Models
I firmly believe that the best guitar is still to be made. Experimentation forms a vital part of my work. These experimental models often go on to inform the designs of my standard work.
The first picture is of an offset soundhole Model C - this turned out to be a great sounding guitar, with a little more bass than normal. Really the last place you want to cut a hole in a guitar is between the fretboard and the bridge, so this was an attempt to shift it away from the troublesome spot which allowed me to lighten up the top bracing.
Here are a few images of Adjustable neck guitars I've made, based on a much updated version of the old Stauffer design for altering the angle of the neck of a guitar. The machined parts alow the player to raise and lower the action of his guitar to suit his playing stlye or to compensate for changes in humidity. I've built quite a few of these now and the price is the same as for one of my standard guitars.
You may notice the Banjo style head on this guitar - this was another experiment to make a shorted neck - the idea being to allow the guitar to be taken apart to fit in a small suitcase and be taken on airaplanes as hand baggage. The Banjo tuners also suit players who change tunings alot in a set, and who want to do it fast. Clever eh?!
Another old design I have re-worked is the Howe-Orme guitar. The first adjustable neck guitar I made was built in this style, is heavily arched in the centre to resist the pull of the strings and imparts great strength to the top allowing it to be taken thinner. I have combined this design with my standard X brace to create my new model of Guitar Bouzouki.
From time to time my experimental models make it to the "Available now" page, but a few don't. If you are interested in what I'm upto, drop me a line and see what I have.
日本語で質問したい方はこちらまで: britishguitar1@yahoo.com