Mid Size Guitar, Post-Finish

This is one of my mid-size guitars, just after the body's finish is fully cured. You can see I've still got some newspaper covering the inside of the sound hole. That's done to prevent the sprayed finish from getting inside the body. I finish my necks separately from the body for a number a reasons, but you can see in this photo that the neck is not yet carved down. I arranged the photo this way to show you part of the process, and to show off that inlay! It's a dragonfly sitting on a flower. There's several different materials in it, as well as the fret markers and sound hole rosette. I've always loved a good inlay - the intricacy and artistry involved is a great creative expression.

From the Shop: Spray Booth

Ever wondered how guitars get such a great finish on them? Well, here's part of the answer! This picture was taken of my "spray booth", while two recently sprayed instruments were drying. I've had lots of experience creating great finishes on fine instruments, and take pride in my work.

There's a fine balance between protection/durability and resonance when applying a finish. If you put too much on, it will make the guitar's wood not ring as much. But if you don't put enough on, you can end up with places that wear out over time. Most cheap guitar makers automate everything, and you end up with either a guitar that's got bare wood showing after a year of playing it, or a guitar that sounds like a ukelele because it's been gunked up with too much finish! That's one of the reasons I do all my finishes by hand.

Shop Tour Video

Hey gang! Here's a little 3 minute video that we shot of my shop. It's kind of messy, but that's just because I'm busy! Hope you like the old instruments and photos. YouTube kind of blurs the images, but that's John Fogerty, John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, Roy Clark and others with me in the pictures.

New Headcap Designs

Here's some of my newest headcap (headstock cover) designs. Some of you might not know that I also run a business called Fine Lines Inlay where I create inlays, rosettes and headcaps like these for other luthiers. I love the artistic expression that I can put into every detail of one of these beauties. What do you guys think? Have a favorite one of these?

John Hiatt Playing One of My Guitars

This was a truly great moment for me (that's me on the right), watching John Hiatt play one of my guitars, and enjoying it! He liked it so much that he's asked me to build him one, and he's using this one now for his live shows!

Lyle commented on how my guitar sounded like it was an old vintage guitar that had been played for decades, even though it was brand new. I told him that I put special care and effort into how I make my guitars' bracing so that it sounds "played in" from the get-go. I'd say more about it here, but I suppose it's one of my trade secrets! In any case, Lyle wants me to build him one now too.

Wow, man, what a night! I tell you it was unreal to be sitting there during this incredible concert, and know that it's one of my guitars up there being used by John Hiatt to create such amazing music.

After the show, I was able to hang out with Lyle and John for a while. What great guys - I was a little starstruck to be honest, but they really made me feel right at home with them. Pretty cool, huh?

John Hiatt with his Rigaud

Here is a recent shot of John Hiatt playing his Mid Size Walnut Rigaud. We will be posting some more on the making of that guitar....so Stay Tuned!