Guitar Materials
The materials I purchase for building guitars are almost invariably First or Premium Grade. Most are purchased from recognized guitar building materials suppliers and are properly dried and aged when I receive them. They are seasoned further in my shop and have achieved their equilibrium before I begin to work with them.
Below is a list of my standard materials. I'm a great believer in experimenting with alternative woods, especially for backs and sides. Like Antonio de Torres, I believe that the materials used for backs and sides have little, if any, influence on the quality of a guitar's ultimate sound. Unlike Torres, I've never built a guitar with papier mache backs and sides to prove this. He has already done that and it's good enough for me. Further materials alternatives can be discussed by contacting me.
My standard guitars include:
-Tops from Englemann Spruce, Sitka Spruce or Cedar
-Backs & sides from Indian Rosewood, Pau Ferro, Walnut, Bubinga or Palo Escrito.
-Necks from Spanish Cedar or Mahogany
-Fingerboards from Ebony
-Bridges from Indian or Brazilian Rosewood
-Very high quality rosettes from Tula, Russia
-Bone Nuts & Saddles
-Gotoh Premium or Sloane tuners (your choice)
Options (at my additional cost and subject to availability):
- Euro Spruce tops
- Upgraded Backs & Sides eg: Brazilian Rosewood*, Cocobolo, Ziricote, Macassar Ebony, California Walnut
- Alessi**, Rogers ***, Gilbert or Fustero Tuners
* Brazillian Rosewood is very expensive and not easily available. The additional cost can be as high as US$ 1,000..
** Alessi Tuners are my absolute first choice in guitar tuners. In addition to being very beautiful in their appearance they are the most functional of any that I've tried. Apart from very accurate gearing, the rollers turn on bushings that insert (invisibly) into the center of the peghead as opposed to turning against wood. They are incredibly smooth and accurate. The additional cost is approximately CDN $250 or US$225.
*** Rogers tuners are very expensive. The addional cost is approximately CDN $500 or US$450 and they can also take a long time (more than 6 months) to obtain as there is a considerable waiting list. They are beautifully made with a high level of functionality.