Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

This is a pretty special guitar and I will explain why. I hope you will stay with me before I get to explain the guitar details.

This guitar “Tommy” was built in memory of a mate of mine who died of Cancer this time last year. I visited him in Cairns last year after hearing the news about his illness and we talked about times past, we had a lot to talk about as we have been mates for about 48-50 years. During this talk Tom pulled out a piece of African Walnut saying that he had bought it in Alice Springs over 30 years ago but it looked like he was not going to get the chance to use it. He said it would make a nice guitar and offered it to me. When I got it home I cut it up and ended up with three sets of backs and sides.

Anyway, after Tom passed I asked his wife if I could build a guitar using the Walnut I had been given by Tom, and that she could have it if she wanted, she agreed.

The style is “000’ and I used Cedar for the top that I bought in Alice Springs at the same time from the same place. I said I would inlay the guitar with little icons that depicted Toms interests throughout his life.
The inlays seen show he was a very keen cyclist, he loved a cup of tea and would not go far without stopping have one. The galleon is there to remind us of when he first came to Australia he spent months at the kitchen table of his bedsitter flat building a fantastic [to scale] galleon, making the ribs, planks and rigging all by hand.

The butt inlay chisel depicts his skills as a carpenter, and a perfectionist to boot.

The binding is NG Rosewood as is the neck.
The fingerboard is some Aussie hardwood, species unknown.
Peghead veneer is English walnut as is the small scratch plate.
Peghead back veneer is African walnut as is the heal cap and back.
Bracing is Sitka spruce
Bridge is Indian Rosewood
Rosette is an acrylic type material I make up out four or so pieces

I am very happy with the tone, volume and playability of this guitar. I think the bass and treble are very well balanced, and the volume, well to give an idea, I played it to one of my regular customers and with the first two strums of the strings his eyes darted across to my amp and said he thought it was plugged in. I gotta be happy with that.
Well that’s it, thanks for staying with me.

This is a beautiful guitar with a big full tone. I can make that judgement as I was able to have a close look and play last weekend. The inlay is brilliant along with the story that goes with it. Perfectly setup and it sounds great with a dropped D tuning. The walnut looks very classy in real life. Another fine instrument from my mate Taffy. Thanks for sharing the pics and the story.

Cheers

Alan

Taffy, what an absolutely brilliant tribute to your mate.

Brought a tear to my eyes Taffy. Beautiful work as always.

These are the best ones to make aren't they Taffy? You find you put just that little bit more love than normal, into the build. A great story & I reckon your mate would be extemely proud of what you've produced in his name.

This is a wonderful tribute to your friend. What a nice piece of wood he gave you! What a beautiful guitar you made out of it! And what a great person he must have been, as you show!
Thanks for sharing this.

A beautiful, job, Taffy. It's guitars like this that are the reason for having dedicated and talented independent luthiers who can tell an individual story, beyond the production lines of the commercial outfits. Well done! Ed.

Very special.

Yeah a very special instrument Taff, inlay and craftsmanship as usuall is exceptional, thanks for sharing the story and the guitar Taff.

Very nice Taff

Thanks for looking everyone, it was one of those guitars that fought me most of the way, but worth the battle in the end. I have a CD of the build process for the new owner, I'll get around to posting it soon. Thanks again.

Nice one Taff....I can't think of a better way to honour a fallen mate.

Taffy you are a generous soul with a gift

Hey Taff, there is another one of your guitars in the shop in Bungendore. Like this one but with a very open pointy cutaway. That's the second guitar of your's that's been through the shop in 6 months. Cool
Dom

Thanks for that info Dom, I have not done many guitars with that Cutaway. It may be the one pictured here. It was looking sad last time I saw it. I think it had no binding, cedar top, crossed braced back. I wonder if the paperwork went with it, It was called "Ladybird" it was kept in a soft bag if I remember right, built in 2006.

I saw a 5 string stick bass that I built some years ago on eBay a while back too.