Contemporary Classic

Honduran Mahogany and European spruce are a fantastic combination on virtually any size guitar. This is a very nice set of flamed honduran mahogany and a blinding white euro top that is exceptionally stiff and resonant. This guitar is going to be bound with brazilian rosewood and I am considering putting a sunburst on the back and sides to draw attention to the flame while leaving the top pristine white.

What do you think?

Brazilian Rosewood / Carter Redwood Drifter

This guitar is my small "take anywhere" model. It is loosely based on a Martin 00 size and this particular guitar is going to be Brazilian Rosewood coupled with a 4A redwood top that came from the Carter stash cut in the mid 90's. These redwood tops have tremendous tap tone and are very stiff. This guitar will be appointed with ebony bindings and b/w/b purflings throughout.

This will make a very nice instument for recording, traveling or fingerpicking.

Cocobolo / Adirondack Highland

It seems the popular wisdom is that Healdsburg crowd wants nothing to do with "big" guitars, but these Highland models are so alive and have such a sweet sound that I can't help but build one for the show. This is my contemporary interpretation of the popular round shoulder dreads Gibson made famous in the 30's. Despite it large size (16 1/4" lower bout) this guitar is lightly built and a real powerhouse when it comes to flat picking or accompanyment. This guitar will have ivorid bindings and a dark wine sunburst to complement the cocobolo back and sides.

Clean, Simple, Elegant

This big leaf maple Sierra model is one of my favorite combinations for a grand concert size guitar, it is well balanced with complex overtones and perfect for fingerstylists. This guitar will have simple appointments such as ebony bindings, and b/w/b top purflings.

The maple is much whiter than it appears in the picture and my plan is to put a slightly gold finish on it -- reminiscent of the blonde arch tops.

HGF Guitars Underway.

After getting pulled away from these guitars briefly in the fall, I have finally started my Healdsburg Guitar Festival batch in earnest. My goal is to take 4 instruments. One Drifter, Two Sierra models, and a Highland.

Let me know what you think as I show the progress of these guitars.