I started pairing Maple backs with contrasting sides as an excuse to work with a variety of beautiful materials that aren’t traditionally used in archtop guitar construction.

Thanks to Mother Nature, the possibilities and inspiration are practically endless.

 

  • Back: Big Leaf Maple

    • Individual selection available below

    Sides: Indian Rosewood, Bastogne Walnut, or Sapele

    • Individual selection available below

    Top: Sitka Spruce

    • Big Leaf Maple is one of my most trusted and well known friends and I’ve been building instruments with this wood longer than any other. I love Maple for its surprising versatility as a tonewood, and for its ability to serve as a stunning and natural canvas for color work.

    • Maple backs are always paired with Spruce tops - no exceptions! Maple and Spruce are perfect tone mates, and this combo of materials unlocks the versatility and power within each other. Sitka Spruce is offered as the standard option, and I LOVE Sitka because, to my hands, it feels like the most perfectly balanced and consistent of the Spruces. It’s stiff and strong, while still being light and responsive. And just like Big Leaf Maple, Sitka and I go way back. I’ve been building with this wood as a top material longer than any other.

    • Using contrasting sides opens up a whole new world of inspiration when envisioning the color of your guitar, and it’s important to keep this in mind when making your selection. The top and back will receive color, while the sides will be left to display their natural beauty, and the best results are achieved when you allow these desires and choices to inspire one another - it’s the influence of all these things working together that creates the beautiful vision for a guitar that is truly one of a kind.

  • Do the different species of contrasting sides affect the tone??

    Who knows?! But I personally don’t believe the material the sides are made out of have a drastic impact on shaping the sound of the guitar. In my experience, a majority of the sound and tone come from the top and back materials, and the way I carve the plates. But I also believe that everything effects everything, even if it’s on a very small level. That being said - I view the choice of sides materials like selecting a seasoning, rather than selecting a dish. Would you like a dash of Rosewood with your Maple and Spruce? Or perhaps a sprinkle of Walnut? Luckily, I don’t offer any spices that will ruin a dish, so don’t be afraid to let your heart and eyes decide!

    Am I allowed to pick out my own wood?

    • The species of wood, and whether you select standard or premium options, are entirely up to you.

    • You will be allowed to individually select the back and set of sides for your guitar. Make your selection below!

    • All individual top selection, for standard and premium materials, are always done by my hands - no exceptions.

  • Sometimes the wood chooses you.

 
 

    • These galleries offer individual selections for all of the standard species options.

    • Move through the slideshows using right to left arrows, or thumbnails at the bottom.

    • Material ID is found in the bottom left hand corner of the photo (ie. SR1, SR2).

    • Note for Maple Back Selection

      • The largest guitar size possible for each back is labeled on the material. If it says 15.5”, then it can be selected for a 15.5” guitar or smaller. Be sure to select a back that is labeled for the size you want, or larger

    • For accurate viewing, adjust your screen settings to maximum brightness.

 

Big Leaf Maple

You are currently viewing the book matched face of an open and joined billet that is 1” thick and eagerly awaiting its carve session. As material is removed, it reveals new grain while getting further away from the book match. Sometimes this creates a bit of asymmetry in the grain from bass side to treble side. This is the case even with perfectly quartersawn material. In other words, once the back is carved, it will inevitably look somewhat different than what you’re seeing here. This is the nature and beauty of solid wood archtops, and it is to be embraced, admired, and loved.

Contrasting Side

 

Indian Rosewood

There’s nothing quite like the simple beauty of Rosewood…

For the less is more type of folk.

 

Bastogne Walnut

All of the colors in the Walnut Rainbow.

 

Honduran Mahogany

Natures Golden Delicousness

Due to the unbelievable consistency of this material, individual selection is not necessary.

You are not alone! Please reach out if you would like any guidance, assistance, or even just company in your decision making.