» acoustic steel string

Galiano Shaped Acoustic for Schoenberg Guitars

Layne — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:25:35 +0000

The 1920′s Galiano shaped and inspired guitar is in process. It is being custom made for Eric Schoenberg of Schoenberg Guitars in Tiburon, California. The shape of this Madagascar Rosewood guitar is traced from a 1920′s Galiano that was in Eric’s shop for some time. Eric asked James to make him a Schoenberg Galiano inspired by this guitar. The shape is of course modified by the cutaway; Galianos did not have cutaways. The book-matched back is now glued and the back strip is in, and the back bracing is done.

Deep Lake Guitar – Curing Stage – Ready to Rub Out!

Layne — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:54:10 +0000

The Deep Lake guitar is at the end of the curing stage after all finish has been sprayed. In fact, at this point, after a couple weeks of hanging and curing, it’s time to start rubbing out the finish. This weekend!

These photos are mock-ups taken on the kitchen table; the neck is sitting in place. Once it is rubbed out and buffed, the guitar will have its beautiful high sheen.

The curved-end fretboard is made of Madagascar Rosewood, the soundboard is Carpathian Spruce, and the body is Madagascar. All binding is flamed Koa with Maple Herringbone purfling and detailing.

New Guitar Model: Sweetbriar

Layne — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:08:25 +0000

The Sweetbriar parlor guitar is a new Russell guitar model. It has a 13 1/2″ lower bout and a long vintage-style body similar to some of the original parlor guitars. This Sweetbriar has Madagascar Rosewood back and sides and a cutaway. The cutaway is optional on the Sweetbriar model, and the headstock can be slotted or standard. This particular Sweetbriar will have a slotted headstock.

The Sweetbriar “boat” is sitting in its mold in the vice. The next step is to start working on the soundboard.

Wet Sanding the Deep Lake Guitar

Layne — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:11:54 +0000

James does the wet-sanding process on the Deep Lake guitar. It is wet sanded after receiving several coats of finish each day. The guitar hangs overnight, then the process is repeated. It’s almost ready for curing. The neck is already done.

Here you can see this Deep Lake’s flamed Koa end graft and binding. The Madagascar back and sides are a beautiful red-brown with nice grain lines. The back strip is Herringbone as is the purfling around the soundboard and around the elliptical sound hole.

This guitar is being custom made for Anchorage singer-songwriter Gene Anderson.

Deep Lake Bracing

Layne — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:09:37 +0000

The bracing on the soundboard of the Deep Lake is made of Adirondack Spruce and is nonstandard elliptical bracing. The soundboard is Carpathian Spruce. This particular Deep Lake has a custom elliptical soundhole.

Deep Lake “boat”

James — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:37:54 +0000

The Madagascar Rosewood Deep Lake model is now a “boat.” The Deep Lake is our largest acoustic steel string guitar; it’s a jumbo size with a 16″ lower bout. In this photo you can see that the linings and side braces for this guitar are made of Mahogany. You can also see some of the beautiful grain in the Madagascar.

Work has already been started on the neck and headstock for this guitar and the Carpathian Spruce soundboard is bookmatched, glued, and ready for the eliptical rosette work, so it’s coming along nicely. Soon the end graft will be put in, and at that point we’ll put up a photo showing that.