WAIMEA SLACK KEY GUITAR DETAILS AND PHOTOS
The Waimea nylon string slack key guitar has a 14 1/2" lower bout and a soft Venetian cutaway. The Waimea pictured here, with its highly figured flamed curly Koa back and sides, asymmetrical soundholes, and flamed Koa soundboard purfling, was designed for slack key guitarist Jeff Cook. Jeff came to Russell Guitars asking for a slack key guitar which was not in the lineup yet, so a new model was born. Jeff has model #001.
The Waimea slack key guitar has two almost abalone shaped soundholes. The top is master grade German Spruce with beautiful "silk" and a touch of bearclaw. All binding is Madagascar Rosewood, as is the head plate, the bridge, and the end graft. The 12-hole bridge has a Koa tie block plate. The tuners are Gotohs with Ebony buttons and the fingerboard is Ebony.
Back view of the Russell Waimea slack key guitar, showing
the book-matched flamed curly Koa.
Soundboard, shoulder, and cutaway view of the Waimea.
Back, shoulder, and cutaway view of the Waimea. The heel cap on the
Honduran Mahogany neck is made of Madagascar Rosewood.
Waimea headstock with Madagascar Rosewood headplate and Gotoh tuners.
Honduran Mahogany Waimea headstock, back view, showing volute.
The Gotoh tuners have Ebony buttons.
Waimea book-matched Madagascar Rosewood endgraft. Maple purfling sets off the Madagascar binding.
Recessed jack in custom location for customer.
Madagascar Rosewood 12 hole bridge with Koa tie-block plate.