[borborygmus]

In about a week, Tom will be delivering his latest guitar to me.

You may have read threads from Adamski about Tom (Tom Sands - Somogyi's new apprentice), and I was certainly intrigued by the glowing reports. I missed the meetings where they were played by a bunch of UK enthusiasts with universal plaudits, but decided to order a Tom Sands guitar despite never holding one. I was excited about commissioning an instrument from a young luthier, before he started making a real name for himself.

In July 2016 an e-mail dialogue rapidly ensued - I asked for an OO, like Adam's. Tom replied:

The top – Adam’s guitar was European spruce. A couple of years ago I picked up a handful of Sitka Spruce soundboards from a supplier that deals in salvaged and reclaimed wood. This particular Sitka comes from the sleepers of a railway bridge that was demolished in Vancouver, BC. It's old, very old, lightweight and very stiff. I love Sitka, and this stuff has a gorgeous pink cast to it.

Back and sides - I have a gorgeous set of T'zalam (or Caribbean Walnut) - although not a true walnut, it looks like the kind of English walnut you just don't see anymore, it even smells the same when you cut it. It has a very similar tap tone to Koa and is becoming increasingly popular as people realise that it is a fantastic alternative.

Sitka over T'zalam would give you a slightly different character of sound, but I would build it in exactly the same way as Adam's Koa guitar to ensure the same volume, big round bass with sparkly trebles and the overall projection that I think everyone has been so surprised and impressed by from such a small 12 fret guitar!

The guitar I'm proposing for you is one I'd actually planned to build for myself but I simply don't have the luxury of time to do it! It could be a little belter!

Some of the build pictures:











During the build we have batted some suggestions and ideas back and forth, but I have let Tom make most of the decisions. This project was partly about the support to a luthier near the beginning of his journey, developing his tone and aesthetic.

The guitar been french polished, and has made it from Somogyi’s workshop in California, to Yorkshire in the UK. It has been strung, recovered from jet lag, and adjusted to both climate and life itself.

Tom has taken some high res pictures, and I guess I'll post these soon - but not before I see the guitar. More later!