Fredell guitars - Montreal 2012 build

[Gustav]

Hi,

My name is Gustav and I'm currently the senior apprentice in the Somogyi shop. I lurk this forum, but haven't had much reason to post until now. I don't like to shamelessly promote myself like this, so this is likely the first and last build thread by me.

I will display my latest baby at the Montreal show this year and hope some of you will have a chance to play her. It's a small bodied guitar and the closest size is probably O. I felt there was a lack of 'modern' guitars in the parlor to O-size guitars and this is my very best attempt to rectify that. The waist is moved up and made fairly narrow, and the upper and lower bouts are slightly 'pinched' for good looks. The soundhole is shifted towards the neck to allow for more surface area beneath the X. In true Somogyi style the plates are very very thin, for maximum responsiveness. Many efforts were also made to reduce the weight, including a lightweight one-way titanium truss rod.

It's catered to fingerstyle players and that is what I do best. Before my time with Ervin I mainly played and built classical guitars and I currently only build fingerstyle steel string and classical guitars, plus crossovers.

The exhibition guitar is not for sale, so stop asking I will build two more guitars before the end of my apprenticeship and should you be interested you would do best in calling me asap.

I know many of you like bigger guitars for the full sound and bass response. If you give me the chance I'm sure I can change your opinion forever. This guitar is all about big sound in a small package.

I will have the guitar in the shop after the show if anyone is close to the bay area (shop is in Oakland, CA) and want to stop by to try it. It can be shipped and 'borrowed' for evaluation, but that is against a fairly hefty security deposit.

I will check in to answer any questions about the guitar, myself or the Somogyi shop. While you are welcome to call, I prefer e-mail. Daytime I work on Ervins guitars and am less likely to be able to pick up the phone then. My web page is undergoing significant overhaul so look back in a week or so.


Model XS

25" scale
Top: Engelmann
Back & sides: Indian rosewood
Bridge: Indian rosewood
14 frets to the body
Nut width: 44.5mm / 1.75"
Bridge pin spacing: 57.2mm / 2.25"
Total length: 1004mm / ~39.5"
Body length: 490mm / 19.3"
Upper bout: 245mm / 9.65"
Waist: 194mm / 7.65"
Lower bout: 341mm / 13.4"
Body thickness: 89mm / 3.5” – 114mm / 4.5”
Weight with tuners and bridge: 1450g / 3lbs 3oz.
Neck/Body weight ratio: 1:1.4
KTS Titanium truss rod
Titanium bridge pins
Schertler Tuners
French Polish finish

[Gustav]

And the final result...

[StringMeUp]

Gustav that is a beauty!! Montreal should be fun. Congratulations.

[Dru Edwards]

WOW - what a stunning looking guitar. I'm sure it sounds amazing as well. Good luck at the Montreal show. I'll be driving through the city (on my way to Toronto) the day before the show starts and a couple of days after it ends so I'll miss the show.

And welcome to the AGF!

[Tom Doerr]

Wow! Absolutely stunning guitar.....i love everything about it, body shape, rosette, especially the headstock front and back. Nice work and best of luck at the show.

[Simon Fay]

There are some amazing builders out there but usually there are a few things that I might not love about their instruments -- but I love everything about this guitar. The design is exquisite and unique - in particular, I love the design coherence between the headstock, bridge, and heel. I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future!!!

[royd]

It is a beautiful guitar. I'd love to finally run into a small guitar that changes my opinion about the need for a big guitar to get a big sound. My daughter lives in Oakland so I may just take you up on the invitation to stop by and try it out the next time I'm up that way. Again... beautiful!

[Trevor M]

Fantastic detailing.

[sjoiner]

masterful. truly exquisite work.

[John Osthoff]

Gustav,

Your guitar looks great. I see some "influences" in there yet stuff that makes it your "own" too.

Nice work.

I hope I get a chance to come up to see it in person ... still not sure if I will make it up next weekend.

Be well and good luck at the show.

John O

[Larry Pattis]

I've been following this great build on Facebook.

I see that Gustav is not going to offer the guitar for-sale at Montreal, and that it will be available after the show for demo/evaluation.

I'm hoping for two contrasting things:

1) Someone offers Gustav a large sum of money, and he can't say "no".

2) I hope Gustav says "no", and then more folks will get a chance to try out this little beast!



I love the detail of the solid (well, laminated, but not kerfed) linings....

[knuckle]

I'm rarely impressed by things, but holy cow is that thing astounding.

[usb_chord]

THAT is a beautiful guitar.

[DamianL]

Good golly miss Molly.

That's amazing.

D

[El Conquistador]

OK Wow!

What I love about this gorgeous guitar is that the woods are what is commonly regarded as lowley Engleman and EIR. Amazing what can be done with common woods in a masters hands.

Steve