Stefan Sobell 40th Anniversary Guitars
 

Over the last 17 years I've become an enormous fan of Stefan Sobell's guitars. So much of a fan, in fact, that I've bought 4 guitars and an Octave Mandolin from him. Just recently, Stefan announced that over the next 2 years or so, he plans to build 12 guitars using his deep stash of Brazilian rosewood. This wood is current on its CITES status, so importation from the UK to the US will be doable.

In the time I've been a fan, Mark Knopfler and Darrell Scott have bought guitars from Stefan.

One can choose any of Stefan's current models, and I've put in an order for a Martin Simpson Mk. III model, which is a somewhat shallower version of the original MS model, one of which I purchased a few years ago in wenge and European spruce.

It's tough to choose wood from the large number of sets Stefan sent pictures of, but I chose the following:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...2111D50BD.jpeg

He's enthusiastic about this set sonically and for the way the sides go quite well with the back. Note that it will need to be a three piece back, which he does quite often. The neck shaping will be subtly different--it's fun to fine tune these things after so much experience with my other Sobells.

I'm close to the head of the queue, so I hope to see the guitar in a reasonable time frame, i.e., about 6 months. If and when I get some pics, I will update this post. Sobell guitars are wonderful instruments with amazing projection, tone, power, etc., etc.! Check out Stefan's site for more info. (No commercial relationship, of course.) Tim

Tim, thanks so much for sharing this build here...:up:. I don’t believe that we have ever seen a build by Stefan here...:)

Thanks, Bob. Stefan is not much for in-progress updates, but I will add to this whenever I get anything new, though I do know the guitar's under way. Hope all's well, Tim

Congratulations, Tim. I’ve never had the pleasure of playing one of Stefan’s guitars, but have heard nothing but rave reviews of his work. Keep us posted.

Thanks, Jimmy! In an aside, my wife and I "sheltered in place" at our home in Newport starting in March for 6 months this year and poor little me "only" had my Caldwell 00-34 14 fret to play and I truly enjoyed bonding with this amazingly stellar guitar. May you build many more of them--the world needs such incredible instruments! Tim

So cool, its gonna be fun watching this come together, thx for sharing

I'm with DD
 

Yep! This will be a thrill ride for sure. Nice BRW!

Salud

Paul

Congrats Tim: I've been a huge fan of Stefan's work (and of those he's influenced) for many years.

Indeed, it was getting a Sobell (for 2.5K new!) that set me off on my acoustic journey - it was so far ahead of anything else I'd had up until that point that I started taking my playing very seriously, rather than regarding it as a side-hobby that I'd dip into every 6 months or so.

I've had 5 of his guitars over that time, which have come and gone: I just can't seem to shake them off - what they offer is quite unique.

Cheeers,
Steve

I reckon Stefan's finished it already! He doesn't hang about.

Jonny

Yes! Stefan told me yesterday via email that the body was almost finished and that I needed to let him know my neck shape preferences pronto! He said the BRW is lovely. I will try to shake loose some pics. I think by committing very early to the build I jumped to the front of the queue. Yikes, very excited. Tim

On one occasion I was sitting about 8' in front of a Model 1 being played by a fine fingerstyle player. It was one of best guitar tones I've heard out front. I'll be watching this build and anxious to hear how you like it.

Well, in some serious fast forwarding, it's a guitar! I guess I was one of the early adopters for Stefan's 40th Anniversary guitars and he jumped right on it. I didn't really expect many in-progress photos, so the work process isn't documented here, but I'm thrilled that it's done.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...55FC89409.jpeg

Stefan sent me a couple photos of the finished guitar:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...4EAF99943.jpeg

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...B3F589A7B.jpeg

The Brazilian RW looks stunning and I love the European spruce top. The neck is Wenge.

This morning, Stefan sent me a pile of CITES-related papers that I now have to submit to get my guitar into the U.S. from the UK. I may document that in a different thread because I suspect it'll be of some interest to folks here. I will also certainly be back on this thread when the guitar makes it here.

Very stunning-looking guitar--congrats!

Good luck with the CITES process--hope all goes smoothly.

Tim,

That is beautiful. I’d love to hear some sound clips when you have it in hand. Congratulations!

Congrats Tim...:up:. It should be headed over the pond in no time now.