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Spohn Guitars builds for BGS tour

While my current batch gets finished, it is time to start something new. Three of my guitars will be part of the Boutique Guitar Showcase tour this year but haven't built yet.
So it's time to start with the first guitar for the Eastern USA tour.

For now I have some pics of the materials for you!

For the back I chose this spectacular set of figured koa.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7851/...57db07d2_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4858/...264c2c4e_c.jpg

And some inlay ideas and material...

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4904/...3dec5fcb_c.jpg

But I need your help to select the top wood as I can't decide which one I like better.

The first one is this nice Bearclaw Swiss moon spruce that looks almost as it is flamed. And the figure will pop under some lacquer.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4847/...324ba290_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7824/...04f3c68b_c.jpg

The second set is some straight Swiss moon spruce.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7825/...3dbf4222_c.jpg

Both tops are hand selected, lightweight and stiff and will make a wonderful guitar.

That's not an easy choice!

It's like when you want some chocolate and your choices are a bar of chocolate and a slightly shinier bar of chocolate.
I went for the bearclaw.

David

While the koa set has some very nice flame it does not have the wild figure that one might find in a set of cocobolo for example. So my vote is for bearclaw to get a bit of extra figure in the topwood. But either way, it'll look good!

It's tough to make the argument as to why, but my preference would be the straight grained Spruce.

What will the binding be?

I'm with Geoff. Can't explain exactly why but I would go with the straight grain. Maybe just personal preference. And you are right … that Koa is spectacular.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmsone (Post 5953493)

That's not an easy choice!

It's like when you want some chocolate and your choices are a bar of chocolate and a slightly shinier bar of chocolate.
I went for the bearclaw.

David

Thanks for voting. I have exactly the same problem :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by colins (Post 5954010)

The top that will not go on this guitar will probably go an a cocobolo OM later this year which makes the decision even harder.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7897/...39443c6c_c.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffStGermaine (Post 5954112)

It's tough to make the argument as to why, but my preference would be the straight grained Spruce.

What will the binding be?

The binding will be Rocklite ebano as will the fretboard and bridge. And we will have a segmented backstrip. I will release some more features soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cigarfan (Post 5956093)

I'm with Geoff. Can't explain exactly why but I would go with the straight grain. Maybe just personal preference. And you are right … that Koa is spectacular.

Thank you Dennis! And the sides are equally figured. I currently try to get some matching headstock veneers but it appears to be more difficult than expected as this tree was imported to Germany in the mid 90s.

On this guitar I started with the segmented backstrip. Here are a few pictures that show a little bit of the process. I do all my inlay work by hand without a CNC machine.

After designing the inlay (which took me almost two days as I just couldn't decide what compliments the wood best) I route the channel for it.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7830/...d8504b0a_c.jpg

The next step is to square out the corners. I use chisels and scalpels for this job.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7887/...2c00e776_c.jpg

Then the inlay gets fit and glued in.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4853/...cd7eed32_c.jpg

The Boutique Guitar Showcase tour season starts tomorrow so I thought it is time to let you know which one of my guitars are traveling with them this year!
Unfortunately I had to shift the build of the Koa OM-C back because of an unexpected show so it won't come to the US.

The guitar for the East coast tour is a gorgeous Mod-D in Swiss Moon Spruce and Quilted Sapele.

Aug 21 | Make'N Music | Chicago, IL
Aug 22 | Galloup Guitars | Big Rapids, MI
Aug 24 | Sweetwater | Fort Wayne, IN
Aug 26 | Gruhn Guitars | Nashville, TN
Aug 28 | Righteous Guitars | Atlanta, GA
Aug 29 | Midwood Guitar Studio | Charlotte, NC
Aug 31 | Walt Grace Vintage | Miami, FL
Sept 3 | Bailey Brothers | Birmingham, AL

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d0bbdff9_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...aa593112_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...01047fb1_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...78a4eb44_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3730d25b_c.jpg

The one for the West coast tour is my 00 in Swiss Moon Spruce and Curly German Walnut.

Sept 4 | Martin Music | Memphis, TN
Sept 6 | Guitar Sanctuary | Dallas, TX
Sept 7 | Austin Guitar House | Austin, TX
Sept 10 | Rainbow Guitars | Tucson, AZ
Sept 11 | Heartbreaker Guitars | Las Vegas, NV
Sept 12 | Westwood Music | Los Angeles, CA
Sept 14 | Bananas at Large | San Francisco, CA

https://live.staticflickr.com/1938/4...82eb4fca_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/1918/4...fb1740fa_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/1968/3...36edfc26_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/1966/4...21573a05_c.jpg

And the Swiss Bearclaw Moon Spruce and Figured Koa OM is going on the European tour!

Oct 26 | Musikaffär | Malmö, Sweden
Oct 28 | The Fellowship of Acoustics | Dedemsvaart, Netherlands
Oct 30 | The North American Guitar | London, England
Nov 1 | Guitare Village | Domont, France
Nov 3 | Guitar Sauce | Lecco, Italy
Nov 8 - 10 | Musik Produktiv | Ibbenbüren, Germany

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...01ec9e18_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8ab88f86_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4b9a6467_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a7210562_c.jpg

If you are interested in any of the guitars please contact the BGS team.

Beautiful work, Max! I vote for the Bearclaw on the Koa guitar, should give a nice correspondance of patterns. I recently saw a stunning Mahagony OM of yours at the Guitar Basar (Peter Finger did a great review!). It had a pinless bridge, do you use this as standard now?

Really a beautiful batch of guitars, Max!

Good luck with the shows...

What a great trio of guitars Max. I look forward to seeing the 00 when it comes to Tucson. I also look forward to meeting you when you come to Tucson.

All the best!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernesto (Post 6142027)

Thank you Ernesto! The pinless bridge is the standard now on my falcate braced guitars which currently are the OM and the 00. Peter indeed did a fantastic job in his review! Thank you for watching it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman (Post 6142186)

Really a beautiful batch of guitars, Max!

Good luck with the shows...

Thank you! Are you planning on attending one of the events?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cocobolo Kid (Post 6142436)

What a great trio of guitars Max. I look forward to seeing the 00 when it comes to Tucson. I also look forward to meeting you when you come to Tucson.

All the best!

Thank you John! Let me know what you think when you've played it. I hope I can make it to Tucson soon!

Not this time...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Spohn (Post 6143637)

Thank you! Are you planning on attending one of the events?

Wish I could, but it's not in the cards right now.

Would love to the the walnut / spruce guitar in person! :D