Tad Brown Lapis Lazuli Archtops

Tad Brown · #1 10-04-2017, 08:37 PM

I've had this idea for a while, blue archtops colored with lapis lazuli, inspired by historic art, and the blue guitar series.

Blue dye is notorious for fading and changing color over time, while lapis lazuli crystals are already millions of years old and permanently colorfast.

Gorgeous natural translucent blue like a high altitude sky, or deep clear water. I love the contrast of rich earth tones with rosewood.

Tad Brown · #2 10-04-2017, 08:45 PM

Tad Brown · #3 10-04-2017, 09:02 PM

JDatlen · #4 10-04-2017, 09:03 PM

Wow! That's super clean work Tad. Very nice!!

Tad Brown · #5 10-04-2017, 09:19 PM

Thank you J!

SJ VanSandt · #6 10-04-2017, 10:22 PM

I love that color! Beautiful instrument you've built - it would be great to see a video.

Looburst · #7 10-04-2017, 10:32 PM

That's quite a beautiful job! I'd sure love to play this one!

Diamondave · #8 10-04-2017, 10:52 PM

I'm IN LOVE.... sexy... Loved your work at the show Tad....

Tad Brown · #9 10-04-2017, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJ VanSandt

I love that color! Beautiful instrument you've built - it would be great to see a video.

Thanks SJ! Yeah, I'll be adding some video soon. Any pro players want to film a video, let me know.

Tad Brown · #10 10-04-2017, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Looburst

That's quite a beautiful job! I'd sure love to play this one!

Thanks Looburst, you're more than welcome to play it

Tad Brown · #11 10-04-2017, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diamondave

I'm IN LOVE.... sexy... Loved your work at the show Tad....

Thanks again Dave. Was great hanging out in Santa Barbara.

Nemoman · #12 10-05-2017, 09:27 AM

Super stunning, Tad!

Doyledc · #13 10-05-2017, 11:45 AM

what a beauty! On that tailpiece, is the wire for grounding purposes?

Tad Brown · #14 10-05-2017, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Super stunning, Tad!

Thank you Nemoman

Tad Brown · #15 10-05-2017, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doyledc

what a beauty! On that tailpiece, is the wire for grounding purposes?

Yes, a wooden tail-piece would have no string ground otherwise. Some say it doesn't matter, but it absolutely does, especially with a single coil pickup amplified.

I drill little copper rods through the end of the string slots and wire them to the tail-gut bolt, which grounds to the end-pin jack when the titanium cable loops around.

It would all be much simpler with a metal tail-piece, but I like to use all wood whenever possible on an acoustic guitar, especially critical areas like the bridge.