Edwinson Zephyr (00) Gabon ebony/Redwood

[Markkunkel]

Life changes, and downsizing, require this very reluctant sale. Having accumulated a small but wonderful stable of some exceptional guitars, I am finding that I must simplify a bit, and this one (and another, soon) are needing to find new homes.

Lots of you are familiar with Steve Sheriff and his work with Edwinson Guitars (he's Edwin's son), and from Steve's numerous and always encouraging posts on the AGF. We are lucky to have such artists among us.

I had asked Steve to build me the best guitar he could, one that he would want for himself, and he come up with this. My word. What a voice! What a piece of playable art! It features:

• Gabon ebony back and sides
• 150 year-old reclaimed (from a church beam) redwood top
• Florentine cutaway
• Laminated Honduran mahogany/rosewood/snakewood neck
• Spectacular rare snakewood binding and canary/red holly purfling lines all around
• Multiscale (24.5" - 25.5") fan fret design
• and Steve's usual off-the-charts rosette (with wood and copper lines), fret and side markers, and three additional trademark "dots" that he has added to the back recently to bring the guitar to his present standards. (I'll snap and post some pics of those cool dots along the backstop later this evening).

It's got a big and balanced voice, an other-worldly aesthetic, and is set up just right for the blend of fingerpicking and strumming that I do. Although I've played it out some (coffee houses, farmer's markets...why not PLAY them?), it has no significant dings/dents/wear. K&K Pure-mini pick-up.

$4150 or very near offer. No trades, unfortunately. I have numerous transactions on the AGF and do all of this for fun.

Although I'm selling reluctantly, I'm not desperate to see this one go. It's been a dear and cherished musical friend.

Thanks for your interest, and happy picking,

Mark

[Gkiller]

WOW...that is just stunning. GLWTS!!

[TomB'sox]

Typically beautiful Edwinson guitar. Steve is one of my favorite builders and favorite human beings.

GLWS, this is also a great price as I am familiar with Steve's builds and costs!

[invguy921]

GREAT looking guitar from a very fine fellow! Someone should jump on this one. I've played Steve's (Edwinsons) guitars and they are very special indeed!!

Buy with confidence!!

[Markkunkel]

Thank you for all of the positive comments, and for the interest. I'll try to get and post some pictures of those cool and classy backstrip dots a bit later today.

MK

[Guitars44me]

The soundport adds a lot of sound for the player!

Best on this. I am sure you will miss it greatly!!

Paul

[nowgibson]

So sweet and tempting.

[Markkunkel]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

The soundport adds a lot of sound for the player!

Best on this. I am sure you will miss it greatly!!

Paul

Thanks for mentioning that, Paul. And not just any old soundport. Steve being Steve, it's bound and elegant and fits in just right with the modern but somehow traditional "vibe" of this guitar.

Mark

[Markkunkel]

In response to some (much appreciated!) questions:

1. The guitar was built right at the end of 2013 and so has opened up very nicely. It's been well cared for, and Steve recently checked it out for a set-up and to install those backstrip dots (picture tomorrow, I promise). It's in almost-new condition.

2. The neck is a pretty standard 1 3/4" (at the nut) and 2 1/4" (string spacing). Nothing radical (i.e., too flat, or too chined or chunky) about the neck profile. Very fast and comfortable (faster than I can play, at least!).

Thanks again!

MK

[Markkunkel]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Typically beautiful Edwinson guitar. Steve is one of my favorite builders and favorite human beings.

GLWS, this is also a great price as I am familiar with Steve's builds and costs!

Thanks, Tom. Steve is that rarest of human beings. I teach psychology here in West Georgia, and a year or so after he built this guitar (when he was still living a hundred or so miles away in Birmingham) Steve came over to do a presentation to a graduate course I was teaching. We read Cumpiano's "Pedagog's Lament" and Steve held us all in the palm of his gifted hands as he talked of commitment to excellence. He had brought a box of offcuts of wood slivers from various of his builds, and bequeathed each student with one as a reminder of doing what we do at the confluence of head and heart.

Can you tell I have loved this guitar? I will cry when it leaves.

MK

[Markkunkel]

off to a new home, on Monday.

I have never kept a guitar five years. I'm 61, I was never that good of a player (more singing/songwriting) but love music, and have some arthritic entropies that are beating the time of temporary custody of all of these beautiful creations. So no "holy grail" for me. Just grateful.

Blessings on Steve for bringing this creation to the world. I'll never know the words he whispered into the soundhole when I went to pick the guitar up, and don't need do...it's sang plenty more out.

Blessings on the new custodian. May the guitar bring you peace, and joy.

Blessings on music!

Mark

[invguy921]

Happy for you Mark and for the new owner! Congrats to all!

[TomB'sox]

Congrats indeed, well done all around.