Ever heard of Sydow Guitars’ CF models?

[joeguam]

The one with the preamp controls is called the “Vince” model named after some guy named Vince Gill (heehee). The one without the preamp controls is called the “Henry” model named after Henry Kapono (Hawaiian legend) and has a slightly wider neck.

I’m intrigued as these guitars have no bridge, and also no heel at the neck joint so you can possibly play pretty high up the neck comfortably like an electric guitar.

Anyone have any experience with these?



EDIT: Sorry, I forgot to mention this *wow*:

I've never heard or seen this make. Are these your guitars? Are they in production? Where are they made? Thanks for bringing these to the forum.

[Earl49]

Never heard of them before. The shape reminds me of a Weissenborn. Plus there is no real need for a bridge, as long as the top in that area is strong enough to withstand string tension. A conventional bridge is a remnant of wood guitar design. There probably is a bridge plate underneath, but maybe not.

I'm curious about how the saddle is fixed? Does it float like a mandolin bridge, or sit in a shallow slot held down by string pressure?

[David Eastwood]

Neat use of the material's inherent properties to remove 'unnecessary' parts. There's more than a hint of the Turner Model 1 in the shape...

[Res Ipsa]

Some specs here:

https://cartervintage.com/products/sydow-carbon-new

[joeguam]

Originally Posted by EvanB

I've never heard or seen this make. Are these your guitars? Are they in production? Where are they made? Thanks for bringing these to the forum.

Just to clarify (and abide by AGF rules), these are not my guitars nor do I have any affiliation with them (well I hope maybe someday they’d sponsor me as an artist! Haha!). I saw Henry Kapono play it at a show and, of course the guitar player in me was really curious of these guitar brands.

Here’s a link to their website:
http://sydowguitars.com/Sydow_Guitar...eles/Home.html

All these guitars are handmade in a shop in Honolulu, their website shows both wood and CF guitars. I look forward to playing one someday as I’m seriously curious about how the thin body sounds.

[David Eastwood]

I know we're here to talk about CF, but his wood guitars are just lovely.

http://www.sydowguitars.com/Sydow_Gu..._Acoustic.html

Those ultra-thins are beautiful!

[kramster]

Not sure of them either... maybe they will be at some up coming trade show

[Kray Van Kirk]

Well, shoot!! I was in Honolulu recently and did a tour of the KoAloha factory. I wish I had known these were being made there - I'd have definitely scoped them out!!

[joeguam]

Originally Posted by Kray Van Kirk

Well, shoot!! I was in Honolulu recently and did a tour of the KoAloha factory. I wish I had known these were being made there - I'd have definitely scoped them out!!

Fantastic, how did you like the KoAloha Ohana? They’re really some wonderful people and much more than just builders. Hope you had a great time there!

[kramster]

Originally Posted by Kray Van Kirk

Well, shoot!! I was in Honolulu recently and did a tour of the KoAloha factory. I wish I had known these were being made there - I'd have definitely scoped them out!!

Just drive back and have at it.

[SpruceTop]

Fingerboard is Rosewood? Really?

[bsman]

These look to me like guitars that are meant to be played solely plugged in. I cannot imagine they would have anything like volume played unplugged.

[mikealpine]

It doesn’t seem like much of a stretch to make an electric guitar from this point. I’d like a CF electric. Wish the Blade was still in production!