Caton Guitars shop projects

[Kevin Caton]

Hello Everybody,

I'm Kevin Caton of Caton Guitars. I just wanted to quickly introduce myself. Ive been a member here for a while but just havent been an active participant. Several of you know me and there are many more that I am excited to get to know. Im looking forward to being a more active member of our wonderful community of luthiers.

I figured that I would get started by showing you what is on the bench. I have several projects going but Im not sure of the rules here yet so I will just start wit this one. If there is any interest in what I have going on in the shop I would be happy to expand on this thread.

This one of my Sullivan models, Brazilian with A "Lost Tunnel" Redwood top. It will be part of a 2 guitar limited run and will be sent out with a Limited Edition Warranty, Limited Edition "Certififate of Authenticity", a Limited Edition Lost Tunnel Redwood Caton Guitars Shirt and a few other fun things.

Thanks for looking.

[Tim McKnight]

Hi Kevin and welcome to the forum. I look forward to seeing that beauty under finish.

I believe your booth was beside ours at the last Artisan Guitar show?

[TomB'sox]

Looks beautiful and thanks for posting, could you expand on the lost tunnel redwood story?

[Kevin Caton]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

Hi Kevin and welcome to the forum. I look forward to seeing that beauty under finish.

I believe your booth was beside ours at the last Artisan Guitar show?

Hi Tim
I had a wonderful weekend being table neighbors with you and your lovly wife during the Artisian show.

Im hoping to get this guitar in the booth by the end of the month. Ive built with tunnel redwod a few times now and it does look amazing under finish.

[Kevin Caton]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Looks beautiful and thanks for posting, could you expand on the lost tunnel redwood story?

Lost Tunnel Redwood is one of the Tunnel redwoods from the old California railway tunnels. Same as the tunnel 13 stuff. While tunnel 13 is fantastic wood and has the story behind it, this wood has been hand selected by the luthier Butch Boswell. Butch has been hiking these old railways and picking out only the logs that meet his requirements for premium tops. These have very straight grain with tight annular rings.
They are super stiff and perfectly quartered with very minimal runnout. These are probably the best redwood tops to ever be available.

[Kevin Caton]

A little progress here. Dopping on the purflings and binding. Hoping to get the neck fit and the bridge located by the end of the week, so that I can get this beauty into the shine shop.

[mikealpine]

Lovely work, Kevin. Your bevel port looks like a pretty cool concept. Looking forward to seeing more from you and, ideally, hearing some sound clips.

[Kevin Caton]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

Lovely work, Kevin. Your bevel port looks like a pretty cool concept. Looking forward to seeing more from you and, ideally, hearing some sound clips.

Thanks Mike, Im quite proud of the Bevel Port. It has definitely became a popular option on my instrumetns.

I am starting to gather some content for video/ audio clips. So keep a look out in the near future. If anybody is interesed NOW there are several demos of my guitars at dream guitars and Guitar Gallery.

For those who are not aware of what my "Bevel Port" is, it is a side sound port that I place on the edge of the upper bass bout. I developed it about 3 years ago. There is no ergonomic or compfort intent with the design. It is simply my take on a side sound port. However it does have a slightly different effect the that of a tradition port.

Ive attached pics for those who are interested.

[Nemoman]

Beautiful guitars, Kevin--I look forward to seeing more of your work here!