Spohn Guitars builds for BGS tour

[Max Spohn]

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.





And some inlay ideas and material...



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.





The second set is some straight Swiss moon spruce.



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

[emmsone]

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

[colins]

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!

[GeoffStGermaine]

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

What will the binding be?

[cigarfan]

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.

[Max Spohn]

Originally Posted by emmsone

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

Originally Posted by colins

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!

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.

Originally Posted by GeoffStGermaine

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.

Originally Posted by cigarfan

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.

[Max Spohn]

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.



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



Then the inlay gets fit and glued in.

[Max Spohn]

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












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









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









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

[Ernesto]

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?

[Nemoman]

Really a beautiful batch of guitars, Max!

Good luck with the shows...

[Cocobolo Kid]

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!

[Max Spohn]

Originally Posted by Ernesto

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?

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.

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Really a beautiful batch of guitars, Max!

Good luck with the shows...

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

Originally Posted by Cocobolo Kid

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!

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by Max Spohn

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!

[Max Spohn]

The Koa OM-C is finally completed and ready for the European tour starting at the end of the month! If some of you are interested in meeting me at one of the stops, I will come to London to join the event at The North American Guitar on October 30th.


And here are some pictures!!!