World Premiere of Respected Luthier, Christopher Morimoto : Fine Luthiers

[AlanHw]

Hi, Folks

Long time coming~ This is the moment we've been anticipating since 2017.
It is an honor to take part in this fantastic project with this incredible artisan in our time!
Fine Luthiers proudly presents the very first art of Christopher Morimoto of Morimoto Guitars!



If you are deeply rooted in luthier built guitar community and know about the Somogyi Camp,
You may have heard about Chris. Let me brief you on Chris's Bio!

Chris Morimoto was born in Los Angeles, CA, and raised in Moorpark, CA.
His Journey in Lutherie started when he enrolled at the Galloup School of Lutherie in Big Rapids, Mi.
After graduating, Chris remained at Galloup Guitars as an apprentice to Bryan Galloup.
He worked with Bryan for 1.5 years and then headed to Oakland, CA,
for an apprenticeship with Ervin Somogyi in 2006.
Chris remained an apprentice for 2.5 years and
became a part of the Somogyi Crew after his apprenticeship.
He currently works with Ervin Somogyi while also pursuing his own craft.

I heard about Chris when Jason Kostal was in an apprenticeship at Ervin's.
After the establishment of Fine Luthiers, I had a great chance to talk to him in August 2017 then we began this Journey!

We're so happy to share his work with you~
So now, finally, the world can meet his art!
The guitar just arrived at our shop today, and looking forward to opening the case shortly.

We'll be right back with a build thread and many more!

p: +82 507 1452 6443
m: [email protected]
w: https://fineluthiers.com/

[jerrydlamme123]

Nice. Cannot wait to see that. Does Chris plan to setup his own workshop？

[Rwpierce]

I’ve heard some pretty amazing things about Chris and I’m looking forward to the reveal!

[AlanHw]

So it goes back to 2017.
We had a great chat, and it all began.
Chris was full-time with the Somogyi workshop,
and he didn't have any plans for his own back then.
So he planned to build a showcase guitar for us in his spare time.

The spec we wanted to go with was OMC or MDC with a standard wood combo.
German Spruce/Indian Rosewood it is~
He had a very old set of EIR, so we picked that one.


He did have his original designs with his heritage influenced.
However, he wanted to create something modern and simple.
Chris once mentioned Richard Neutra and Modern Architecture.
Also, organic shapes from nature.

He finds architecture to be an influence in his design process, not only in the aesthetic sense but also in the fluidity of the visual and emotional stimulation that one encounters. It comes down to him wanting to create something original and fresh but still deeply rooted in tradition.

So he wanted to start from the headstock design and move to other parts.
He finally came up with a mockup model and sent some pics~
Influenced by an organic shape and expressed the curves into dimensions.

OK, every angle is created by curves and probably inspired by something like a leaf, perhaps?


But the following photos blew me away!!






WOW!!
Every dimension and direction is a curve!
Never seen before S curved Headstock it is~
You gotta go with this head!!

The rose design is next~

[AlanHw]

Inspired by Architecture, Chris wanted to go further than dimension and curvature.
While working on the rose mock-up, he mentioned adding texture to the surface.

Hum Texture?

Here is the first mock-up tested on an ebony piece.


This texture is what he calls craters.

Chris worked with a hand tool to make a nano-level texture at a time.
Here is a bit more defined version inlaid on a spruce piece.


He did apply coats on the outer rim of the rose and then
the inner rim has depth and texture that should have a different feeling depending on what perspective one is viewing it at.

The carved stairs were meant to be a focal point, He has also made other iterations with various focal points, but this one was his favorite.

For the fretboard, he tested many versions with craters.
This was the first mock-up he showed to me.


Finally, he applied a similar concept to the bridge mock-up.






The mock-ups were pretty much done~
Going for the real thing with more detail is next!

[gstring]

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.................................................. . Wow............................................... .................................................. .........................Wow ............................

[admiralfluff]

Originally Posted by AlanHw

For the fretboard, he tested many versions with craters.
This was the first mock-up he showed to me.

Are you going with the stippling texture on the fretboard? Really curious how that feels.

[steveh]

Originally Posted by admiralfluff

Really curious how that feels.

Awful I’d predict, at least for those of us who like super smooth ebony.
That would be a total deal-breaker for me, unless there’s resin over it etc.

Cheers,
Steve

[tommieboy]

Based on the photo, the texture fretboard surfaces are depressed into the fretboard, so something needs to fill that space. Interesting.

Tommy.

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by steveh

Awful I’d predict, at least for those of us who like super smooth ebony.
That would be a total deal-breaker for me, unless there’s resin over it etc.

Cheers,
Steve

At first I was going to comment that the rough areas aren’t where one normally frets notes, especially not to bend notes, etc., but then it occurred to me that I’m left-handed and this fretboard is almost certainly for a right-handed player.

From an ergonomic perspective, it would make sense to fill the rough areas with some clear acrylic that is level with the rest of the fretboard, but from an aesthetic perspective, it would look odd if the rough areas of the rosette and bridge are left exposed.

[gstring]

From what I see so far, all questionable design elements will be well thought out.

d

[steveh]

Originally Posted by gstring

From what I see so far, all questionable design elements will be well thought out.

I have to agree.
Chris Morimoto is super experienced and I can't see him releasing such a "dimpled" fretboard into the wild. I guess he's just playing with possibilities at the moment?

Cheers,
Steve

[usb_chord]

I think the resin idea is a pretty likely! Keeps the look (which I personally enjoy) and the consistent feel. If there's one luthier I dont feel qualified to second guess . . . it's Chris.

[JJI]

Originally Posted by usb_chord

I think the resin idea is a pretty likely! Keeps the look (which I personally enjoy) and the consistent feel. If there's one luthier I dont feel qualified to second guess . . . it's Chris.

For those who know…it’s Chris, sums it up pretty good.

[hieu]

Finally i can put the face into the legend name.