2008-04-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

Fresh Meat

from Guitar Tree Interview

Can you tell us about any current builds? its taken alot of planning but I finally am currently building the 12 string extended Range Bass guitar in the works now. Spelled out, heres the tuning;

12........C#...195

11........F#..165

10........B.. 136

09........E..116

08........A....095

07........D..070

06........G..050

05........C..035

04........F..022

03........Bb..011

02........Eb..008

01........Ab..007 above a guitar highest E string.

Then from my Tweaked Vintage line; a 4 string Jazz Bass , Alder body, Awesome quilt maple top with Orange burst, maple neck, palisander Rosewood, passive electronics with legendary (vintage style) VTV Ultra-Tone Capacitors, bassline antiquity2 Jazz pickups, but then just when you think its all old but typical I added a classic BRASS tremolo bridge. The same one Stanely Clark used in his hay day. all Gold hardware and pickguard. The ultimate punchy growlin funk machine.

What inspires you? Happy customers!

Where do your ideas come from? i try and be as original as I can but everything comes from somthing, so I'd say off the top of my head Ritter Roya, Alembic, Pedulla, Ken bebensee, amazing very original works of Art, and Robert Benedetto; I am trying to study everything he's ever written. In case anyone who reads this does'nt know, He's the world's foremost Archtop builder and holds a place in Guitar history for all time.
I pay close attention to engineering design outside the stringed world as I do on the inside. I have found carbon Fiber to have a few more uses than just extra lite support. I also have found many new ways of finishing and texturing wood that stem from my days at the Accademy of Art College in San Fransisco.

What are your favorite woods?

This reminds me of the question whats my favorite color? From the perspective of sound, there are contrasting tonewoods just as there are contrasting colors on a color wheel. Then each piece of wood from one tree does not sound the same. so, I judge by the sound of each wood first and plan the build by matching different woods to achieve the desired sound. I do not order wood usually, i actually hand pick it out and tap on it-(I get some weird looks sometimes.)

Having said all that I try and lean on whats around me when applicable, Maple, Black Walnut, N.W.Washington Alder, Oregon ash, Redwood(when available-I have some now), Myrtle wood, Apple wood, Mahogany. I use exotics from all around the world too.

What innovations have you brought to guitar building? EXTREME DESIGNS & because several customers were asking for a Bass or Guitar with some Meat to it. Every time I build I try somthing new like a Bridge with more tone from the body,... MEAT!!!

A pickup I am working with Pete Biltoft of "Vintage Vibe Guitars" for extended range instruments with adjustable pole pieces to overcome the distance due to the wide range of string size. They also have graduated distances between the magnets to accomodate the graduated string distance as do my bridges.

Budget instruments; From the U.S.? Using Douglas Fir from my own back yard, carefully selected pieces of this wood are VERY musical and make great bodies, top it with your favorite wood and its as good as any mid range priced instrument on the market & less expensive. American Indians used to make some fine flutes from this wood and still do. The sound has snappy highs and strong mid range frequencies.

What plans do you have for the future? An 11 string Contra Bass guitar, a couple heavy metal style Bass guitars. Then I'm planning a skateboard guitar (sk8ar) you'll be able to watch that build on myspace bulletin and my blog-(should i do a demo- I'd probably fall on my ___), then I'll be finishing the Dragon Bass that breathes fire.

I am interested in hollow body design, and will be making archtop guitars and some bass guitars with the old Gibby ripper sound but with a longer scale and completely different look. They all will have a wide tonal range and optional stereo output.

What advice would you give to someone looking to buy a handmade instrument? Do a criminal backgound check, see if they have any warrants. Seriously, a Luthier with a small shop like mine survives on reputation.

CUSTOM means you get what is best for you. Make sure you're able to communicate your vision.
Know the terms and conditions and use paypal or make sure you have a secure way to pay.
Ask if they will offer a standard rental Instrument to try or buy,
deposit & Insurance is necessary, using paypal (or equivalelent) you're both covered.
Are good trees that the Earth needs sacrificed? Can they provide proof that all there wood sources are NOT clear cutting forests and only thin diseased & fully mature trees and replant for the future. I am also a Tree GROWER myself.
Don't expect the impossible; Is there a Floyd Rose 9 string tremolo bridge ?
Get somthing that sounds like it has some MEAT to it.(o;

entire interview; http://www.guitartree.net/the butchers

current 2008 projects

From the Tweaked Vintage line, this is the Gold Finger it gets the old p bass sound and jazz and alot more, Lots of growl

get BUTCHER'd

current 2008 projects

The 12 string extended range Bass.

Below a walnut, alder, maple neck tele with tons of inlay, lots different sounds in the electronics too, but it still twangs like a TELE