1999 - Spalt Instruments

G9901 'Juju'

A semi-hollow construction based around an African mask. The back is Cedar. A Lace sensor is mounted into an opening and screwed directly to the back. A handcarved aluminum bridge guides the strings through the "mouth" of the mask into a string holder on the back of the guitar. The result is a transparent acoustic sound.

The 'Flaguitar Series'

The 'Flaguitar' series consists of 12 guitars, each topped with a section of an old 40's American flag I found at a thrift shop. The iconic nature of the flag coupled with its strong graphic elements proved irresistible, and over the course of a year I made 12 bodies. A 13th body was subsequently decorated with the remnants.

G9902 'Flaguitar #1 - Lefty'

'Flaguitar #1 - Lefty' combines a cedar body with a vintage DeArmond Humbucker and a Lindy Fralin SP 43 tele pickup.

G9903 'Flaguitar# 3 - Patriot Annie'

Based around a photo I found on the street outside of a cafe. American iconography - eternal conflict between the right and the left, both claiming the flag for their own.

The body is Redwood. With a favorite combination of minihumbucker in the neck and Tele pickup in the bridge position.

G 9904 'Flaguitar #7 - American Lunch'

Redwood back with Mahogany neck and Rosewood fingerboard. Two Lollar minihumbuckers.

G9905 'Flaguitar #8 - Watching You'

G9907 'Flaguitar #5 - Oklahoma'

The obvious connection here is to the bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma City. Despite the trauma, the slogan "Oklahoma is OK" spells resilience and optimism that such an event can be overcome.

Again the combination of Tele bridge with neck minihumbucker.

G9909 'Flaguitar #2'

G9911 'Expecting'

Multicolored combs found in a box at a fleamarket for the backdrop for a composition that came about as we were expecting our first child. A heavy body of quilted Mahogany, its weight relieved by extensive carving. Lollar P-90's and Wilkinson adjustable bridge.

G0015 'Shoeless'

Based around some sliced-up shomaker's lasts (the forms around which the leather is stretched and formed). A single vintage Gibson P-90 with clear bobbin in the ideal harmonic position.

G9917 'Santa Barbara Beachwalk'

Lollar P-90 in the neck, Lollar imperial (splittable) in the bridge. Gotho Steel block vintage style tremolo. Mahogany back, Mahogany neck w/ Rosewood fingerboard.