Artisan Master  # 150

Top: 5A Quilt Maple (woof) with Inlaid Top Option
Body & Neck: Black Limba
Headstock: Matching Quilt Maple with Inlaid Option
Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
Pickups: WCR Darkburst - Stabilized Black Limba Bobbins
Bridge: Thorn Hardtail
Inlays: Art Deco purfling + Dragon Fly
Appointments: Brazilian Rosewood (Tuner buttons, strap buttons, knobs, pickup rings, back plate)
Color: Stained Olive Drab


Looks Dept:
Well, to say that's a spectacular top is probably an understatement. It is absolutely incredible. The combination of green, brown (BRW) and dirty straw (limba) is a beautiful backdrop for the flashy paua purfling and inlays. It all works so well too, it breathtaking.
Things to note is that Glenn concocted the 3-stage stain for this guitar. First green, then brown and finally a wash of diluted amber. All with a light sand in between, then straight to clear top coat...no sprayed color coat at all. Glenn is the man!
Roger at THG did a bang-up job getting me the BRW tuner buttons too, thank you very much for knocking them out so quick!
Tone Dept:
Ah...the Thorn Hardtail makes a return. There isn't many Artisans with the hardtail so it's always a treat to strum one for the first time. So much resonance and sustain it's amazing. The notes blossom and actually seem to get louder as they ring out. The WCRs do their magic when it comes to throaty overdrive with just the right amount of definition and complete string/note independence. Fairly basic wiring with a push/pull on the Tone kicks the neck humbucker coils into parallel for that added jazzy clarity which I dig so much.

Derek - thank you for the great concept and patience you've supplied. Here's to hoping it's everything you've wanted and much more!

To #150!

Ron