Gary Rizzolo, 15" Venetian cutaway acoustic with Nasturtium inlay (ART & OBJECTS 2024)

Photos:

Ren Rizzolo

15” Venetian cutaway acoustic with Nasturtium inlay The fan fret fretboard for guitars and basses was a system for modern instruments introduced by Ralph Novak which has developed into the multi-scale fretboard. The concept is based on the ‘Orpharion’ by Francis Palmer made in 1617. It is a fantastic system for 5 or 6 string electric bass guitars where the tension is increased for the lower detuned Bass strings while in a standard fretboard they have less tension. It is also a brilliant for guitar players who choose to play in different tunings such as DADGAD so that the lower pitched strings have greater tension. The guitar is a Small Jumbo 15” (375mm) venetian cutaway model. The multi-scale fretboard is 26” (660mm) on the bass side and 25”(635mm) on the treble side. I have constructed a jig for doing this precise fret cutting without a CNC router. The top is Adirondack spruce from the appalachian mountains, a prized tone wood. The braces are from a wedge of aged violin spruce and glued to the soundboard with hot hide glue. The back and sides are from recycled old stock (1960s) Brazilian Rosewood. This material was the mainstay of instrument making in the USA for most of the last century. Now however its availability is quite limited and recycling is the best option. The Neck and all the binding on the body and the fretboard is Tasmanian fiddleback Blackwood while the fretboard is African Ebony. The sound-hole rosette is also Tasmanian fiddleback Blackwood surrounded by green abalone shell with a fine black veneer. The inlays are Lobelia flowers on the twelfth fret in blue and grey veneers. The headstock face is solid ebony and the Nasturtium flowers are inlaid with coloured veneers of red, yellow, green and olive. The images came from photographs I took in various gardens and the red flashes on the nasturtium were so unique I had to use them. There is an elliptical side sound port which gives the player immediate sound of the instrument. The bevel armrest is fiddleback Blackwood matching the binding, which reduces the sharp edge for the players arm allowing for a more comfortable playing position. Purfling uses Maple and Walnut veneers which are pre bent. The bridge is of Macassar ebony, a more responsive material because of its reduced weight. The guitar has a vibrant, rich, warm tone across the whole range whether it is in standard tuning or altered tunings. Gary Rizzolo

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