Trent Palelei, Art Deco Blackwood & Spruce Guitar (ART, OBJECTS 2021)

This is a medium-bodied steel-string guitar with a lutz spruce soundboard and amazing figured Australian Blackwood back and sides. The beautiful strong figure of the blackwood needed proportionally strong framing so is trimmed in ebony bindings. It also has matching ergonomic comfort contours; an ebony arm bevel and rib rest. Both contours reduce player fatigue and soreness that can result from long playing sessions. The arm bevel provides comfort to the right forearm removing a pressure point. The rib rest removes a pressure point from the rib or chest area and also allows the guitar to be closer to the body and therefore for the shoulder to hang in a more natural position. The florentine cutaway also has a ebony contour to allow easier access to the higher frets and provides comfortable The art deco inlays of flame maple provide contrast both with the hard geometric shape and the counter tight and regular figure of the mapel. The non-concentric circle rosette is made from offcuts from the Blackwood back and sides and inlaid with ebonised veneer and is repeated in both the headstock and heel cap. All inlays are hand cut and inlaid with a dremel used to hog out the bulk of the cavity but chisels and scalpels to achieve fine and tight decoration. The bridge is made from a lightweight black wood to ensure the high performing and resonant guitar but has ebonised with vinegar and steel wool solution to keep the visual continuity with the binding and fretboard. The bridge is also pinless for quicker string changes and also has a hidden wear bone inlaid for durability and long life.

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