your flamed redwood-top axes: tell me about them and post pics!

[Millo 3.1]

As the title says, please describe the sound of your flamed-redwood-topped guitars, model (builder/model/year/off-the-shelf or custom-order), construction (typical set-neck, neckthrough, bolt-on, chambered body, solid body, other woods?), tell me how you got 'em and post pics of them! Feel free to to tell any stories related to them. Thanks!

[kludge]

Here I am with Kallisti, my redwood-topped acoustic... she was built by Rick Davis at Running Dog Guitars (http://www.vtguitars.com). Although it's not very visible in the image, there's quite a bit of flame in the top. That is a GREAT guitar. It's gone toe-to-toe with an Olson and held its ground, even better in many ways. Many who have played it think it's the best acoustic they've ever tried.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/40/96614898_e2c78afd71_o.jpg

[motorcitychick]

Nice guitar.

[jimmybcool]

I have a McPherson brw/redwood that is one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen. Having said that, at this time I think I am NOT a redwood player. I prefer the brighter tones of spruce. This one sounds great just not me. I also have a McPherson brw/englemann that gets all my time. ALong with a Petros I just got.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-5/1007615/DSC_1480.jpg

[dwes]

I have a McPherson brw/redwood that is one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen. Having said that, at this time I think I am NOT a redwood player. I prefer the brighter tones of spruce. This one sounds great just not me. I also have a McPherson brw/englemann that gets all my time. ALong with a Petros I just got.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-5/1007615/DSC_1480.jpg


Schweet!:banana

[Millo 3.1]

I have a plain-redwood soundboard hand-built classical from 1995 that has a paper-thin top and paper-thin shellac. The top is cracked in 5 different spots, shellac is almost gone, looks horrible--many people say it reminds them of Willie Nelson's axe. It has a very peculiar sound and is loud as hell... somewhere between a classical guitar, a piano and a banjo, LOL! Even though it's in not-so-good condition, I still keep and play it during lessons (it's so scratched that it's safer to use this one for lessons).

Those are great-looking axes guys.

Anymore flamed-redwood acoustics out there?

I saw some flamed-redwood electrics on another thread. Do you guys care to comment on their sound, construction, history behind the instrument, what pickups you have there (or you have tried) etc?

[Millo 3.1]

bumpitty bumpitty bump

[Jim S]

Sadowsky

The color changes quite a bit with different lighting: from light to dark and the flames 'move' quite a bit


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Sadowsky/REDWOOD/redwoodrocksturned.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Sadowsky/REDWOOD/redwoodfull1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Sadowsky/REDWOOD/redwoodfinishedobliqueslate.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Sadowsky/REDWOOD/redwoodoutdoorsmod.jpg

[Deaj]

That Sadowski is beautiful!!

[Millo 3.1]

Is that Sadowsky (sp?) chambered? Do you think the flamed redwood top imparts a specific timbre to your guitar? Gorgeous guitar, I can only imagine the great iridescense (sp?) of that top.

[Jim S]

I don't think it's chambered but I'm not sur; I think Sadowsky chambers his basses.

It sounds unique: like a full elegant strat ..which is pretty vague. Consider the elements:


redwood top on alder body
Brazilian rosewood fingerboard on maple neck
bolt-on neck
25-1/2" scale
tremelo
Lollar P90s
5 way switch; pull bridge give outside coils like a Tele; all 3 pups at once can be selected too

[Paul Conway]

I don't think it's chambered but I'm not sur; I think Sadowsky chambers his basses.

It sounds unique: like a full elegant strat ..which is pretty vague. Consider the elements:


redwood top on alder body
Brazilian rosewood fingerboard on maple neck
bolt-on neck
25-1/2" scale
tremelo
Lollar P90s
5 way switch; pull bridge give outside coils like a Tele; all 3 pups at once can be selected too


Not a combo you see much: p90's and alder. I wonder if the top imparts any tonal modification a la maple..

That guitar - with a Reverend-style bass contour control - really could be my perfect instrument.

[Millo 3.1]

In any case it looks like a wonderful instrument, I'm sure it sounds like heaven...

Yeah I wonder if I want my future "ideal" electric to have a flamed redwood top. I'm in the camp of "playing technique, strings, pickups and amps have the most effect on tone" but I'm also in the "different woods make string resonate in different ways" camp. I loooove the look of flamed rosewood.

From my classical experience, rosewood-tops guitars tend to lend a darkish but pianistic tone in comparison to spruce or cedar tops. You also hear a lot of the initial attack, very punchy. I wonder how this translates to the solid-body and chambered-body electric guitar world.

[Jim S]

I am guessing the top imparts something to the tone (I have no idea what) but for the most part it has the alder, maple neck, rosewood, bolt-on flavor.

It sounds like no other electric I have played.

[Millo 3.1]

It sounds like no other electric I have played. ...I bet in a good way!!! If it's in a good way: individuality is a great thing! It's a gorgeous instrument, to boot.