This one has been a long time in gestation and it isn't done yet, but it's now playable: http://snipurl.com/k57j http://snipurl.com/k57g My idea was to build a koa topped Tele with an engraved Zemaitis-style pickguard featuring a Hawaiian tropical lagoon scene based on the old metal National resonators. I couldn't find find the right engraver (long story), and I too have drooled over John Catto's work, but I came upon an artist at a local crafts show who specializes in etched aluminum panels. So I gave her a pickguard and images of what I was looking for, and what you see is what she came back with. Kind of hard to photograph, but it looks pretty cool in person. Other specs are: Bookmatched koa top Swamp ash body, bound Suhr Tele pickups Callaham bridge The neck pickup cover is engraved "Aloha" While the body work went well, I wasn't happy with the neck carve to the point where I decided to scrap it and start over (my second guitar, gimme a break!). Will be maple/pau ferro. Meanwhile, I threw a cheap Stew-Mac neck on there to get the guitar playable. It's bright and twangy, like a Tele should be.
Hi, I'm new around this parts. That's a beautiful guitar you have made. Your engraver did some really nice work as well. Stunning!
