Black & Tan

Black & Tan was my first archtop guitar to utilize this bold offset body style with the oval upper bout soundhole, way back in 1999. Many years later, after I had developed my designs and skills considerably, I determined that it was time for a rebuild and rethink of this old guitar. I reused the remarkable figured Macassar ebony back and sides, and handcarved sitka spruce top. I did build an entirely new mahogany neck, with a two-way truss rod, and a new fretboard of striped ebony and matching pickguard, bridge, and tailpiece. For more versatility, I added a floating Kent Armstrong pickup with volume and tone controls discreetly tucked under the pickguard.