The 2019 “Prototype” BlueLine

 

The first time I wired up a set of Ron Ellis’ pickups into one of my Koencasters I was blown away… I immediately called Ron up and said “Why can’t there be a floating archtop pickup that captures the same experience?” What I hear in Ron’s pickups is a sense of truth; clarity and accuracy, without being harsh or coloring the guitars voice in an unnatural way. In 2019, I built this modest BlueLine guitar, one without any bling, and something of a breadboard that I could hand to Ron so he could essentially have fun with and be inspired to create something special and that he did! This was also the first guitar I finished with an oil varnish finish and since then, all but one has followed suit. (Click here to view some videos of this guitar being played at the 2022 Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival)

 

 

Specifications

• 16.25″ Lower Bout, 3″ depth
• X Braced
• Romanian Spruce Top
• Figured Romanian Maple Back and Sides
• One piece Maple neck
• Unbound body and fholes
• 1.73″ Bone Nut Width
• 12″ Fingerboard Radius
• 25.25″ scale
• Palisander Rosewood Fingerboard
• Side position markers in mop
• Headstock veneers in Rosewood
• Carved Rosewood Tailpiece
• Carved and compensated, adjustable Rosewood bridge
• Very first Ron Ellis floating humbucker
• Volume knob on top of pickguard with stealth tone knob beneath
• Waverly Tuners with Ebony buttons
• Oil varnish finish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: acoustic archtop, art of luthiery, Best Archtop, best guitars, boutique guitars, custom guitar, guitar builder, guitar maker, Guitar making, Koentopp Guitars, Luthier, The art of Lutherie, Violin tradition, woodworking

Posted on Thursday, January 5th, 2023 at in Instruments.