Inspired by Guild
- Thread starter GGJaguar
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That's very cool. Definitely Guild-inspired!
bobouz
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Here’s another one I’ve always felt was somewhat inspired by Guild. When Ibanez ventured into their own designs in the late ‘70s, this is what they came up with. It’s one I’ve always liked, and it remains a signature headstock shape, especially on their electrics. This example is from a 1981 M-340 acoustic:
Brucebubs
Senior Member
I'm with Ralph.
How many guitars has anyone ever seen on display in a music store with curly string ends like that?
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
That "Bishop" guitar is not a Japanese "Lawsuit era" guitar but was recently custom made by a Canadian Luthier Fritz Jones for Jazz Musician Ben Bishop from Toronto.
Ben Bishop tells the story on Instagram:
"Quite a few years ago, I was hanging out with a good friend of mine, @fritz_jones78 , who happens to be an excellent luthier. After complimenting one of his most recent instruments, he turned to me and asked, "So, when are WE going to build YOUR guitar?" I was a little stunned and asked him to clarify. Did he intentionally use the word "we?" He assured me that it was absolutely intentional and that, since we were old friends with a mutual interest in archtop guitars, I would take part in the entire process. And so, in February of 2017, we began the long process of crafting an instrument that met all of my specifications, chipping away at it whenever our schedules allowed. I even designed my own headstock graphic based upon a sketch I had done of a stylized Bishop chess piece. A couple days ago we came to the end of the journey and I'm happy to say that it is better than I had ever imagined...and then some! I am so grateful to my friend for sharing his craft with me, putting up with my lacklustre skills, and for remaining committed to seeing this thing through. I honestly believe that he is a master in the making. I am so proud of this instrument and blown away by what we were able to accomplish! "
And in a second post he wrote:
"Here are a few more pictures of the amazing new instrument that my friend @fritz_jones78 and I built. He did the bulk of the serious work but allowed me to have a hand in every step of the process. The specs and design are all according to my ideals of what an archtop should be. I'm totally knocked out by this instrument and especially by the lutherie skills of my friend! A nod of appreciation must also go to my friend Stephen Candib whom I consulted with about certain particulars and who helped realize my headstock shape and graphic design."
There was also an article on jazzguitar.be with the headstock picture GG posted and a few more of the finished guitar:
Ralf
Ben Bishop tells the story on Instagram:
"Quite a few years ago, I was hanging out with a good friend of mine, @fritz_jones78 , who happens to be an excellent luthier. After complimenting one of his most recent instruments, he turned to me and asked, "So, when are WE going to build YOUR guitar?" I was a little stunned and asked him to clarify. Did he intentionally use the word "we?" He assured me that it was absolutely intentional and that, since we were old friends with a mutual interest in archtop guitars, I would take part in the entire process. And so, in February of 2017, we began the long process of crafting an instrument that met all of my specifications, chipping away at it whenever our schedules allowed. I even designed my own headstock graphic based upon a sketch I had done of a stylized Bishop chess piece. A couple days ago we came to the end of the journey and I'm happy to say that it is better than I had ever imagined...and then some! I am so grateful to my friend for sharing his craft with me, putting up with my lacklustre skills, and for remaining committed to seeing this thing through. I honestly believe that he is a master in the making. I am so proud of this instrument and blown away by what we were able to accomplish! "
And in a second post he wrote:
"Here are a few more pictures of the amazing new instrument that my friend @fritz_jones78 and I built. He did the bulk of the serious work but allowed me to have a hand in every step of the process. The specs and design are all according to my ideals of what an archtop should be. I'm totally knocked out by this instrument and especially by the lutherie skills of my friend! A nod of appreciation must also go to my friend Stephen Candib whom I consulted with about certain particulars and who helped realize my headstock shape and graphic design."
There was also an article on jazzguitar.be with the headstock picture GG posted and a few more of the finished guitar:
Bishop - cool custom archtop
They're doing amazing things with 3D printers these days. Or they're singing songs of love. Or something like that. I just spent some time with my pal Mr. Bishop, playing his very new 17' archtop
www.jazzguitar.be
Ralf
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What a stunning guitar Ralf. You have to smile and just shake your head that it is yours and you designed and help make it.
Wow. That is really exquisite! That is a truly custom piece, carved wood and all. Maybe Guild inspired, but definitely Luthier-built
Bob, that Ibby headstock is really sweet, and I would agree that it was probably Guild-inspired as well, particularly in the aftermath of the lawsuit era.
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I've been outed! Having had a chance to play this guitar a bit after it was finished, I must say it really is a wonderful acoustic archtop. And also a wonderful electric archtop! Kudos to the builder, to the assistant builder, and so forth!...Ben Bishop tells the story on Instagram:
..."Here are a few more pictures of the amazing new instrument that my friend @fritz_jones78 and I built. He did the bulk of the serious work but allowed me to have a hand in every step of the process. The specs and design are all according to my ideals of what an archtop should be. I'm totally knocked out by this instrument and especially by the lutherie skills of my friend! A nod of appreciation must also go to my friend Stephen Candib whom I consulted with about certain particulars and who helped realize my headstock shape and graphic design."
There was also an article on jazzguitar.be with the headstock picture GG posted and a few more of the finished guitar:
Bishop - cool custom archtop
They're doing amazing things with 3D printers these days. Or they're singing songs of love. Or something like that. I just spent some time with my pal Mr. Bishop, playing his very new 17' archtopwww.jazzguitar.be
Ralf
Brucebubs
Senior Member
Beautiful guitar with ugly string curls - I always say to people who do this "How many guitars have you seen on display in guitar stores with the string ends curled up on the headstock?'
adorshki
Reverential Member
'At's exactly how I do 'em. I like my girls with curls, not buzzcuts.
Welcome Aboard, Hammertone! I'm a bit confused, though, is the "Bishop" your guitar?
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No, the Bishop belongs to the eponymous Mr. Ben Bishop, and I am not he. I helped sort out the final artwork for the headstock, based on Ben's design, and supplied a few bits of hardware, including the lovely tailpiece. And I posted the photos of the headstock and finished guitar resting comfortably on my chair, over at the jazzguitar.be forum. I do like old Guild guitars, and this fine instrument certainly tips its hat in that direction.
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