Figured Bubinga and Sequoia Ariel

This is an Ariel guitar with exceptionally figured Bubinga back and sides, and a beautiful Sequoia Redwood top.

Sequoia is a protected species, and has not been much exploited as a tonewood, but when a tree does become available, it can yield huge pieces ideal for soundboards. Very stiff and rather brittle, it gives a sound a little crisper than Cedar, but not as harsh as Spruce. This particular piece has been on the shelf here for about ten years, and was just big enough for this project. Bubinga is from the opposite side of the world, not available for ordinary joinery, but ideal for guitar makers, and just waiting to be used in a unique instrument.

The fingerboard and bridge are of highly coloured Brazillian Rosewood, from a very old stock held by an English joiner who died in 1941.

The neck is African Mahogany, paler than South American, but likely to be used more and more as other supplies disappear. A central lamination of African Ebony matches the dark Siricote bindings, oiled Rosewood truss rod cover, and hand made Ebony tuner buttons. The Bubinga headstock facing is cut from the spare timber from the guitar back. Internally, the bracing is hand split super fine grain Sitka Spruce from Ketchikan in Alaska. Marquetry purflings, Elixir nanoweb light guage strings. Stunning looks with an open, breathy tone.