New World model

In 2006 I built a new guitar inspired by the classic small US guitars of the 20s and 30s, in particular one I heard played many years ago by Stefan Grossman.

Although built in factories, these guitars were basically hand made by skilled craftsmen using the high quality materials then readily available. The best were outstanding instruments, built mostly with Brazilian rosewood back and sides and Adirondack spruce soundboards.

Construction

The soundboard is Adirondack or Italian spruce, supported by a lighter development of the MS Signature model bracing pattern.
 
The back and sides are  Brazilian rosewood, Wengé or African Blackwood. The neck has a gentle ‘V’ provile and is made of Wengé, with Mahogany and Madagascar rosewood available as options. The fingerboard and bridge are ebony, tuners are Gohtoh 510 with optional black buttons.

The binding is maple with red and black purfling around back and sides, and birdsfoot and red and black purfling around the top and soundhole. 

John Wheeler's New World guitar

In 2007 I built an experimental New World with a Madagascar rosewood neck for John Wheeler of Hayseed Dixie. ‘It really rings’ he said as soon as he tried it. It clearly suits his energetic cross-picking plectrum style.
John says:

'The guitar is absolutely fantastic.  She has a personality that is all her own.  I have been courting her for several months now, and yet I still always feel the warm scent of possibility on the breeze every time I pick her up.  She's an elusive girl, with her own will and idiosyncrasies, but she keeps drawing me in at a primal level.

Wengé for bodies and necks

Wengé is now standard material for New World necks, with Cuban mahogany and Madagascar rosewood available as options. I also offer the option of Italian spruce for the soundboard instead of Adirondack spruce, and African Blackwood or Wengé for back and sides instead of Brazilian rosewood. All these woods make outstanding sounding guitars.

 
New World guitar with Wengé back, sides and neck