Rick Toone | Luthier

Neck Joint

There's something growing in my shop.

I was surprised the other day to find some — thing — in my vise, the floor covered with wood shavings. Rasps and files scattered 'round. No recollection how or why it got there.

What IS it?!

Approaching with caution, I surreptitiously snapped this photo. Just to prove it existed, and to pass the image to our panel of experts for analysis.

After hours of intense discussion, even the finest minds were unable to conclusively determine its origin. It displays mysterious lead-based hieroglyphs, below referred to as "Unidentified Markings."

Experts were however, able to state with certainty that it is DEFINITELY NOT an Orchid bass with Trapezoidal Neck Profile employing structural materials of curly walnut, curly maple, ribbon mahogany and ebony. At this point, they are calling it an isolated incident.

NOTE: Lower image enlarged and digitally enhanced to show detail.

Ukulele

We think of guitar as "feminine" because womanly curves beckon, substitute for a lover's body when desire lies out of reach. Or out of town. Perhaps that is why the skilled touch of a woman playing acoustic guitar is so erotic, resonating with implied bisexual overtones.

Ah, those upper register harmonics. Zing!

But guitar is restless, inventive, wandering the seas barefoot on teak decks beneath creaking hemp lines and the equatorial sun. Sunburnt and swollen, spewing progeny in fertile climes, inextricably linked and traceable through DNA decryption to a common ancestor in the south of Spain. So, in that sense, guitar pretends masculine.

But we know her contralto whisper inhabits earth to seduce men.

One of guitar's offspring is a diminutive four stringed nymph born in Hawaii. Beguiling, uncomplicated, inviting casual dalliance and evoking tropical stars winking through atmospheric haze. We are talking of course about ukulele — which translated literally from Hawaiian means "jumping flea" — a name that should give pause due the implied bite.

If you haven't taken ukulele seriously, it's because of unfamiliarity with her capabilities. I'll bet you've never solicited her affection, instead ignored her in the moonlight, at the dance. Here to make you feel inadequate is Jake Shimabukuro...

While capable of endowing sublime ecstasy, ukulele can induce giggles like gaggles of infatuated Japanese school girls strung out on pop-culture. U900 is based one island chain to the left of Hawaii.

Careful...this one's infectious.

What is art?

Prod a severed frog's leg with electricity and the dead nerve will signal muscles to contract, forcing the leg to kick. Stimulus, reaction.

Attempting art is breath-holding exploration though unfamiliar topography. A conscious decision to strike out overland, in hopes of an alternate route home.

To me, that first deliberate step into the unknown feels like electricity when my brain decides to irrevocably alter an instrument into which I've invested over a hundred hours of hand labor. My body reacts with adrenalin.

Tingle of risk.

Sometimes, the electricity extends to others. Photos of Simplicity headless multi-scale guitar sparked fantastic comments:

"Wow. Nice effects. That looks like it's been bolted together out of salvage from a sea battle."

"Looks like a medieval weapon."

"Now I am sure that you were abducted by aliens and somehow managed to steal their secret guitar designs."

"I really love the instrument. In particular the design & build quality of the controls and their re-location is such an elegant solution to a long standing issue. The instrument makes a strong statement."

But is it art?

My undergrad poetry prof. Peter Wood once said: "The purpose of art is to comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable."

PS: I should clarify on record that (yes) I was abducted by aliens and shown guitar design technology. Radiohead wrote about my experience in Subterranean Homesick Alien:

I wish that they'd swoop down in a country lane,
late at night when I'm driving.
Take me on board their beautiful ship,
show me guitars as I'd love to see them.

I'd tell all my friends but they'd never believe me,
They'd think that I'd finally lost it completely...

Ergonomic Guitar Controls

When we think about ergonomics, we usually obsess about body shape, neck profile or scale length. But what about controls?

Les Pauls and Strats feel very different, in part due to the location of the switches, potentiometers and jack. For me, at least, after I've logged some hours with one of those instruments, jumping to the other feels like caressing an alien species. Where is the bridge pickup tone knob, again?!

In the interests of promoting complete disorientation, you'll notice I've relocated controls for Simplicity multi-scale (fanned-fret) headless guitar. Everything is shifted forward, clustered around the neck-to-body joint. This removes the controls from the arc of your picking hand. Strum the intro to Pinball Wizard without fear of breaking your Metacarpal or Proximal phalange.

More importantly, we are now best friends with Switchcraft Jack.

Jack has never really been a true friend, before. He's always there, drinks your beer (without replacement), hits on your girlfriend, sleeps on the couch, and — worst of all — leaves his shoes in the middle of the floor for you to step on in the dark. He's only allowed to stay because things would be too quiet without him. Don't you just know that guy?

So, following Abraham Lincoln's advice, the guitar cable jack is now close to your chest. He hangs out by the strap button, where he's completely unobtrusive. It's easy to keep an eye on his behavior. Skewer him with a 1/4" TS and toss the cord over your shoulder.

The copper guitar pickups rings and control shields are fabricated by hand. As are the stainless steel "tie-downs" and strap buttons. Pickups are Seymour Duncan Antiquity: Tele neck with PAF bridge. Les Paul style switch and cable jack are Switchcraft (made in USA). The "bad hair day" wildness is due to wiring-in-progress.

Dysperium — Black Metal

James Brown emailed me a few months ago:

I came across your website recently by accident...and stayed up until almost 4 in the morning reading. I am extremely impressed by your designs, and reasons for them. I have been on a quest for the perfect guitar for some time.

I just wanted to get in touch. I feel that we are like minded individuals, with mutual interests and ideals. I hope that doesn't sound presumptuous, but judging from what I've read on your site I feel it is an accurate statement. I would love to see your shop sometime.

Both James' music and artwork choices resonated, striking a kindred artistic nerve. The images match the music, and some part of my brain haunts those evocative landscapes. I don't quite have words to articulate the connection.

Dysperium is folk, death metal, and black metal cascading guitar rhythms alternately shimmering then grinding in nuanced textures. Combined with his vocal work and the drums, bass and co-production of songwriting partner John, their music inspires me to blacksmith titanium designs in the guitar shop. Dysperium has been signed to Frostcald Records.

In the ensuing months, James has introduced me to a slew of his musical influences: Red Sparowes, Ulver, Primordial, Tenhi and Opeth.

James is based in Indiana, but I'm hoping he'll get an opportunity to test fly Simplicity multi-scale (fanned fret) guitar with Toone & Townsend Treble 6 headless tuning system. Is this a mid-winter road trip itch I'm feeling? Anyone else getting cabin fever?

Amber Shellac Guitar Finish

I am partway through the process of applying an amber shellac finish to Simplicity multi-scale (fanned-fret) headless guitar.

The ergonomic electric guitar will be distressed — deliberately made to look like a 250 year old instrument. Techniques include burning or discoloring areas of the body. The exception is the neck, which will be crisp and pristine present tense.

To achieve the aged or distressed appearance, finish is applied, (partially) removed, and reapplied in thin layers, gradually building in thickness to the desired look. The final result will include more deep red/amber tones in a subtle sunburst, like a Stradivarius violin.

Shellac is organic, made from insects, and non-toxic.

Skilled eyes will wonder what the hell am I doing, carving cavities throughout the body. The purpose is to expose the gorgeous Toone & Townsend Treble Six bridge and tuning system. This hardware is 360 degree fine mechanical art and deserves ogling!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Supply your own drool towl.

I'd love to stay and chat but I'm headed back out to the shop. I've got a date with Cupid semi-hollow body electric guitar...and some titanium.