Swannanoa20

The summer of July, 2011 marked the 20th Anniversary of the Swannanoa Gathering and I was honored and excited be a part the celebration!!! My life, and the lives of hundreds, young and old, have been changed for the better as a result of our wonderful experiences at this music workshop. For several weeks every July, this enchanting and beautiful campus is filled with music, laughter, challenge, and triumph. And you are invited!!! This guitar was sold at auction on the last day of "Guitar Week". Below are in-progress and completed photos of the guitar: Gerald Sheppard Madrigal Deep Bodied Grand Concert - Flamed Cocobolo Rosewood back and sides - Master Grade Swiss Spruce top - Swannanoa Gathering 20th Anniversary MOP logo - Lower bout comfort bevel - African Blackwood bevel and binding Shop photos:
Rare Highly Flamed Cocobolo Rosewood.	Master Grade Swiss Spruce Top.
Back joined and trimmed - figure is amazing!!.	Back braces being glued.
Rosette area readied for rosette channels.	Rosette cutter in action.
Channels and soundhole cutter.	Beautiful inlayed Select Blue Paua Rosette.
Top bracing pattern on inside of top.	Location of top bevel comfort bevel.
Back bracing.	Top bracing is getting there. (note carbon fiber at X-bracing joint - that's Rick Turner's idea as far as I know)
Gluing comfort bevel in place.	Comfort bevel lining.
Using a radused dish to mate with top and back to sides.	Carbon fiber side staves add strength, transfer sound, are many times more rigid that wood, and weigh about half as much.
Radiused Lining.	Removing as much weight as possible from the bevel lining.
Checking the fit of the top and side rim.	Back glued to sides, spine label installed.
Spine label "In celebration of the 20th Anniversary".	Top and back glued on, edges rough trimmed..
Binding channels are cut.	Routing side channels.
Cutting away top for bevel.	Laying in back purfling.
Trimming top purfling.	Installing African Blackwood binding.
Beautiful African Blackwood bevel.
I decided that this was a job for someone who knows the pearl inlay business. Excellent job by the folks at Precision Pearl Inc, Austin TX. Thanks folks!	The channels and pearl were so well cut that it took me all of 5 seconds to make this transformation!
Fingerboard inlay at 17th fret.	"Swannanoa Green" (dyed maple) purfling on African Blackwood bound fingerboard.
Completed photos:

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