Serial Number 024

Left Handed Grand Concert

Started on March 26, 2024: completed on April 28, 2024

An extra left handed guitar is always something I think about. I know there aren’t a lot of left handed players out there, but I do need to be able to accommodate them if they are interested in my work.

There actually happens to be interest in the only left handed guitar build I have available so it is best to have another one available. Building a Grand Concert size would offer a choice in sizes and sound to an interested player.

For this build, I have decided on using the last set of torrefied Sitka Spruce – I really like working with the torrefied wood as they have this sugary kind of smell when you work them. A set of T’Zalam was chosen for the back and sides set. This is a newer set of wood I had gotten in so it is worth trying out.

The two T’Zalam sets in hand have a swirl figure in them – I don’t think the pattern would be considered very “unique” but it does catch the eye. I always prefer wood sets that have visual appeal.

After putting it off for a few days, I had looked through the neck woods and decided to use Khaya (African Mahogany) for the neck. I laminated a piece of Bloodwood in the middle to give it some colour and strength. I have noticed a big improvement with the necks that are laminated – there is less relief to adjust for.

The build stopped for a bit for the bass repair project.

I checked my stack of fingerboards and found an Ebony fingerboard that I cut one fret off at the end. I glued a piece of Mango on the end to give it some contrast to the Ebony. The fingerboard being one fret short is very obvious but I am sure one could be added in if I had to.

SPECS

Body Grand Concert, left handed

Scale 24.9″

Top torrefied Sitka Spruce

Back T’Zalam

Sides T’Zalam

Neck Khaya African Mahogany/Bloodwood strip

Fingerboard Ebony

Bridge Rosewood

Tuning Machines Gotoh 381

Strings D’Addario EJ26 Phosphor Bronze