• My Artist series instruments are usually characterized by fairly elaborate inlays whose theme is often inspired by known masterpieces. Up until recently, this series was essentially limited to Archtop Guitars. Some recent examples can be found in my Gallery/Archtop section (eg "Picasso's Girl", "Sad City", "The Morning Song").

• I've recently decided to extend its membership to Solid Bodies, a group often neglected by guitar builders in terms of decorative elements.  In this particular case, I chose Gustav Klimt's masterpiece, "The Kiss", as my "source of inspiration". 

                           

 

• This inlay is composed of over 100 pieces of various types of Mother of Pearl shells (thanks Andy!). The tiny flowers were painted on with acrylics of various colors. “Gold” dust was sputtered randomly on the shaded top in an attempt to reproduce the background in the original painting. I probably spent more time on that than on the inlay itself: lots and lots of scrap test pieces were put to good use. The guitar itself is slightly larger than a traditional Tele, at 14" lower bout, but hollowed at the wings to reduce weight. The main body wood is mahogany, topped with 3/16" East Indian rosewood.

• It’s the first time that I’ve used the new Seymour-Duncan P-Rails P/U’s and I must say that I’m really pleased with the result: with a DPDT switch, you get 3 very distinct and useable sounds: Humbucker, P-90, and “Strat position 4-like”. Definitely, a major breakthrough in pick up design. Outstanding tone.

 

Detailed specs:

• Telecaster thinline type electric guitar, 14 in. lower bout
• Artist Series inlay: "The Kiss" (Gustav Klimt)
• 1 3/4 inch wide neck at nut, 25.5 in. Fender scale
• Mahogany main body wood, chambered
• East Indian Rosewood Top
• Seymour-Duncan P-Rails pickups
• Custom pickup rings
• 5-piece flame Rosewood/flamre maple neck
• Maple fretboard, abalone position markers
• LMII Double action trussrod
• Schaller M-6 mini tuners, Gold with ebony buttons
• Volume, Tone and 3-position P/U switch
• DPDT mini tone selector: Humbucker, P-90, and Single coil
• Ivoroid binding
• Gotoh Hardtail bridge, gold plated  (black available upon request)
• High gloss Nitrocellulose translucent lacquer finish

 

Blackie

 

  
(more pics in the Solid Body Gallery)