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Here’s yet another beautiful electric guitar from builder Chris Forshage. Being built for Mike Friedman, it includes a ported bout and a lovely redwood top.

Mike on his search for the right instrument:

I wanted a guitar like this for some time but did not know where to get one or if anyone would make it. The Klein seemed like a good choice and a number of players whom I admired played them but I have been playing amplified, small bodied acoustics and I wanted a hollow or semi hollow guitar. So to make a long story even longer.. web searches led me to your blog and it was here I learned of Forshage. Great but where to test drive one? I e-mailed Joe Giglio without so much as a common acquaintance or letter of introduction and he most graciously invited me to play his. I cannot relate how much of a kindness he showed to me and my son when we visited him; he is a gentleman and a hell of a player.

And so, Mike ordered himself a Forshage ergo electric guitar which is in its final stages of construction.

Guitar Specs:

• Redwood top and mahogany back guitar body
• H-S-H Barden pickups with Duo Tone humbuckers
• 25″ scale maple neck with ebony fretboard
• ABM headless bridge system

No Sound Holes?

Chris custom builds his guitars and this instrument is no exception. Mike came up with the idea of porting the upper bout rather than go with the traditional sound holes on the front.

Mike on porting the upper bout:

Instead, I thought that instead of a sound hole, why not port the upper bout; I saw something similar on Adrian Legg’s guitar. I noticed some time ago on an acoustic I had with a preamp in the bout that it sounded better to me when the hatch was opened. Some other makers do this too.

Wrap Up

Mike’s very excited about his redwood topped electric guitar and we can look forward to further updates once the instrument is completed. Thanks for sharing Mike!

Published Apr 21st, 2008 | Topic: Electric Guitar | 19 Comments →

I wanted to take a moment to thank Guitar Parts Central for their continued support of Building the Ergonomic Guitar. For over a year, they’ve helped me focus on the business of bringing you content rather than worry how hosting expenses will be covered.

And if you’re in the market for guitar parts, please take a look. Every Monday, their home page features a Deal of the Week and all orders over $99 ship free.

While you’re there, take a look at their new line of Tesla pickups - ranging from single coil to humbucker, passive to active. For example, check out the Tesla VR-Extreme Humbucker with more information on the line throughout their site.

Published Apr 19th, 2008 | Topic: Blog Notes | Leave a comment →

NYC guitarist Joe Giglio performs “Embraceable You” solo on his Forshage ergo electric guitar. Note the neutral seated playing position the Forshage facilitates. Joe’s torso is upright and there’s no need for a footstool to position the guitar. His shoulders are level and the guitar neck sits at an angle without the need for additional accessories. Overall, it’s a great formula for avoiding musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).

Now enjoy the performance.

Published Apr 17th, 2008 | Topic: Guitar Players | 2 Comments →

In Canton Custom Guitars - Three New Models, we saw electric guitar templates Rick Canton had worked up for several designs. Rick has been hard at work on Model #2 and shared the following…

Guitar Body

The chambered goncalo alves guitar body has changed a bit but it’s still clearly Model #2 from the original article. It’s paired up with a bookmatched curly maple top:

These next two shots give you an idea of the body contouring.

First a view from the neck:

Next a side view:

Extended Heel Neck

The Canton guitar neck includes several interesting features including a 4 bolt extended heel design that reaches far into the guitar body.

And here are its specs:

• Curly maple with rosewood/curly maple heel laminates
• Figured bubinga 25.5″ scale fretboard with 20″ radius
• Zero fret - stainless steel jumbo
• Frets 1-16 - stainless steel medium
• Frets 17-24 - stainless steel small
• 2 graphite stabilizer bars
• 2 way truss rod
• Steinberger top load headpiece

Note the use of three different sized frets which Rick describes as follows:

The 2 (actually intentionally 3 with the jumbo -0- fret) allows for lower action. There is also a feeling of “more room” when holding a chord or running a scale at the higher registers with the fret layout.

I also sanded the fretboard’s 20″ radius thinner at the higher registers. The fretboards thickness goes from 1/4″ at the -0-n fret evenly tapering to just over 1/8″ at the 24th fret. This, coupled with the fret sizes, allows for closer action.

Bridge and Electronics

Rick will be using the Bondy hardtail bridge. You can read more about it in Owner Feedback on the Bondy Guitar Bridge.

Electronics and circuit layout are TBD but the pickups will be some type of humbucker.

More to follow so stay tuned…

Published Apr 15th, 2008 | Topic: Electric Guitar | 12 Comments →