Rick Canton Klein Guitar Variation

From the wilds of sunny New Mexico, this curly maple and swamp ash Klein variation displays many characteristics of luthier Rick Canton's work, including the deep pocket neck firmly grasped by allen bolts.

Could it be a Rick Canton headless guitar?

We know he is working on the prototype Tim Miller guitar — in final form — as well as further developing his Equinox (original) design. So where did he find time to build this one?

Or is there a second "Rick Canton" in the world?!

EDITOR'S NOTE: I don't know about you, but every time I see that niche where the Canton twang-machines regularly appear, I get an urge to breathe deep fir-scented mountain air and eat chiles.

Comments

[Marc Ybaben]

C'mon, you can't tease us with just one pic of the back! More pics, more pics! Looks beautiful, though.

Marc

[Rick Toone]

Actually, Rick sent me *hundreds* of hi-resolution photos of the instrument from every angle. Close ups. Schematics. You could almost TOUCH the grain. Twiddle the knobs. Twang the D string.

But I decided — as Editor (capital "E") — it would be more fun to just tease y'all.

;)

So I guess we'll have to visit Rick's shop. Or convince Graham Smith to send us some photos/vids of himself with his new geetar. In action.

(pleeeeease)

[GregP]

Gadzooks! Looks like a beauty. I agree about the teasing, though!!

Must... see... hardware...

;-)

[Rick Toone]

Truth is...this is the only photo I've got. Shhh.

It's up to Graham, now.

[chris]

Oohh so shapely! Reminds me of that famous photo of Betty Grable ;-)

[Rick Toone]

Chris — I did an image search to learn more about your "Betty Grable" reference. And I would have to agree.

I would also like to postulate a theorem...

THEOREM: A perfectly proportioned (bio)mechanical structure has relevance independent of the variables of time and adornment.

[chris]

I concur! I'm usually wondering what's going on under the adornment anyway.

[Graham]

Photos sound clips (etc.) will follow over the next few weeks/months. But the guitar is superb, and the neck is a dream. I wanted a guitar with the playability of my old Steinberger GM, the vibe of my old Tom Anderson, and the PRS sprinkle of magic dust...and I've probably got all that. Rick knows how to make a few pieces of wood and a bit of metal sparkle and resonate.

All this was done via email from the UK.

Cheers, Graham

[05Ric]

Hmmm she's a beauty! Can't say I like the tease-ing much though :)

[Marc Ybaben]

OK, guys, c'mon already with the pics...

M

[Rick Toone]

Doh!

It looks like we've got a full blown "WE WANT MORE PHOTOS" revolutionary movement on our hands. Really, that's all I've got. Just the one. Rob — barricade the doors!

If it's any consolation though, I was talking to Rick Canton on the phone this past weekend and he informed me of some very significant news. Good news. Soon. Very soon.

Remember, you heard it here first.

[Graham]

I have been really busy with work commitments but i will try my best to get some photos to you this weekend.

Cheers Graham

[Marc Ybaben]

OK, Rick and Rick, I'll be eagerly awaiting the news! ;-)

Marc

[Mats Eriksson]

Great work! Beautiful!
Canton shows pictures of the guitar as a whole. All of the guitar!
Not this guy though:

http://members.shaw.ca/wilkatguitars/JH_Headlessguitar.html

All photos without the top of the neck. When showing promo pictures of Allan Holdsworth WITH guitar, they chop (Photo-chop) and cuts the picture so no head/headless is shown. As they do this often to hide the brand on headstock it ain't needed on headless. Wonder why?

Have any of you wondered why certain manufacurers (not Steinberger of course) and magazines does not dare to show the complete headless guitar. Bill Frisells records and cover shots comes to mind, especially during his Klein years.

[Mats Eriksson]

And here's the fast answer he gave:
---------------------
"But the bottom line is, I like to take photos that show where the majority of my work and effort has been expended, and the graphite composite necks and head pieces are not manufactured by me, so I have no great interest in promoting those, and in many cases the necks were supplied by the customers for me to use when making the custom guitar bodies. All the wood necks were made by me, but even then, the head pieces are not, and beyond them, there is really nothing to show (except in the cases where there are headstocks)"

BIll Wilkat

----------------

Ok, I know that we headless punters are not one of those into italian design,fashion and every form and design should be the most important thing. We've been slagged and took a lot of flak for that (and still taking). But hey, it is a VERY GOOD IDEA to get the glimpse of all of the guitar in order to see it's TOTAL PROPORTIONS, and one can just detect by the glimpse of the eye whether it contains harmonic proportions, and symmetry. It's ok for private luthiers to do anything, but in order to sell their stuff to others they need to be more open about things.

Just as if Steinberger should show just the headless neck and not the body, because that's where their most effort and design ideas are put, and what's most recognisable.