Claro Walnut Sculptural Guitar — Starfish

EDITOR'S NOTE: White sheets. Smooth dark curves. Slow lingering camera shots. Soundtrack featuring copious splashes of wah. Remind you of anything?

I built Starfish in 1993 as my personal instrument. At the time I was fascinated by George Nakashima's furniture, and just starting to spread my metaphorical design wings.

Goran discovered the guitar and convinced me he would be a better curator. Starfish got a complete refurbish and flew to Sweden, where she now resides with her new family. He just created a beautiful video featuring the instrument, compiled from photos taken prior to restoration.

The music is a song written and recorded in my home studio — Fire — in 2004, and features Starfish extensively. This version is the vocal-less instrumental track, which makes it easier to appreciate the sound of the guitar. Signal chain:

Starfish
MesaBoogie MkIV (1991)
AT4050 CM5 (close-mic'ed in vocal booth)
Avalon Vt-737sp
MOTU

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License

Comments

[Rick Canton]

Nice work Rick!

[Mats Eriksson]

Haven't seen any picture of that guitar from full frontal yet. I want full frontal nudity (!?!?!). Have yet to see the full face of that guitar. If that's a hidden secret and holds patent, please wait with showing ANYTHING AT ALL, until everything has to be revealed. I can't judge any symmetry at all on this one, and IMHO the video tells me absolutely nothing at all.

On the contrary, it raises a few questions. Why such a large backplate? Maybe from protecting belt scratches? Anyway I wanted that plates, as well as the tone/volume knob plate at the front, RECESSED. As I know it will stick to your clothes, and whatever, also due to that the screws are round-headed and not flathead. I made sure making my replica Klein bass, and guitar, that ANY plate save for the neck plate, should be recessed and absolute should be devoid from screws that are round headed. Also, a backplate that huge, should benefit from being made from the same wood as the body are made of.

Now, as I told the other guy, Bill Wilkat, I want total figure videos, of the guitar up front or either someone playing it, or at a guitar stand. Only then I can get a fair glimpse of it totally, if it's proportional, have symmetry in its design. This is just like a teaser porn video, where a camera lingers over a womans bodies curves but not showing anyhing for real. Let's leave it all to our imagination should we? :-)

The guitar may be stellar, and stunningly drop dead beautiful, but alas, that video sure wasn't.

[Rick Toone]

Mats — you are a tough critic. But that is also why I value your opinion.

:)

First of all, I think Goran created a beautiful and evocative video. His intention was to express the spirit of the instrument, rather than to document it for a catalog. A bit like the difference between soft porn vs. mail order bride.

Ahem.

Starfish is a difficult guitar to photograph, because there are so few plane surfaces — everything is a curve, and falls away as you change perspectives. If you are craving full frontal Starfish nudity, just look on the front page of my website...

LINK | http://www.ricktoone.com/

At eLUTHERIE.org, the term "should" is pretty much forbidden. We're here to experiment and take risks. So "should" is only always applicable in the following sentence: "Stringed instruments should have strings."

For example, oval headed stainless steel screws half countersunk into the anodized brass plates are a deliberate aesthetic choice. Provides visual and tactile contrast to the smooth dark contours of the walnut. Even playing while wearing a knitted wool sweater, the screw heads are a non-issue, as far as ergonomics.

The back plate seems large, but only because the instrument is small. Much smaller than a Strat, for example. Back plate hides the Floyd Rose Pro spring cavity recess as well as 9v battery for the active EMG pickup system. A side view will demonstrate how the guitar nearly vanishes against your body...

LINK | http://www.ricktoone.com/listen.html

Other videos are pending of this instrument, including some live performance footage (hint: Monster) that will undoubtedly over-saturate everyone's curiosity as well as dispel lingering myths.

As always, Mats, I appreciate your critiques. You speak what's on your mind, which is a great trait. Keep digging!

[Rick Toone]

Thanks very much, Rick.

Built 16 years ago, the instrument still teaches me new things. I really like the Oblique Strategy: "Trust your current self." As well as the corollary, of course.

;)

[Mats]

I agree that the word "should" should (?!) be changed out to "wouldn't it be advisable to ... instead?" Sort of kindly ask a question or two to why this or that design, or features has been implemented. Or video. I do speak with "gut reaction". It may perhaps come from the resentment that are wryly geared towards us headless freaks, from others (traditionalists, vintage people) or the ones in search for betterment and exploring new ideas. A sort of occupational hazard. Hence, I know why this forum turned a "closed" one, that you have to pay for, which I think is rather well done, considering the "hiearchical seniority" stinking about in msot other forums (about anything really).

I just provide things that people MAY or MAY NOT have put forward. Things may exist, and reasoning why they did this or that, but then, if it ain't explicitly stated, the boomerang comes back, and I am in for it, we should (sorry, that word again!) leave no stone unturned.

I mean, it was just as the Wilkat guitars, of which seems equally stellar, but his stance was like this, since the major of his work were in the body designs and necks just another Moses, or Modulus Graphite neck he didn't show it all in any of the pictures. He showed the bodies only. That made most sens to him. Just as if Steinberger should just show their headless necks in pictures, because that was the major thing with their design. I do think that a picture - at least - of the guitar in full with the neck (and headstock if headed) will reveal MORE than just half of the guitar, were the carpentry skills lies. I hereby apologize if I've offended someone, I don't put out critique just for the sake of slagging something (you know like a reviewer in any daily paper who reviews films and then that's it, he/she reviews all movies there is, regardless of whatnot. I can't think of any person that likes a art-house Bergman movie just as much as a b-movie science fiction or porn movie, yet they still have a go at it) but I do put out my "immediate" gut reactions, and always bring up things that I miss, when judging any guitar.

Enough of this bickering, let's move on, it sure as **** is a very stunnigly beautiful guitar, and performs very well, for sure. If this Göran lives nearby my town. I might have chance driving up to him and try it out. But it might end up me having a fat punch in my face from his videomaking buddies though... ha ha...

[Ivan]

The guitar and the music are awesome, Rick! However, I also miss some more frontal view pictures, and maybe somewhere I can see someone playing it.

[Rick Toone]

Mats — I absolutely appreciate your perspective, please keep sharing your insights. Rob and I moderate all comments at eLUTHERIE.org so the only comments that appear are ones we believe have merit, and will benefit our community of builders.

A good critique always discusses:

a) What was done well
b) What could be done better
c) With honesty and respect
d) We all agree to ban use of the word "should" in design discussions

Everyone learns when critiques follow these guidelines.

Thank you for your appreciation of Starfish. Goran is a fine human being, so consider contacting him (post a request here or leave a comment on his video).

PS: Headless players are not "freaks" — just maybe living slightly in the future. ;)

[Rick Toone]

No freaks around here. I'm going headless soon, anyway. Mats...thanks on the music!

[Rick Toone]

Thanks, Ivan. Buried deep in the archives is live footage of this song. Trying to locate it...if so, I'll post. I really appreciate your compliment on the music.

Maybe I can quit my day job. Hmmm.

:D

[Mats]

Agree, Ivan, the music is actually much better than the video. Cool tune. Since when did that happen to any MTV video? :-)

Headless freaks, well, so be it. It is the term coined by others I think. Still to be deemed as pejorative though. But I sense a SLIGHT mentality among most traditionalists that it actually is some kind of derogatory remark... among them at least.

[Roger Placer]

Rick, it probably needs an article of its own, but what ever happened to Dove?

[Ivan]

Actually, I like the video as a kind of nice slideshow (the details are delicate) but the guitar deserves a bit more professional promotional video (I mean for instance the table and the wrinkles of the white cover cloth is sometimes a bit annoying for me - ok, I know it's hard to make without all the professional equipments of a photo studio).

[Rick Toone]

Thanks for asking, Roger.

I've temporarily set Dove aside, due to channeling energy into the multi-scale headless hardware system. This project with Townsend Machine has completely absorbed the last six or eight months via drawings, testing, patents, etc. Add the death of my father-in-law plus building the new shop...poof.

(time)

Dove has convinced me to move forward almost exclusively into multi-scale instruments, including multi-scale acoustic. The tone and ergonomic differences are substantial, at least to me, as I play. I'm presently deep in a test build of a multi-scale solid body guitar optimized for the new hardware system.

I may return to Dove at some point, or simply apply lessons learned and keep pushing forward. Ola Strandberg seemed to enjoy Dove during his (excellent) visit. Perhaps he'll share his impressions of the instrument.

[Rick Toone]

These are good critiques about how to make a more professional — or polished — video presentation. Ivan, it's very interesting you pick up on details in the background...it seems subtle things like this make a difference.

(luthiers take note)

I don't know what photo & video editing tools Goran has, so changes like these might be beyond his capabilities. Video production is definitely an art form and labor intensive.

I continue to enjoy the video as Goran's self-motivated expression of appreciation for the instrument. It's very cool he was moved to make the video. From my perspective it's much more exciting to see someone else talking about an instrument I've built, instead of listening to myself blather, ad infinitum.

[Fatih Yilmaz]

great.

[Rick Toone]

Bill — thanks very much. That is kind of you.

I was thinking about it today in the shop, and realized the sculptural aspects of lutherie are some of my favorite bits. I think mental 3-D modeling is a skill that can be practiced and honed. Working on the Simplicity (tuning) system this year, it seems like I spent many hours per day — literally for months — just envisioning stress points and physics. Exhausting and exhilarating.

Huge respect for engineers and the work they do for our civilization.

When are we going to see an eLUTHERIE.org article from you? You've got some nifty designs that need to be written about. Readers want to know more...

[Bill Wilkat]

Really nice work on that Starfish guitar Rick! It shows a tremendous amount of imagination and a great grasp of 3D thinking — and that walnut was a superb choice to show it off! Thinking outside the box is good — and it helps to push innovative thinking and designs — it's so nice to see something that is not a Strat, or a Les Paul. I love those guitars, but they have been done to death. Congratulations on taking the guitar in a new direction! Well done!

[Bill Wilkat]

Thanks Rick,

I've been busy writing a "how to" book, and I wrote a number of articles for the Bass Secrets web site as well, and now busy working on some new orders, but as soon as I find some extra time, I'll try to write a bit about some of the guitars I've done.

Regards,
Bill

[Rick Toone]

John — you're too kind. Much like Mark Frith mentioned, I (we) feel very lucky to just be working on things that are exciting to us.

Tricia's dad gave her great advice when she was little: "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." That's so true, and I really miss him and his practical wisdom.

Thanks for your suggestion about making a live video performance. I'm rusty these days — too much time in the shop — but some basic noodling on Skele might be fun.

Hmmm...

[Rick Toone]

Bill — eLUTHERIE.org would be a great place to generate buzz and publicity about your pending book. Please consider writing some excerpt articles for us. We'd love to hear what you've got to say.

[John Rawlings]

Great transition from rock to Jazz and back again. Loved the sound and the video. Yes, I'd like to see how it's done — a video of you playing. Since we are all so transparent these days.

I think you're a genius Rick. I enjoy reading every one of your postings. Each one of them gets me thinking. In a very good way.

Yes, I've been a silent observer of your inventions ( and others ) for quite some time. I really enjoy and appreciate your open mindedness ( if that is a word ) to invention and your sharing of like minded ( if it doesn't sound redundant ) souls on this web site.

All I can say at this late date is: keep up the very good work. And thank you very much again. We need thinkers like you.

Thank you once more.

JR

[Bill Wilkat]

“Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

I could not have said it better, and it's essentially what I told my son when he was trying to decide what to do after high school. Today he is still studying at university but in addition to writing and performing music, he is continuing on his chosen path of film making, photography, etc. If you love what you do, then the 4 letter word "love" easily replaces the 4 letter "work" — and I've always told people that "work" is a 4 letter word, and many of those are not nice!

Most of us realize too late that we should follow our dreams and aspirations. If we do and fail, we have no real regrets, but if do and succeed, then we are truly the fortunate ones. And, if we don't, we continue to complain about what we have to do to earn a dollar, and wonder again and again: "What if...?".

I never discourage anybody who asks me about pursuing a career building and/or repairing guitars and basses, but I don't lie to them either. It requires a steadfast commitment, and considerable effort, no different than any other career choice. But, if the passion is there to drive you, then you are already on the path to success and you don't have to look back.

Later,
Bill

PS: Rick, as soon as time permits, I will be happy to share some of experience. I believe in paying it forward and it's never failed me!

[Patrick Hufschmid]

Wow, just discovered this website! This instrument is outstanding! Amazing work there! Cheers

[Rick Toone]

Patrick — thanks very much. Due to the difficulty of working with highly figured walnut, building Starfish was a labor of love.