Cocobolo

Well, Bernie's fininshed another instrument. This time it's a flattop. Number 398. As you can see from the photos, it has a cutaway and features Bernie's unique pierced headstock. I think these two features just look awesome together.

The top is wide-grained Adirondak spruce to give the instrument warmth and a lively tone. The sides and back (which you can see in the other photos) are Cocobolo. This is in the same family as Brazilian rosewood. The cocobolo used in this guitar is very dense and strong. With such a dense material Bernie was able to make it thinner than normal while still retaining the vibrance and volume of sound in the guitar. All this with looks too! Just take a look at that back - remarkable!

Bernie says he's pretty happy with how the instrument came out. "The tone is really the thing here. That's my first priority and why I'm so pleased with this guitar. What good is a great looking guitar if nobody wants to play it? (That said, have you seen the back?)"

With the cutaway and his special side sound port I don't think Bernie has much to worry about - this is clearly a player's instrument.

Well, I'll close with one more pic of Bernie's latest, but not before I recommend checking this space again soon to see what Bernie has up his sleeve next!