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NGD: Holst (Wes Style) Archtop
This guitar is a 17" carved Spruce archtop with a single top-mounted pickup crafted for me by Oregon luthier Stephen Holst. I had requested this guitar from Stephen in May of 2019, and the initial TAT estimate was around 5-6 months, but Stephen injured his arm, so the process was delayed. Also, I'm sure Covid-19 provided another set of entanglements for Stephen, as we have all endured in some form. After I had placed the order, I didn't contact him and answered only a few questions he had (via email) about my preferences. It was my belief that the outcome would be favorable so I decided to rely on Stephen's own creative process, and I think he appreciated the "space", and subsequently, it seems, I was rewarded with a beautiful guitar! I AM very pleased! Note to potential customers: Be patient-the process will unfold in due time! Since I made the control knobs, I consider the guitar a collaboration-Ha Ha!
This is a departure from a Gibson L5 Wes model (an admittedly loosely held comparison) in that it has at my request the following appointments:
1.75" nut
3" body depth
Jescar Gold Evo .047/.104" frets
Lindy Fralin Pure PAF Humbucker
25" scale
22 frets
Chunky V-shaped neck profile
Like a Wes: 17" Carved spruce top with single top-mounted pickup
My Observation:
Stephen once mentioned that he had switched spruce suppliers, and he is very happy now with the billets he is able to obtain. On first seeing the guitar, I was startled on how nice the spruce top looked, and I couldn't agree with him more (Damn, what is this, spruce from 1959?)! Also, Stephen's $5000 price point for a custom carved archtop is a bargain, considering he will follow your specifications, traditional or otherwise, with no additional charge for inlays and other embellishments.
Incidentally, this is my second guitar from Mr. Holst, my first being in the style of a Borys/D'Aquisto style 16" X 2.75" laminate. The finish coloring (Iced Tea Burst) on my two Holst guitars is nearly identical. This guitar plays & sounds great!!!
Last edited by helios; 08-23-2020 at 11:45 PM.
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08-21-2020 07:12 PM
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He built me a superb guitar also. A big Congrats !!! Gorgeous.
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Sweet! May she inspire your playing for many years to come!
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Oh yeah -- very nice!!! Congrats!!
Marc
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Wow. That's a gorgeous guitar.
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Congratulations! Steve builds beautiful guitars. I have really enjoyed mine.
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Just a touch of Nickerson in that cutaway.
Lovely-looking guitar!
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A real beautiful guitar my guess is that it easily lives up to the Wes style. Perfect in all ways play us a tune.
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Simply luscious! Congratulations, and play it in good health!
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Gorgeous guitar Helios!
I love the color. Beautiful, beautiful!
JD
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Very beautiful, and probably sounds equally so.
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Now that’s shading! That’s a guitar built for me! Congratulations!
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Thanks 2born (and to all other kind comments)! The guitar looks nicer in person as the lighting/camera don't it no justice!
Last edited by helios; 08-23-2020 at 10:00 PM.
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That is simply gorgeous in so many departments. My only wish-and it is strictly my personal taste thing, not a criticism-is for much rounder Venetian horn. I guess I am too used to the rounded horn of a Gibson L5.
Enjoy the Holst 17 in good health! She looks wonderful in that burst.
Yeah, and a nice pair of knobs.
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Helios,
Congrats on the purchase of a beautiful guitar. Wishing you many hours of enjoyment.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk
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The knobs make it pop! Ha Ha
Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
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