This beautiful instrument (bearing my initials - making it a monogram model rather than a signature) was designed and made for me by luthier Jason Kostal in Phoenix AZ. It is intended as a nuanced and powerful smaller body instrument for the fingerstyle player who wants the voice of a Modified Dreadnought in a smaller, 12-fret design. The original guitar was made of Quilted Birdseye Maple but since then Jason has built many more examples of this model including a 14-fret for Paul Richards (California Guitar Trio) and even a nylon string for Willy Porter!

This collaboration led a to a truly bespoke guitar with every aspect of it being made to my specifications. It is a wonderful instrument and it inspires me more every single day. 

This was my first Kostal guitar, a superb instrument in Quilted Mahogany from The Tree and German Spruce. It was built in the Somogyi workshop during Jason's apprenticeship with Ervin Somogyi and it is an exceptional example of the Modified Dreadnought design. My guitars have taught me a great deal over the years and none more so than #32. 

My collaboration with Jason Kostal started over a decade ago and he is a massive influence in the music that I make and my outlook on the instrument and its capabilities. He is a cherished friend and it's a pleasure to spend time with him. The finale of series 1 of Luthier Stories documents our trip across the Texan desert as we travel to yet another guitar show together!