I work to create enduring products that serve people.
Guitar
2015, personalClassic Telecaster tone with reduced weight and new aesthetics
Work
︎ Sketching
︎ 3D modeling
︎ Working with machine shop to route body
︎ Laser cutting of pickguard
︎ Wood finishing with tung oil
︎ Electronics assembly
︎ Sketching
︎ 3D modeling
︎ Working with machine shop to route body
︎ Laser cutting of pickguard
︎ Wood finishing with tung oil
︎ Electronics assembly
Goal
︎ Lightweight
︎ Good balance (headstock doesn’t tip downwards when worn on strap)
︎ Stiff and strong neck attachment for tuning stability and tone
︎ Lightweight
︎ Good balance (headstock doesn’t tip downwards when worn on strap)
︎ Stiff and strong neck attachment for tuning stability and tone
After years of searching for the ideal guitar, I set out to create my own design. I wanted a lightweight guitar with Telecaster tone, noiseless pickups, and a maple Stratocaster neck.
For the body shape, I aimed to inject more angularity to the typical organic curves found in most Fender designs. I was partly inspired by the unique retro-futuristic aesthetics of the Ernie Ball Albert Lee. The body is made from 1.5” swamp ash, which is 0.25” thinner than a conventional Telecaster. The shape of the pickguard was selected to cover a number of additional voids in the body, which also served to reduce weight. The design also features an extended neck plate for ensuring high stiffness and strength despite the thinner body.
