Steel string for Slaid Cleaves

I built the special model “Moonshine” for American singer/songwriter Slaid Cleaves from Austin, Texas. Its body shape follows the “Big Leaf” model, with a 12th-fret neck joint. Special details of this guitar include the fretboard, bridge, and headstock, all made from old oak wood reclaimed from former whisky barrels. When cutting and sanding these whisky woods, they filled the workshop with a fantastic aroma. The name “Moonshine” reflects the whisky heritage of the wood used, as during Prohibition, illegal spirits—especially whiskey—were called “moonshine,” since they were produced under the dim moonlight at night.

Thanks to the 12th-fret neck joint, this guitar has an especially responsive sound. The thin, hand-polished shellac finish enhances the resonance of the thermally treated spruce top, which not only looks like a vintage spruce top but, through the special thermal treatment, also exhibits similar tonal qualities.