Moonshine
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.
Technical specifications and construction
soundboard: torrefied spruce (X-bracing, inspired by Linda Manzer)
back/sides: birdseye maple
neck: mahogasny (Spanish neck joint at 12th fret)
neck width: 45 mm (nut), 55 mm (12th fret)
fretboard: Whisky oak
bridge/headstock: Whisky oak with Maple Leaf inlay (abalone)
nut/saddle: bone
tuning machines: RubnerRoll, black & gold with ebony buttons
binding: oak with decorative purfling
soundhole rosette: wooden mosaic
finish: shellac
strings: Pyramid Cleopatra