New Wilkie Acoustic Archtop Build

[AKA]

A trio of additional pic’s.

[RJVB]

I've been a sucker for one-piece tops with a nice asymmetry to them ever since I got a violin with one of those almost exactly 30 years ago. Beautiful!
(It's even rarer on instruments the size of guitars, but at least with a guitar you get to show it off while playing )

[ccroft]

Nice bug! What's the red stuff? (i've heaped enough praise on the rest of this already :)

[AKA]

Nice bug! What's the red stuff? (i've heaped enough praise on the rest of this already

It’s Kirinite, an acrylic material. When I commissioned the instrument I explained to Wilkie that it would be a tribute to the memory of my daughter (Lauren) who passed away at age 24 from complications related to Sickle Cell anemia. My wife and I were devastated. In fact my wife suffered a heart attack on the 1-year anniversary of her death. A year later my wife called me to the patio to note a striking red dragonfly hovering about her. She extended her arm and it landed there and remained for several minutes. In fact, each year around Mother’s Day this scene has repeated.

We found that among several cultures there is quite a bit of folklore associated with red dragonflys. A fairly common mythology is that the appearance of a red dragonfly is a visitor from the spirit realm bringing assurance that a deceased loved one is faring well and wishes you to be happy. My wife has taken extraordinary comfort in this and looks forward each year for a visit from the red dragonfly.

I requested that Wilkie create a “red dragonfly” headstock inlay. After investigating a number of options he proposed using red kirinite, along with abalone and MOP, to create the inlay.


AKA

[Gregc57]

What a lovely Tribute. I love the Dragonfly. I have a Japanese katana adorned with the Dragonfly motif. Lots of Japanese symbolism regarding this; one, as I am sure you know, 'A Protector of Children'.
God bless you and yours,
Greg

It’s Kirinite, an acrylic material. When I commissioned the instrument I explained to Wilkie that it would be a tribute to the memory of my daughter (Lauren) who passed away at age 24 from complications related to Sickle Cell anemia. My wife and I were devastated. In fact my wife suffered a heart attack on the 1-year anniversary of her death. A year later my wife called me to the patio to note a striking red dragonfly hovering about her. She extended her arm and it landed there and remained for several minutes. In fact, each year around Mother’s Day this scene has repeated.

We found that among several cultures there is quite a bit of folklore associated with red dragonflys. A fairly common mythology is that the appearance of a red dragonfly is a visitor from the spirit realm bringing assurance that a deceased loved one is faring well and wishes you to be happy. My wife has taken extraordinary comfort in this and looks forward each year for a visit from the red dragonfly.

I requested that Wilkie create a “red dragonfly” headstock inlay. After investigating a number of options he proposed using red kirinite, along with abalone and MOP, to create the inlay.


AKA

[AKA]

What a lovely Tribute. I love the Dragonfly. I have a Japanese katana adorned with the Dragonfly motif. Lots of Japanese symbolism regarding this; one, as I am sure you know, 'A Protector of Children'.
God bless you and yours,
Greg

I’d love to see a photo of your katana.

AKA

[Gregc57]

I’d love to see a photo of your katana.

AKA

[AKA]

Wow! I love it!

AKA

[2bornot2bop]

I like everything about this build. I really dig the more open, bigger Florentine cut for some reason. (as compared to the circular 175 type). I'm more of a Venetian guy, but this looks right to me.

I'm gonna have to go to La Conner one year. Maybe when the VanIsl > Anacortes ferry starts running again, if it does. That's a lovely trip and I'd love to meet some locals.

I’m 30 minutes from there. Happy to give you a lift!

[2bornot2bop]

It’s Kirinite, an acrylic material. When I commissioned the instrument I explained to Wilkie that it would be a tribute to the memory of my daughter (Lauren) who passed away at age 24 from complications related to Sickle Cell anemia. My wife and I were devastated. In fact my wife suffered a heart attack on the 1-year anniversary of her death. A year later my wife called me to the patio to note a striking red dragonfly hovering about her. She extended her arm and it landed there and remained for several minutes. In fact, each year around Mother’s Day this scene has repeated.

We found that among several cultures there is quite a bit of folklore associated with red dragonflys. A fairly common mythology is that the appearance of a red dragonfly is a visitor from the spirit realm bringing assurance that a deceased loved one is faring well and wishes you to be happy. My wife has taken extraordinary comfort in this and looks forward each year for a visit from the red dragonfly.

I requested that Wilkie create a “red dragonfly” headstock inlay. After investigating a number of options he proposed using red kirinite, along with abalone and MOP, to create the inlay.


AKA

I’ve not read a more heartwarming story on this forum. I’m truly sorry to hear about the passing of your daughter. I hope you and your wife are finally experiencing some comfort and peace.

[ccroft]

Thanks for the offer 2B! We'll see what happens. Looks like if I want to go I'll be driving though, which could put me on Chuckanut at some point, which is always good. Taylor Shellfish!

Washington ferries:
International service to and from Sidney, B.C. remains suspended until further notice due to continued significant crewing and vessel availability challenges. There will be no service to and from Sidney through at least Spring of 2030.

Hope to meet you in La Conner one day!

[Mark M.]

Post deleted.

[AKA]

I’ve not read a more heartwarming story on this forum. I’m truly sorry to hear about the passing of your daughter. I hope you and your wife are finally experiencing some comfort and peace.

Thank you. We are.

Albert

[AKA]

A finger-rest away from completion.

[ccroft]

I love it just the way it is! In my book it's 100% complete. No finger rest on my archtops unless there's a pickup hanging off it. Just looks better to me that way, probably because I played cello as a kid.

I'm happy for you Albert! The big day is not far off. I'm sure you'll be well pleased when you have it in your hands and I look forward to hearing about that.

[Gitterbug]

We have seen a number of fantastic guitars on the Forum over the years, but this one stands out as a Work of Art.

[AKA]

I love it just the way it is! In my book it's 100% complete. No finger rest on my archtops unless there's a pickup hanging off it. Just looks better to me that way, probably because I played cello as a kid.

I'm happy for you Albert! The big day is not far off. I'm sure you'll be well pleased when you have it in your hands and I look forward to hearing about that.

Yes - I’ve gone back and forth on this several times.

[AKA]

Finger-rest added. Ready for delivery!

[Gregc57]

All those details are Beautiful.

[ccroft]

That's a finger rest I could live with! I like the way it plays off the Florentine, the end of the fretboard, TP, bridge foot ends, and the.... do we still call these f holes? There's some really nicely designed geometry going on with all these arcs. Looking forward to seeing a pic of the whole finished piece.

[Rickco]

A masterpiece of design and craftsmanship!

[AKA]

That's a finger rest I could live with! I like the way it plays off the Florentine, the end of the fretboard, TP, bridge foot ends, and the.... do we still call these f holes?

I believe he calls them “carved sound holes”.

[coyote-1]

Stunning instrument. Can’t wait to hear it!

[AKA]

A few more shots of the completed Red Dragonfly guitar. (I promise - no more.)

I should have it in hand in a few days.

AKA

[ThatRhythmMan]

It’s such a beautiful guitar, Albert! I’m so excited for you.


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