Work continues on the Rosewood Kingston Jumbo this week, with the gold Mother of Pearl and Abalone fretboard inlay work. These crown type position markers are beautiful and I love the old-school appearance that calls to mind the Gibson SJ-200 and other classic acoustics. While there are many modern hand builders who’s work is both creative and impeccable, I confess that my affections lean more toward the traditional, vintage designs when it comes to acoustic guitars.
I also favor hand work for details such as shell inlay. Lasers and CNC machines can do it faster and with sterile precision, but there is something about the look of fine hand detailing that has life and warmth that a machine can’t duplicate… something that tells the eye that a real person has done the work with care and love.
