Andre Instruments no.114 – 2022
In my own words:
Echoes of Time is truly an -Étude- piece, following my prior works on the harp-guitar.
It is dedicated to the expressive possibilities that the guitar still beholds – from its distant origins – all the way to its current standard & cultural icon status.
Visual & sound aspects are equally cared for in its design. Both characteristics are worked in tandem, for to create a cohesive and balanced instrument.
For the guitar maker, the main challenge was to make everything work, according to a very naive preliminary sketch. In other words, I personally wanted to create a guitar primarily based on visual expression, and then force myself into finding technical ways to make it a responsive guitar – all looks aside
The making of Echoes of Time eventually brought-up some interesting features, not fully researched in guitar-making or instrument making:
- Its active soundboard is internal, and set mid-depth into its soundbox. Just like a car engine is hidden by its hood, here, the visible relief-carved top of the guitar is truly a cover.
This cover is a continuation of the guitar’s back, ultimately forming its acoustic soundbox. - This 3 element configuration (cover, soundboard, back) comes to a focused meeting point at the guitar’s (harp) column. The acoustic horn thus created becomes the main sound port for this guitar, bringing its own share of vibration in the mix.
To make the delicate Poplar sound box hold-up to string tension, an integral neck (or neck-through) was designed. This part also holds the guitar’s internal tailpiece and permits further thinning of the soundbox and arched soundboard
All-in-all, and as we can hear in the demo video, Echoes manages to have its very own acoustic voice. Its sound is surround-like, diffused more at its side-port area (around its electronic compartment) and greatly focused at its column-horn.
The initial motivation for this project – which was to bring fresh technical ideas to my luthier craft – is actually fulfilled from this reverse creative approach. The visual theme initially set, is what implied creating new technical features that can later be applied into more -standard- guitar builds.
I am truly happy to tie the first loop of this research cycle, and be able to share Echoes of Time with you!
The guitar was just completed last August, and has quickly found a good home in New Hampshire, USA.
Back at the workbench, all guitars now seem standard! I will surely update with new material in Spring 2023.
Thank you!
Very best,
Thierry