This Growler is for our client and friend Kyle. He’s been coming to the shop nearly as long as we’ve been here in Easthampton and we’ve worked on tons of cool guitar projects together. Kyle has had this Growler brewing in his mind for years now but it has evolved a bit since the first ideas were discussed.
The Jeff Beck signature model from Gibson was the reference point for Oxblood color. I’ve looked at quite a few photos of those guitars and each one looks different thanks to different cameras and lighting. Ultimately, I mixed some red and black and white and brown and we got to something that glows maroon in the sun and is nearly black in dim lighting.
Here are the specs: Chambered Mahogany body, Mahogany neck, Maple top and headcap, Indian Rosewood fretboard with pearl block inlays milled by Will @seedersinstruments , all with Ivoroid binding. The pickguard and backplate are both made with Ivoroid too.
1 11/16″ nut width, 25 1/2″ scale length, thicker vintage C neck shape at 0.89-0.98″ and 10-48 @stringjoy strings. 104 x 47 fretwire from @jescarofficial
The Aged cover humbuckers from Rob @geminipickups are truly among the best ones we’ve heard yet and the intonated wraparound bridge is made by Dan at Mojoaxe.
There’s something about a wraparound bridge with the longer posts that really get these chambered guitars activated, bringing out lots of presence from the body. I’ve been using VIP pots for a while now and they’re really solid and have a great taper. @vintageinspiredpickups
Kyle asked for the new cursive Healy Logo on the headstock and I think that compliments the vibe of this guitar perfectly. The pickguard shape is slightly modified to reference the angled thing that Gibson does on the LP Special and the controls changed a bit to put the 3 way toggle down below the Volume and Tone. I’d do all these things again, they’re great ideas that just pushed it where Kyle needed it.
#healyguitars #healygrowler #luthier #guitarmaker #oxbloodred