Building a guitar from scratch is a dream for many musicians, but building one using cutting-edge materials like carbon fiber takes it to a whole new level. This is the story of “WindSong,” a unique, custom-built Carbon Fiber Acoustic Guitar born from a special event at Techshop San Francisco. What began as a “6 Day Guitar Challenge” evolved into a more immersive six-week journey of learning and creation, proving that the most rewarding projects often come from pushing boundaries and embracing new skills.
Design Inspiration: WindSong and the Orphalese Brand
Every great instrument has a story, and WindSong’s is deeply rooted in inspiration. The guitar’s design and even its fictional “Orphalese” brand are inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s poem On Work. This poem emphasizes the beauty and importance of dedicated work, a sentiment that resonated deeply with the builder throughout this challenging project. A specific line from the poem, comparing the wind’s gentle whisper to both mighty oaks and humble blades of grass, became the artistic foundation for the guitar’s soundboard design. The name “WindSong” itself reflects the hope that the dedication poured into this instrument would translate into beautiful music. “Orphalese,” the brand name, is drawn from the fictional island setting of Gibran’s book The Prophet, suggesting a series of instruments named after different poems exploring various facets of life, each with its own unique voice.
Crafting the Components with Carbon Fiber and Traditional Techniques
The construction of WindSong blends traditional guitar-making principles with the innovative use of carbon fiber. Modeled after the classic 1940 Gibson L-00 body shape, the guitar’s body utilizes carbon fiber, s-glass, and Coremat foam, all bonded with marine-grade epoxy. This composite layup, formed by hand over a simple cardboard mold, showcases the accessibility of carbon fiber construction even for beginners, avoiding complex techniques like vacuum bagging. The hand-finished body was then wet sanded and polished to a smooth sheen.
The Soundboard: Western Red Cedar Artistry
The soundboard, crucial to an acoustic guitar’s voice, is crafted from Western Red Cedar. Instead of paint or inlays that can dampen sound, the cedar top is etched with a delicate design using a laser cutter and then dyed with an alcohol-based aniline dye. This method allows for intricate visual detail while maintaining the wood’s natural resonant properties. A water-based KTM-9 “lacquer” finish from Grafted Coatings protects the soundboard without compromising its acoustic performance.
Fretboard, Bridge, and Headstock: Detailing with Ebony and Cocobolo
The fretboard is made of striking Macassar ebony, featuring inlays created using two distinct methods. Maple inlays were precision-cut with a CNC machine, while lettering was achieved with a laser cutter and filled with colored epoxy, adding personalized detail. Complementing the fretboard, the bridge and headplate are crafted from rich Cocobolo wood. The bridge was CNC-machined for accuracy, and the headstock design and inlay echo the fretboard’s aesthetic, also created with a laser cutter and epoxy fill. High-quality hardware from Luthiers Mercantile International completes the build, ensuring playability and longevity.
The Promise of Sound
While a recording isn’t yet available, the combination of carbon fiber and carefully selected tonewoods suggests a unique sonic character for WindSong. Carbon fiber guitars are known for their durability, resistance to climate changes, and often, a bright, resonant tone. Paired with the warmth of cedar and the density of ebony and cocobolo, WindSong is poised to offer a balanced and articulate voice. Further fine-tuning and detail work will ensure it reaches its full potential.
A Testament to Learning and Innovation
The WindSong carbon fiber acoustic guitar stands as a testament to the power of hands-on learning and creative exploration. Starting without prior guitar-building or carbon fiber experience, the creator successfully crafted a playable and visually stunning instrument. This project underscores the potential of combining traditional luthier techniques with modern materials to create unique, high-performance instruments. The journey of building WindSong is an inspiration for anyone looking to push their creative boundaries and explore the exciting possibilities of carbon fiber in musical instrument making.
