Blackbird Guitars

Blackbird releases 2012 Rider Nylon model

2012-01-20T23:33:00.000-08:00

Blackbird refines line with the launch of the 2012 Rider Nylon as well as the addition of a rechargeable pickup and durable stainless steel frets.

San Francisco– January 20, 2012 - Blackbird, maker of carbon fiber acoustics with patented hollow neck uni-body, is introducing enhancements and a new model. The entire high
performance line gains in durability, tone and versatility, exemplified by the new Rider Nylon.

New Rider Nylon, 2012 Model
Blackbird is proud to unveil the new Rider nylon, the singular performance-level travel guitar is further refined. Now available for the first time with on-board preamp and controls and Schertler, Swiss precision tuning machines. The new Rider nylon is offered at an introductory $2035 with electronics and a soft case.

In 2011, R & D focused on developing refinements and implementing them in production. Blackbird moved to the San Francisco Mission district one year ago, in order to expand production of its carbon fiber instruments. “The move to a large high-tech workshop with the latest CNC equipment, has greatly benefited the entire operation down to the individual guitar- along with helping us keep up with demand”, says founder Joe Luttwak.

New Enhancements

Battery-free Mi-Si pickups are now available in addition to existing Fishman and RMC pickups. The compact and light rechargeable system does not compromise acoustic tone and amplifies well. Charge up for 60 seconds and play up to 16 hours. Volume and tone control dial are conveniently located at the soundhole. Now standard on the Blackbird Tenor Ukulele (.a.k.a. BTU), Lucky 13 and Rider Nylon.

Stainless steel frets- All steel string models including Rider, Super OM , and Lucky 13, now sport stainless steel frets standard matching the durability of the carbon unibody. “Our instruments are already humidity proof and exceptionally durable, so upgrading to very long wearing stainless steel fretwire makes sense,” said Joe Luttwak.

Blackbird Lucky 13
The vintage-style, thirteen-fret neck junction guitar, launched at ‘11 NAMM, adds white accents for more old-school charm. But below the skin, the high-tech construction improves dramatically -- with MiSi electronics, TonePros-Kluson tuning machines, and ultra-light bracing -- making this travel-friendly instrument even more tonally rich. It’s a jack-of-all trades, and master of fingerstyle. It is the perfect singer-songwriter gigging companion for home, road and stage.

Blackbird ‘BTU’
The explosively responsive BTU, now standard with rechargeable MiSi electronics with volume and tone control at the off-set sound hole. The new model is marked by a switch to white accents to off-set the carbon fiber uni-body. “We are thrilled by the enthusiasm of the ukulele community, particularly professionals, who love the powerful sound of the BTU and stability of carbon fiber construction,”

Rider Steel-string
The travel guitar widely considered the best on the market, is now even more steely -- with durable stainless steel frets coming standard. This guitar remains the top choice for high performance on the road with unparallelled ration of compact size to acoustic presence.

Super OM
Blackbird’s comfortable orchestra model configuration is medium sized but a sonic cannon, upgraded with standard stainless frets and Mi-Si electronics optional. The Super OM is the choice for tonal clarity, sustain, and dynamic response -- and the premier carbon fiber fingerstyle guitar.

Design benefits

Exceptional carbon fiber strength and environmental stability
Compact size, responsive tone
Hollow neck with head mounted Stereo Sound Port®
3D sculpted back for improved comfort, access and strength

About Blackbird
Blackbird’s proprietary hollow-neck, one-piece carbon fiber construction blends the powerful voice of an light-built boutique guitar with the ruggedness of carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is not only dramatically stronger than wood and humidity-proof, but also highly acoustically responsive -- particularly as designed by Blackbird . Founded in 2005 with a mission to build high performance instruments, Blackbird started with Rider, now the satisfying and nearly indestructible benchmark for travel guitars. Blackbird’s singular blend of Formula 1/aerospace technologies with traditional luthierie gives form to a new highly resilient and responsive instrument each year. Blackbird Guitars are made by small team in San Francisco. Advanced technology alongside the traditional craft of a master luthier means every build is imbued with quality, precision and soul.

Carbon fiber vs. wood sound board + stiffness

2011-10-05T09:53:00.001-07:00

Over the years, I've observed a lot of mystery around the material and construction of acoustic guitar sound boards among-st the guitar playing public, and its worth trying to address given that sound boards account for the lion's share of an instrument's 'tone'. In particular, the art/design/science of massaging a certain quality of tonal quality, volume, and frequency response. This became very clear when we received the following comment on our Youtube account:
These guitars are CRAP, considering the price you pay... Guitars are made out of flexible wood. Carbon is one of the most rigid materials known to man... It's good for bracing and truss rod support, but not for anything else. Especially not building a resonating chamber. -AlisonChaynes

Here is what I more-or-less responded:
'Actually Guitar-top material Aka Spruce is exceptionally stiff for its weight- this is the most basic point of acoustic guitar building! Good spruce is a hard material to beat actually, but composites have the advantage of being tune-able so you can dial in the stiffness. Just like a wood guitar, we have bracing to determine stiffness of the top (except we use carbon fiber for our braces), but we also can adjust the thickness, material, weave, orientation of the top to determine stiffness.'

I reached my character limit at that point, but there is another big advantage over wood tops, namely consistency. Because our tops exhibit nearly the same mechanical properties every time, we can quickly develop the perfect blend of top bracing and the other aforementioned variables (aka thickness, material, weave etc.) so we get the desired responsiveness- every time! Responsiveness is what we are after which broken down means volume, frequency response, dynamic range. Blackbird guitars are closer to the more response boutique guitars by design. Your mass-produced wood guitars (even the pricey ones) are typically 'over-built' aka too stiff... One more thing about the post, if carbon fiber is good for bracing, which is the basis of achieving good tone and stiffness, shouldn't is also be good for the top itself?

Blackbird Luthier Apprentice Position

2011-09-13T11:43:00.001-07:00

Details

Blackbird Guitars www.blackbirdguitar.com
San Francisco, Mission District
Job Level: paid apprenticeship
Job Functions: part-prepping, fretting, assembly, buffing, set-up

Description

The position is a ground-floor opportunity with a growing guitar manufacturer of high performance carbon fiber acoustic guitars and ukuleles. The position includes training on various aspects of our production process until proficiency is reached by working directly with the guitar-making team in the workshop.

About us

Blackbird Guitars manufactures and distributes carbon fiber string instruments. Since launching in 2007, Blackbird has quickly established itself as the premier brand of acoustic travel instruments. We are growing and looking for a highly motivated individual to apprentice with our luthiers.

About you

We are looking for an individual that is interested in luthierie as a career. This is potentially a long-term hire with opportunity for advancement for the right candidate.

Specific Skills/Qualities

Innate sense of craft

Plays guitar/ukulele

Guitar-making experience

Guitar Set-up experience

Fretting Experience

Excellent attention to detail
Desire to learn

CNC experience a plus (not at all required)

Composites experience a plus (not at all required)

Apply via email

joe@blackbirdguitar.com

Submission Details

Please provide a cover letter explaining your interest, resume, and images of previous work.

NOTE:

Candidates who are not US citizens or permanent residents need to have authorization to work in the US in order to apply

Folding Neck Travel Guitars

2011-07-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

Regarding the folding neck, it comes back to our hollow neck/head uni-body construction which we are firmly committed to. This allows for increased responsiveness as well as the very robust internal bracing structure- a unique feature to Blackbirds (neck reinforcement into the soundbox). We've also found stiffer necks make better sounding guitars. Finally, the best composite structures combine parts rather than splitting them apart. That all aside, I certainly see the benefit of a folding neck- I just don't think it makes sense for our design.
Some other quick thoughts, lighter is nearly always better for sound, so we are going to keep pushing that in the future and I think leg rests are cool but agree that often they look anything but. We'll have to make that one a design project... along with a nice cutaway!

Making a hollow neck carbon fiber travel guitar is certainly doable from an engineering standpoint and would have obvious benefits as far as portability. But there are downsides as well particularly in terms of tone- all things being equal, adding such a joint reduces sustain and resonance.
The reason is, composite structures- particularly in the hollow monococque embodiment- do best with no joints at all or glue joints if necessary rather than mechanical joints. Sure you can always glue metal hardware into the composite (they do it all the time in F1) and get a good strong joint but you're breaking up the continuous fiber as a result. The continuous long strand fiber be it unidirectional, plain weave, or twill is the main reason for the tremendous strength-to-weight advantages that CF affords. That is one of the advantages of CF uni-body over wood.

Blackbird's steel string models

2011-03-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

Now that we've got three distinct steel string models, folks are understandably wondering which one is right for them. The Rider, Lucky 13, and Super OM (in order of size) are each designed to fill a need. The Rider is a great travel guitar- small enough for the overhead and fits in places other guitars don't (like the side of my framepack!). Consider it the ultimate couch/armchair guitar- you can kick back with your feet up and jam away, no other guitar offers this level of comfort without sacrificing tone, can be a very intimate experience. A big sound for the size. The Lucky 13 is still a small body instrument- a hair larger than 3/4 scale so it is also good for travel and touring but not as easy to fit on the plane (still possible and can be checked in too with a flight case). It is 3.5 in. wider and 2.5 in. longer than the Rider so with that comes more volume and bass. So it also has a big sound for the size with a tone that compares favorably to a full-size guitar. The Super OM is medium sized Orchestra Model so still comfy for smaller frames but with that power of a dreadnought or Grand Auditorium. As you can see, the aesthetics are very different so I would think that one would speak to you over the others in terms of that... Ultimately, if you need a travel above all else then the Rider is for you. If you want ultimate responsiveness, then the Super OM. If you want somewhere in between with a strong dose of traditional design- the Lucky 13 is the winner.

Blackbird Super OM Nylon string

2010-11-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

650mm scale (25.6")
16" radius board with side dots
Pegheds geared flamenco style tuners
Light bracing/ lightweight 3.5 lbs
Nylon-string bridge
1 7/8" neck
2 5/16" bridge string spacing
Optional electronics (RMC/Fishman/custom)

Our limited edition batch of Super OM nylon string guitars are now complete. What a labor of love that was! These are hybrid classicals with a slightly wider fretboard than our standard at 1 7/8" and nearly identical string spacing to a 2" neck. They are loud and bassy. Pretty unique tone actually. Complete with pedhed flamenco style tuners, they certainly look the part more than our Rider nylon though that doesn't say much. We are quite pleased but it may be a long while before we to make more. All images by Garry Mcleod

Blackbird Inlay examples

2010-10-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

We have the honor of working with famed inlay artist Larry Robinson to realize client's wildest inlay dreams on their Blackbird's Fretboard. Here are some examples. New ones arriving every month or so

Workin' on the Super OM Nylon

2010-10-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Sound hole colors

2010-09-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

The Super Flamenca Limited edition

2010-07-20T14:58:00.001-07:00

We are making five of these babies

- 25.5" Scale length
- 16" radius board with side dots
- Pegheds geared flamenco style tuners
- Light bracing/ lightweight 3.5 lbs
- Nylon-string bridge
- 1 7/8" neck with custom wide string spacing
- 2 5/16" bridge string spacing
- Optional electronics (RMC/Fishman/custom)
- Choice of Black or Red interior

Blackbird Guitars design decisions and human factors

2010-04-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

I figured a bit more info about how we come to our design decisions would be of interest. From a product design and development standpoint, I am aligned with the user-centered design school. This means that every line, feature and detail on a Blackbird is driven by the player's functional needs. This also means that we do not let ourselves be confined by tradition (The exception being the 'traditional' head shape which just seemed to tie the design together and by shifting the tuners around has no real disadvantage regarding the string path)- there are so many 'normal' guitars out there to choose from anyway. Problems we are preoccupied with include: getting a big sound out of a small body (and maximizing responsiveness in general), making a more comfortable playing experience, increasing durability (hello carbon), and portability. The Rider is designed to be the ultimate backpacker/travel guitar so it is 10.5" narrow to fit nicely on the side of a backpack and the length 35.5" with a full scale length and a professional-quality voice and volume. Narrow width has proven to be worthwhile for more than backpackers because the instrument does not look very guitar-like in its soft case- useful when you are say trying to get on the plane. Incidentally Emerald got their short overall length with a full-scale by making the body much shorter and a small head- valid decisions that allows for good fret access but everything is a compromise of course and I wanted a full body length (19") for increased bass but without a full-length guitar. The Cargo of course is not a full-scale which is how they got their 35" length. This is all to say that I am hearing that some folks that they want the overall length shorter so I'll try to cook something up down the road and please more of you chime in if that is something of interest!

I do spend a lot of time thinking about human factors (ergonomics is a subset of this esoteric field) so how come their are no curves with the Riders? Well, first looks are deceiving (darn that perception) and the guitar is balanced 50/50 (Hollow neck and head woot!) around the 16th fret so it actually rests quite well on the leg. By the way, we have no curves because that design makes for a more acoustically efficient sound box. I can understand wanting more support depending on your playing style- enter a guitar support or a strap. A very large percentage of classical players use some kind of guitar support because classical guitars are actually not very ergonomic at all and easily lead to wrist and hand injuries after extended play. Foot stools help but who wants to deal with those. In general, making the guitar easier to play helps avoid injury which is why our nylon string has a radius to the fretboard and lower action than convention. On a side note, guitar supports work particularly well with Blackbird guitars because they are among the lightest guitars available (a wide Neck-up on the Super OM is a sublime playing experience) so they rest comfortably on less surface area. Carbon fiber likes those comfy curves and cuts that are common on ergonomically superior electric guitars so its almost criminal not to use the material to that end. Well there I go again sounding like a salesman so I better stop while I am ahead. The future may hold more traditional designs for Blackbird but I guess we just needed to get our unfettered design solutions out there first and attempt to solve age old guitar problems.

My biased opinion comparing Blackbird and the other carbon guitars

2010-04-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

I was just at a dealer in D.C. that carries both us and Rainsong and had a chance to compare with their latest offerings. The Super OM and Rainsong are very different guitars. The voice on the Super OM is warmer and louder. The hollow neck, lighter top and body and unique design makes the Super OM closer to a boutique guitar meaning it is very responsive acoustically while the Rainsong is built heavier. This makes the Rainsong a good acoustic/electric, but curiously it feeds back more than the Super OM because of the center soundhole design (I believe) and likely the electronics system as well.

Another difference is access to the higher frets is also more difficult on the Rainsong because there is a trad. neck joint. They make fine guitars but in the end I do not feel they take advantage of the design flexibility of composites

Blackbird Ukulele Press Release

2010-01-11T14:38:00.000-08:00

Blackbird Premiers First Ever Carbon-fiber Ukulele at 2010 NAMM Show

San Francisco, January 12th 2010- On tour from Hawaii, the Ukulele first gained widespread recognition among stateside music fans at the 1915 Panama Pacific International Expo in San Francisco. Down-the-road and nearly a century later Blackbird Guitars is giving the Ukulele a 2010 reinvention with their proprietary hollow-neck, all-carbon fiber construction. This exceptionally loud and tonally rich instrument is as responsive as it is resilient and will inspire ukulele players to bring their music places no nice wood instrument should ever go—like the beach. The Blackbird Ukulele sets a new bar for a compact, lightweight, and tonally-satisfying travel instrument that is durable and immune to the humidity problems which impact its wooden counterparts.

The novel design of the Blackbird Ukulele was inspired by Blackbird's Super OM, a small-body sonic cannon launched at the 2009 NAMM show. The iconic asymmetric form is evocative of a traditional Double-O design but in fact has a deceptively larger sound box complete with an off-set sound hole—a nod to tradition but which also serves to produce more bass and mid-range frequencies and volume particularly for a tenor-sized ukulele. Like all Blackbird instruments, it sports uni-body construction with a hollow neck and sound port at the headstock. This signature Blackbird feature allows the whole instrument to resonant for increased frequency response while solving the neck-heavy issues common among Ukuleles by reducing weight.

While carbon fiber is more acoustically efficient than wood, it is also much stronger and resistant to humidity. "We made our name initially with the Rider travel guitars and in some sense the ukulele is the ultimate travel instrument. So as amusing as a composite ukulele may be, we wanted players to have a professional-grade instrument without ever having to worry about it.", says Blackbird founder Joe Luttwak. The highly sculpted form is accented by a beautiful weave with a high gloss finish that undulates around various body cutaways for improved ergonomics and ultralight weight. The Blackbird ukulele will be available in Spring 2010 for a street price of $999 with electronics optional. The 2010 editions of world's best travel guitars, the Rider steel and Rider Nylon start at $1499 and the ultralight full-size Blackbird Super-OM at $1899.

To learn more visit www.blackbirdguitars.com

Key Features of the Blackbird Ukulele:
Exceptional Carbon Fiber strength and environmental stability
A tenor ukulele with more sonic presence
Asymmetric Acoustic Design® with off-set sound-hole
Hollow neck with head mounted Stereo Sound Port®
3D sculpted back for improved comfort, access and strength
About Blackbird
Blackbird guitars was founded in 2005 to create a satisfying but durable travel guitar for taking out in the world. Non-traditional product design and development resulted in radically new directions and the resulting Rider travel guitar is now widely considered the best available. To date, Blackbird releases a new instrument annually with their trademark 'Big Sound, Small body' treatment. Blackbird Guitars are made by small team of guitar-makers in San Francisco in their workshop overlooking the bay. Advanced technology is employed to ensure the highest performance along-side traditional craftsmanship. Every instrument is professionally assembled and set-up by a master luthier.

Wolf notes, midi

2009-12-09T11:04:00.001-08:00

A bit of context to better understanding wolf tones. Building a guitar lighter, including reducing bracing on the top, but we have found elsewhere as well, makes a guitar more resonant. Blackbird's Modus Operandi is to maximize resonance (which would be our tagline if it didn't sound so nerdy). So we recently lightened the bracing on the Super OM to make it even louder and bring out the bass and mid-frequencies. I am very pleased with the result. This re-bracing and overall increase in resonance also brought out the natural resonant frequencies of the guitar itself. When I play the loudest one, A sharp, it resonants sympathetically with the primary resonant frequency of the guitar (also a sharp)- this is the wolf note. This 'artificially' enhances the resonance of that notes and makes it louder. This is nothing major and in fancy, lightly built boutique guitars, is considered to add character. I can however throw off tracking a hair.

Custom Rider Nylon Pearlescent white

2009-12-07T17:16:00.000-08:00

Our client Bruce, performs in white so we wanted a white Blackbird. Maybe we should call it the whitebird. Our first pearlescent white guitar came out quite well but you have to see it in person to get the various layers that make for a deep visual experience

Guitar travel tips

2009-11-24T10:28:00.000-08:00

Six tips for stealth airline travel with a Blackbird Rider and other small body guitars
We all hate the notion of putting our precious guitars under the plane so we designed the Rider to get on as a carry-on. While no one has ever had a reported problem traveling with a Blackbird Rider on a plane, these are some useful best practices we’ve gathered to keep it that way. They are just precautions that will help you be safe rather than sorry, and likely useful for anyone who travels by air with a guitar even a wood one*.

1. Research your airline and flight- become informed about their rules and regulations because you then may find yourself better informed than the airlines' courteous staff. After the whole United Breaks Guitars incident (copy and past into YouTube search if you don't get the reference), I suspect that airlines are getting a bit more sympathetic to guitarists.

2. Get a small guitar designed for travel- In the event you have to engage any airline personnel, with a small guitar you can explain that this guitar is compact, light and is designed to fit in the overhead along with a full bin of carry-on luggage. Smiles and a friendly demeanor are useful in these situations- you don't want to be like Ben Stiller in Meet The Parents.

3. Present a non-guitar-esque package(see ours above)- You don't want your instrument to even register as a guitar to the airline staff- a streamlined guitar in a tight case is key. The rider is designed to slip past the radar -think SR-71 Blackbird; it looks very discreet to watchful eyes. The gig bag should also be as un-flashy, un-pocketed and I would argue black as possible. Wear a black jacket while your at it- its a good look for traveling anyway. Being un-flashy also helps prevent theft.

Go to Blackbird Guitars to read the other three tips

Email us with any other tips at info[@]blackbirdguitar.com

Ferrari version of Rider Carbon Fiber Travel Guitar

2009-11-24T09:39:00.000-08:00

San Francisco - Inspired by the technology, style, and spirit of the famed Italian "supercar" manufacturer, Blackbird Guitars' brings you the limited-edition Ferrari-branded "Rider". The ultra-rare Ferrari Blackbird guitars were sold at Ferrari Stores worldwide and signed by F1 drivers Philipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen. Based on Blackbird Guitars' high-performance Rider travel guitar, it is the first instrument fit for the Ferrari namesake. Like Ferrari, it is a study in superlatives—among the most resonant, durable and lightest guitars in the world. The Rider travel guitar is compact enough to fit in the trunk of a sports car, but it plays and sounds like a much bigger instrument. It looks like nothing else on the market: sleek, black carbon fiber speaks to the high-tech materials and construction while the exclusive Maranello Red interior, accented red A string, and Ferrari Scuderia emblem highlights the passion of world-class Italian motoring.

Blackbird Guitars blends traditional guitar-making with design and construction inspired by Formula 1 race cars. The guitar features a one-piece, hollow neck, carbon fiber construction—and a unique sound port at the head directly influenced by F1 race car design. The high-performance Ferrari pedigree is more than just show—designer and Blackbird founder Joe Luttwak worked for the storied car manufacturer in Maranello, Italy. This experience laid the foundation for this thoroughbred of a guitar, inspired by Ferrari's unque commitment to technology, style, and performance. "Great acoustic guitar construction, like great race car construction, benefits from stiff and ultra light materials. Using carbon fiber, like Ferrari's Formula 1 race cars, for the guitar's uni-body design produces an instrument that sounds better and is much more durable than any travel guitar available today. Many ideas for Blackbird Guitar's models were inspired by my time at Ferrari, and it's wonderful to make a model that honors their unparalleled technology, ingenuity and success."

All Blackbird Rider models are built for the road with a virtually indestructible carbon-fiber body that is less than two-thirds the size of a standard acoustic, but has nearly an equivalent tone—so players no longer need to compromise tone for portability. Each Blackbird Rider is beautifully hand-crafted, with the carbon fiber expertly constructed to balance tone, weight and strength.

The first run of the exlusive Ferrari guitar series is now sold out, but Blackbird Guitars is accepting special, custom orders on the Rider model. Blackbird Guitars are made in San Francisco by a small team of luthiers by the Bay. The world's best travel guitars, the Rider steel and Rider Nylon, now start at $1499. The Blackbird family also includes the larger Super OM.
To learn more visit www.blackbirdguitars.com

Key Features of the Blackbird Rider:
-Exceptional Carbon Fiber strength and environmental stability
-Hollow neck with Stereo Sound Port® in head of the guitar
-Asymmetric Acoustic Design® with off-set sound-hole
-Ultralight for enhanced sound, comfort and balance
-Full scale length (24.5")
-3D sculpted back for improved ergonomics, playability & durability
-Optional electronics for amazing amplified tone

Rollingstone: Woody Harrelson plays a Rider

2009-11-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

Woody Harrelson was interviewed by Peter Travers about various on-topic things like his movies. At the end of the interview he Jams it out on a Blackbird.

Watch Woody jamming on a Blackbird Rider by clicking on the link here

Mark Hamre Plays The Blackbird Super OM

2009-10-28T11:16:00.001-07:00

Mark stopped by the Blackbird guitar shop to say hi and check out the Blackbird Super OM. Having tried the Rider at the Guitar Foundation Conference in 2008 we thought his tune, 'The Chase', would be a great tune to showcase that powerful but clear Blackbird sound. It is one of my favorite tracks off of Mark 's My Guitar Imagination record. This driving, yet melodic piece, demonstrates his uncanny technical ability and after a 10 hour drive no less.

A nice letter from a client

2009-10-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Joe. It's been a year or so after my friend Adam sent me my little Blackbird...Well, I've played it often and hard for a while now and...I just finished a weekend of playing and I continue to be really surprised and pleased with the tone, the control it affords me, the way it stays in tune and the ease of caring for it in different temps and humidity levels. You and my buddy done me a good thing. Thanks & regards, Don

Taylor Brown

2009-10-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Taylor stopped by the Blackbird workshop to check out our guitars and he played this nice Bach piece. www.taylorbrownmusic.com

2009-09-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

Healdsburg Guitar Fesitval

2009-08-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

Blackbird Guitars had a great time at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival. Thanks to everyone there for putting on such a great event. And thanks to Nate Cooper for playing for us- he is one great songwriter. Here are some of our new friends who are doing innovative stuff.

Sakashta Guitars

Michael McCarthy

Lame Horse

Fleishman

Matsuda

Yamamoto- fanned Fret 12-string

Why no one has made a 'normal' Carbon Fiber Classical Guitar

2009-08-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

I regularly get asked why Blackbird hasn't made a 'normal' classical guitar. The Carbon fiber classical guitar question is an interesting one indeed. The Blackbird Rider Nylon is obviously not a conventional classical as described in this discussion, but is instead designed to appeal to a wide range of players both acoustically and amplified and be a great worry-free companion on the road. A 'normal' classical guitar is something else entirely and a bizarre world I've been exploring for years but two events stand out in particular.

My first major dose of classical guitar culture came was while studing at a conservatory where I learned to love nylon strings for the warm sound they can lend to anything from Bach to Jazz (or wannabe jazz in my case). Which is why when I started Blackbird, I always knew we were going to make a nylon string.

My second was when Blackbird brought our second and third Rider Nylon prototypes to the Guitar Foundation of America Conference (2008- in our hometown San Francisco)- which is full of serious classical players, teachers and luthiers. They were very receptive given how radical it was, and ultimately deemed the Rider to be a great travel and amplified performance guitar- not a carbon fiber version of what they're used to. The thing about classical players is that they are self-selecting traditionalists- any minor change to the bridge is considered radical. As with the superior but unusual looking Gilbert tuners that we use. Famed and now retired Luthier John Gilbert designed them in addition to being one of the great American classical guitar builders and our friend/mentor and they just work better. So as noted earlier in this discussion, aesthetics are one problem with carbon classical guitars. But Blackbird has not been traditionally oriented in the past- especially when traditional shapes get in the way of maximizing resonance.

Which brings me to problem two: resonance- or the lack there of in a nylon string. Classical players generally loath to play with amplification, which means they can't play well with a violin say and even have trouble being heard in small halls playing solo. This is where I am interested in making progress- and our main M.O. at Blackbird- namely maximizing resonance. The Rider is pretty darn loud for a small guitar... so imagine the possibilities. Note that I didn't say carbon fiber is the solution to making a classical guitar louder- I think its actually the radical shape, hollow neck, off-set sound hole that would make the most gains. The reason is because the wood tops or better yet double tops (wood veneer with kevlar honeycomb in the middle) is actually stiffer and lighter than carbon fiber. Thats right folks you heard it here, buried deep in a discussion, from a carbon fiber guitar company. That is why the other CF folks have not pulled it off yet I think... suffice it to say, its a hard one but we're working on it. The Rider nylon is designed to be resonant, but not so resonant that it feedsback when amplified. Our very light and stiff carbon fiber tops with hollow carbon tubes work very well attaining the balance. That said a concert grade classical (acoustic only) would be a different guitar entirely.

Which brings me to problem three (why do you always need three...) the market is small, the clientele very particular and did I mention its a tough one... Well we are working on it but it will take some time...

Here are some random pictures from the GFA. http://www.blackbirdguitars.com/gfa.html.

Our favorite client in Norway Oyvin

2009-05-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

Oyvin is always going on adventures with his Blackbird and really puts his through the paces. Here is one from Norang valley, near Geiranger fjord a Unesco World Heritage site. Thanks Oyvin!

Blackbird Super-OM Carbon guitar

2009-04-16T23:01:00.001-07:00

The Blackbird Orchestra Model is among the lightest, toughest and most resonant guitars on the planet. With a hollow neck, head sound port and asymmetric design it is loud, rich, balanced with remarkable sustain. The carbon fiber uni-body is sculpted for comfort and access. The days of needing to reach around an awkward dreadnought to attain powerful tone are over. Enter the Super-OM. Guitarevolution.

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Blackbird TV

2009-02-18T17:28:00.001-08:00

Blackbird media

2009-02-18T17:15:00.001-08:00

What color is can Blackbird Guitars in.

2009-02-18T14:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Joe, Are your guitars available in colors other than black? Best regards, Fred, NJ

Hi Fred,

They are actually not painted black rather clear-coated over the carbon revealing the complex 3d weave as it wraps around the geometry of the guitar. This finish is very high-end and rare in the world of carbon fiber goods. As with a nice wooden guitar, we don't cover the material but leave it exposed. Best seen in person of course.

That said, we are a small custom shop so we can do any color you need at a small upcharge. Also look out for a special edition red-sound version. Let me know if you have any thoughts or questions.

Best,
Joe

David Maldonado plays the Rider nylon at our 2009 NAMM booth

2009-02-18T14:38:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izqhgl33OOM

Blackbird Carbon Fiber Nylon String Guitar, a Small-body without compromise

2008-11-17T16:05:00.000-08:00

Rider Nylon features hollow neck with a sound port at the head for a big sound in a small nearly indestructible bodyPRESS RELEASE San Francisco, CA -- November 17th, 2008:- The nylon-string guitar has remained largely unchanged since the 19th century. As a result, creating a travel-worthy nylon string, required a complete rethinking. The Blackbird Rider Nylon, a humidity-proof and nearly indestructible carbon fiber instrument challenges the notion of the guitar form with every aspect of its design serving to maximize resonance in a highly compact form.

Until the Blackbird Rider Nylon's debut, players were left with the option of risking their fragile classical guitar while on the road or substituting it with an inferior travel instrument. Blackbird's patent-pending, one-piece, hollow body, neck, and head construction mark a major departure from traditional guitar design- it transforms the entire guitar into a sound box- enhancing loudness, frequency-range and sustain. To further increase the air volume of the sound box, the guitar's right shoulder extends up to the tenth fret, dubbed the Soundscoop. The Soundscoop also serves as the ideal location for the sound hole, while creating more surface area on the ultra-thin carbon-fiber sound board which further increases tonal response. A secondary sound port projects sound that travels from the soundbox through the hollow neck to the head. These innovations work in harmony to create a seemingly physics-defying voice. “We have a holistic approach to achieve maximum resonance from curve-less shape to the 1/32 thick sound board.Its a big sound, small body guitar without compromise: full scale, studio quality voice, nearly indestructible and fits in the overhead bin." , explains founder Joe Luttwak.

The comfort and playability was also a prime consideration in the design. The hollow neck contributes to greater physical balance while the sulpted back makes for a very comfortable seated playing position. For all the non-traditional design features, the 2" wide neck, super-premium Gilbert side-address tuners and wide string spacing translates to a familiar playing experience for the nylon string guitar player.

Key Features

Exceptional Carbon fiber durability
Resonance enhancing hollow neck and head
1/32 (1mm) thick carbon fiber soundboard
Ultra-light at 3lbs.
full 25.6' (650mm) scale length,
Gilbert side address tuners
Optional RMC electronics (individual string pickups)

The beautifully handmade Blackbird Rider Nylon string starts at $1899. The smaller Rider steel-string starts at $1599. Learn more at http://www.blackbirdguitars.com

Blackbird Pricing

2008-06-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

Blackbird does many things differently from Composite Acoustics. That said, they undeniably make some wonderful instruments and I greatly respect the work of founder Ellis Seal and his team in Lafayette Louisiana. Having different companies doing different things with carbon fiber and composites is a great thing for guitar innovation. We both use Carbon fiber but just like a Taylor is different from a Martin which is different from an inexpensive student guitar, we have very different approaches. Regarding the material and process, I will say there is certainly different grades of carbon fiber and we use aircraft grade pre-impregnated carbon fiber for our tops. Unless I get a Cargo sawed in half in the mail (a sad sight to be sure) I can't say what they do. One data point though is the range in price from the Cargo to their upper-end which suggests that there are different grades. I submit that Blackbird Guitars are on the upper-end because there is no compromise in material, parts and finish.

We both use carbon fiber but for us it is a means and for them an end. A major distinction is Blackbird guitars proprietary hollow neck and head construction which requires the highest stiffness (modulus) carbon fiber and hollow carbon tube reinforcement. The all-hollow unitary construction also makes the guitar more difficult to build and so we build them in small quantities. Blackbird Guitars is a three man show where the art of lutherie is alive and kicking and I do a great deal of the work myself. We like it this way because we have personal contact with every Blackbird owner.

We can also continue to innovate which allows us to produce two distinct models in only a few short years. Which brings me back to the Rider nylon string. It may look similar to the steel-string but it was designed from the ground up with the nylon string player in mind, so the neck, bracing, top, body, head and parts are all reinvented to get a wonderful nylon sting acoustic sound in a small body and a 25.6" (650mm) scale. We believe there are a handful of players out there who want a small body acoustic whether steel string or nylon string that is without compromise. Our use of super-premium Gilbert tuners, which are normally found on guitars costing 3X or more is one example of our approach. We one day may make more mass produced instruments with more inexpensive materials but for the time being we'd prefer to introduce new models that can benefit from our all hollow construction.

Guitar as an heirloom

2008-06-15T23:46:00.000-07:00

I continually examine about the notion of the eco-friendly guitar. I have spent many years on this as eco product design is my background. There are certain objects that should be easily recyclable or be biodegradable. The longer the useful life of an object the less that is true, particularly if those eco-credentials are at the expense of longevity. To clarify, a paper napkin is on one end of the continuum and a musical instrument is on the other. I think most people agree that 300 year old violins are objects that should stay out of the landfill while we certainly wouldn't want a Strad napkin so to speak. What other objects have useful life of a few hundred years? The only things I could come up with is antique furniture, perhaps books and works of art (though they are not functional objects per-se).

One of the more compelling arguments folks repeat for the use of Amazonian hardwoods and other old-growth wood in guitars- which I agree with by the way- is that at least the material is being used for an 'elevated' purpose. Given that these trees, like strads, are often 300 years old, one would hope the instruments made from them would last as long but they generally do not. That said, the steel string guitar as we know it is only about 100 years old, and guitars from the early years are very rare because they do not last. So people have to buy new ones and then they have to replace them when they break. It is my goal to make Blackbird guitars last for hundreds of years and in doing so replace six or so wooden ones. I don't think you need to be a scientist to see the logic in that- it represents the dematerialization of old growth trees.

Rider Steel-String versus Composite Acoustics Cargo

2008-06-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

"For pros or serious amateurs seeking a highly portable and efficient acoustic for gigs, practice, or sessions, the Rider Steel String could be a small miracle." - GuitarPlayer, August 2009

"The Blackbird Rider, sturdy and resistant to weather changes, sets a new standard for this increasingly popular style [travel guitars]" Vintage Guitar, June 2009

Folks often ask me to compare our guitars with those offered by other carbon fiber guitar companies. I figured this being our blog, I could let loose. Blackbird makes performance grade instruments that serve to inspire guitarists of all levels. This is reflected in the tone of our instruments but also the playability and attention to detail insured but the master luthier assembly and construction.

I played the Composite Acoustics Cargo at the 2008 NAMM Show and had the opportunity to compare it with our Blackbird Rider which we had released at the show a year earlier. Their guitar is essentially in the same category as any of the small travel instruments (Baby Taylor, etc.)- a miniaturized conventional guitar except in this case it is made of composites. In contrast, the Rider is designed around the notion that one can have a truly compact guitar without compromise. This unconventional thinking is what separates Blackbird from all other travel guitars, so even though we are exploring the Cargo, the fundamental differences apply to all the others as well.

I will start with the indisputable differences.
One compromise with the Cargo is it has a shorter scale length- 22.75" verses our full scale of 24.5". That impacts tone, intonation, volume and most importantly playability. In spite of having a nearly two in. longer scale length, the Blackbird Rider is the same overall length as the Cargo a feat we achieve with our upper bout extension and body cutaway- i.e. clever packaging and design. Illustrated here- click on feature number two http://www.blackbirdguitar.com/rider_steel.html

Another compromise is portability, the CA Cargo is 13.3 inches wide versus the Blackbird Rider which is 10.5 inches wide. Being around 1/3 wider makes the Cargo more difficult to fit in small places and get on an airplane as a carry-on as it is closer to the width of a full size than to the Rider. The cargo weighs 30% more which also compromises portability (and sound but more on that below).

The painted finish on the CA hides the Carbon fiber. Painting is a much cheaper and easier way to make the instrument (as with a wood guitar) because one does not need to worry about how the fabric lays as much. Or the quality of the fabric because it is hidden. The Rider is a clear-coat (like their higher-end models) which reveals the carbon fiber in its beautiful splendor and shows the high quality of construction if you look closely.

In spite of being narrower, it is tone that most separates the instruments.

Our all-hollow construction including the neck and head is more difficult to realize but greatly enhances responsiveness. The hollow neck also contributes to weight savings with the Cargo weighing in at one lbs. more which clearly has a negative impact on the sound. Lighter guitars are more responsive because there is less mass to absorb resonance- particularly with the top. We use more costly pre-preg carbon for the top which is why ours is lighter. Note that the added weight is all in the body (assuming the fretboard, bridge, tuners etc. are similar weight) with some additional weight savings in the hollow neck/head and well as likelier a heavier soundboard.

Here are some more details in depth:

- Synergistic and patented design features to maximize resonance including: hollow neck and holllow head (kills sound deadening neck joint/lowers weight/increases resonance chamber)
- Body extension with back cutaway for access to higher frets
- Curve-less design (no sound robbing double-O where it is ergonomically unnecessary with a narrower guitar) for larger soundboard resonance area
- Secondary sound hole (no standing waves from hollow neck and additional sound projection). For more info check out: http://blackbirdguitar.com/specifications.html

* 1mm thick soundboard- Aircraft-grade all carbon fiber pre-preg laminate. That is the thinnest and most resonant in the industry because we make it differently and out of a higher grade of carbon (pre-preg) for greater stiffness-to-weight. We know that the soundboard accounts for 95% of the tone. We make our soundboard out of aerospace pre-impregnated carbon fiber- they use the same process to make there tops as their bodies- we tried that- it just doesn't sound as good. This means we have a lower resin to fabric ratio which translates to a better sound. This process is much more expensive but we deem it necessary as we are selling a carbon fiber small body acoustic without compromise.

Green guitar? Carbon Fiber and eco-design

2008-06-11T12:13:00.001-07:00

What is the eco-benefit of our carbon fiber guitars? First lets consider the assumption that wooden guitars could use improvement in longevity after there are 300 year-old Strads- so wood can clearly be sufficiently durable. Tim Brookes addresses this issue in his wonderful book Guitar: An American Life, "All good guitars are underbuilt and will not last terribly long." He [Rick Davis of Running Dog Guitars] says "A couple hundred years is definitely the outside for a steel-string guitar, and probably less. If you build them so they are proportionally as strong as a violin, which will last hundreds and hundreds of years, they'll be too stiff to produce the sounds that we associate with the guitar." This horrifies me. The instrument built to die. He thinks about my reaction. "I would say it's sort of the racer of the instruments. It's built extremely light and fragile and you're going to use it for a certain amount of time and get the maximum performance out of it, and then it's going to fall to pieces..."

We build our Blackbird Guitars very lightly because it is the primary way to maximize resonance- for instance our steel-string model weighs less than 3 lbs. We achieve this with thinner tops (1mm) and lighter bodies. Our proprietary, one-piece hollow neck and head further lightens the construction over what is possible with a conventional guitar. The epoxy, carbon fiber fabric, and carbon tubes we use to make Blackbird Guitars are exponentially stronger than wood and are similar materials used in the most critical aerospace applications for nearly four decades. The tensile strength, tensile modulus, and environmental resistance of our composite structures means we can build a lightly built guitar that will outlast any wooden structure. Our carbon fiber guitars which can last as heirlooms for generations is the epitome of eco-friendly and far outweighs the significant embodied energy in carbon fiber. All of our clients own nice wooden guitars and to help them live as long as possible (the guitars that is) they bring a Blackbird along for the ride instead.

Blackbird carbon nylon string tops are different

2008-06-08T15:19:00.000-07:00

A potential client informed me that Ovation/Adamas does not make nylon string guitars because even with high tension nylon strings they cannot drive their tops. We do a number of things differently from the Adamas folks. Adamas make their composite tops with a layer of birch as a core material between two carbon skins. This method of construction creates a very stiff and efficient structural sheet allowing for very thin tops with a high stiffness-to-weight ratio. The core increases the stiffness exponentially based on the distance of the carbon skins from each other- same concept as an I-beam. So the issue with Adamas is that their core tops are too stiff for nylon strings and I guess they can't or won't acquire thinner birch to make them less stiff- as its already .035" with total thickness around .045" according to their website. The Blackbird nylon string top is a hair thinner- .04" and does not utilize a core structure which enables us to reinforce only where needed with our proprietary carbon hollow bracing which keeps the instrument loud and open sounding with strong bass and mid-range response. Incidentally these are the elements often missing from an over-braced top. We tried the Adamas approach with some early prototypes and simply found it over-braced.

The other reason they do not make an Adamas nylon string guitars is their construction is simply too heavy- particularly their bowl-back. A great nylon string must be very light to be as resonant as possible. The Blackbird nylon string is 3.5 lbs and every aspect has been considered to reduce weight- notably the hollow neck. As John Gilbert, the great luthier and maker of the ultra-light tuners we use on the nylon noted every aspect of the instrument must have maximum stiffness-to-weight.

Classical Guitar versus Blackbird Nylon

2008-06-04T20:51:00.001-07:00

Classical guitar ideology is complex. The whole notion of a Classical Guitar is bearing the torch of tradition even though the classical guitar as we know it is a young instrument! For instance the classical guitar community considers electronically altered (including instrument modeling) to be a kind of sacrilege so much so that you cannot post recordings used with such technology on their forums. A side note regarding electronics, I believe one can always hear the difference between electronically altered and acoustic just as one can always hear the difference between live acoustic and recorded. I am an acoustic purist and acoustic tonality is what is most important to me- above all else- as a builder.

I must admit that with Classical guitars there is also the component of practical familiarity whereby the instrument is the same or similar to the tool that one has spent their lives practicing on- i.e. that sameness can only make it easier. That practical familiarity also extends to the schools, recitals, salons, clubs, performances of the CG community. People in this community have self-selected to embrace a sort of orthodoxy around the players, music and instruments. Which is in contrast to the increasingly harried and technologically charged world of music and in general.

The CG community insists on the highest level of sound, aesthetics, playability- I subscribe to all of them as of tantamount importance. The issue for me is context. I made this instrument for selfish reasons- to enter into the solitude of nature with my backpack and play an Aria in the cathedral-like resonance of a small sierra lake surrounded by peaks see pic. Sure, this is a niche market but in general its about expanding the context whereby a CGer can play a guitar without compromise and need not worry about portability/fragility/humidity etc. I am perhaps of a younger generation for whom this sort of thing is important but also perhaps the younger generation is worth courting and a widening of acceptable morays could only help.

Abuse and mis-abuse of a carbon fiber Blackbird

2008-06-04T20:49:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note regarding durability of the Blackbird Rider. We tested instruments with a six foot concrete floor drop test. The finish chipped and scratched but the guitar was okay. I don't recommend that of course. Put another way You can sit on it but I would not stand on it. We build our guitars as light as possible so they can survive real world situations rather than total mis-abuse.

Carbon Fiber Guitar aesthetics and ergonomics

2008-06-02T22:07:00.001-07:00

Concerning the aesthetics, I realize that I am going up against a very traditional market. Ours is a purely function driven design- the function being to maximize resonance in a small body instrument while also being comfortable to play. The absence of curves allows for greater volume in the soundbox as compared with the traditional double-O. The guitar would be considerably wider with curves added to the width. Likewise, the resonance chamber would have less air to excite if we were to keep the existing dimensions with curves removing from the overall form.

The reduction in width (and length) means that the Blackbird fits on the plane/car/bike/train/boat. The carbon fiber means that one doesn't need a hard case, in fact our gig bag manufacturer who makes composite cases as well says that our guitars are tougher than their carbon cases. This means a very low profile instrument to travel with. Incidentally because this guitar need not be babied it is generally out of the case and ready to play.

Regarding playing comfort, there are few things that I wanted to clarify given that ergonomics are a major concern for us. The width of the Blackbird Classical against the thigh when played in the standard position is the same as the waist of a typical classical guitar (around 10 inches). Given the lightweight of the Blackbird in general and the neck/head in particular (in comparison to a conventional neck/head) instead of the upper bout hooking on the thigh, friction and weight of the right arm keep the guitar balanced quite well. It does take a few hours to get used to but It is comfortable to play. Of course one really must try to believe. I am hoping to get into the GFA conference- we'll see if I can get in. Any suggestions?

Moving along, the above image shows the back of the instrument with the body side being curved and the thigh side having an edge. This keeps the instrument from rolling even though the bowl back is quite shallow anyway. It also means where one's chest meets the guitar is more ergonomic. The bottom of the guitar is also more comfortable than a standard guitar because of the soft edge that meets the right leg. The image also shows the body cutaway which meets at the 10th fret on the left (when facing front) and at the 14th on the right which allows the player to reach the 19th fret. We do use markers at the 12th and 15th to help locate.

While many players find this instrument comfortable, a leg rest such as the Ergoplay is also a possibility. The existence of such devices suggests the ergonomics of the conventional classical guitar could stand to be improved (most things can). To sum up my previous posts, I used composites to create small body classical guitar without compromise which translated into function over traditional form. In the future, should we be able to make a more 'traditional' classical, aside from tone improvements innate with the hollow neck, the moldablity of composites could improve ergonomics even further than what we did with the Blackbird Rider nylon string and certainly over a conventional classical.

Carbon fiber classical guitar: wood versus composite

2008-06-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

We decided to make a nylon string Blackbird because many players requested the instrument and like our steel-string, it can handle the rigors of travel without excessive size, fragility, and weight. Having studied guitar at Eastman School of Music for a time (I am no Parkening mind you), I designed the instrument around the needs of classical players. A wide, familiar neck profile, 650mm scale length, as well as reduced bracing to account for reduced string tension. The result is a small-body, yet highly resonant instrument that sounds like a nice classical guitar.

I have not mentioned Carbon Fiber as of yet because for us it is simply a very resonant material with exceptional strength-to-weight and is very flexible to design around. Primarily it allows us to make an ultra-light, all-hollow instrument (including neck and head) with the body neck and head being constructed as a single component- which provides the enhanced resonance. Because this component is molded, we can contour the back for comfort and to further maximize the resonance area with a slight bowl, and body extension.

We know that many of the great classical guitars these days are using carbon fiber extensively- in fact one could say that many of these instruments are composite simply with wood on the outside layer as in the carbon fiber lattice-braced instruments. The great builder John Gilbert, who is supplying us with our tuners (his son-in-law Greg actually) and advising on our guitars, built all wood classicals and by most accounts exceptional instruments. What separates his from wooden student guitars say is the quality of the raw materials, myriad novel design features such as unique bracing, saddle design etc., and superior execution. These are the same differentials we seek in our instruments which is perhaps why Gilbert is impressed with how much like a nice wooden classical guitar Blackbird sounds. Interestingly like him, we are weight obsessed so this instrument is only three pounds as that is one key to a quality instrument. He did say the sustain on the Blackbird is superior on account of the one-piece design and of course the durability and environmental resistance.

Wood of course has its place, particularly with master grade instruments but I believe that as good wood becomes increasingly scarce, alternatives must be considered. Composite instruments are the best alternative we have at the moment and are currently designed to either emulate wood or embrace that unique carbon sound. This shows the breadth of expression when defining the composites schedule (arrangement and choice of the fabric layers and resins). There are inherently more variables than a wood guitar to work with. Its as though instead of spruce, cedar, cyprus as soundboard materials we have hundreds of suitable woods each with its own expressive qualities. That said we still like good wood, which is why the Blackbird with carbon fiber construction was put on the Earth to solve some problems and provide real benefits that wood construction cannot. Namely enhanced resonance and durability in a small body guitar.

Carbon fiber Guitar article at Acoustic Guitar

2008-05-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

We are featured in Acoustic Guitar Magazine this month (for a second time!) in a great article by Ron Forbes-Roberts on carbon fiber instruments. The bit on Blackbird Guitars is below to read the whole thing go here:

Blackbird Guitars

Joe Luttwak and Troy Stevens of San Francisco–based Blackbird Guitars view the use of carbon-fiber composite as a way to help overcome traditional barriers in guitar design. “One problem is how to get good sound and portability,” says Luttwak, a guitarist with a degree in ecological design. “In our opinion, these things were at odds with each other until the Rider.”

Blackbird’s Rider travel guitar has a standard scale of 24.5 inches, but measures a trim 36 x 10½ x 4¼ inches and weighs only three pounds, making it light and compact enough to hitch to a backpack or fit into an overhead compartment. Luttwak says the traditional Appalachian dulcimer inspired the guitar’s design. “The dulcimer is a small instrument, fully portable but loud, so that’s where we came up with the idea of the Rider’s entirely hollow resonance chamber,” he says. “We used carbon fiber because, besides being strong and weather resistant, that was the only way we could make an all hollow instrument.” To keep weight down, the guitar’s headstock, neck (reinforced with a nonadjustable truss rod) and even the top’s carbon-fiber longitudinal bracing are also hollow.

In order to make the Rider easier to hold, its sculpted back has a squared lower edge and rounded upper edge. “It’s a lot more comfortable than you’d think,” Luttwak says. “You wrap your body around it, stabilizing the body with your right arm and because the neck is hollow, it’s balanced at the 15th fret and just sits there balanced on your leg.”

The first batch of 50 Riders sold out soon after Blackbird debuted the instrument at the 2007 NAMM show. The company is also preparing to build a composite classical guitar, which, like the Rider, will be built to last. “Composite survives a lot longer than wood, so what we have here from an eco perspective is longevity,” Luttwak says. “Nice guitars are designed to be heirlooms.”

Blackbird RiderBlackbird

Nylon String

2008-05-30T09:03:00.002-07:00

Hi,

Welcome to the Blackbird blog. The biggest announcement may be the birth of my first son Elias but there are some other note-worthy happenings as well. Our unholy alchemy blending traditional lutherie with hollow-neck carbon fiber construction continues here in our San Francisco shop in pursuit of big sound, small body greatness.

Launched: nylon string Since the NAMM show, we have been readying the nylon string which will be shipping this summer- get yours. The sound is tremendous. It is 10% larger than the steel string to account for lower string tension, features full scale length 25.5" and Gilbert tuners. John Gilbert, the great classical guitar maker, has been helping us with development.

Rider steel string The original is fully dialed with weight at 2.75 lbs (without electronics) and lighter means more resonance. Dick Dale (godfather of surf-rock) noted at NAMM, "There is a tsunami of sound going on in this thing". See picture right. Get yours for summer delivery

Website The website has been updated with some additional media, reviews, and information on the Nylon sting. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Blackbird Flies Blackbird Client, Blake, takes a Blackbird trekking in Nepal and lives to tell the tale. Looking at these shots give us a natural high here at Blackbird, after all we designed the Rider for inspiring moments like these.

As always, drop me a line at joe@blackbirdguitar.com if you have any thoughts, comments (or parenting advice).

‘I've never heard an instrument this size sound quite as robust... good-sounding, eminently playable, easily portable’ - BuisnessWeek, ID, Daron Murphy (Moby, Gowanus SI)

Blackbird Blog

2008-03-12T21:06:00.001-07:00

We are live baby!