Looking back at 2011, it really was a packed year. Between introducing the SJ, exhibiting at three major guitar shows, and making it to the bi‑annual ASIA Symposium, it felt like I was constantly moving. When you reduce it to a single sentence it doesn’t sound like much, but there was a tremendous amount of development and work behind all of it.

We made it back to the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase — always a great show, and thanks again to Baker Rorick for putting it together. I also returned to the Montreal Guitar Show, which is always a fun trip, especially with the Jazz Festival happening right outside. It’s a lively environment and a good time all around.

This year we also added a number of new music clips from Chris Ruble and Keith Knight to the Music Clips page. It’s always rewarding to hear talented players bring out the voice of the instruments.

On the design side, I began work on a new model — something in the family of what many would call an SJ. It features a 16\” lower bout, similar to my AS model, but with more sweeping, rounded curves. The early design work and wood choices are geared primarily toward fingerstyle playing, though I’m open to exploring other directions as the model evolves. The first prototype is going to a customer, and its progress can be followed on a build thread over on the Acoustic Guitar Forum.

2011 was a year of momentum — new designs, new shows, new music, and a lot of time at the bench turning ideas into instruments.