HGN
Overview
The HgN is my take on a nylon strung harp guitar. The shape is based on a Torres classical guitar with a graceful harp arm and head. The bracing follows a modified 7 braces fan pattern with some extra support on the upper bout. The six basses are tuned (high to low) D C B A G F. On this model I did not use individual pins for the bass strings for a cleaner look on the harp headstock and a slightly mellower tone on the bass.
HG2
Overview
The Hg2 is an evolution of my first hg design, with a slightly different bracing pattern, the bevelled armrest and a few extra refinements. I also introduced a new pinless bridge design based on the work of the great Jeffrey Elliott. This pinless bridge anchors the strings with tiny metal rods (I use titanium) and allows for a very light and user friendly system. For the bass tuners I opted for mini guitar tuners for a more precise tuning over the more traditional banjo machine heads. It is possible to have more bass strings and to outfit it with sharping levers for extra convenience on the stage and less retuning!
HG Lefty
Overview
This is the harp guitar that started it all for me. After seeing the awesome Stephen Benett in concert in Los Angeles with my luthier friend Kathy Wingert I fell in love with the instrument. It so happaned that a few months later Stephen would play in Padova at an event organized by an old friend of mine, upcoming guitarist Francesco Faldani, and so I went to see Stephen again, and, brought over my first Columbia model to see if he would try it. To make a long story short, after the concert Stephen did try the guitar for half an hour, and when he was done the only comment he made was telling francesco he had found who could build him a harp guitar! There started the journey of research for this wonderful and fascinating instrument.
Portable HG
Overview
The idea of a portable stage/ready harp guitar came after a delivery incident happened to Muriel Anderson. That made me realize how touring musician playing harp guitars usually carry another guitar as well, making the whole transportation a bit cumbersome. So how about a harp guitar that could fit in your suitcase?
The portable HG comes apart and goes back together with no tools in a few minutes, has the ergonomics of a regular harp guitar, and with its D-Tar pickup has a great live sound. Plus it looks cool!
Shell types
Blue Paua
Possibly the most colorful and iridescent of any shell in the world. The greens (and many blues) are rich and intense. This selection favors blue hues.
Select Green Abalone
More delicate colors than the Paua and Blue Paua, the SGA has pastel reds and blues and greens. This is also a very popular shell and works beautifully against darker woods such as rosewood, western red cedar and redwood because it is lighter in color and the colors are not as dark or intense.
Mother of Pearl
For a more traditional look, white and iridescent.
Sizes
ZipFlex comes in 15'' (38cm) long strips, is 0,055'' (1,4mm) thick and is available here in three widths:
0,047'' (1,2mm): this is the smallest size, it works beautifully to frame wooden rosettes. It is also ideal to install on the bottom of the binding to ornate the sides of the guitar body.
0,064'' (1,6mm): a wider size to frame the soundboard and back. Its flexible structure makes it easy to contour to cutaways and tight waists.
0,079'' (2,0mm): for an extra bold look! May be installed without additional framing purfling.
FAQs
What is ZipFLex?
ZipFlex is a genuine abalone inlay strip that has been engineered to be very flexible. It can easily flex enough to go around the edge of virtually any soundboard (including cutaways). It can install in approximately 1/10th the time it takes to install the traditional shell materials when being inlaid around the edge of a soundboard, sides or back.
Is it real shell?
Yes, ZipFlex is real shell. It is made from Abalam®.
What is Abalam®?
Abalam® is real shell that has been manufactured into the laminate known as Abalam® or Ablam. Chuck "The Duke of Pearl" Erikson and Larry Sifel invented and patented Abalam® years ago and it is in wide use all over the world as a superior alternative to solid shell blanks. Abalam® is used widely by the biggest factories and by many of the world's finest individual luthiers.
Is Ziplex easy to install?
Yes, ZipFlex is extremely easy to install. Just tape it in along with the purflings and you're done. It is as easy as that. It easily forms and bends around every curvy part of your guitar, whether on the soundboard, the back or the sides.
How do I glue ZipFlex into the channel?
You can use your regular glue since you are ultimately gluing the shell to the channel. Cyanoacrylate (superglue) has been used for over 20 years by leading guitar manufacturers and individual luthiers and it is especially suited for ZipFlex. (Be sure to seal the ledges with vinyl or lacquer sealer before using superglue to attach purflings, otherwise the superglue will wick into the end grain of soundboards and make it darker.)
How much ZipFlex will I need to go around a guitar soundboard?
Four (4) of these 15" segments will complete one soundboard.
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