If you build a guitar, you need a guitar stand. I use this little stand in my music room to hold little Red Neck. The stand is made from some left over fir trim (1”X4”) from another project. I worked out the angles with Auto Cad LT. All of the angles were cut on my chop saw with some jigs to hold the material in place and at the correct angle. Also, I have a guitar Covey to put over the guitar when not in use.

‘Little Red Neck’ is what I call the guitar I built while I was living and working at Denali National Park Alaska. The guitar was made in my friend’s Luither shop, where many fine instruments were made over many years. And yes this little guitar plays and sounds excellent.

Materials: Top=Sitka Spruce (Alaskan of course), Sides and Back=Indian Rosewood, Neck=Mahogany, Saddle, Top Nut and Bridge pins=Real Ivory, All Inly work=Mother of pearl, Fret Board=Mcasser Ebony.

Why do I call this guitar Little Red Neck you ask? Here’s the story. During the finish process, it was time to stain the mahogany neck. Being in the Mckinly Village area near Denali Nationl Park, we were 125 miles from a loaf of bread, let a hardware store. ‘Legs’ (my friend with the shop and the Luthier) said, “The only stain we have in the shop is red leather stain, but it will work just fine.” Upon applying the stain to the neck it immediatly turned bright blood red. I wiped it off as best as I could and the color began to turn a reddish brown. Over time it has really turned a lovely brown; however, In bright sunlight it can still look very distinctive red. That’s why this guitar is Little Red neck.

The Rosette (around the sound hole) is also Indian Rosewood, inlaid with Mother of Pearl Diamonds. I worked on this instrument off and on for 3 years. I have learned so much from my good friend Legs. That’s why I need my shop. I need to continue to build and wok with turning some pieces of wood and some strings into fine musical instruments.

Hersh