Matthew Johnson, MJ Wandoo Series Guitar (ART & OBJECTS 2025)

Photos:

Matthew Johnson

Video tour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMvBpVXI4aM

Country

Australia

This steel string acoustic guitar represents the first from my “Wandoo” series constructed in my purpose built workshop. It’s the culmination of many design ideas, both structural and aesthetic where every detail is shaped for acoustic resonance, response, and effortless playability. The back and sides are quarter sawn New Guinea Rosewood with a sikta spruce top from Alaska, which is braced in the traditional X-pattern. Fijian Mahogany is used to form the bolt-on neck and is topped with an ebony fretboard. Ebony plays an important role in the design aesthetic. The fretboard, bridge, bridge pins and headstock veneer form a cohesive design element that contrasts with the maker’s logo and fret markers in white pearl. The sound hole rosette is a Musk burl with a ring of abalone shell. Curly maple is used for the back centre strip, and bindings which adds a contrasting colour, defining the shape of the guitar, while the chatoyancy of the maple adds an interesting visual effect. The linings are solid, not kerfed, this adds considerable stiffness to the body’s sides improving the sustain and volume of each note played. This is instrument crafted with intention and built by hand. Each guitar is designed to grow with you, adapting to your touch, your style and your sound.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.