Hand Built Guitars by Daniel Oates

The “WilloWisp”

In 1995 I made my first prototype for my signature hollow-body electric guitar, the “WilloWisp”. After many modifications, I perfected the form and developed consistent building methods, in the pursuit of creating a guitar of exceptional quality, tone and beauty. Hand signed, with serial number, this traditionally built small-bodied semi-acoustic jazz/blues guitar with its off-set profile, is a distillation of the best features taken from some of the most beloved hollow bodied guitars. Easy playing ability, rich full-bodied tone, classic feel and looks, are the hallmark of these guitars. They are customizable in unlimited ways, so these guitars can be built to to suit your own unique playing style. More Details

The “Ruby”

The “Ruby” is a traditionally built acoustic archtop jazz and blues guitar. Time proven materials, design and craftsmanship combine to produce a truly heirloom quality instrument. More Details

Ruby (Alternative Tonewood)

Apart from the fingerboard, headstock veneer, bridge and tailpiece this “Ruby” guitar was carved entirely from Catalpa wood. As a result, it is an extremely light and responsive guitar, with a deep and full tone that I find out-shines the same model built from more traditional materials. The bridge has an under-saddle piezo pickup installed allowing this guitar to be amplified.

The neck

Other differences include a lighter slotted headstock with a deeper and wider 1, 13/16” neck. This guitar also features a removeable bolt-on neck that allows for neck tilt adjustment. A single bolt, adjusted with an Allen wrench through a hole in the neck heel, loosens and allows removal of the neck. The arch of the top and back of any carved archtop will rise and fall significantly from season to season. Having the option to tilt the neck when the bridge cannot be further adjusted, allows the player to keep the strings at the optimal height.