Skytop Grand Auditorium, Brazilian Rosewood & Bearclaw Sitka Spruce

"Foregoing a traditional soundhole, my side-soundport guitars direct the sound up towards, rather than away from the player. The result is an experience unlike any other guitar you have played. The player is just 'in it' - rewarded, while the forward projection to the room is not penalized in the least."

Eric Weigeshoff is an unusual builder, who comes from a film and design background, and builds guitars with the goal of incorporating the inspiration he finds in the natural world. This Grand Auditorium model features a dramatically figured set of Brazilian rosewood for the back and sides, and a Sitka spruce top that sets a new bar for the term "bearclawed". The intuitively laid out fan fret and multi-scale design facilitates all manner of playing. The double upward-facing soundholes give the guitarist an immediate and intimate experience, with no sacrifice to the listener's. Eric has also used figured walnut in some unexpected places - you'll catch the first glimpse on the bevelled armrest, but more notably, the neck is entirely walnut. The combination of all these tonewoods in this unusual shape is striking yet cohesive, and tonally deeply satisfying. Priced with a custom dark sparkle Calton case.