This is a build, custom spec'd through the Home of Tone by a customer and I wanted to share it here on the blog, as it's a classy one!
It is a Jennings 'Voyager Deluxe', the Voyager model is Jennings offset model and the Deluxe version notes that it is the semi hollow body construction version of that model. Body wood chosen for this build was Roasted Swamp Ash, for a few reasons in particular. First up, the chosen finish for this was to be an open grain, textured satin finish so swamp ash is a great choice for this to really capture some pronounced grain pattern and depth to the texture. Secondly, weight, of course this was going to have a reduced weight already due to the semi hollow over solid body design, but the torrification (roasting) process draws moisture from the wood and effectively brings the weight of the material down as a result. Thirdly, it's wonderful caramel like colour! Peering through the 'f' hole, you'll see the natural roasted wood colouring, but also the finish on this build has the 'exposed' sides, with no colour finish to provide a nice contrast between the top and back, and the binding too. So some great reasons as to why the roasted swamp ash was chosen for this build.
To continue on the colouring and overall design aspects the best way possible, the neck was chosen to be a roasted quartersawn maple, with an ebony fingerboard, Jennings signature hollow circle mother of pearl inlays, matching two tone headstock finish and fingerboard binding. Quartersawn maple refers to how the wood was sliced, which benefits structural integrity in a number of ways compared to regular plain-sawn timber. Combine this with the increased stability of torrefied/roasted wood, and you're looking at a rather good neck wood material indeed! Plus, the colour continuation from the exposed natural finish sides of the body up to the neck, and it captures a great look.
I must note too, that Chad's method of rounding the fret ends works particularly nicely against a bound fingerboard, looks great!
For hardware, versatility and stability was key, so the customer opted for a full Mastery bridge and vibrato configuration, along with Kluson 19:1 ratio locking vintage style tuners.
For pickups, we see a really cool pairing from McNelly Pickups, made in Canada. For convenience, both pickups are traditional humbucker size/footprint/mounting, but for some additional character they're outfitted in filter'tron style covers. The bridge pickup is McNelly's 'Sparkletron' design, a tron inspired humbucker and in the neck position, one of McNelly's most popular models, the Stagger Swagger which is essentially a noise cancelling P90 design. Nestled within the tron style cover, it looks great I must say! A nice classy black 3 ply pickguard and tele style knurled flat top control knobs round up the specs. A really classy, timeless selection of design points, with some awesome modern, quality touches that come together here really well. An honour to handle the custom order for this, from going through each and every spec detail with the customer to seeing it arrive here as the completed guitar thanks to Chad's fine luthiery! Let's wrap this brief spotlight with lots more photos! If you want to find out more about Jennings Guitars, please do check out the dedicated collection HERE or feel free to get in touch too.
James.
It is a Jennings 'Voyager Deluxe', the Voyager model is Jennings offset model and the Deluxe version notes that it is the semi hollow body construction version of that model. Body wood chosen for this build was Roasted Swamp Ash, for a few reasons in particular. First up, the chosen finish for this was to be an open grain, textured satin finish so swamp ash is a great choice for this to really capture some pronounced grain pattern and depth to the texture. Secondly, weight, of course this was going to have a reduced weight already due to the semi hollow over solid body design, but the torrification (roasting) process draws moisture from the wood and effectively brings the weight of the material down as a result. Thirdly, it's wonderful caramel like colour! Peering through the 'f' hole, you'll see the natural roasted wood colouring, but also the finish on this build has the 'exposed' sides, with no colour finish to provide a nice contrast between the top and back, and the binding too. So some great reasons as to why the roasted swamp ash was chosen for this build.
To continue on the colouring and overall design aspects the best way possible, the neck was chosen to be a roasted quartersawn maple, with an ebony fingerboard, Jennings signature hollow circle mother of pearl inlays, matching two tone headstock finish and fingerboard binding. Quartersawn maple refers to how the wood was sliced, which benefits structural integrity in a number of ways compared to regular plain-sawn timber. Combine this with the increased stability of torrefied/roasted wood, and you're looking at a rather good neck wood material indeed! Plus, the colour continuation from the exposed natural finish sides of the body up to the neck, and it captures a great look.
I must note too, that Chad's method of rounding the fret ends works particularly nicely against a bound fingerboard, looks great!
For hardware, versatility and stability was key, so the customer opted for a full Mastery bridge and vibrato configuration, along with Kluson 19:1 ratio locking vintage style tuners.
For pickups, we see a really cool pairing from McNelly Pickups, made in Canada. For convenience, both pickups are traditional humbucker size/footprint/mounting, but for some additional character they're outfitted in filter'tron style covers. The bridge pickup is McNelly's 'Sparkletron' design, a tron inspired humbucker and in the neck position, one of McNelly's most popular models, the Stagger Swagger which is essentially a noise cancelling P90 design. Nestled within the tron style cover, it looks great I must say! A nice classy black 3 ply pickguard and tele style knurled flat top control knobs round up the specs. A really classy, timeless selection of design points, with some awesome modern, quality touches that come together here really well. An honour to handle the custom order for this, from going through each and every spec detail with the customer to seeing it arrive here as the completed guitar thanks to Chad's fine luthiery! Let's wrap this brief spotlight with lots more photos! If you want to find out more about Jennings Guitars, please do check out the dedicated collection HERE or feel free to get in touch too.
James.