using any available technology, so long as there is a distinction in the
processes between what is automated and what must be done by hand.
What;makes;my;guitars;unique;in;the;marketplace;are;the;processes;of;
selecting the woods, tuning the bodies to work together with the necks,
and;carving;and;tuning;the;tops;and;backs.;Regardless;of;whether;the;
instrument is acoustic or electric, these tasks will always be done with the
skill and knowledge that can only come from an appreciation of what
is;pleasing;to;the;human;ear;and;the;experience;of;enjoying;music.;The;
only machine capable of that is the human body. A machine can certainly help get to the point where this important work begins.
What do you think about the Plek fret-leveling machine?
Actually,;I;think;extensive;fretwork;is;unnecessary;on;a;new;instru-ment. After reading the many chapters on leveling frets in every gui-tar-making book, it occurred to me that the problem was not with
the frets, but with the generally accepted way that necks are built.
Over;the;last;six;years,;I;have;spent;my;time;perfecting;my;neck;
processes and have achieved zero fret buzz without ever leveling the
fret;surfaces.;I;simply;dress;the;fret;ends;and;polish;them.;When;this;
is done, the fretboard is stable and straight and is predictable under
string;tension.;So,;the;Plek;machine;seems;redundant.
What are your favorite woods and why?
For;electrics;and;archtop;electrics,;I;love;to;use;claro;walnut;for;the;
tops. It is such a gorgeous wood and has this dark tonality that appeals
to me musically. Another favorite is korina, because of its rich midrange tones that are perfect for that classic carved-top sound. Paired
with;a;nice;set;of;humbuckers;or;a;good;P- 90,;korina;just;sings.;I;
also;love;to;use;rosewood;necks;for;my;electrics.;Matched;with;a;reso-nant;body,;a;rosewood;neck;brings;a;complexity;of;tone;that;is;hard;
to;describe.;I;recently;acquired;some;Brazilian;Kingwood;that;was;
imported;in;1929,;and;this;wood;is;fast;becoming;one;of;my;favorites.;
One of the accomplishments Myka is
proudest of is the full-access, heelless neck
joint he developed over the course of a year. It’s shown here
on the #082 Hollow Dragon, and he’s currently developing a
line of full-size acoustics with the same heel design.
What is it about the Kingwood that you’re digging so much?
I have a collection of Brazilian rosewood fingerboards, and I hear
the;same;complexity;of;tone;during;my;tap;test.;The;deep;low;end;is;
there,;along;with;excellent;sustain;and;that;crisp,;glassy;top;end;that;
Brazilian is known for. In a blind tap test, I am not sure I could tell
the difference—it’s;that;good!;
Which components are outsourced?
I outsource hardware and electronic components, such as tuning keys,
pickups,;and;electronic;switches.;Oh,;and;cases.;In;the;future,;I;will;
be machining more of my own hardware. But all of the woodworking
is done in-house and always will be.
How do you go about selecting and mating pickups for your
guitars?
