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Mike Petrovich Flamenco cutaway model
I met Mike Petrovich about 20 years ago. At that time, I
was a Senior Marketing Photographer for the Walt Disney World Company
here in Orlando. I took some photos of Mike and a friend of mine,
Eric Lesko, for their publicity purposes. They played guitar as
a duo act and needed some good photos. About that same time, I went
to see their "act" at a local club. They played very well
and I thoroughly enjoyed my evening. I was very impressed with Mike's
playing ability and overall musicianship. I did not expect him to
play so well, as in my mind, Eric would be the "show stopper!"
But I could see and hear that Mike definitely had some "chops!"
Some 10 years went by before I saw Mike again. This time, he contacted
me to shoot some publicity photos of his new band "Cayambe."
Some months after that photo shoot (2001) I went to hear Mike playing
solo at the Hyatt Regency "Grand Cypress Resort" here
in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (Disney World.) I was totally in awe
of his playing! He was good 10 years earlier while playing his duo
act with Eric Lesko, but now he was incredible! Upon hearing his
incredible improvement, I decided that I wanted him pla ying
a Desmond guitar. I started dreaming up the ideal instrument for
Mike's playing style. I called him on the telephone and discussed
my thoughts with him. He was totally excited about my ideas! I had
never built a guitar like this one before, so we were entering into
unknown territory. I gave him a good price on the guitar and he
agreed to accept it for that price regardless of how it sounded
and performed. Well, Mike got lucky and so did I! The guitar is
fantastic! The following description and photos of the "Mike
Petrovich Model" should explain the instrument in detail.
The "concept" for Mike's guitar was
to make a modern version of a Flamenco guitar, with some new possible
improvements. First of all, Mike wanted the instrument to SOUND
like a Flamenco guitar. He wanted it to have an onboard amplification
system installed. He wanted it to be made from traditional woods
like Spanish Cypress and German Spruce. He wanted it to be a cutaway
design. He wanted it to have a VERY LOW playing action. He wanted
the sound to be "quick" like on traditional Flamenco guitars
of the past. And he wanted it to be lightweight. Well, luckily for
Mike, I had the same things in mind, except for a couple of more
improvements. I wanted it to also have a raised fingerboard, similar
to the violin family, in order to make the guitar even easier to
play on the upper frets. I wanted to brace the guitars top in the
manner of the great Spanish luthier, Santos Hernandez. I wanted
the top to be quite thin, with no under bridge pad. I wanted the
top to be quite free to vibrate. Finally, I wanted the guitar's
appearance to be very simple. So, I started the project in late
2002 and finished the guitar in March of 2003. Mike is performing
his guitar magic 2-4 nights per week on his 2003 Desmond! I
am currently taking orders for this model. The price depends
on the many options available, however, the starting price is $7,000.00
Please call or e-mail me for specific quotes.
Learn
more about Mike from his website.
Mike's testimonial
Bob,
I want to thank you for the incredible guitar
you built for me. I absolutely love the way it sounds, plays, and
looks. The fact that you took the time to tailor it to my playing
style makes this guitar very special to me. This guitar has exceeded
my expectations. It is a work of art.
I have been fortunate to be able to see this
guitar as it progressed through its different stages. I know from
observing you work on it, that your attention to detail and striving
for perfection is second to none — something true about every
guitar I've seen you make. I also appreciate the opportunity you
gave me to offer some input along the way.
Although I've only had this guitar for a short
time I feel really comfortable playing it. I feel like it is already
making me a better guitarist, allowing me to play difficult passages
more easily. Playing a jazz and flamenco mix, as I do, it really
helps to have a real Flamenco guitar. I was missing that true Flamenco
sound before. Having that beautiful cutaway opens up many new possibilities
for me.
Thank you, again, for making me a guitar that
is a joy to play and listen to.
A proud owner of a Desmond guitar,
Mike Petrovich
| Right:
Close up of junction where neck and body meet. Notice how
the fingerboard is raised above soundboard via a slanted top
and angled block under fingerboard. Guitar is unfinished at
this point. |
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Right:
A similar view as previous photo. This angled top, resulting
in a raised fingerboard, greatly facilitates the ease of playing
on the upper frets. The cutaway design combined with the raised
fingerboard make playing this guitar a real pleasure!
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Left:
The initial padding process is underway. This allows the shellac
to be absorbed by the top like a sponge would absorb water.
This initial coat also protects the top while the rest of
the instrument is being varnished. |
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Left:
Loading of the pad. The top on all my guitars is currently
being finished with shellac applied in the French Polish manner.
The initial shellac is padded on the bare wood of the top
as a base coat. In this case only, the pad is loaded with
shellac from the outside. |
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| Right:
This photo shows that most of the top has received its initial
coat of "French Polish." Notice that the area where
the bridge will be attached later on is masked off to protect
the bare wood underneath. |
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Right:
Close up of Mike's rosette before applying finish. I designed
and manufactured this rosette to match the aesthetic themeing
of Mike's guitar. Notice the 20th fret for the 1st and 2nd
strings, C and G notes. |
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Left:
Here is the rosette photographed from a lower angle showing
the approaching raised fingerboard. The initial finish has
been applied. |
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Left:
Side view of finished guitar showing the playing advantage
due to the slanted top and raised fingerboard. I cannot stress
enough how much easier the guitar is to play because of this
design element. |
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| Right:
Full back view showing finished back with its simple ebony
bindings. This angle also shows clearly the cutaway design
while still maintaining a traditional look. |
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Right:
Close up showing junction of neck and heel to body. This photo
shows very clearly the ebony bindings cut into the outline
of the guitar. |
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Left:
Front view of finished guitar with strings. Even with the
cutaway design, the guitar still maintains its traditional
look. Finish is entirely completed in this photo. |
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Left:
Close up of the back's heel cap detail and cutaway ending. |
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| Right:
Bottom view of guitar showing inlaid ebony wedge with purflings
of black and natural woods. Notice the end jack of the onboard
Fishman Acoustic Natural 1 pre-amp. The transducer for this
amplification system is located under the bridge saddle. A
9 volt battery is attached to a metal clip installed securely
on the inside neck block. This battery supplies power to the
onboard pre-amp and only needs to be replaced about once a
year. The resulting sound of this system is truly impressive!
The Fishman system has no adverse affect to the guitar when
played unplugged! |
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Right:
Front view of finished rosette with strings. Notice on label
the dedication to Mike Petrovich. |
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Left:
Close up of finished head. Notice the book matched African
Blackwood with it's sapwood of yellowish color. I made up
a contrasting herringbone design and inlaid it down the center
joint. Tuning machines are Irving Sloane's with gold plated
side plates and ebony buttons. |
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