NEW JC Baxendale “Norman Blake Tribute”
Back and sides: Mahogany
Origin: USA
Price: Sold but please inquire for deposits on your own custom build.
NOTE: This is not a “Norman Blake Model” or authorized by Norman Blake, it is simply a one off custom made tribute guitar. The Pre War Guitar Company builds fantastic Norman Blake authorized guitars, please contact me for pricing and details if you are interested in acquiring one)
John Baxendale, by now a ’not so well kept’ Nashville players ’secret’, has been on the radar of many fine players for years. I was introduced to John by my good friend Kim Sherman at ’Carters Vintage Guitars’ in Nashville, and you can order a new custom Baxendale from either Kim or myself.
This guitar was custom built by John and is a short scale, 12 fret, 000 body guitar with a stunning mat finish that looks very vintage. The heel cap is by Bob Hergert and is from a photo of young Norman, see the photos below. On the fret board is inscribed ’Norman’.
The guitar plays like a dream and the combination of the 000 body, 12 frets to the body, and short scale make it exceedingly easy to play, nut is 1 3/4”.
This is one of John’s favorite body sizes. The combination of features results in a guitar with ample volume, and a very ‘open’ and ‘resonant’ sound with notes that literally ’shimmer’. Something very special about these twelve fret guitars.
John stayed with the vintage vibe opting for a slotted head stock, and stamping his name on the back as opposed to his usual scrolled name on the front of the headstock, further lending to the feel of an old vintage guitar.
I post this just to share what John is capable of, and perhaps it will inspire you to design a custom guitar of your own. Please contact me for details about ordering one of your own.
