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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kif has been making limited production and experimental Guitars for some 30 years. Originally trained as an Industrial Designer in Engineering he met, and worked with, Dan Armstrong in the early 70s. From this, and his love of music, sprang a desire to make the most beautiful performing guitars. At an early stage, he discovered that there were many ‘HOWs’, but no ‘WHYs’, with regard to Guitar building. ‘My Grandfather did it like this, and now, so do I’ !! So, combining his design background and an almost intuitive application of applied physics / mechanics with a ‘blending-in’ of a fascination for the organic structures found in nature’s engineering, he started to design Acoustic Guitars from first principles. Tradition is all very well, but it can tend to become ‘Fossilised’, and it is easy for the guitar maker’s best friend to become his dogma ! (SHELL photo =’rolled-up fret scale!!) History is punctuated by great innovators. Stradivarius, Torres , Panormo, Staufer, Maccaferri, Leo Fender et alia. However it is sad to see their genius becoming the next dogma.It is very pleasing to note that over the last few years, many new Luthiers are experimenting with other radical new ideas. (WEB link) The nature of Music itself, and the relationships within the harmonic series of the vibrating string further reflect ratios and dimensions which are directly applicable to the structure of musical instruments. ( Gldn Mn/ Fib.Nos.) The philosophy behind the design process is threefold. The instrument must perform with the fullest balance of volume and tonal qualities. It must demand to be played. It must be visually beautiful. These three qualities are twisted together as in a strand of rope. From many experiments with form and materials, including the (in)famous J Cloth Special’ (a bowl-back made from J Cloth reinforced resin in 1972!!), and experiments to build lighter and lighter instruments- only one has ever imploded !! ...A range of superb acoustic instruments has finally evolved. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Kif range includes :
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