APRIL, 2005

THE TEA PARTY’S JEFF MARTIN PIONEERS
WORLD FIRST GUITAR BY PERTH MAKER

Perth guitar luthier, Andrew Ellis of ellis guitars, is fast gaining international recognition for his craft after the launch of his world first 7-string ellis Resonator Guitar, custom made and designed for The Tea Party guitarist/vocalist Jeff Martin.

The Canadian guitarist has been working closely with Ellis on designing a series of custom made guitars for him, the first being this unique resonator which has an additional 7th floating bass string that can be adjusted in length to bass, baritone or standard.

The unique 7th string can also be used for slide, an extension of open tunings or as a drone string. Martin is currently playing his custom ellis resonator on The Tea Party tour through Canada and Europe, as well as using it to record his upcoming solo album.

“This is the only instrument of its kind in the world. It is great to have this guitar in the hands of an internationally renowned player who can bring out its full potential,” said Andrew.

Ellis’ idea for the floating 7th string was influenced by Jeff’s own ultra-rare vintage Gibson harp guitar. However, unlike the bass strings on a harp guitar which are designed as drone strings, the 7th string on the ellis Resonator guitar can be played with a slide. The scale length can also be changed quickly and easily because it is a floating string with no frets interfering to cause intonation problems.

ellis guitars is also pleased to announce they have secured a European dealer for their guitars. ellis guitars will be 1 of only 5 companies to be included in a “Master Luthiers Collection”, which will potentially give them access to the European market in the coming year.

Ellis was approached by the European dealer, who is based in Italy, at the Frankston Guitar Festival last month, where he personally ordered an ellis guitar to take back to Italy with him later in the year. March, 2005

 

 

.....as a quality Australian luthier in Perth, Western Australia Andrew Ellis of Ellis Guitars blends traditional old-fashioned handcraft with the latest technology to produce sweet sounding custom hand made guitars. Steel string dreadnought, 000, jumbo, OM, small jumbo, L1, Jumbo, Weissenborn, Left Hand Guitars and Lap Steel models, wood body and metal body resonators and custom wood and timber stomp boxes are all hand crafted and handmade. A combination of international solid timbers renowned for acoustic and sound-producing qualities, temperature and humidity controlled environments, attention to colour matching and design, and patient awareness of the delicate processes of manufacture including wood tuning, thicknesses, bracing and finishing techniques guarantee beauty and quality......