This checklist is to be used for making the various design selections necessary for Sandpiper to produce your harp guitar.

There are two styles of harp guitar made by Sandpiper. The first is in the shape of a conventional guitar in that it has a recurved “waist” on the upper side. This shape is called the “RECURVED” model. The second is the same guitar, but has a rounded upper side and is called the “ROUNDBACK” model. Both instruments are the same in all respects except for the shape and slightly more bass projection from the ROUNDBACK model.

The choices provided to you in this checklist are standard items. Keep in mind that you may choose alternate materials or want to change the design of some of the items. However, this may increase the price of the instrument. When Sandpiper receives this completed checklist, the choices will be evaluated, and you will be informed of any cost increases before the construction start date. You will then receive a price quote that will be a “not to exceed” price. This means that any cost overruns after the quoted price will not increase the cost to you.

If you have any questions during your selection process, please feel free to contact Sandpiper at any time.

Traditional woods for this guitar are species such as maple, walnut, mahogany, rosewood, and koa. The type of wood will determine to some extent the reaction of the strings as they are plucked. In general, the harder the wood, the sharper the attack and the quicker the decay. Softer woods tend to provide a mellower tone and a longer sustain. The table below will provide some comparison of the wood characteristics to help you in your choices.

Other woods may be selected if you have a specific species in mind. The tops or soundboards are typically made from Sitka or Englemann spruce unless specified otherwise. Tops have been succesfully made from Western Red Cedar and Koa, with the Cedar giving the warmest response and Koa giving a sharp or bright response.

So......here’s the process...Simply check the appropriate boxes and/or fill in the information in the space shown in response to each of the categories of design decisions and submit it to Sandpiper!

SHAPE CHOICE

Recurve model
Roundback model
Custom shape (describe)

TOP OR SOUNDBOARD CHOICE

Sitka Spruce
Englemann Spruce
Other Wood (specify)

Note: if you wish to have any special arrangement or combination of wood for the back, please describe your selection below.