As soon as I saw this I feel in love with it and regretted never continuing my guitar lessons. This is such a wonderful instrument, the materials used is amazing. According to Blackbird, The Blackbird Rider features an all-hollow uni-body shell setting it apart from any guitar in the world. That is the body, neck, and head are cast in one-piece with the sound board, fretboard, tuners, etc. added to that main component. Forming the main component in one-piece eliminates the weak and sound-absorbing joints associated with standard guitars. This patent-pending construction relies on the incredibly strong and stiff properties of carbon fiber as well as plenty of unique design features to create the strongest, most resonant small-bodied guitar available anywhere.
This patent-pending construction relies on the incredibly strong and stiff properties of carbon fiber as well as plenty of unique design features to create the strongest, most resonant small-bodied guitar available anywhere.
The first model was the Rider steel-string, a nearly indestructible travel companion which set the benchmark for the category. Blackbird’s singular blend of F1/aerospace design technology and traditional craft gives form to a new highly resilient and responsive guitar annually and including the first carbon fiber ukulele. Each Blackbird is individually made by small team of luthiers in San Francisco.
“Carbon fiber comes in a variety of different styles and configurations which accommodates a huge range of applications. Blackbird guitars take full advantage of this versatility, utilizing a blend of uni-directional (super stiff in one direction), 90 degree (strong and stiff in two directions) and twill (wraps well in three dimensions) along with core materials to add strength and reduce weight even further. Carbon fiber’s stiffness is what makes it physically superior to wood as a sound board material. Its durability and strength, no matter the conditions, makes for a perfect travelling companion.”
Source: Daily Icon
About Blackbird Guitars
Blackbird Guitars was formed in 2005 when founders and designers Joe Luttwak and Kyle Wolfe gave-up searching for a compact guitar worth bringing along for the ride. The only ‘travel’ models available were thin-sounding and fragile. Armed with experience in high tech products, the quest starting innocently enough with the tried-and-true design mantra to generate as many concepts as possible and prototype the winners. It helped to have access to the latest advanced manufacturing early in the process including three-dimensional CAD (computer-aided design), computer controlled lasers and routers as well as carbon-fiber and kevlar composites. The team benefited greatly from the tutelage and encouragement of several Bay Area guitar-making luminaries. After a two years of development, the resulting Rider model is a harmonious blend of technology and traditional craftsmanship. Part mountain dulcimer, part F1 race car, Blackbird guitars are high performance instruments built for the road in our shop in San Francisco’s Mission district.
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Wow..My Mom played classical guitar for most of her adult life. These are just beautiful. I have to share.
Yes, although it probably wouldn't be solid carbon fiber. That would be an expensive guitar! It would probably be a foam core with a carbon fiber skin, kind of like a surfboard has a foam core and a fiberglass skin.