Prototype Guild D40 Omega Brace, Richie Havens.

One of a kind Prototype #1, 2005 Guild D40 Omega Brace, Richie Havens Acoustic Guitar

This is a one of a kind; handmade as the first and only graphite X-braced acoustic. It was used for sonic testing and to pursue patent.

Started in 2005, in Tacoma, Washington; this is a handmade collaboration by two highly esteemed and supreme expert master luthiers: Tim Shaw, who in 2008 built the prototypical top in Nashville and Meaulnes Laberge who built the rest and assembled it all in Tacoma. It was finished in July 2009 and sent for approval to Fender R&D in California where it stayed until purchased in December 2010.

The graphite brace design was specially formulated utilizing Fender’s successful R&D in graphite reinforcements, which utilized consultants from the revered engineering department at a company universally recognized for having perfected the art of flexible graphite rod design.

The end result of this collaboration provided an acoustic bracing that was light, stable yet flexible and established control over parameters responsible for frequency response, volume, projection and sustain. In a practical sense, the guitar is loud, punchy and clear and should never need a winter saddle, neck reset or bridge replacement.

There is no finish checking and the only cosmetic damage are three scratches on the back (see pics). No splits, breaks, mods or repairs. Seldom played, it was purchased new in 2010 and stored ever since. It was just restrung last week; 10 – 48, which are only the 2nd set of strings its seen.

·               Body Style: Dreadnought

·               Top: Solid Sitka Spruce

·               Bracing: Fibersonixx OB1-A graphite X-brace, Scalloped Red Spruce finger bracing

·               Solid Mahogany back and sides

·               Mahogany neck

·               Rosewood fretboard

·               Rosewood bridge

·               Nut Width: measured at 1.75”

·               Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer 

·               Hardware: Chrome

·               Signature truss rod cover

·               Chrome Grover tuners

·               Scale Length: 25.625"

·               Fingerboard Radius: measured at 10" 

·               No. of Frets: 20 

·               Position Inlays: Pearl Dot

·               All original with a single tortoise guard

·               Guitar has low playtime and is in great condition

·               Includes its original hardshell case

·               Includes a signed letter verifying its authentic status

·               Includes hangtags that specify its prototype & date of manufacture.

·               Original MSRP: $3,399.99

·               International sales ok

Cruel and demanding wife forces sale. Spoiled and expensive kids don't help either.

Richie Havens opened Woodstock in 1969 and for the 40th anniversary. He died in 2013 at 72yrs.