Elliott Capos Elite Guitar Capo 16" Radius G34E #Elliott Elite 16 G34E
Serial: Elliott Elite 16 G34E
$225.00
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There are guitars that captivate with their sound, others that astonish with their craftsmanship, and then there are those extraordinarily rare instruments that transcend both, becoming genuine works of art. The Blind Guitars B-24L Catacombes de Paris is a breathtaking example of the latter, an ambitious collaboration between French master luthier Virgile Pilon and scientific illustrator Charlène Letenneur. Inspired by the haunting beauty and extraordinary history of the Paris Catacombs, this remarkable creation is an exploration of mortality, artistry, and the enduring nature of music. Every detail has been thoughtfully conceived, every material chosen with purpose, and every artistic element meticulously executed. The result is an instrument that feels simultaneously centuries old and strikingly contemporary, a masterpiece of imagination and uncompromising craftsmanship.
Working from his atelier in Anglet, France, Virgile Pilon has established Blind Guitars as one of the more distinctive voices in contemporary boutique lutherie. His journey began with a passion for guitars in his adolescence, followed by formal training in fine woodworking and cabinetmaking in France, studies at a respected lutherie school in Quebec, and further professional experience in Australia, where he expanded his knowledge of jazz guitar construction. Returning to France, he spent several years working in a busy Parisian repair workshop, gaining invaluable firsthand experience with thousands of instruments. This extraordinary breadth of experience informs a building philosophy that honors the great American acoustic guitars of the 1920s and 1930s while embracing sophisticated contemporary acoustic engineering. His innovative approaches to soundboard geometry, bracing, and the interaction between the top and back demonstrate a profound understanding of how an acoustic guitar breathes, responds, and ultimately becomes an extension of the musician.
For the Catacombes de Paris, Pilon has chosen his magnificent B-24L platform, a modified 13-fret, large-body interpretation of the historic Ditson Style 11. Its gracefully proportioned silhouette offers an alluring combination of vintage character and commanding acoustic presence. The soundboard is crafted from torrefied Alpine spruce, finished in a deep, mirror-like black that creates a dramatic contrast against the warmth and luminosity of the torrefied flamed maple back and sides. The thermal treatment of these remarkable tonewoods is intended to encourage the responsiveness and stability associated with well-seasoned timber, while the combination of Alpine spruce and maple offers the potential for exceptional clarity, immediacy, articulate note separation, and a beautifully controlled low end. The generous body dimensions and extended 25.5-inch scale provide the foundation for an expansive, dynamically engaging voice, capable of delivering delicate nuance and considerable authority.
Perhaps the most mesmerizing architectural achievement is the extraordinary custom three-dimensional Catacomb rosette. Far beyond traditional decorative inlay, this astonishing creation is a miniature sculptural interpretation of an ossuary, seemingly descending into the depths of the instrument itself. At its center rests a haunting skull, surrounded by an intricate radial arrangement of skeletal forms and interlocking bones that evoke the carefully arranged human remains found beneath the streets of Paris. Elaborate concentric rings of gilded ornamentation frame the composition, their delicate repeating patterns lending an almost ecclesiastical grandeur to the otherwise macabre imagery. Richly figured Crelicam ebony forms the outer surround, bringing warmth and organic complexity to the design while providing a magnificent transition into the piano-black soundboard. The interplay of depth, shadow, geometry, and contrasting materials is nothing short of extraordinary. It is a detail that rewards prolonged examination, revealing new intricacies with every change of perspective. A specially designed ossuary-inspired end graft carries this remarkable visual narrative into another of the guitar's carefully considered appointments.
The back of the instrument is equally astonishing, showcasing an exquisite original hand-drawn composition by Charlène Letenneur, a highly accomplished scientific and natural history illustrator associated with the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris. With extensive experience illustrating anatomical specimens, paleontological research, and scientific publications, Letenneur brings a remarkable degree of anatomical understanding and artistic sophistication to this collaboration. Her magnificent illustration depicts four human skulls arranged among crossed femurs and scattered skeletal fragments, rendered with extraordinary precision and a masterful command of light and shadow. Every subtle contour, hollow eye socket, weathered surface, and delicate anatomical detail has been carefully articulated, creating an almost sculptural sense of dimension upon the beautifully figured maple. Above the composition appears the ominous French inscription, "ARRÊTE! C'EST ICI L'EMPIRE DE LA MORT," translated as "Stop! This is the Empire of Death," the famous warning that greets visitors entering the ossuary of the Paris Catacombs. The words transform the instrument into a powerful tribute to one of France's most fascinating historical landmarks. The artwork, an undertaking of approximately fifty hours of painstaking illustration, is especially remarkable for the way it integrates with the natural flame and golden coloration of the wood. Rather than appearing simply as decoration applied to a guitar, the imagery seems to emerge organically from the maple itself, as though the instrument has preserved an ancient story within its grain.
The smaller appointments are every bit as deliberate and sophisticated. Exquisite Crelicam ebony has been selected for the fingerboard, bridge, and headstock veneers, its richly varied natural figure offering a beautiful organic counterpoint to the otherwise dramatic aesthetic. A custom brass skull at the twelfth fret continues the ossuary theme, complemented by understated offset position markers and beautifully executed EVO gold frets. The elegant headstock features a striking torrefied flamed maple crest set against dark Crelicam ebony, while gold Schertler tuning machines with ebony buttons complete its refined presentation. A spectacular torrefied flamed maple neck displays vibrant, dimensional figuring beneath a smooth satin lacquer finish. Its comfortable oval C profile, 16-inch fingerboard radius, 1.77-inch nut width, and 2.24-inch bridge spacing have been thoughtfully selected to accommodate expressive, fluid playing. An additional side soundport, fitted with a removable magnetic Crelicam ebony cover, provides another opportunity for the player to experience the instrument's acoustic character from an intimate perspective. Fine ebony body bindings and delicate black-and-white purflings frame the entire composition with an understated elegance that allows the exceptional craftsmanship and artwork to remain the center of attention.
At 4 pounds, 13 ounces, and protected by a premium carbon fiber BAM case, the Blind Guitars B-24L Catacombes de Paris is an extraordinary celebration of the possibilities that emerge when masterful lutherie and fine art converge. It embodies Virgile Pilon's lifelong fascination with acoustic instruments, Charlène Letenneur's remarkable artistic vision, and the haunting historical legacy of the Parisian underground. The contrast between the solemn imagery of mortality and the living, breathing voice of a finely crafted acoustic guitar creates a particularly beautiful sense of poetry. This is far more than an exceptionally appointed custom instrument. It is an artistic statement, a historical homage, and a singular expression of craftsmanship destined to be treasured for generations.
Other specifications include:
- Modified 13-Fret Large Body Ditson Style 11 Body Shape
- Torrefied Alpine Spruce Top - Black Top
- Torrefied Flamed Maple Back & Sides
- Torrefied Flamed Maple Neck
- Ebony Bindings
- B/W/B Purflings
- Custom Crelicam Ebony & 3D Catacomb Rosette
- Custom Ossuary End Graft
- Hand-Drawn Artwork by C. Letenneur
- Crelicam Ebony Fingerboard & Bridge
- 12th Fret Brass Skull Fingerboard Inlay with Offset Dot Markers
- Crelicam Ebony Headplate with Torrefied Flamed Maple Crest
- Crelicam Ebony Rear Headplate
- Sound Port with Magnetic Crelicam Ebony Cover
- Bone Nut & Saddle
- EVO Gold Frets
- Gold Schertler Tuning Machines with Ebony Buttons
- Gloss Urethane Body Finish
- Satin Lacquer Neck Finish
- Carbon Fiber BAM Case
- Oval C Neck Profile
- 16" Fingerboard Radius
- 25.5" Scale Length
- 1.77" (45mm) Nut Width
- 2.24" (57mm) Bridge Spacing
- 4 lb 13 oz
- #140
For more information about the Blind Guitars B-24L Catacombes de Paris, please contact us.
- Manufacturer
- Blind Guitars
- Body Style
- Dreadnought
- Actual Weight
- 4.13
- Condition
- Brand New
- Model
- B-24L
- Body Style
- 13 Fret
- Strings
- 6
- Pickup
- No
- Color
- Black Top
Product Images
Downloads
SKU: 140 BLIND
Weight:
4 lbs
13 oz
Blind Guitars B-24L Catacombes de Paris - Alpine Spruce & Flamed Maple - 140
$27,500.00
- Condition:
- New
Free Shipping inside lower 48 states
48 Hour Return Policy
Description
There are guitars that captivate with their sound, others that astonish with their craftsmanship, and then there are those extraordinarily rare instruments that transcend both, becoming genuine works of art. The Blind Guitars B-24L Catacombes de Paris is a breathtaking example of the latter, an ambitious collaboration between French master luthier Virgile Pilon and scientific illustrator Charlène Letenneur. Inspired by the haunting beauty and extraordinary history of the Paris Catacombs, this remarkable creation is an exploration of mortality, artistry, and the enduring nature of music. Every detail has been thoughtfully conceived, every material chosen with purpose, and every artistic element meticulously executed. The result is an instrument that feels simultaneously centuries old and strikingly contemporary, a masterpiece of imagination and uncompromising craftsmanship.
Working from his atelier in Anglet, France, Virgile Pilon has established Blind Guitars as one of the more distinctive voices in contemporary boutique lutherie. His journey began with a passion for guitars in his adolescence, followed by formal training in fine woodworking and cabinetmaking in France, studies at a respected lutherie school in Quebec, and further professional experience in Australia, where he expanded his knowledge of jazz guitar construction. Returning to France, he spent several years working in a busy Parisian repair workshop, gaining invaluable firsthand experience with thousands of instruments. This extraordinary breadth of experience informs a building philosophy that honors the great American acoustic guitars of the 1920s and 1930s while embracing sophisticated contemporary acoustic engineering. His innovative approaches to soundboard geometry, bracing, and the interaction between the top and back demonstrate a profound understanding of how an acoustic guitar breathes, responds, and ultimately becomes an extension of the musician.
For the Catacombes de Paris, Pilon has chosen his magnificent B-24L platform, a modified 13-fret, large-body interpretation of the historic Ditson Style 11. Its gracefully proportioned silhouette offers an alluring combination of vintage character and commanding acoustic presence. The soundboard is crafted from torrefied Alpine spruce, finished in a deep, mirror-like black that creates a dramatic contrast against the warmth and luminosity of the torrefied flamed maple back and sides. The thermal treatment of these remarkable tonewoods is intended to encourage the responsiveness and stability associated with well-seasoned timber, while the combination of Alpine spruce and maple offers the potential for exceptional clarity, immediacy, articulate note separation, and a beautifully controlled low end. The generous body dimensions and extended 25.5-inch scale provide the foundation for an expansive, dynamically engaging voice, capable of delivering delicate nuance and considerable authority.
Perhaps the most mesmerizing architectural achievement is the extraordinary custom three-dimensional Catacomb rosette. Far beyond traditional decorative inlay, this astonishing creation is a miniature sculptural interpretation of an ossuary, seemingly descending into the depths of the instrument itself. At its center rests a haunting skull, surrounded by an intricate radial arrangement of skeletal forms and interlocking bones that evoke the carefully arranged human remains found beneath the streets of Paris. Elaborate concentric rings of gilded ornamentation frame the composition, their delicate repeating patterns lending an almost ecclesiastical grandeur to the otherwise macabre imagery. Richly figured Crelicam ebony forms the outer surround, bringing warmth and organic complexity to the design while providing a magnificent transition into the piano-black soundboard. The interplay of depth, shadow, geometry, and contrasting materials is nothing short of extraordinary. It is a detail that rewards prolonged examination, revealing new intricacies with every change of perspective. A specially designed ossuary-inspired end graft carries this remarkable visual narrative into another of the guitar's carefully considered appointments.
The back of the instrument is equally astonishing, showcasing an exquisite original hand-drawn composition by Charlène Letenneur, a highly accomplished scientific and natural history illustrator associated with the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris. With extensive experience illustrating anatomical specimens, paleontological research, and scientific publications, Letenneur brings a remarkable degree of anatomical understanding and artistic sophistication to this collaboration. Her magnificent illustration depicts four human skulls arranged among crossed femurs and scattered skeletal fragments, rendered with extraordinary precision and a masterful command of light and shadow. Every subtle contour, hollow eye socket, weathered surface, and delicate anatomical detail has been carefully articulated, creating an almost sculptural sense of dimension upon the beautifully figured maple. Above the composition appears the ominous French inscription, "ARRÊTE! C'EST ICI L'EMPIRE DE LA MORT," translated as "Stop! This is the Empire of Death," the famous warning that greets visitors entering the ossuary of the Paris Catacombs. The words transform the instrument into a powerful tribute to one of France's most fascinating historical landmarks. The artwork, an undertaking of approximately fifty hours of painstaking illustration, is especially remarkable for the way it integrates with the natural flame and golden coloration of the wood. Rather than appearing simply as decoration applied to a guitar, the imagery seems to emerge organically from the maple itself, as though the instrument has preserved an ancient story within its grain.
The smaller appointments are every bit as deliberate and sophisticated. Exquisite Crelicam ebony has been selected for the fingerboard, bridge, and headstock veneers, its richly varied natural figure offering a beautiful organic counterpoint to the otherwise dramatic aesthetic. A custom brass skull at the twelfth fret continues the ossuary theme, complemented by understated offset position markers and beautifully executed EVO gold frets. The elegant headstock features a striking torrefied flamed maple crest set against dark Crelicam ebony, while gold Schertler tuning machines with ebony buttons complete its refined presentation. A spectacular torrefied flamed maple neck displays vibrant, dimensional figuring beneath a smooth satin lacquer finish. Its comfortable oval C profile, 16-inch fingerboard radius, 1.77-inch nut width, and 2.24-inch bridge spacing have been thoughtfully selected to accommodate expressive, fluid playing. An additional side soundport, fitted with a removable magnetic Crelicam ebony cover, provides another opportunity for the player to experience the instrument's acoustic character from an intimate perspective. Fine ebony body bindings and delicate black-and-white purflings frame the entire composition with an understated elegance that allows the exceptional craftsmanship and artwork to remain the center of attention.
At 4 pounds, 13 ounces, and protected by a premium carbon fiber BAM case, the Blind Guitars B-24L Catacombes de Paris is an extraordinary celebration of the possibilities that emerge when masterful lutherie and fine art converge. It embodies Virgile Pilon's lifelong fascination with acoustic instruments, Charlène Letenneur's remarkable artistic vision, and the haunting historical legacy of the Parisian underground. The contrast between the solemn imagery of mortality and the living, breathing voice of a finely crafted acoustic guitar creates a particularly beautiful sense of poetry. This is far more than an exceptionally appointed custom instrument. It is an artistic statement, a historical homage, and a singular expression of craftsmanship destined to be treasured for generations.
Other specifications include:
- Modified 13-Fret Large Body Ditson Style 11 Body Shape
- Torrefied Alpine Spruce Top - Black Top
- Torrefied Flamed Maple Back & Sides
- Torrefied Flamed Maple Neck
- Ebony Bindings
- B/W/B Purflings
- Custom Crelicam Ebony & 3D Catacomb Rosette
- Custom Ossuary End Graft
- Hand-Drawn Artwork by C. Letenneur
- Crelicam Ebony Fingerboard & Bridge
- 12th Fret Brass Skull Fingerboard Inlay with Offset Dot Markers
- Crelicam Ebony Headplate with Torrefied Flamed Maple Crest
- Crelicam Ebony Rear Headplate
- Sound Port with Magnetic Crelicam Ebony Cover
- Bone Nut & Saddle
- EVO Gold Frets
- Gold Schertler Tuning Machines with Ebony Buttons
- Gloss Urethane Body Finish
- Satin Lacquer Neck Finish
- Carbon Fiber BAM Case
- Oval C Neck Profile
- 16" Fingerboard Radius
- 25.5" Scale Length
- 1.77" (45mm) Nut Width
- 2.24" (57mm) Bridge Spacing
- 4 lb 13 oz
- #140
For more information about the Blind Guitars B-24L Catacombes de Paris, please contact us.
- Manufacturer
- Blind Guitars
- Body Style
- Dreadnought
- Actual Weight
- 4.13
- Condition
- Brand New
- Model
- B-24L
- Body Style
- 13 Fret
- Strings
- 6
- Pickup
- No
- Color
- Black Top
Media Gallery
Product Images
Downloads
Contact Us About this Item
True Product Images
Yes, this is the actual guitar you’re looking at – not a generic stock photo! We take the time to individually photograph each and every guitar we sell so that you know exactly what you’re getting. From the grain of the wood to the unique finish and subtle character marks, what you see in the photo is the very guitar that will be shipped to your door. No surprises, no guesswork – just full transparency and confidence in your purchase.
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