Sale Pending-2012 - Laurie Williams 20th Year Commemorative Tui Signature - Paraoanui Sinker & Brazilian Rosewood

The 2012 Laurie Williams 20th Year Commemorative Tui Signature is a breathtaking celebration of one of New Zealand’s most respected and gifted luthiers. Laurie Williams has spent decades refining his art, drawing upon his deep connection to his homeland and its rich natural resources to create instruments of singular beauty and voice. His work is admired across the globe, yet it is always rooted in the spirit of New Zealand, with its ancient timbers, shimmering Paua shell, and reverence for craftsmanship passed through generations. This instrument stands as a milestone, honoring two decades of artistry while presenting itself as a one-of-a-kind guitar that sings with heritage, devotion, and soul.

At its heart lies a Paraoanui sinker top, a wood that has spent centuries resting beneath water before being brought back to life in this creation. Its voice is bold and resonant, carrying a complexity that only time and nature can bestow. Paired with premium Brazilian rosewood for the back and sides, the guitar gains a lush depth and warmth, with shimmering overtones that bloom on every note. The body is embraced by salvaged Totara bindings and a backstrip, materials chosen not only for their beauty but also for the story they carry, reclaimed from the rivers and forests of Laurie’s homeland. The laminated Totara neck and Totara headstock veneer extend this narrative of salvage and renewal, each piece of timber bearing its own unique life before being transformed into part of a greater whole.

The adornments are as remarkable as the tonewoods. The ebony fingerboard and bridge carry delicate floral inlays, crafted with Paua and synthetic opal that shimmer with the colors of the sea. A floral rosette of Paua and opal circles the soundhole, glowing like a jewel set into wood. Micro purflings of Paua trace the edges of the top, back, and sides, along with the fingerboard and headstock, framing the guitar in iridescent light. A Paua headstock logo crowns the instrument, while Gotoh 510 tuning machines with custom inlaid buttons complete the look with both elegance and precision. Every detail has been considered, and each one reinforces the sense that this guitar is not simply built but composed, like a symphony in wood and shell.

For comfort as well as artistry, the instrument features lower bout and waist bevels, inviting the player into a seamless relationship with the guitar. The gloss finish enhances the natural character of the woods, revealing depths of color and figure that shift and dance in changing light. With stainless steel frets, a bone nut and saddle, and carefully measured dimensions of a 25.5” scale length, 1 3/4” nut, and 2 1/4” bridge spacing, it offers effortless playability that matches the grace of its voice.

Laurie Williams’ 20th Year Commemorative Tui Signature is far more than a guitar. It is a work of art, a celebration of place, and a testament to decades of dedication from a luthier whose vision bridges tradition and innovation. Weighing 5 lbs 4 oz and housed in a protective Ameritage Gold case, this singular instrument embodies the essence of New Zealand’s land and sea, transformed by the skilled hands of one of its finest craftspeople. It stands as a rare treasure in the world of guitars, glowing with beauty, steeped in heritage, and alive with the spirit of music.

Other specifications include:

• Paraoanui Sinker Top
• Premium Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
• Salvaged River Totara Laminated Neck Neck
• Salvaged Totara Headstock Veneer
• Ebony Fingerboard & Bridge with Floral Inlays
• Floral Paua with Synthetic Opal Rosette
• Salvaged Totara Bindings & Backstrip
• Paua Top, Back, Sides Micro Purflings
• Double Micro Fingerboard & Headstock Purflings
• Lower Bout & Waist Bevels
• Gloss Finish
• Paua Headstock Logo
• Paua & Synthetic Opal Floral Fingerboard Inlays
• Gotoh 510 Tuning Machines with Custom Inlaid Buttons
• Bone Nut & Saddle
• Stainless Steel Frets
• 25.5” Scale Length
• 1 3/4” Nut
• 2 1/4” Bridge Spacing
• LR Baggs Lyric
• Ameritage Gold Case
• 5 lbs 4 oz
• #2012163

For more information about this Laurie Williams 20th Year Commemorative Tui Signature, please contact us.

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