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Our Story

Engineering the Future of the Modern Guitar

At La Luna Castora, we believe that tradition should never stand in the way of progress. By looking at the guitar through the lens of structural engineering and acoustic physics, we've re-imagined the body to maximize tone, stability and longevity.

I: Structural Integrity: The Offset Soundhole

Standard guitar design places a large hole in the highest-stress area of the instrument. With roughly 180 lbs of string tension pulling between the nut and the bridge, a central soundhole creates a structural "weak point".

We've moved the soundhole to the upper bout to solve two critical issues:

Reinforced Chassis: By keeping the wood solid between the neck and the bridge, the top is better equipted to handle string tension without losing its shape over time.

Enhanced Soundboard Surface: Without a hole in the middle, the entire lower bout becomes a continuous vibrating surface. This extra "real estate" allows the wood to respond more fully to the energy of the strings.

II. Optimal Projection: 12-Fret Geometry

By joining the neck at the 12th fret, we naturally shift the bridge closer to the center of the lower bout-the sweet spot of the soundboard. Much like the center of a speaker cone, this placement allows for the most efficient transfer of energy, resulting in a deeper, warmer and more powerful projection.

III. The Access Port: A Luthier's Dream

A high performance machine needs to be serviceable. Our guitars feature a removable access door at the tail block, serving a dual purpose:

1. Precision Tuning: We can fine-tune the internal resonances while the guitar is fully strung and under tension, ensuring a perfectly balanced voice before it ever leaves the shop.

2. Lifetime Maintenance: Future repairs or electronics installations no longer require "ship-in-a-bottle" gymnastics. Whether it's a bridge plate inspection or a simple adjustment, your luthier will have a direct, easy access to the interior. The result is an instrument that is physically stronger, acoustically more efficient, and easier to maintain for a lifetime of play. We didn't change the guitar to be different, we changed it to be better.

IV. Precision Stability: The Four Point Bolt-On System

The neck-to-body joint is the most critical intersection on the guitar. Traditionally, this is a glued "dovetail" joint that is difficult to adjust and ever harder to repair. We've opted for a more robust, mechanical approach: a precision-cut Mortise and Tenon joint secured by a four bolt system.

1. The Hardware: We use a square mortise cut into the neck heel, reinforced with a tapped brass rod to receive high-tension bolts. This metal-to-metal connection ensures a rock-solid join that won't "creep" over time.

2. Total Stability: Two bolts secure the heel to the body, while an additional two bolts stabilize the fingerboard extension to an internal neck block. This eliminates the common "hump" at the 12th fret and ensures the entire neck stays true.

3.Modern Serviceability: Unlike permanent glue joints, this system allows for easy neck removals or angle adjustments. It's a design built for the life of the instrument, ensuring your guitar stays playable for decades-not just years.

Acknoledgements & Gratitude

Stephen Bacon and Steve Spalding: My sincere thanks to these local luthiers who unselfishly give their time and guidance, patiently navigating my seemingly unending stream of questions and queries.

Trevor Gore: I am grateful to Trevor, author of Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build, for his ideas, accessibility and willingness to answer my emails regarding the technical theories in his work.

The Global Community of Builders: finally, a heartfelt thank you to all the instrument builders who came before. By leaving us with a lovely part of themselves, they continue to add profound beauty to the world.

Best Regards to All,

-Phleques

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