Move across the guitar. The candle lights the weave.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan · Scott Allbright
Fully custom acoustic guitars printed in carbon fiber composite, with Automatic Clutching: arms-free seated play that stays with you even when you lean.
Every idea here was worked out on Scott's wooden prototypes first: the cutaways, the support tube at the tail, the angled headstock. Wood proved the geometry. It also showed its limits, because the whole design leans on a body that must not flex.
Carbon fiber is the answer. It needs no humidifying, shrugs off the cold air when the front door opens in January, and takes a hammered string or a knock on the top without damage.
A strong tube at the tail passes through your leg's natural grip, rests on a rubber hose at the other side of the seat, and never weighs on you. Buckle it once and both arms are free. Like a candlestick, the tail has seven holes, so the guitar sits at the right height under your picking arm.
0° Neutral. The guitar holds its angle while you rest.
Real movement is only about five degrees either way, shown larger here so you can see it. No new skill is needed: you already know how to lean.
Put the twelve tone qualities in the order that matters to you. Scott's builder software shapes the body around that order and shows which qualities work well together.
Pluck the strings in order of priority. Pluck again to remove one.
One single piece of carbon composite, neck and body together. Most of what other builders charge for is simply part of the guitar.
Customers pay for materials and printer time plus one small surcharge. For the first 100 sales Scott is set up to break even. Prices are for an average sized adult guitar, plus 11% tax.
Transferable structural warranty on the neck and body, one single piece.
Return policy. Returned guitars become store demos.
Electronics warranty, plus 1 year on the epoxy finish.
"Rebates don't work in the opposite direction. I don't ask for more funds."
Every major decision and the running count of sales agreements are published openly, and customers can share their experience on the Candlestick Guitars blog.
Four short recordings from Scott's YouTube channel. They load only when you press play.
The fastest way to understand Automatic Clutching is to sit down with it. Scott meets players at Buena Vista Park, and plans to set up on Broadway with his two contrasting prototype guitars.
Reverse busking. Play Scott a tune on one of his guitars using the support, and he gives you a coffee card.
"This project began with a personal goal: to deeply master a small number of pieces. Very early on it became clear that standing out as both a player and as a teacher required self-directed learning."
Scott Allbright, founder