A Rare Expression of Australian Blackwood

Some tonewoods possess a character that immediately captures your attention. Maker’s Choice No. 11 begins with an exceptionally rare set of fiddleback Australian Blackwood, sourced from a stump cut in the Otway Ranges. Only three sets of this extraordinary timber were made available to me. Two were immediately commissioned for Masterbuilt guitars, and I reserved the remaining set for this Maker’s Choice instrument.

The back and sides reveal a mesmerising interplay of colour and figure. Radial lines radiate outwards through contrasting bands of burnt orange, rich amber, deep brown and black, while a stable central section of sapwood creates a natural focal point. Across the surface, extraordinarily three-dimensional fiddleback figuring shifts with the light, bringing depth, movement and an almost sculptural quality to the timber.

For me, selecting timber is about far more than its appearance. The mass and physical properties of this particular Blackwood were equally important, making it an exceptional match for the body size and the tonal response I wanted to achieve.

Voiced for Harmonic Complexity

The Blackwood is paired with a beautifully quarter-sawn European Spruce top, selected from my personal Masterbuilt timber collection. Its fine, straight grain and consistent structure provide an ideal foundation for an instrument with depth, sensitivity and an expansive tonal palette.

Carefully voiced to complement the individual properties of these timbers, No. 11 offers a rich, harmonically complex voice, with layers of overtones that bring depth and dimension to every note. The fundamental remains clear, while the accompanying harmonics add colour, texture and a sense of movement to the sound. Chords bloom with complexity, individual notes retain their definition, and subtle changes in touch reveal different shades of expression.

The result is an instrument that invites exploration. Responsive to the player's touch, it offers the versatility to move from intimate, nuanced passages to full, expressive playing, with a voice that will continue to open up and reward its owner over years of playing.

Considered Details. Timeless Design.

The visual story continues throughout the appointments. Fiddleback Australian Blackwood returns in the soundhole rosette and soundhole binding, creating a deliberate connection between the guitar’s exterior and its extraordinary back and sides. Fine white mother-of-pearl provides a luminous contrast, while our classic tri-block inlays incorporate Blackwood as their centre detail.

Flame Maple bindings frame the instrument beautifully, adding warmth and definition while accentuating the timeless proportions of the D-78. A high-gloss finish enhances the extraordinary depth of the Blackwood’s figure, allowing its shifting colours and three-dimensional grain to reveal themselves as the light moves across the surface.

An Ebony fingerboard and bridge provide a refined, understated contrast, complemented by a Mahogany neck and premium Gotoh 510 machine heads. Every element has been selected to sit naturally within the design, bringing together exceptional materials and thoughtful detailing without distracting from the timber itself.