Tom Sands journey into lutherie grew from a lifelong love of making things by hand and a desire to rediscover his creative spark. After studying product design at Glasgow School of Art and spending several years crafting bespoke furniture, a chance encounter with acoustic guitar making led him to California, where he apprenticed under the renowned Ervin Somogyi. There, he developed an approach that brings together meticulous craftsmanship, a designer’s eye, and a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of materials. His guitars have a distinctly personal quality, feeling less like products of a formula and more like individual expressions of the maker’s imagination. “Suki,” his 2023 Model M, is a wonderful example. The combination of American Sitka spruce and Australian river red gum brings together two distinctive tonewoods, chosen for their complementary qualities and natural beauty. The spruce top offers clarity, responsiveness, and dynamic range, while the river red gum back and sides contribute warmth, depth, and striking natural grain. A shaded edgeburst finish adds richness and draws the eye toward the wood, while the etched copper geodesic rosette provides an extraordinary focal point, intricate and architectural without feeling overly decorative. There is something particularly appealing about the balance of organic materials and precise geometry in this design. A K&K pickup has been added, offering amplification for live performance while preserving the instrument’s acoustic character. Overall, Suki is in very clean condition, reflecting the care taken with this distinctive handmade guitar. In the hands, it invites a personal connection, rewarding the player with the subtle interplay of touch, resonance, and tone that makes a fine handmade guitar so engaging. Full of character and individuality, Suki reflects Tom Sands gift for bringing design, material, and musical purpose together in a truly special instrument.
Comes with Hoffee carbon fibre case.
