The result of masters from two fields in collaboration: luthiers Dale & Tyler Unger and hyperrealist painter Peter Maier. The Ram is a particular brand of unique—17 inch archtop whose Maple back is adorned with a hyper realistic ram from Maier. On top, a gold motif continues along the center seam and with the trapeze tailpiece and hardware, plus gold Gotoh mini tuners. The headstock boasts a tightly figured Koa headplate, and from there you’ll find a series of vibrant Abalone position markers along the fretboard. Here’s a snapshot of Maier’s process: https://youtu.be/5AN01qUDxbw. On the electronics front, Unger outfitted the Ram with a Kent Armstrong floating humbucker plus volume and tone at the pickguard (itself featuring a single band of gold that arcs diagonally across). Top is AAAA European Spruce, paired with AAAA European Maple for the back and sides. Flame Maple neck, set off with the Ebony fingerboard, completes the portrait. Here’s Maier: “The Ram guitar was inspired by my time at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, where skulls of animals were dominant in many business locations—however I worked gold leaf onto the horns with an engine turned finish to give it more of a costly & valued appearance.”

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fine art, gold foil, curly maple, 262, 2021