Some guitars can get by on their looks, and others’ claim to fame is their tone–but rare is the guitar which excels at both, its voice as rich and stimulating as the curve of its sides and the artwork inlaid across its body. The Bravado here comes from one of our all-time favorite builders, Bill Tippin, and is one such guitar. Starting with master grade Brazilian Rosewood for the back, sides, headstock veneers, and bridge, then graduating to Moon Spruce for the top, curly Koa bindings which flow into an arm bevel, before culminating with no less than nine different materials inlaid across the fretboard and headstock–Bill pulled out all the stops he had, and some others from down the street, when he made this guitar.
Themed in the style of New Orleans, the lavish inlays depict Koa vines carrying along Fossil–Ivory-and-MOP magnolia flowers (the state flower of Louisiana). The centerpiece at the fifth fret is a dazzling Opal bordered by marquetry in Maple and Bloodwood, and the expansive magnolia flower on the headstock is composed of Fossil Ivory chased with MOP for the petals and green and Blue Paua Abalone for the pistil. Countless must have been the hours which Bill spent painstakingly rendering these myriad flowers, leaves, fronds, and vines–hours which were also dedicated to voicing this Bravado, his largest body, to be incredibly responsive and flawlessly balanced. The bass notes alone will inspire you to new ways of thinking of the word “deep;” the trebles sparkle like so many Opals. If you thought no guitar could possess such sterlling qualities for both eye and ear, this 2008 Tippin Bravado will change your mind.