In 2010, fingerstyle phenom El McMeen and Bill Tippin collaborated on a signature model that took BIll’s Bravado body and tweaked it for additional playability, and paired that with Brazilian Rosewood & European Moonspruce for maximum resonance and response. As always, Bill more than succeeded. El McMeen Signature #1 operates like a well-oiled machine with its wedge-shaped body and upper bout soundport, chock full of smooth trebles and a liquid, rolling bass register that envelopes rather than booms. The 25.5” scale keeps the guitar crisp and responsive when dropped down to DADGAD and beyond; plenty of bite to be had when you dig in a bit. The aesthetics are understated elegance, with a Mother-of-Pearl motif in the trim and rosette, and at the top of the fretboard.
El’s put this Tippin through years of use, and it’s time to pass the torch! It’s in great playing shape, and is ready to keep the tunes going.
Here’s an additional demo with our own Billy Presnell: https://youtu.be/-sRyVdj58Jo.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, al petteway, gotoh, cedar creek, mop, signature guitar, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, thumbpick
El McMeen and Bill Tippin are both personal friends of mine, and it’s no surprise to me that this is a world-class fingerstyle guitar. El selected Bill’s larger Bravado body and customized with a wedge contour so the bass side is a little narrower than the treble. This not only makes it easy to hold, but it also controls the bass response and allows the melody notes to sing out proudly. Of course the finest woods were selected, including Moonspruce for the top and premium Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides. Some of the best woods you’ll ever see. To top it all off it’s had years of beautiful music from a world-class player put through it to make it fully awake and alive for your own music. | Scale Length | 25.5 in |
|---|---|
| Nut Width | 1.75 in |
| String Spacing | 2.315 in |
| Woods | Spruce - Moonspruce, Rosewood - Brazilian |
In 2010, fingerstyle phenom El McMeen and Bill Tippin collaborated on a signature model that took BIll’s Bravado body and tweaked it for additional playability, and paired that with Brazilian Rosewood & European Moonspruce for maximum resonance and response. As always, Bill more than succeeded. El McMeen Signature #1 operates like a well-oiled machine with its wedge-shaped body and upper bout soundport, chock full of smooth trebles and a liquid, rolling bass register that envelopes rather than booms. The 25.5” scale keeps the guitar crisp and responsive when dropped down to DADGAD and beyond; plenty of bite to be had when you dig in a bit
El McMeen and Bill Tippin are both personal friends of mine, and it’s no surprise to me that this is a world-class fingerstyle guitar. El selected Bill’s larger Bravado body and customized with a wedge contour so the bass side is a little narrower than the treble 