African Blackwood is one of the most sought after woods these days for high-end guitars. Not just because of it’s beauty, but for it’s utterly sweet voice and superb sustain. It’s harder to find than even Brazilian, particularly in 2 piece backs. Our Dream Series from Gerald Sheppard all have amazing sets of rare African Blackwood including dramatic sapwood section which Gerald showcases in the back, headplate, bindings and rosette and butt wedge. He really makes the most of the natural beauty of the Blackwood. But you need only listen to the clips of Al Petteway playing these guitars to hear the magic. You can absolutely and easily hear what African Blackwood brings to the voice, pure, sweet and honest tone.
African Blackwood is prized for woodwind instruments and has been quite some time. The top wooden flute builders make $30,000 flutes from this very wood. But it's extremely hard to find in widths for guitar. On this instrument it really adds rich character to the voice. It adds sweetness and clarity to the trebles, warmth to the mids and bass and superb sustain to every note. It's truly as beautiful to hear as it is to behold. Gerald Sheppard has built a reputation for painstaking detail and exquisite construction and this series and this guitar are further proof of that. 
These Sheppard Dream Series guitars are so pure and sweet. There's something special about the combination of the Blackwood and the European Spruce. You get incredibly clarity with a warm buttery flavor underneath. I'm sure that's why they use African Blackwood wood for high-end woodwinds. | Scale Length | 25.4 in |
|---|---|
| Nut Width | 1.75 in |
| String Spacing | 2.25 in |
| Woods | Spruce - Bosnian, Blackwood - African |
African Blackwood is one of the most sought after woods these days for high-end guitars. Not just because of it's beauty, but for it's utterly sweet voice and superb sustain
African Blackwood is prized for woodwind instruments and has been quite some time. The top wooden flute builders make $30,000 flutes from this very wood
These Sheppard Dream Series guitars are so pure and sweet. There's something special about the combination of the Blackwood and the European Spruce 