Handcrafted Instruments
Copyright © 2010 Alan Rich Guitars. All rights reserved
Pruple Heart logAfter resawing and sanding back of guitar.After resawing and sanding the sides of guitar.Stika spruce top from AlaskaSpruce top ready for sanding.Sanding spruce top. Installing side braces in bent purple heart sides.Sanding rim to 5 degree bevel for back. Installing lining in sanded rim.Lining installed in back of guitar. This done in front and back. Template for layout of spruce bracing on top.Pencil lines to shop placement of braces on top.Cutting rosette chanel and sound hole in top.Sound hole and rosette channel cut in top.Installing herringbone rosette.Rosette installed and scraped.Getting ready to glue down bracing on the top.Brace glue down and held in place with a go bar.Top braced out and ready for final shaping of bracing.Guitar rim, side, ready for fitting of top and back.Getting ready to fit and install bracing on back.Back ready for final shaping and fitting on rim.Attaching top to rim.Top glued on and body removed from mold.Top on rim.Something guitar like.With the neck attached to check initial fit.Signed with serial number before the back is glued on.Guitar body with back installed.The first look at the back of the guitar.Top ready for the binding groove to be cut.Maple bindings in the side bender. The side are bent in the same jig.Binding ready to be installed after being bent with heatGuitar body in jig to cut binding groove.Guitar body ready to install maple binding.Installing the bindings on the body.Binding glued in place, waiting on glue to dry. Maple bindings on back Maple bindings on the front ready for final sandingGetting ready to install frets on fingerboardFret wire cut and starting to press in placeFret board ready to glue on neck with a two way truss in stalled neckNeck and fingerboard clamped togather while the glue driesInlay AR logo in headstock veneer Neck shaped and ready for a headstock veneerHeadstock veneer clamped in place waiting on the glue to drySomething very guitar like. ready for final sanding and lacquerFirst coat of sanding sealer and the figure is already coming out. Top is sitka Spruce from Alaska Wood SpecialtiesThe figure is coming out on the Purpleheart backNeckNeckHead stock has a purple heart veneer

December 1, 2011

Very excited to have the PVA Purpleheart guitar finished.  It turned out great!  On monday it is going to make its way to Washington D.C. to be auctioned off.
















October 30, 2011

Almost reached the finish line with this Purpleheart!  The next batch of photos should include a finished product.  I am really excited to soon be able to hand this guitar over to the PVA and help support their great organization.  Thanks for checking in and be sure to visit again soon for finished photos!

Alan Jay Rich, Luthier



October 17, 2011

The Purpleheart is coming along nicely and is starting to resemble a guitar.
I have added some more photos over to the right of this page, check em out!  More to come!

Alan Jay Rich, Luthier




October 12, 2011

I am very excited and honored to be partnering with the PVA Outdoor Hertitage Fund this year.  Alan Rich Guitars is making a custom Purple Heart Guitar that will be auctioned off in Washington D.C. on Dec. 15, 2011.  All proceeds will go to the PVA and help towards the many great programs and services they provide for our nations veterans. You can learn more about the PVA at www.pvaheritagefund.org.  And don't forget to check back often for Purpleheart photo updates from the shop!

Alan Jay Rich, Luthier