Ellsberry "L-35" on Tour with Guitarist Rick Zunigar

9/18/07 - L.A. jazz great Rick Zunigar - guitarist for music legends Stevie Wonder, Freddie Hubbard, Cal Tjader, Jimmy Smith, and more - took possession of his new Ellsberry "L-35" semi-hollow archtop. Zunigar will debut the new guitar at the International La Plata Jazz Festival in Argentina this October 5-7.

Guitar maker James Ellsberry and Zunigar collaborated on the L-35 design, producing an instrument that would blend the best of two iconic guitar models: the traditional archtop and the venerated 335. The result is an instrument that has both a warm jazz vibe plus expressive electric power.

Ellsberry is a traditional archtop maker, and much of his approach to the new L-35 comes from his hollow-body building experience. The top and back plates of the L-35 are hand-carved from solid wood - spruce for the top, complimented by a mahogany back.

A unique, lightweight center block was specially designed to inhibit feedback and structurally support a sustain-enhancing stop tailpiece. Even though a 335-type tailpiece is used, much of the guitar's acoustic resonance comes from an archtop-style bridge which sits over a fully compliant section of the spruce top. This helps transfer natural acoustic tone throughout the body.

Even without amplification, the guitar has a pleasing acoustic sound. Amplified, a DiMarzio PAF neck-position humbucker provides a variable range of electric performance. The pickup can be switched from full-power "series" to a thinner parallel and/or single-coil sound, ideal for accompaniment. The L-35 design results in a versatile guitar for blending traditional and modern music styles.

James Ellsberry is proud to put this new guitar in the hands of a contemporary jazz great like Rick Zunigar. Having built an enormous track record that includes guitar performances, recordings, and tours with many legendary masters of American music, Rick continues to enliven jazz traditions while exploring new ground with his unique and modern, hard-bop style.

For more information on Rick Zunigar, visit his website at: www.rickZunigar.com