Compound Cutaway

In 1977 I designed the compound cutaway to provide easy access to the higher frets with the least loss of top and back surface areas or body cavity, and with optimum facility and aesthetics in mind. The side is canted toward the back through the cutaway and is countersunk flush at the heel, so that the left hand feels no transition from the neck to the side in the higher positions, and there is no loss of sound.

The compound cutaway is often used together with a fingerboard extension. Examples of fingerboard extensions can be viewed under Extra Frets in the Gallery.