Guitar manufacturer will describe craft library

Peter Newport displays some of the beautiful wood that makes a Breedlove guitar.

Peter Newport of Breedlove Guitar Company will describe the design and manufacture of these high-end instruments when he visits the Sisters Library on Monday evening, February 12.

Newport teamed up with Breedlove founder Steve Henderson last year to handle the administrative end of the business and deal with customers.

The Tumalo company designs and builds guitars and mandolins known for fine sound and custom features like a choice of non-standard woods and custom inlays.

"We specialize in custom guitars," said Newport.

Customers may select from various woods native to the northwest like Oregon myrtlewood and Pacific madrone. While touring the saw room Newport pointed to a stack of thinly sliced dark wood.

"Here's a madrone tree from up by Crater Lake," he said. "It's absolutely beautiful."

The woods are acclimated in the center of the facility to stabilize at an ideal moisture content before use in manufacture. Bookmatched Oregon walnut halves share the shelves with carved mandolin tops and ebony.

"These are ebony fretboards. This stuff is extremely dense, almost like a rock. It takes over a year to acclimate" said Newport.

The production areas hum with activity as employees concentrate on delicate tasks such as cutting inlays and shaving bindings.

"We use a combination of new and ancient technology," said Newport.

The finished instruments have a nationwide reputation for fine sound. A manufacturer of pickups recently purchased a Breedlove guitar for use as a standard for sound.

Newport says a guitar "has to sound incredible, otherwise its just a piece of art hanging on the wall."

The instruments incorporate numerous design features which enhance sound quality and playability.

Newport will speak at the Sisters Library at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 12.

Those attending this Friends of the Library presentation will have ample opportunity to ask questions.