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The Gallipoli Centenary Guitar

Awarded First Place

Sydney Royal Easter Show, 2015, Class 300, Musical Instrument Made Predominately in Wood.

The Gallipoli Centenary Guitar is a traditionally made, reproduction guitar as a tribute to the soldiers that gave birth to  the ANZAC Spirit. I have made the guitar as a 1850 to 1900 Palour Reproduction. From body size and shape, to the bracing pattern. From the Animal glue in its joints to the orange shellac used to French Polish the exterior. This is a work that has taken over 500 hours to produce including the time to research timbers and design of the period, to the imagry and then construction. The Gallipoli Centenary Guitar is a dignafied,  respectful commemoration of ANZAC.

The starting point of this work had to give it more than just a connection to the period, I wanted the guitar to be a complete representaion. I researched into what the ANZAC's had on the hills of Gallipoli, cigarettes, tins of Bully Beef, bayonets on the tipis of their rifles and packages from home. The rifles... the timbers in the rifles. There were nine timbers used in the Lee Enfeild 303 rilfles that Austrlain forces used in WW1. Tasmanian Blackwood, Queensland Maple, Crows Foot Elm, Tasmanian Myrtle, Queensland Wanlut, Birch, Blackbean, Caribeen Pine and Coachwood. I managed to found all of these timbers and incororate them into the Gallipoli Centenary Guitar.

From here, I used timbers from New Zealand, Europe and the United Kingdom to incorperate the nations that fort along side the ANZAC's. Kauri Pine in the banners on the back inlay. European Birch in the heal cap. Presure stained Tulipwood for all the coloured inlay work.

I used the Tulipwood to create the four service ribbon colours of WW1 into the rosette. Those being, The 14 Star or 14/15 Star, The Victory Medal, The British War Medal and the Mercantile Marine Medal. Further to the medal notations on the guitar is the ribbon colour of the Victoria Cross. With 10 Mother of Pearl dots repreceting the total VC's awarded at Galliploi that is inlayed as the 12th fret marker.

The remaining fret slots are used to highlight 17 significant battle sites of the Gallipoli conflict. Poppies decorate the bridge tying the guitar to the Western Front of WW1. The destination for the ANZAC's after Gallipoli. The 'Soldier on Arms Reverse' standing watch over the Gallipoli Centenary banner and Rosmary on the back inlays. Rosemary becoming the symbol of ANZAC Day due to fact that it grows wild on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Pride of place on the Peghead of the Gallipoli Centenary Guitar, is the original to period, Sweetheart' badge. These badges were given to wives and girlfriends of soldiers, either before they left for battle, or apon their return as a symbol of their affections. This one I purchased from a miltary medal dealer in Melbourne. I feel it is almost looking over the guitar, on watch.

The case is made as per the period, coffin like. Some of the guitar workshops of the day, such as James Ashborn Guitars for example, would have in house case makers for their guitars. The brass that was used to make the hardware for his cases was purchased from Ashbourne's business partner's Father. All the hardware was made in house. I wanted to emulate this, so I not only made the case, but  the catches too. I got the idea for the catches from a compass set that my Grandfather gave me. The hinges were a bridge too far, fittingly I managed to find a set that were perfect in his collection of chatles that I have. The handle...? It is taken from my first tool box as an apprentice.

The Gallipoli Centenary Guitar is not for sale. It is a being used for charitable fundraising to assist the returned soldiers of today. Organisations like Mates4Mates and Legacy. Helping the injured men and women who preserve our way of life. One day, when The Gallipoli Centenary Guitar has done its bit, I will auction off the guitar, with all the funds going to support Returned Soldiers. Keep you eyes on I.L.E Guitars if you are interested.

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