ECLIPSE ARCHTOP GUITAR
At Hancock Guitars, we have always valued quality over quantity. The Eclipse embodies this philosophy more than any other instrument we’ve built.
From the acquisition of the Brazilian Rosewood to the final application of the finish, The Eclipse is a guitar with a story that spans decades.
The design of The Eclipse began 10 years before it was completed, when we decided to create a guitar that would not only showcase our skills but also stand out in its design and aesthetics. The result is a guitar that is part traditional jazz archtop, part avant-garde design piece.
With a 17-inch body, a 25.5-inch scale length, and solid European tonewoods, The Eclipse retains the classic features of a jazz guitar while embracing bold, new elements.
The body is finished in a high-gloss black lacquer, which highlights the graceful contrast of the flamed maple bindings that surround it, creating a striking visual impact. The contrast of the finish was so compelling that it ultimately inspired the guitar’s name, “The Eclipse,” evoking the rare and captivating celestial event where one body aligns perfectly with another, casting a shadow and highlighting its silhouette.
We approached the finishing of The Eclipse as a work of art in itself. Only one colour of stain is used across the body and bindings, applied in a gradient of black and gray shades, achieved by adjusting the concentration of the stain in the lacquer. This technique produced a coherence in the look and enhanced the guitar’s elegant, minimalist design.
One of the key features of The Eclipse is the unique 3-piece adjustable bridge, which is both functional and integral to the guitar’s tone. Unlike traditional archtop bridges with metal adjusters, this bridge uses a timber wedge to adjust the string action, enhancing the connection between the strings and the body. This innovation allows the vibrations to travel more naturally through the wood, providing better sound transfer, increased volume and a more balanced dynamic range.
The sound has the warm, smooth, and refined character typical of a high-quality 17” archtop but with added volume and responsiveness, thanks to the unique combination of the soundports and three-piece adjustable bridge. Each note resonates with a clear, musical presence, allowing the player to express themselves with both precision and ease.
A focal point in the Eclipse’s design is the Brazilian Rosewood used for the fingerboard and fittings. This wood, which we acquired more than 30 years ago, is prized for its striking appearance and tonal properties. Its rich, red hues and unique grain patterns contrast with the black finish, bringing balance to the aesthetics. The timber’s renowned tonal qualities contribute to the complexity of the sound.
This is a guitar built for a player who demands more than just an instrument. The Eclipse is a creation that inspires a musician to reach new heights, offering an unparalleled blend of beauty, sound, and craftsmanship.