Internationally recognized sculptor/artist/ceramicist William Jeffrey Jones is probably best known for his computer and gaming design, with companies such as the Four Horsemen, Spawn and Master Replicas, creating figures for the likes of Buffy, (see pic # 7), Battlestar Gallactica, The Matrix, Resident Evil, Terminator, Predator, Spawn, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Chronicles Of Narnia, Sin City and many more. In the music realm he has created KISS, Elvis Presley and Metallica figures.
Brilliant sculpting skills
A longtime player, several years ago Jones turned his brilliant sculpting skills to guitar making, going on to complete forty or so instruments. His first few guitars, as he found his way, were based on the “big name” models by Fender and Gibson, but soon he developed a body size and shape he felt comfortable with and began spreading his luthier wings.
The siren and the mermaid
The culmination of Jones’ creativity – along with over 300 hours of work over more than 12 months – was ‘Syrena’, an extraordinary instrument, the design of which blends the twin mythologies of the siren and the mermaid. Fully hand-carved, Syrena has featured in numerous guitar and sculpting magazine articles, online features and hordes of fan commentary pages. (On one fan site, Syrena has clocked up over 5000 comments!) She appears on p. 324 of the 2015 issue of Vintage Guitar Price Guide.
Sleek and soft and silky
Crafted from solid Walnut, reclaimed from the Missouri River, the fineness of the work is astonishing. The feel of the guitar in your hands is also remarkably fine – sleek and soft and silky. Finished in natural Danish Oil, “because it lets the wood sound like wood,” says Jones, this is truly a guitar you will never want to put down. (We don’t want to cause family rifts, so, in contemplating owning Syrena, it might be best if you are not already in a relationship)
Cocobolo fingerboard
The ‘Soft-V’ profile Walnut neck, featuring twin strips of inset flame Maple – for both aesthetics and structural integrity – is topped by a Cocobolo fingerboard, with tough, nickel-free Evo gold frets. Fingerboard radius is 12”. Scale-length is 25”, with 24-frets, plus a zero-fret. Nut width, (graphite nut), is 1¾” / 44mm. A dual-action truss-rod is fitted and the fingerboard sidemarkers are mother-of-pearl.
Carved seashell knob
The headstock boasts top-of-the-line Sperzel locking tuners, carved truss-rod cover, plus carved William Jeffrey Jones logo, (pic # 8). Tune-o-matic bridge, a volume control, (note the carved seashell knob), and there you have it.
Unparalleled access
With a negligible neck heel, you are given unparalleled access to frets 20-24, (pics 4 & 6), making this one of the best and easiest playing guitars you will ever experience.
A wide ranging sonic palette
So, what does she sound like? Hand-wound specifically for the Syrena, the Searcy String Works twin-blade humbucker, (note how it is almost organically set into the body), covers a lot of ground! Listen to our soundfile and hear just how much can be delivered by a single, high-end, professional quality pickup. A wide ranging sonic palette, with clear, singing notes that almost dance in the air before you. Fabulous sustain, both high and low. And that 12” radius board allows bends from here into next week.
Price is not negotiable
Please note that Syrena is on consignment and the price is not negotiable. The current low state of the Australian dollar makes the guitar highly affordable for a USA buyer, converting to approximately US$12,750 – significantly less than William Jeffrey Jones’ original new price of US$15k.
Original design sketch
A linen paper reproduction of William Jeffrey Jones’ original design sketch for Syrena will be included with your purchase. The guitar ships in its original hard shell case and is 100% ready to plug in and play, straight out of the case.
Free courier delivery
Undoubtedly the most amazing guitar we have ever had through the door, Syrena comes with FREE COURIER DELIVERY to any address in Australia. ($100 airfreight to New Zealand, $175 to the US, Canada, UK and mainstream European countries)
NOTE: We have color-rectified our photos as best as possible, however the true color is the natural Walnut, finished with natural Danish Oil. Digital photography suggests a more reddish tone than actually exists. The main picture, above right, and pic # 4 show the most accurate representation of Syrena’s “true colors”.
Weight: 6lb 14oz / 3.1kg