Paul Norman's art guitars are also made to be played. This one has a very loud voice due to the sound hole, porting, carbon fiber biscuit bridge (made by Paul), and National cone. This guitar has been featured in two coffee table books, the latest of which is "Hand Made Hand Played" by Robert Shaw. It is a collector's item, but please play it. Paul believes that guitars are tools for making music. The body is made from rope grained and straight grained cherry. The neck is curly maple and walnut. The tuners are gold open back Schaller Vintage. The custom made tail piece is solid brass. The fingerboard is Gaboon ebony. Mother of pearl positions are inlaid at the 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th frets (side dots for 5, 7, and 9). The snake's body is made from chemically treated lacewood; the diamonds on its back are made from two different kinds of maple. The snake's spooky eyes are made from tiger eye. It's a semi-precious stone usually used on men's rings. The subtle sparkle is just a little eerie. The back of the headstock also features a stylized snake head and tongue at the V joint. The apple on the headstock is made from three different species of wood, the rarest of which is the blue mahoe from Jamaica. Hard case included. Paul modifies the case to make the neck heel fit properly. As seen at the Providence, RI Fine Furnishings show.
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
Paul Norman has two interrelated businesses. Forbidden Fruit Guitars refers to his lutherie (guitar making) business. Forbidden Fruit Designs includes all furniture and crafts that are not guitars.
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M. Wheeler
For Front Porch RebuildI hired Paul Norman of SherpaDog Renovations to rebuild a large enclosed front porch which had been destroyed by carpenter ants! I was pleased by the variety of cost effective redesign options Paul offered. In the end I chose to add some ornament to my Victorian home. He replaced the exterior plain shingles with scalloped ones, designed a diamond pattern (instead of the common basket weave) for the exterior skirt of the porch, added wainscoting under the interior windows, built a beautiful wooden ceiling and installed casement windows. I was thrilled with the results. Paul's attention to detail and fine carpentry skills resulted in a porch much admired by my neighbors and friends. I recommend him to anyone looking for a reliable, conscientious and creative carpenter. I would definitely hire him again.
Richard Frank
For Wooden Cover for residential holding tankVery good. No problems, builder took time to ask questions and provide suggested design elements.