Claro Walnut Guitar

This guitar was made for me by my friend Lance McCollom in 1994, it is a Megan model #243. Lance is the gentleman holding the guitar. The sound board is curly Sequoia gigantea harvested due to failing health. The sides and back are California claro walnut harvested from a massive claro walnut tree planted in Davis Ca in the late 1800’s. Claro is a Spanish term meaning clear, light or bright. Figured claro walnut is a favorite for the manufacture of gunstocks, musical instruments, bow risers, pistol grips, knife handles, boxes along with a wide variety other high end accessories. Large stands of mature Claro walnut trees were first discovered growing in the following three locations in northern California:

The valley of Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County.
The banks of the Sacramento River, particularly at Walnut Grove.
The Wooden Valley east of Napa.
It was from these original groves in the late 1800’s the famous pioneer John Bidwell began propagating California Claro Walnut at his Rancho Chico Nursery in Chico California.