Wallace AT1030 Guitar

October 30, 2003

AT1030 Archtop Detail of heel Robert Anderson Body Detail

Click on small image to enlarge

Text Box: "And Now, Ladieeees and Gentlemen… …Wallace Custom Guitars proudly presents the ‘Robert Anderson Signature Model AT1030 Archtop Guitar’!" It was the moment we had been waiting for and it was well worth the wait. David Wallace, whose talents as a luthier are becoming more and more widely acclaimed, has designed and built an archtop guitar especially for Robert Anderson. Players and fans alike, have been hearing that the guitar was in the works and finally we were able to see it, hear it, and touch it! A few even got to have pictures taken with it! The debut gala was held on Thursday, October 30th, at the Martin-Boyd Christian Center in Chattanooga. This is the site of the regular meetings of The Thumb and Fingerstyle Guitar Players Association of Chattanooga. Attended by family, friends and fans, the guests enjoyed a light buffet prepared and artfully presented by Carol Portwood. Following the buffet, Robert presented a brief concert during which he ably demonstrated the beautiful tone of the new guitar. Whether he was playing some high energy Jerry Reed tune or the lovely harmonics of a beautiful old hymn, the performance of the AT1030 was impeccable. The audience was mesmerized! Guests were pleased to be invited to play the AT1030 at the conclusion of the concert…and many of them did so. Waymon Vickery, Wesley Crider, Charlie Rolader, Meagan Taylor, Gary Cochran, N C Gause, Billy Denham, and Ed Cummins, to name a few…and they all had only the most positive comments to make about the AT1030. When asked how he felt about all this, Robert Anderson seemed a bit overwhelmed. He acknowledged that when he was a small boy listening to every Chet tune he could possibly hear, he never dreamed he would one day have his own signature guitar. He recognized his sister who bought him his first guitar and kept him supplied with Chet Atkins records as he learned to play fingerstyle guitar from the master. And aren’t we glad she did? Robert’s skillful artistry and the Wallace guitar were truly made for each other. Why call it an AT1030? No, it does not indicate some secret formula or rare materials used in the construction of the guitar. It was a matter of timing, birthdays in fact. It was the birthday of a special guitar and the shared birthday of the luthier and the artist. Happy birthday to David Wallace and Robert Anderson on 10/30! Wallace Custom Guitars also introduced a special TKL guitar at the event. This beautiful hollow body Telly style guitar, finished in transparent orange, features gold hardware including a Bigsby tailpiece. Designed with a neck that is better suited to fingerstyle players, this instrument was the brainchild of Glenn Portwood who said, "…we now have a guitar that suits ‘chicken pickers’ and thumb style players alike". The instruments of Wallace Custom Guitars are promoted and marketed by Glenn Portwood who hosted the evening’s program. Glenn announced that the AT1030 guitar is available in the orange color with gold hardware like the one on display. It may also be ordered in the always popular walnut color, different handle styles, or with nickel or chrome hardware. Player’s choice! Electronics used in the AT1030 are supplied by Lindy Fralin. Although Glenn made a special sale price available to attendees, he indicated that the price range would be just over four thousand dollars. Please visit the Wallace Custom Guitars web site (www.wallaceguitars.com) or contact Glenn Portwood (toll free #866-351-1733) for more specific information. Congratulations to David Wallace who created a truly fine musical instrument. And congratulations to Robert Anderson, whose business card now carries the designation, "Wallace Guitar Clinician".