The All New Shorty Joe
Lately, I've been focusing on my Shorty Joe model because I think there's a need for well made, performance grade short-scale guitars in the world. Both for serious young students and anyone who finds longer scales uncomfortable to play.
At 23 1/4 inches, you'll be able to reach at least one more fret down low, and several more higher up the fingerboard. Having those extra notes within easy reach might shake some new melodic ideas loose. Once you stumble across them, it's easy to transfer it to a full length scale.
I'm in the middle of a run of 10 Shorty Joes and a few Shorty Joe Basses, too. Perfect for small in-home studios where every inch counts.
Keep and eye on my Facebook page (Joe Till Guitars) for progress reports.
Till Guitars Models
TG-100 "Solo"
Having grown up playing a Gibson Melody Maker, I decided to go with the 24 3/4" scale for my first design. I wanted to capture the speed and expressive qualities a shorter scale, but also wanted to expand on the tone by thickening and chambering the body. The TG-100 has evolved into a very versatile guitar.
TG-250 "Lady on the Beach"
Over the years, the TG-250 has probably been my most popular model. I've made more of them than any other model - so far. And, it's a very versatile platform to work from. It will accommodate one, two or three pickups, any length scale - including baritones, and any type of bridge.
TG-521
So new that I haven't come up with a nick name yet. But it's becoming known as the guitar that wouldn't tip.
The balance is so good that I've been building them with longer and longer scales. I started at 24 3/4" and have steadily increased them to a 28 5/8" baritone model that is out of sight! It just keeps getting more comfortable. I've even started a 32" bass with the same body shape.
Shorty Joe
Lightnin' in a Bottle
Shorty Joe is a 3/4 size guitar with a 23 1/4 inch scale. Kids love it, but I actually have the professional player in mind when I make them.
They're just plain fun - particularly for playing lead. Everything's just a little closer, allowing you to reach another fret or two. And, you can bend notes up to your chin! Vibrato is exaggerated, volume swells are in easy reach...
The first four Shorty Joes were made from a single chunk of curly soft maple. Excellent tone, but there were too many eye-rolling comments about the weight (people can be so insensitive!).
Since then, I've been lightening them up by laminating pretty tops and backs onto a chambered alder center section. Adding another layer to the already excellent tone, but shedding a couple of pounds. 6 1/2 lb can be easily achieved.
Shorty Joe Bass
On a whim, I made a 30 inch bass out of a Shorty Joe body. And whaddya know? It was the cutest thing you ever saw! It performs like a champ in my cramped home studio.
Real bass players will love it, but I actually had guitar players in mind when decided to narrow the spacing between the strings so that it wouldn't be too much of a shock switching between bass and guitar.
Baritone Guitars
I have really come to appreciate the Baritone scale during this pandemic, where I find myself in my studio for many hours a day. They add so much color (and beef) to almost any song.
The longer scales work well on a few of my existing models, including the TG-250 and the TG-521 without making them top heavy.
I make them with either a 27 1/2 inch scale or 28 5/8 inch. Both are great for tuning down from B to B. I'm not sure about going lower.
The Till Bass
This 34 inch bass model was designed as a "companion piece" to my TG-250 "Lady on the Beach" guitar. Each of the first four have Zebrawood caps and this "P-J" pickup combo. They tend to sell before I even complete them, so you might have to order a custom model. I have one in the works now, BTW.
If you haven't noticed yet, I'm into beautiful woods. Most of my guitar's backs are as pretty as their tops!
One-Offs and Weirdos
Lil' Tweetie
This was originally going to be a lap steel, but at the last second I chickened out and flipped the body over to make it a regular guitar.
Needless to say, this guitar has a strong visual impact on stage. I don't know why everyone doesn't have one.
The Joe Till Guitars Double Neck Bass/Guitar aka The Flying J
This was how I listed this guitar on Ebay one time. A week later somebody started counterfeiting it overseas... calling it "the Joe Till Guitars Double Neck Bass/Guitar.
Not much I can do about that, but if you want the real thing, you've come to the right place.
Then there was this thing!
"The Talking Guitar"