Spalt Totem/Resintops

Common to all guitars in this section is the ResinTop, a unique process marrying a tonewood back with a clear resin coating on the top into which decorations and inclusions can be applied. This process was developed after experimenting with various types of resin, allowing Michael Spalt to assemble objects and assorted bric-a-brac into a homogeneous guitar body. The resin is formulated to accommodate the thermal expansion and contraction of the wood and it is sonically transparent.

The wood used for the back supplies the basic tonal characteristics and structural stability, while the wood choices for the neck allow Spalt to dial in the coloration of the sound. The resin adds sustain, and its tonal effect is similar to a maple cap over mahogany body effect; sparkle and transparency in the upper frequency ranges. As with a conventional guitar, the choice of hardware and pickups also plays a large role in determining the sound of the instrument.

The first Totem guitar was the G 9701 - California Special, dating back to 1997. There have been more than 300 ResinTop guitars built since then. Over the years, it has acquired a slight amber cast, comparable to the aging of nitrocellulose lacquer.

Each guitar is a unique instrument, both tonally and aesthetically.

The Totem-X Series
The Totem-X series was conceived as a more production-oriented version of the Totem guitar, with streamlined and standardized appointments: production one-piece maple or maple/rosewood necks, Honduras mahogany body, Lindy Fralin single neck and splittable humbucker bridge combination, Hipshot bridge and Gotoh tuners and satinized finish on the top.

The Totem-X is a versatile and dependable working musician’s instrument.

Spalt pricing is by individual instrument.