An odd name, you might say. Back in 1908 in the middle of Siberia, something big sort-of hit the earth. Most experts believe it was a comet or small asteroid that vaporized right before actual impact, creating the equivalent of a 12 megaton explosion and flattening entire forests in a radial pattern from ‘ground zero’, but leaving no crater. Back in the day, tho, there were some delicious tales that suggested it ‘changed its path’ before impact, maybe it was a crashing alien ship, or maybe it was a mini-black hole that passed completely through the planet. Either way, as a young kid I was totally hooked the first time I read about the Tunguska Event (which I highly recommend). And I’d like to think these instruments we make, well, make an impact of their own.
Kent Meloy – Founder, Design Maniac, Build
I got my first taste of building back in high school in the very early 80’s, and though it took a few decades to try again, it was a thing that just had to happen. I began with a couple kit guitars, then came up with the v1 idea to take it up a notch back in 2015. I’ve always been a fan of ‘odd-shaped’ guitars, Explorers, Flying Vs, RDs, Parkers, Breadwinners/Deacons, that kind of thing, so that seemed the right direction to go with Tunguska. Something different. Something you don’t see every day.
Mark Szabo – Custom Pickups, Electronics Wizard, Fretwork and Setup
Mark has a meticulous eye for detail and has electronics in his blood. When he decided what these guitars needed were custom-designed-and-wound pickups it was the clincher for, in essence, taking this show on the road. Also his fret-n-finish work puts factory-built axes to shame.
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contact: kgmeloy@tunguskaguitars.com