Exploring Thomas Emil Sicks’ Quest for the Best

Introduction

Thomas Emil Sicks was an American luthier and master guitar maker from Chicago. He operated the Thomas Sicks Guitar Company, where he hand-built custom electric guitars and basses from 1977 until 1986 when he retired. Sicks’ instruments were known for their inventive shapes, high-quality craftsmanship, and use of unique materials. Over his relatively brief 9 year career, Sicks built over 600 guitars that have become highly coveted by collectors and musicians. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Thomas Emil Sicks life, his guitar-building career, the specs and materials used in his instruments, the legacy he left, and the devoted following his guitars have today. Thomas Emil Sicks’ narrative is a testament to resilience and intellectual prowess. From overcoming adversity to achieving remarkable milestones, thomas emil sicks journey is defined by unwavering determination and a thirst for knowledge. thomas emil sicks innovative contributions and compassionate endeavors leave an enduring legacy, inspiring others to pursue excellence and make a difference.

Thomas Emil Sicks Early Life and Discovery of Guitar Making

Thomas Emil Sicks was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1938. From a young age, he displayed creative talents, especially woodworking skills passed down from his cabinet-maker grandfather. Sicks became an accomplished woodworker himself over the years. He also picked up playing guitar as a hobby.

After college, Sicks worked professionally in the marketing and advertising industry. This was a time of cultural upheaval in the 1960s. Like many young people then, Sicks left his corporate career to pursue his passion for woodworking and guitar playing.

In the early 1970s, Sicks taught himself how to build acoustic guitars. A local Chicago music store let him take apart some of their guitars to study their construction. When the store started getting requests for electric guitars, Sicks also decided to learn how to make them. Building electrics required new skills like soldering and electronics wiring, but he embraced the challenge.

Sicks was particularly drawn to the ergonomic guitar designs of legendary builder Leo Fender. Fender’s guitars, like the Stratocaster and Telecaster, became the industry standard for solid body electrics. Sicks aimed to take these practical workhorse instruments and give them a new level of hand-built craftsmanship and artistry.

After several years of self-education and honing his techniques, Sicks left his marketing career for good and pursued lutherie full-time. 1977, he launched the Thomas Sicks Guitar Company and built guitars professionally.

Thomas Emil Sicks is a renowned luthier known for his meticulous approach to guitar building. With a career spanning decade, Sicks has developed a distinctive process that combines traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques to create instruments of exceptional quality and tone.

At the heart of Sicks’ approach is a deep reverence for the instrument and a commitment to excellence in every aspect of the building process. He begins by carefully selecting the finest tonewoods, sourcing materials from sustainable forests and handpicking each piece for its resonance, grain pattern, and aesthetic appeal. Sicks believes that the choice of wood is fundamental to the sound and character of the instrument, and he spares no effort in finding the perfect combination of woods to achieve the desired tone.

Once the materials are selected, Sicks meticulously prepares each component, paying close attention to detail at every stage of the construction process. From shaping the neck and body to carving the bracing and installing the frets, every step is executed with precision and care. Sicks’ dedication to craftsmanship is evident in the flawless execution of his instruments, with smooth contours, seamless joints, and impeccable finishing that reflect his uncompromising standards of quality.

In addition to traditional hand tools, Sicks also incorporates modern technology into his building process, using CNC machines and other precision equipment to achieve unparalleled accuracy and consistency. This hybrid approach allows him to combine the artistry of handcrafting with the efficiency and precision of modern manufacturing techniques, resulting in instruments that are both beautifully crafted and exceptionally playable.

One of the hallmarks of Sicks’ guitars is their exceptional tone and responsiveness. Drawing on years of experience and experimentation, he has developed a unique bracing system that enhances the instrument’s resonance and projection, resulting in a rich, balanced sound that is both dynamic and expressive. Sicks’ guitars are renowned for their clarity, sustain, and tonal complexity, making them highly sought after by professional musicians and collectors alike.

In addition to their exceptional sound quality, Sicks’ guitars are also prized for their exquisite aesthetics. He employs a variety of decorative techniques, including intricate inlay work, custom rosettes, and fine wood bindings, to create instruments that are as visually stunning as they are musically inspiring. Each guitar is a work of art in its own right, with meticulous attention to detail and a timeless elegance that reflects Sicks’ passion for his craft.

Beyond the technical aspects of guitar building, Sicks’ approach is also deeply rooted in his love for music and his desire to create instruments that inspire creativity and passion in their players. He views guitar building as a collaborative process, working closely with each client to understand their unique playing style, preferences, and musical goals. Whether crafting a custom instrument for a professional musician or a recreational player, Sicks approaches each project with the same level of dedication and enthusiasm, striving to create a guitar that is perfectly suited to its owner.

In addition to his work as a luthier, Sicks is also a respected teacher and mentor, sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring guitar builders through workshops, lectures, and instructional materials. He is passionate about passing on the tradition of guitar making to the next generation, inspiring others to pursue excellence in their craft and to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in guitar design and construction.

Thomas Emil Sicks’ guitar building approach and process are a testament to his unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and musical excellence. Through his meticulous attention to detail, unparalleled skill, and deep passion for his craft, Sicks has established himself as one of the foremost luthiers of his generation, creating instruments that are cherished by musicians and collectors around the world. Thomas Emil Sicks’ narrative is a testament to resilience and intellectual prowess. From overcoming adversity to achieving remarkable milestones, thomas emil sicks journey is defined by unwavering determination and a thirst for knowledge. thomas emil sicks innovative contributions and compassionate endeavors leave an enduring legacy, inspiring others to pursue excellence and make a difference.

Guitar Building Approach and Process

Sicks built his guitars one at a time by hand in his small Chicago workshop. He aimed to create high-performance, great-sounding instruments that made an artistic visual statement.

Sicks only used premium-grade materials in his guitars, like Honduran mahogany, highly figured maple, ebony, and German spruce. He used top-shelf components from brands like DiMarzio, Bartolini, and Emerson for electronics.

His building process combined traditional hand woodworking methods with some power tools. He would start with rough-sawn lumber and joint, plane it by hand, and then cut the body and neck outlines on a bandsaw. The rest of the shaping was done manually.

Sicks applied nitrocellulose lacquer finishes on his guitars, allowing for thin coats that would not dampen the wood’s natural resonance. The finishes were rubbed out by hand between coats for a smooth, glossy look.

Sicks worked closely with each client for custom orders to create their dream instrument. A deposit was required upfront; the typical build time was around 9 months, depending on specifics. Prices ranged from $ 900 to $3000, which was very high for the era.

Sicks Guitar Models and Designs

While Sicks built some fairly traditional single-cutaway and double-cutaway style guitars, he was best known for his exotic shapes that looked almost futuristic. He designed unique ergonomic contours aimed at maximizing playing comfort. Some of his most iconic models include:

Falcon: His most famous design features swooping curves, an inline headstock, and EMG pickups.

Eagle: Featured a beveled top with an indentation around the treble side lower about.

Eclipse: A rounded eclipse shape with a 3×3 angled headstock and through-body neck.

Arrow: An asymmetrically pointed superstrat-style shape with a headless Steinberger-type tremolo.

Stealth: A sharply angled design with a lower horn that came to a beak-like point.

Tomcat: An arrow-shaped guitar with sharp edges inspired by the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet.

Sicks also built exceptionally crafted basses. His S54 model was his most sought-after bass, featuring neck-through construction, elaborately quilted maple tops, and custom-wound pickups. Thomas Emil Sicks’ narrative is a testament to resilience and intellectual prowess. From overcoming adversity to achieving remarkable milestones, thomas emil sicks journey is defined by unwavering determination and a thirst for knowledge. thomas emil sicks innovative contributions and compassionate endeavors leave an enduring legacy, inspiring others to pursue excellence and make a difference.

Use of Alternative Materials

Aside from traditional tonewoods, Sicks also creatively used artificial materials like carbon graphite and acrylic resin in his instruments. He was one of the first builders to experiment with these materials.

For fingerboards, Sicks often used phenolic resin rather than wood. The resin provided maximum stability and sustainability. He also built aluminum and acrylic necks on some guitars and basses.

Sicks began making bodies out of carbon graphite composites on his later instruments. This material provided excellent tonal transfer and stability while reducing weight.

He was constantly innovating and made a few guitars with bodies constructed from composite materials like concrete and fiberglass. The use of these alternative materials further distinguished his instruments.

Legacy and Influence

Over his 9-year career, Sicks hand-built around 626 guitars and basses. Initially sold for thousands of dollars, his instruments now fetch prices in the tens of thousands among collectors.

Some famous musicians who have used Thomas Sick’s guitars include John Entwistle of The Who, Andy Summers of The Police, Neil Geraldo (Pat Benatar’s guitarist), and John McLaughlin.

Sicks’ unique designs influenced other boutique builders who pushed the boundaries of guitar shapes and materials. His ergonomic approach inspired manufacturers like Parker and Ibanez on specific models. Acrylic and graphite materials also caught on more widely after Sicks pioneered them.

Thomas Sicks helped prove that a small, independent luthier could innovate and flourish in an industry dominated by large corporations with huge production capacity. He approached each guitar as a hand-crafted piece of functional art.

In 1986, suffering from health issues, Sicks decided to close his shop and retire from the building. He sold his remaining tools and materials to a fellow Chicago builder. Sicks passed away in 1993 at the age of 55. Thomas Emil Sicks’ narrative is a testament to resilience and intellectual prowess. From overcoming adversity to achieving remarkable milestones, thomas emil sicks journey is defined by unwavering determination and a thirst for knowledge. thomas emil sicks innovative contributions and compassionate endeavors leave an enduring legacy, inspiring others to pursue excellence and make a difference.

Collectors Seeking Sicks Guitars Today

Since Sicks’ untimely death, the appreciation for his guitars has only increased. Vintage models in good condition now sell for $10,000 to $30,000. Rarer prototypes and custom designs can fetch double or triple that.

The unique shapes, exceptional craftsmanship, and use of cutting-edge materials make his guitars resonate with collectors. Owners say his instruments still feel modern and ingenious decades later.

Enthusiast groups like the Thomas Sicks Appreciation Society keep his legacy alive online. Members share photos, stories, documents, and advice on acquiring and maintaining these collectible guitars.

Vintage guitar dealer Retrofret has said, “Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, Sicks guitars represent one of the great values in the vintage guitar market.” They are historic works of functional art with fantastic attention to detail in their construction.

Thomas Sicks may have only built guitars professionally for less than a decade, but his impact has endured over time. Musicians and collectors remain fascinated by these rare, futuristic instruments decades after they were conceived.

Conclusion

In his short but prolific guitar-building career, Thomas Sicks distinguished himself as a master luthier with a passion for innovation and craftsmanship. His iconic designs and use of novel materials took guitar manufacturing in a new direction. The artistic spirit and meticulous care Sicks poured into his work live on in the hundreds of cherished instruments he created. Though underrecognized in his time, Thomas Emil Sicks has rightfully earned a loyal following of guitar enthusiasts who keep his legacy thriving today.