Can you rebuild history? Can you capture soul in wood and string? That was the challenge when John Chapman of The Acoustic Shoppe brought his cherished 1940s-era dreadnought to the Bedell Custom Shop in Bend, Oregon — a guitar that had shaped his sound and become a part of his musical DNA.

The mission: to create a modern instrument that could reflect the character, tone, and legacy of that original vintage guitar — not just visually, but sonically and emotionally.

Technology Meets Tradition

Using Bedell’s exclusive Sound Optimization process, the team took more than 40 precision measurements of the original instrument — analyzing the thickness of the tonewoods, the stiffness and density of the top and back, the thinness of the finish, and the frequency response of each component.

But this wasn’t about making a replica. It was about creating something new that carried the spirit of the old.

“We wanted to build a guitar that honored the voice of the original,” said Tom Bedell, “but with the playability, comfort, and precision that today’s musicians expect.”

Built by Hand, Shaped by Heart

From hand-selecting old-growth mahogany and lightweight Adirondack spruce to developing a new patina-style finish that reacts naturally with the wood, every detail of the build was intentional. The neck — shaped by hand into a brand-new modified V profile — offered both vintage character and modern ergonomics.

As Bedell’s team noted, “The challenge wasn’t replicating the look — it was recreating the feel. That’s where the magic lives.”

A Moment of Sound and Spirit

When the final guitar was strummed for the first time, the room fell quiet. Everyone knew it — this wasn’t just a close match. It was alive with tone, resonance, and history.

“It’s everything I loved about my original,” said Chapman. “But somehow… more playable. More responsive. It captures the spirit — and maybe even improves on it.”

Now Available: The 1940 Dreadnought

Originally conceived as a one-off experiment, the instrument is now available : The 1940 Dreadnought by Bedell — vintage-inspired, fully handcrafted, and built to become the next generation’s timeless companion. Check it out here!