Some guitars are born in workshops, This one was born in a storm.
The Weathered Lightning II is the work of luthier Martin Maudal, who salvaged an olive tree struck by lightning in Los Angeles County back in 2003, While working for the Forest Service, Martin pulled the charred stump from the ground in 2006 & let it cure for a full decade. Out of that single tree, he calculated there was just enough material for two guitar bodies this being one of them. You can still see the blackened traces of the strike running through the wood, nature’s own handwriting across the grain.
The sides & trim are made from ash, framing the scorched olive beautifully. An unplated brass Allen tailpiece anchors the strings, and inside, a K&K pickup mounted to the biscuit captures the guitar’s raw acoustic character. It runs to an onboard preamp powered by a 9V battery, recharged via a simple USB connection modern practicality fused with rustic tradition.
Tonally, it’s as unique as its origin. Maudal himself described it as “a great fingerpicker that really finds her voice with a slide.” Whether you’re chasing earthy blues, haunting resonator growl, or cinematic textures, this guitar delivers a voice that’s unmistakable.
Highlights
Handbuilt by Martin Maudal (M³ Guitars)
Body crafted from an olive tree struck by lightning in 2003
Ash sides & trim
Visible scorching from the strike preserved in the figuring
K&K pickup mounted on the biscuit
Onboard USB-charged preamp, powered by 9V
Unplated brass Allen tailpiece
Optimized for both fingerpicking & slide playing
Includes hardshell case
One of only two in existence.
Some guitars are born in workshops, This one was born in a storm.
The Weathered Lightning II is the work of luthier Martin Maudal, who salvaged an olive tree struck by lightning in Los Angeles County back in 2003, While working for the Forest Service, Martin pulled the charred stump from the ground in 2006 & let it cure for a full decade. Out of that single tree, he calculated there was just enough material for two guitar bodies this being one of them. You can still see the blackened traces of the strike running through the wood, nature’s own handwriting across the grain.
The sides & trim are made from ash, framing the scorched olive beautifully. An unplated brass Allen tailpiece anchors the strings, and inside, a K&K pickup mounted to the biscuit captures the guitar’s raw acoustic character. It runs to an onboard preamp powered by a 9V battery, recharged via a simple USB connection modern practicality fused with rustic tradition.
Tonally, it’s as unique as its origin. Maudal himself described it as “a great fingerpicker that really finds her voice with a slide.” Whether you’re chasing earthy blues, haunting resonator growl, or cinematic textures, this guitar delivers a voice that’s unmistakable.
Highlights
Handbuilt by Martin Maudal (M³ Guitars)
Body crafted from an olive tree struck by lightning in 2003
Ash sides & trim
Visible scorching from the strike preserved in the figuring
K&K pickup mounted on the biscuit
Onboard USB-charged preamp, powered by 9V
Unplated brass Allen tailpiece
Optimized for both fingerpicking & slide playing
Includes hardshell case
One of only two in existence.
