Wow
 

Thanks for the schooling on lining! You guys all make superlative guitars!!! I really hope I did not offend anyone with my raving about JKs solid linings...

I Have really been enjoying hanging out here in the Luthier's corner. Something to learn all the time, and the pics are sublime.

The last couple days I have been contemplating Tim McKnight's laminated sides!
What next? Always more to learn.

I feel very very grateful to be able to commission this guitar! Heck, as Bob Hope and lately Keith Richards said, I am grateful to be anywhere...

Cinnamon sounds like a nice bonus!!!

All the best to you folks building these beauties! And a merry Yuletide to all!

Cheers

Paul

Guitar shootout
 

I have been having a serious acoustic and amplified shootout in my music room.

I cannot say enough good things about John Kinnaird's Number 99. Which is a 12 fret 000 in bear claw Addy over Honduras Rosewood. It does have a soundport which is always A plus for the driver! And it has A K&K SBT pup.
Thanks so much, Mike for letting it go! Had I not got it I just wouldn't know…

I'm doing almost all my gigs unamplified lately, but I have the same rig in my music room that I use at amplified Gigs. Which is an acoustic image coda small but hi-fi amp and the TC helicon harmony G as a preamp.

I have been comparing all my best guitars, both plugged in and not. The only other guitar that sounds as good to me is my new, 2002 Ryan Paradiso in Koa and Cedar. And even it does not sound quite as good plugged in. It has a McIntyre feather.

Must say, that my R. Taylors are not far behind... And of course, sound is subjective. But it is greatly reassuring that JK number 99 is current champ!!!

At least until the guitar that this thread is supposed to be about gets here…

Tim, you inspired me to get busy and try and do some recording! There may be a decent recording of my Christmas blues song, "JC's Blues" any day now. Now I just have to figure out how to get it up on the net. I am such a digital dork !

You guys all rock!

Cheers

Paul

Time to install the back. I disliked shaping the gluing surface of the linings by hand so much that I made this motor driven sanding (concave) disk. It makes short, and accurate work out of what used to be a dreaded chore
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sfoqgz6xk.jpeg

The back was clamped into position and brace pockets were marked off with an exacto knife, and then those marks were emphasized on the gluing surface
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sctrx3hw1.jpeg

Then cut in with a small saw.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sslq2livr.jpeg
That's donehttp://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sxcmyddmm.jpeg

Using a dremmel router bit the material between the cuts was removed
Then the back glued on

I have the same high tech glue spreader as Tim McKnight but I am pretty sure his is a newer model.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sebymtest.jpeg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...spi2nq8o8.jpeg

I love the red cedar. When I was young and needed money I got a job sanding shoe trees. I got to know eastern red cedar at an up front level. It is such a nice light compliant wood but firm it it's final inception.. Just perfect for lining I would think. Very forgiving and it smells good in the asking. Great looking build, thanks for the pictures.

Thanks Jobe. You are right about cedar. Very compliant, IF you wet it down well before bending. Otherwise I have found it to be rather brittle on the bending iron. But it is so musical, when tapped it seems to generate its own sound.

Gracious. Thanks so much for that plug Paul. I am now feeling intimidated by my earlier success:). Hopefully this next guitar lives up to its predecessor.

My goodness...
 

John! No worries... I am sure this one will be at least as great sounding, and louder but more comfy!

I am really looking forward to the bevels! And the choir of angels...

Even my many clams will sound better! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Cheers

Paul

Where does one obtain those glue spreading tools?

you pretty much have to inherit them. They are passed on from father to son.

Dangit. I guess I'll have to use screws then.

Paul,

I love the way your guitar is coming together! I love the wood choices. I can't figure out why I never got a shot at that wood...fact is I think John has resources and stashes none of us could even dream about ;). I know you'll be super pleased with the result of John's work.

Regarding recording a few songs, don't forget your ole' buddy Woody...he and I (lol) would really like to hear some of them! :guitar:

closing the box
 

The top edge of the guitar, including the linings (kerfings:)) gets a cylindrical shape. I like to keep a straight line between the fbe and the bridge. ( my brother would argue with this approach and he may be right. Its one of those debatable points of guitar construction on which I have not completely decided) That cylinder is sanded in by rubbing the guitar up and down on this sanding board that has a cylindrically concave surface. I hate this part but must admit its a fairly good arm workout.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...snegzntug.jpeg

Brace carving done.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...skjarlfan.jpeg


Skipping a picture of all the clamps and the process of routing off the excess overhanging top wood,

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sz6bcezwd.jpeg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...svld5q37e.jpeg

Looking good! That rosette hanging in one of the photos looks like a ton of work.
Doing it by hand? Curious about what the cavities will be filled with.

Thanks Michel. That rosette has been a ton of work. I put that project on hold for now. I too had questions about what went in the cavities, if anything.

Hooray!
 

Does the cylindrical sanding result in a slightly arched top?

Whatever you're doing, it sure sounds spectacular on 99!

Cheers

Paul