Build Thread: McKnight Highlander OM-D

[kang]

Hi All!

I had a chance to spend a day with Tim and Mary a few weeks ago at the McKnight shop exploring options for my McKnight OM-D build. I think I am just echoing the sentiments of so many other forum members when I say that Tim and Mary are great people. Thank you, Tim & Mary!!!

Build Specs:
McKnight Highlander OM-D
Top: Adirondack Spruce
Hollow-back/sides: Zircote (outter), brown wood of unknown origin (inner)
Venetian Cutaway and Manzer Wedge Body
Macassar Ebony binding/purfling

I will be posting pictures throughout the build process. Here are a few from the first few sets Mary sent me over the last two weeks.

Tim and I spending some time at the work bench making sure that I am getting exactly the guitar that I want... what a great experience!



Hollow-back option: Zircote and Brown wood of unknown origin



All of Tim's guitars are built with double sides. Straight grain for days... but what a contrast to the Zircote.



Adirondack Spruce Top - can't see it in the picture, but this top does have some bear clawing towards the bottom of the top.




Tim cutting the outline of the Macassar rosette which will have abalone inlayed - can't wait to see the final design



The double sides come together. Venetian cutaway. I need to get one of those McAprons!



Once the sides are glued, they will sit in the form until the glue dries and they are ready for next steps!




Thank you Mary for all the pictures - the excitement is overwhelming when I know I have a batch of photos waiting to be viewed in my inbox. Hope you all enjoy the build thread! Let me know if you have any questions.

[CoolerKing]

Very cool, looking forward to following along.

[fountainhead]

Enjoy the wonderful experience- I know I will vicariously!

[colins]

Beautiful ziricote! Thanks for posting this thread.

[fitness1]

The whole experience is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.....

[picassov7]

Very cool indeed! I will keep an eye on this one!

[David Wren]

It doesn't get any better than a McKnight build thread ... and the resulting guitar!!!

[kang]

Another quick update on the McKnight Highlander OM-D build.

Glue for the double sides is dry and ready for next steps.



Inner side wood - brown wood of unknown origin waiting to be dropped into the form.



Adding the neck and tail blocks.



Tim sizing up the neck block to fit the body size.


Inside bracing helps keep the shape during chalking and sanding


Leveling the sides with a dish disk sander for the right depth


Kerf lining - Mary lends a helping hand to speed the process but manages to take a few pictures to document.



Mary - hard at work uploading all of the pictures to send.

[Tim McKnight]

Quick update:

The HollowBack is brace and joined to the rim.
Top is braced and waiting for the Hide Glue to dry. I plan to voice it Saturday and close the box.

A certain business partner informs me that we are taking the day off today for a short road trip since its our 32nd anniversary

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

A certain business partner informs me that we are taking the day off today for a short road trip since its our 32nd anniversary

Is she going to drive the cart?

[Steve Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

A certain business partner informs me that we are taking the day off today for a short road trip since its our 32nd anniversary

Congrats you two!

Steve

[kang]

Happy 32nd Anniversary Tim & Mary!

As Tim mentioned earlier, there has been a lot of progress since the last update! When I get that batch of photos of the back, sides, and top put together, I will post them.

In the meantime, please enjoy some of the detailed work Tim completed on the rosette and top of the guitar.











Stay tuned for the next update! should be a big one!

[kang]

In this update you'll get to see some cool innovations Tim uses when building guitars. Notice that there is no bracing on the back of the guitar (Tim's hollow-back design) and also those carbon fiber side truss anchors for neck stability!

For this guitar... I really wanted the natural beauty of the wood to shine. The rosette design is very simple but came out beautifully!


Tim, how does it sound??!?!?



After the top has been sanded down to Tim's liking, the sound hole is cut to show what the top/rosette will look like


The macassar ebony is beautiful!


Working on the side anchor truss




I love the fact that Tim takes the time to seal the inside of the guitar as well!


Wow... we've come a long way already! stay tuned for the next batch of pictures!

[Mary]

Thank you for letting me steal your luthier for the weekend. We took a drive to see our old favorite camping spots in the hills of southern Ohio where
we spent our early years burning wood for camp fire dinners.

Aw, the smoked flavor of potatoes that slowly baked in the embers of hickory will forever be a special memory.

And now Tim tells me it is time to get back to work.

[printer2]

Originally Posted by Mary

Thank you for letting me steal your luthier for the weekend. We took a drive to see our old favorite camping spots in the hills of southern Ohio where
we spent our early years burning wood for camp fire dinners.

Aw, the smoked flavor of potatoes that slowly baked in the embers of hickory will forever be a special memory.

And now Tim tells me it is time to get back to work.

No picture of the campfire?