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  #1  
Old 07-09-2011, 01:18 PM
bk314159 bk314159 is offline
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Default NGD - All I Wanted Was a Shirt (BK Guitars)

One day last summer I was reading an AGF thread about BK Guitars. I had never heard of BK Guitars, but was intrigued since we share the same initials. I went to the BK Guitar Site and then quickly went to Brian Kelly's Flickr site and saw his work. I e-mailed Brian and asked if he had any shirts for sale. He replied in the affirmative. $15 later I was a proud owner of a BK Guitar shirt. I e-mailed Brian and thanked him. He replied that his guitars were very affordable. He then made me an offer I couldn't refuse, not that I needed another guitar, but as I said, it was an offer I couldn't refuse.

So I ordered one of Brian's GS Cutaway models with a Western Red Cedar top, Claro Walnut back and sides and Cocobolo Rosewood rosette, fingerboard, bridge, headplate and bridge. Here are the raw Claro Walnut back and sides:



and here is the finished product:







Perhaps my favorite shot is of the end of the Cocobolo fingerboard with the pearl highlighted rosette:









The guitar just arrived this afternoon and it's gorgeous. The guitar has great volume and projection. I find myself playing it with vigor, i.e. strummed or plucked hard. The sustain is also magnificent. The guitar rings like a bell - and this is on it's first day of birth.

Brian is excellent to work with. He responds quickly to e-mails and asks all the right questions. Brian is not a full time luthier - yet. My serial number is 30, but Brian said he didn't include the first 10 guitars he made. He's looking forward to becoming a full time luthier when he retires. If you are in the market for a custom guitar at a very reasonable price I definitely think you should put Brian Kelly on your list of luthiers to consider.

Sincerely,
BK314159
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Old 07-09-2011, 01:31 PM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
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Congrats BK - looks like an amazing guitar. Take some more pics in it's new environment, if you can.

Is Brian location in California?
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Old 07-09-2011, 01:36 PM
bk314159 bk314159 is offline
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Congrats BK - looks like an amazing guitar. Take some more pics in it's new environment, if you can.

Is Brian location in California?
Thanks Dru.

Brian is located in Frisco, Texas. My photographic skills are suspect. That's why I used the photos that Brian has posted at his site.

BK
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Old 07-09-2011, 01:46 PM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
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Thanks Dru.

Brian is located in Frisco, Texas. My photographic skills are suspect. That's why I used the photos that Brian has posted at his site.

BK
I hope you never go out to buy a $15 Picasso t-shirt!

Seriously, looks like an exceptional guitar. Glad to hear you're happy. What was your main guitar before this one?
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Old 07-09-2011, 02:07 PM
bk314159 bk314159 is offline
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Quote:
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I hope you never go out to buy a $15 Picasso t-shirt!
Good advice!

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Seriously, looks like an exceptional guitar. Glad to hear you're happy. What was your main guitar before this one?
The guitar I was playing the most before my BK arrived was/is a wonderful Siren by Steve Sheriff of Edwinson Guitars. I'm sure I'll have fun alternating these two wonderful guitars.
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Old 07-09-2011, 03:55 PM
btkfrisco btkfrisco is offline
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Smile Thanks BK...

Bruce was great to work with. He knew what he wanted and was a great communicator. I hope he enjoys his new BK so much he plays it every day... Thanks for the posting BK!
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Old 07-09-2011, 05:04 PM
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cotten cotten is offline
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Congratulations to you both! That's a beautiful guitar, and well worth the $15.

cotten
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Old 07-09-2011, 05:27 PM
Brackett Instruments Brackett Instruments is offline
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Nice looking guitar. I really like the fingerboard position markers.
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Old 07-09-2011, 06:14 PM
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Gorgeous!

Does that Coco fingerboard feel different than a rosewood or ebony one? Looks smooth like a maple (Strat style) one. Is is slick?
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Old 07-09-2011, 06:29 PM
bk314159 bk314159 is offline
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Originally Posted by cotten View Post
Congratulations to you both! That's a beautiful guitar, and well worth the $15.

cotten
Thanks Cotton! That $15 shirt was the most expensive t-shirt I ever bought (but the guitar was a steal).

I look forward to meeting you at Healdsburg and seeing your new lovely McKnight guitar. I believe we have "sister" ziricote back and sides.

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Originally Posted by Brackett Instruments View Post
Nice looking guitar. I really like the fingerboard position markers.
Thanks Woody! I love the position markers also.


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Originally Posted by M19 View Post
Gorgeous!

Does that Coco fingerboard feel different than a rosewood or ebony one? Looks smooth like a maple (Strat style) one. Is is slick?
Hi M19 - I just love the look of the cocobolo FB. I can't say as I've noticed a difference between it and my ebony FBs. I don't play electric so I'm afraid I can't comment how it compares to maple.
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  #11  
Old 07-09-2011, 06:42 PM
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Excuse my ignorance but what does NGD mean?

Beautiful guitar by the way.. Enjoy it!!
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Old 07-09-2011, 06:55 PM
Brackett Instruments Brackett Instruments is offline
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Excuse my ignorance but what does NGD mean?

Beautiful guitar by the way.. Enjoy it!!

NGD= New Guitar Day
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Old 07-10-2011, 11:26 AM
bk314159 bk314159 is offline
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Originally Posted by sharp_custom View Post

Beautiful guitar by the way.. Enjoy it!!
Thanks Don - I certainly am.

I'm always amazed at what the talented luthiers that I've learned about because of the AGF (Thanks J.R.!) come up with.

Brian did a great job.

BK314159
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