Burner #10 - Remembering My Brother Kenny

[cpabolting]

Guys....

In remembrance of my brother Ken who took his life Christmas Eve 2009, and all others who have taken their lives....I celebrate the guitar I am building in his memory and spirit.....Ken was an avid surfer and diver...loved the beach and the ocean.

MS model, Serial number 10
Sinker redwood top
Myrtle Tiger back and sides
Koa bindings on body, fretboard and headstock...
Soundport....maybe surfboard shaped...
Old school wooden surfboard headstock inlay between the tuners may be cool...maybe out of Koa or something that stands out well in perhaps an ebony or darker wood headstock overlay.

So we will attempt to come up with a surfboard/ocean/nautical inlay thing....probably out of woods not paua....so very cool guitar theme.

Here is the top I have picked out:


The back and sides:



Tell me the back and the front don't make you think of that old longboard! This is going to be a killer build guys.

Peace baby brother!

[Cornerstone Guitars]

Congratulations! Looks an awesome set of wood!

[songsender]

We are honored to be a part of this with Keith and hope this will be a great memorial to his brother Ken.

If it weren't for a some money left to me when my step father passed, Kyle and I would probably not have taken this path to building guitars. So for us - in some ways - every guitar we build is a memorial to my "dad" Ray.

We're quite excited to be a part of this!

[cpabolting]

Originally Posted by songsender

We are honored to be a part of this with Keith and hope this will be a great memorial to his brother Ken.

If it weren't for a some money left to me when my step father passed, Kyle and I would probably not have taken this path to building guitars. So for us - in some ways - every guitar we build is a memorial to my "dad" Ray.

We're quite excited to be a part of this!

Funny, life seems to be made up with things that fell into line as a result of a crossroads we came to in our life, a decision to turn right or left, a tragic event you figure out how to inspire you in a different direction.

One of my favorite groups is a band out of Gainesville called Sister Hazel. Their lead singer is Ken Block, who was a childhood friend. His tragedy was the 4 year battle and ultimate passing of his brother Jeffrey, who died at 17. We were all friends and we watched their entire life get frozen in time for the four years of his fight. And the music that comes from Ken and the songs he has written, that tragedy has everything to do with where his songs from. One of their songs is called Tear by Tear....the chorus:

There's a way to keep going
Step by step
Try to fix what's been broken
Brick by brick
While your life will keep coming
Year after year
Drain the pain
Tear by tear
Drain away the pain
Tear by tear

Events like Jeffrey and my brother Kenny's passings...are woven into the fabric of what makes us who we are, how we see the world. The experiences become the lenses we see life through. Sometime when somebody looks at something differently than you do, consider the possibility that some of their life's experiences that you aren't aware of, are part of the lenses they wear.

[gregg]

I really like the wood choices, will certainly make a lovely guitar.

Cheers,

[Simon Fay]

Originally Posted by cpabolting

Sometime when somebody looks at something differently than you do, consider the possibility that some of their life's experiences that you aren't aware of, are part of the lenses they wear.

This is an exceedingly powerful statement and a principle that I make an effort to live by. Cpabolting, I am very sorry to hear about your loss but I hope this build process aids in the healing process as you remember your brother.

Kind Regards,
Simon

[tpp]

Great way to remember a family member. I look forward to seeing this build progress.

[rlouie]

this is going to be an awesome guitar Keith!!!!! you're brother would be proud he is being remembered in such a way!!!!!

[Steve Kinnaird]

Keith, I think your choices are wonderful, and in this sonic way your brother will live on. What a great idea!

Steve

[Martin_Nut]

Keith,

Cool chunk of Myrtle! Congrats to the Burner's and to you on getting this one going.

[Acoustom]

Keith,
I'm really sorry to hear about your brother. As anyone whose lost a loved one knows, only time will heal the pain and fill the void made by the loss. I too hope that the process of building this beautiful guitar will help in the healing process and leave you a beautiful monument to Kenny, to remind you of all the sweet times that you two shared. Blessings, Tom

[Coke_zero]

A very poignant thing to do, making a guitar in the memory of your brother which will out live almost everyone. I'm sure it will be a stunning guitar.

[jsmarshall]

CPA, I like the theme. If you turn that headstock in to a surfboard, how cool would it be to have a 3-piece or 5-piece neck? Those stripes would resemble the stripes down an old school board.

[songsender]

Originally Posted by jsmarshall

CPA, I like the theme. If you turn that headstock in to a surfboard, how cool would it be to have a 3-piece or 5-piece neck? Those stripes would resemble the stripes down an old school board.

You're reading our minds!!!!

[tekaitora]

Keith-

What a courageous thing you are doing. It would be so much easier to try and put distance between yourself and such pain. My hope is that as time passes, this instrument's voice will sweeten memories and be a balm to your soul.

blessings,
Scott