John kinnaird build thread 2016

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Very cool rosette, John--love the way it's bookmatched.

That bearclaw top ain't too shabby either!

Thanks Nemoman. I'm feeling the love

[j. Kinnaird]

I appreciate it Jay Lowe
Are you related to someone famous. Jennifer Lopez or what would be really interesting, that guitar/fiddle maker from Atlanta, Wade Lowe?

[Jay Lowe]

John - I get the JLo jokes a lot but I remind folks that I had it first. Maybe by a couple of months. No relation to Wade that I know of but it was a large family so I guess I can't say for sure. I understand that one of my Great Great "Grandsomethings" made fiddles (along with walking canes and furniture) in Ireland but I've never seen one.

Great work on this guitar. Don't quit posting pictures!

[j. Kinnaird]

Here is the headstock with inlay by Craig Lavin. Bob wanted the headstock to be shaped like that found on an old Martin Guitar. It is such a simple shape you would not think it would present any problems to make, but inlaying paua around those tightly radiused corners is tough. I cut curved strips out of a shell blank, which i guess does not sound that hard but it certainly involves more than inlaying strips in a teflon recess. Anyway, grumbling aside, the birds of paradise are nice. Craig is certainly the artist.

[John Osthoff]

John,

Its a beauty. Cool rosette, certainly unique (which is not always that easy.)

I love the comment, about the headstock should not be too hard. I just did a Martin (style) headstock and yup, those tight radii had me biting my tongue thinking how easy the paddle headstock would be.

Craig's inlay is great too.

Did you get that Padauk at the Memphis show? I think I had my eye on it, but it was already sold. Nice stuff.

[j. Kinnaird]

Thanks John.
Yes, Bob bought that wood at the Memphis show. RC tonewoods was the vendor I believe.

[Too Many Guitar]

I am sooooooo missing the Memphis Show, this guitar will help ease my pain a bit. The beautiful rosette matches one that I had John build for me at the 2015 Memphis show. That guitar sounds so great, that I can't sell it...it's mine forever as I plan this to be as well.

[j. Kinnaird]

A Guitar for Paul (aka guitars44me)
Round Peak
Cutaway
Massive arm and rib bevels
Figured mahogany back and sides
Laminated and veneered internal blocks to save weight
Spanish cedar reversed kerfing lining yet to be shaped
Koa binding
Cantilevered fingerboard
Tubular carbon fiber reinforcement ala Tim McKnight (thank you Tim)
Top bracing freed up above the soundhole

Here is the group shot. Obviously the kerfed lining has not been shaped yet. I like to do that after its glued in to facilitate clamping such a huge amount of bevel support. In the background is the Brazilian back for Mikes next build.

[Guitars44me]

I am so smitten with my recent custom JK "Round Peak Experience" (#128), that I have ordered this one!

Our goal is a BIG guitar with big volume and tone, but the weight and comfort of a much smaller instrument.

I am playing a LOT of completely acoustic gigs. Mostly in Senior and health care facilities. They do not pay much, but the appreciation factor is very high!!!

I need light weight, TONE, volume, and comfort! My gigs are one hour each and I have two or three per day, with a lot of driving, too!

Trying to extend my career into my retirement years! Haha

John is a lot of fun to work with, and his three I have played are WORLD CLASS INSTRUMENTS !

Oh, I really love the special ordered slightly asymmetrical slim carved neck on number 128! I have small hands, and they are beat up. I find this neck extremely comfortable. Actually the MOST comfy I have ever played!!!

Go John!!!

Cheers

Paul

[j. Kinnaird]

Thanks for the shared enthusiasm Paul. It does my heart good to know those two guitars siblings are getting played with regularity. Hopefully this next build will sound different enough not to be redundsnt, but good enough to sustain your enthusiasm.

[cigarfan]

Looks like a piece geetar in the offing. Congrats Paul and John!!

[j. Kinnaird]

I'm OK with a stacked Heel. It's a more economical use of a dwindling resource, and has a long standing tradition with classical guitar makers. To make this neck out of padouk necessitated stacking.


I need to work on the fit obviously.

A little more inlay From Craig Lavin. The colors go well with the peghead inlay. Sort of a tropical theme. I'm thinking a blackwood bridge will fit the overall theme nicely.

[cigarfan]

Exquisite John! Looking beautiful.

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Exquisite John! Looking beautiful.

Thank you sir. I appreciate it.

[TomB'sox]

That is quite a show piece John, wow...still loving that rosette!!! It all ties in so nicely!!!