Build Thread: Circa OM Adi Spruce and Madagascar RW

[iim7V7IM7]

I couldn't agree more...

Having a Madrose Circa and a Mahogany Klepper is a fantastic duo. The aesthetic tie in of the matching purflings is the icing on the cake!

Originally Posted by matthewpartrick

This is super impressive and will go as a matching pair to your Klepper/Schoenberg soooo well because of the overall aesthetic and specifically the binding. Super happy for you!

[justonwo]

Yeah, I think they will be a nice pair. The Schoenberg/Klepper has a glorious bass and lovely mids. I expect the OM will be more focused with greater reverb-iness. The fact that they are tied together with the same purfling is really cool. I'm looking forward to hearing John's interpretation of a classic Martin OM sound. I've played many of his guitars over the years and have wanted a Circa for a very long time. Apparently, John has been using a bracing style with taller braces that he's very pleased with.

I didn't give him much guidance on the sound except to tell him to build the best he can build. My only guidance was that I play with fingerpicks and have a pretty heavy-handed attack. That's part of the reason we went with red spruce (besides the fact that I love red spruce in general).

It now has strings and is settling in. John reported the fretboard is near perfect with the graphite rods and will require very little touch up by the Plek.

For those of you interested, I will be bringing this guitar to Santa Barbara, along with my Schoenberg and probably Brondel.

[justonwo]

With strings!

[colins]

Juston it looks so "playable", and the wood marquetry just floors me. Now if I can just find an excuse (and the $$$) to come to SB!

Col

[iim7V7IM7]

Looks fantastic... The greens and blues in the marquetry really "sing" against the reddish hues of the Madagascar Rosewood.

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by colins

Juston it looks so "playable", and the wood marquetry just floors me. Now if I can just find an excuse (and the $$$) to come to SB!

Col

Yes, please do! I'm sure we can figure out some pretext.

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

Looks fantastic... The greens and blues in the marquetry really "sing" against the reddish hues of the Madagascar Rosewood.

I agree about the marquetry. I can't wait to hear it! Not sure when that will be exactly, but I think John wants it to settle in and have it Pleked first. A few weeks perhaps?

[rlxnply]

So glad this one came together, been waiting anxiously on this build. Love the way it came out. Looking forward to seeing your review and more pics!

[Diamondave]

Glorious.....!!!! 👏

[JJI]

Incredible man...

[steveh]

Originally Posted by justonwo

I think John wants it to settle in and have it Pleked first.

Does he do this routinely on his guitars?

I've had endless arguments with players who bang on about a PLEK setup being somehow not worth it vs. a good luthier, most of whom have never played a PLEK'ed guitar. IMHO it achieves a razor sharp setup and luthiers who I respect are having PLEK do the fret leveling while they concentrate on other things that can't be done by a machine.

Cheers,
Steve

[justonwo]

Steve, I believe he does have all of his guitar Pleked. In my opinion, if you have access to one, a Plek will produce the best fret leveling that can be achieved. I have owned a few guitars that have been Pleked; the results are very difficult to match with human hands.

[justonwo]

I hear tell its shipping on Monday!

Edit: It shipping Friday. I have a tracking number!

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by justonwo

I hear tell its shipping on Monday!

Edit: It shipping Friday. I have a tracking number!

Tick, tick, tick....

[Aculadd]

I'm looking forward to hearing all about this one.

[bney]

Bump.. Very interested in initial thoughts on this guitar. John makes amazing guitars, so I am hoping this one is meeting / exceeding expectations.