Charis Acoustic Build Thread - S/N 400! Brazilian RW/Cedar

[Charis Acoustic]

We're very exciting to be working on S/N 400! Some of you may be wondering "why the inconsistency in serial number's?" We began working on 400 at the time that serial number was coming up - we had already picked the woods, and began conceptualizing our ideas - but customer guitars took priority, so we had to put this one on the back burner for a while. We wanted this one to get all the bells and whistles, and not rush it. We're very excited to finally have the chance to make it.

We have a gorgeous set of Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides, and a unique & beautiful piece of cedar for the top. Also, we recently got our hands on some great looking Koa, so that will be used for binding.



The "theme" of this guitar is a music box, and we wanted to make this one really special. The back strip is made of Koa, and laser-engraved with the number "400," while the piece around the circle logo was made to look like a music-box comb.



We had fun deciding to do gears, cogs, and keys for the inlays, like the kind you would find on the inside of a music box. We wanted it to look like a nice, well warn and aged box, but we popped some Koa into the design as well to add some pop and tie it into the binding/back stripe.





While there are inlays on the outside, the inside back braces have been given a little something special, with texture and laser-engraved words.





Even the sound port was given a little extra touch, with purfling around the Koa.



And finally, a view from the sound port looking in, where from different angles you can see both "The Music Box" and Bill's signature.





We're very excited to work on this guitar! We will update as it progresses.



To 400 more!
-Rebecca

[gotgas]

The work the two of you do is just beautiful and amazing. I have been saying for a couple of years now that I will one day own a Charis. Hopefully, one day will come soon. Thank you for posting this thread, and congratulations on a milestone guitar. I look forward to seeing the progress on this beauty.
Shane

[CoolerKing]

This is super cool. I really like how you both have integrated high tech artistry eg laser etching. I also always really liked the I-beam style back braces.

[Charis Acoustic]

Making good progress on 400! I'm very excited with how it's all coming together. It's so satisfying seeing a concept come to life!

The rosette was made to look like the disk from an old music box.


The rosette is in place, and the top is ready to be attached! Isn't this cedar beautiful?


The top is attached, and ready for binding.


Getting ready for binding and a bevel.


The back is now bound and looking good!


The bevel is in place.


This Koa is going to be stunning!


The fingerboard is getting ready for frets!


A close-up of the fingerboard inlay, made to look like the arm over a music box disk. It will line right up with the rosette!


-Rebecca

[Glenn23]

Music box!
Absolutely brilliant!

[Charis Acoustic]

The head plates are looking awesome!


It's all really starting to come together


Gluing B/W/B lines to the underside of the fingerboard.

[CoolerKing]

Stunning work, thanks for sharing.

[SJ VanSandt]

I don't know enough about music boxes to see how the rosette resembles one, but I think that rosette is strikingly beautiful on it's own terms. I love how this guitar is still tasteful while being whimsical - I don't think everybody always pulls that off. Can't wait to see it under finish!

[Charis Acoustic]

Sorry for the long delay in updates! We ran into a few hosting issues, but we're all sorted now! I FINALLY present to you: the finished S/N 400! We are so happy with how it turned out, and it was given a good reception at the Cooper's Glenn Music Festival.



Close-up of the rosette and interior "comb" design. Bonus points to whoever can figure out what song is hidden in the roestte!!


Custom bridge pins with Koa.




Close-up of the back gear inlay.

[Marcus Wong]

I LOVE how the headstock (both back and front) turned out. Stunning workmanship on this one.

[TomB'sox]

I really love the back inlay. It came out great under finish. Really the whole guitar, you pulled off a theme guitar in a classy, just right way without going over the top into the "too much" category IMO. Beautiful.

[MBE]

Wow, wow, wow. I have admired all of your build threads, but this one is particularly special. The attention to detail is world-class.

[Joel Stehr]

WOW!!!!!!! That is one impressive piece of art! And congrats on 400!!! Inspiring :-)

Joel

[runamuck]

What a gorgeous piece of work - incomparable.

Jim McCarthy

[mikealpine]

That has to be one of the most ridiculously cool guitars I have ever seen! It's just amazing and awesome and I am out of superlatives.