A Baritone Nylon String Crosssover

[Matt Mustapick]

Just thought I'd share my latest blog entry here. I hope that's alright.


I've recently completed Ron's Cuban Mahogany and Engelmann Spruce Baritone Nylon String Crossover. This instrument's longer scale length (string length) of 27"and heavier baritone-weighted nylon strings allow it to be tuned down to a fourth or a fifth below standard pitch, so that the outer strings are tuned to B, Bb, or A. It features an Engelmann spruce top, Cuban mahogany back and sides, koa rosette and headstock overlay, and cocobolo fingerboard, bridge, binding, and armrest bevel, as well as the cutaway, Ryan-style armrest bevel, Manzer wedge, and side soundport design elements. A fun instrument to build and play!

Gallery 1 - During Build - http://mustapickguitars.com/76mckown/1/
Gallery 2 - Ready for Finish - http://mustapickguitars.com/76mckown/2/
Gallery 3 - Completed Instrument - http://mustapickguitars.com/76mckown/3/

[Rollie]

That sure is an innovative crossover design, Matt ..Nontraditional in almost every way ..another cool concept to your credit ...and if you hinged the top ..one could play tic-tac-toe on your bracing pattern ...I'm sure it plays/sounds great ...

[Shabby Chic]

Very cool... I like the bridge design. What kind of taper do you use for your wedge bodies?

[Wilburman]

That is very nice. Will you be offering it for sale or as a BTO? If it is available to purchase or order, please PM me. Thanks.

[Wade Hampton]

I'm a big fan of acoustic baritone guitars, and am lucky to own two steel string examples: a McAlister and a Beneteau. I've never had a chance to play a nylon string version, though. Would love to try one of yours.


Wade Hampton Miller

[drcmusic7]

Very cool, Matt. I really dig the look of it. Hope the new owner enjoys it!

Kindly,
Danny

[justonwo]

That's a sweet looking bari, Matt.

[Matt Mustapick]

Originally Posted by Shabby Chic

Very cool... I like the bridge design. What kind of taper do you use for your wedge bodies?

I just do a fairly slight taper, about 5/8" difference from one side to the other.

[Matt Mustapick]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

I'm a big fan of acoustic baritone guitars, and am lucky to own two steel string examples: a McAlister and a Beneteau. I've never had a chance to play a nylon string version, though. Would love to try one of yours.


Wade Hampton Miller

Thanks Wade, I hope that'll happen some day.

[Matt Mustapick]

Originally Posted by Wilburman

That is very nice. Will you be offering it for sale or as a BTO? If it is available to purchase or order, please PM me. Thanks.

Hi Wilburman. Thanks for asking. It was a custom order and it's delivered now. I'd love to make another one though... pm sent.

[Matt Mustapick]

Originally Posted by Rollie

That sure is an innovative crossover design, Matt ..Nontraditional in almost every way ..another cool concept to your credit ...and if you hinged the top ..one could play tic-tac-toe on your bracing pattern ...I'm sure it plays/sounds great ...

I think the most unusual aspect of it is the overall shape of the body. The waist and soundhole are nearly an inch higher (toward the neck joint) than what you see on any other guitar. My idea here is to keep the waist and soundhole in the same geometric arrangement as you would find on a classical guitar, relative to the fingerboard, bridge, and strings. Since it's a fourteen fret guitar, this means the the upper bout is very small. You can see that the top of the soundhole lines up with the 19th fret and the 20th fret overhangs. On most 14-fret guitars you see the top of the soundhole at about the 21.5 fret area.

[mesa]

Matt, Beautiful guitar and workmanship! I also like how you finish your guitars....they look like they have just the needed amount of finish on them and nothing more.

The amount of finish can change the tone of the guitar...no?

[Matt Mustapick]

Originally Posted by mesa

Matt, Beautiful guitar and workmanship! I also like how you finish your guitars....they look like they have just the needed amount of finish on them and nothing more.

The amount of finish can change the tone of the guitar...no?

Thanks for the compliments. Addam Stark does the finish work on my guitars and he does extremely fine work. Yes, it is important to keep a finish thin. As you say, a thick finish can squelch the tone of an instrument.