My Build From Circle Strings Guitars Is FINISHED - Bastogne Walnut and Engleman #1

stptak · #1 04-03-2016, 07:46 PM

Well my friends, the time has finally come. After about a 6-month wait, Adam Buchwald from Circle Strings called the other day and is ready to begin my build. For some background, I found out about Adam from a friend / instructor, and then saw his work mentioned in a number of national magazines. Living in Burlington, VT, I had the opportunity to stop by and visit with Adam about 9-months ago as he is literally about 15-min from my house. It was a wonderful experience and I got to play a number of his finished guitars that he was preparing for a trade show. The guitars rivaled any of the higher-end guitars I own and the sound / tonal quality, fit and finish, and overall craftsmanship was superb. Besides being an excellent craftsman he is passionate about his work, is customer focused, and is a genuinely nice guy. I was hooked.

I began drafting up some specs for the guitar I hoped to one day have built and, in the meantime, had Adam do some set-up, light repair and installation of a pick up in some of my other guitars. His work was excellent - it was on time and on budget. Given all of my experience with him, and the comfort level that experience had generated, last September I put my trust in him and placed a deposit for my build.

Here are the specs:
* OM, 14-Fret, 25 inch Scale, 1.75 inch Nut
* Mahogany neck with Volute
* Modified V Profile
* Ebony Fretboard
* Slotted Headstock
* AAAA Englemann Spruce Top
* Bastogne Walnut Back and Sides
* Curly Maple Wood Bindings, End Graft and Heel Cap
* Ebony Pyramid Bridge with 2.25 inch String Spacing
* 3-On Plate Waverly Tuners with Butter Bean Buttons
* Abalone Rosette with Rosewood Hatched Border
* Abalone Back Stripe and Headstock Logo
* Abalone 12-Fret Inlay of Trinity Knot
* Abalone Top Purfling
* TKL Plush Case

I stopped by the Circle Strings shop on Friday to pick out the top from a number of sets Adam had available. I also took some photos of the sides and back that he has already started working on. To say I am excited about this build would be an understatement. I've had a couple of instruments build over the years, but this is the first time I have been local to the builder where I can stop by and see the work in progress. It also allows me the opportunity to have the neck shaped exactly as I want because I will be there to try a number of different forms and shapes.

Here are the pictures from last Friday:

"Adam Buchwald - Owner / Luthier Circle Strings Guitars"

I hope to continue to post pictures and let you know how it is going. Please feel free to contact me directly about any questions you may have about the build and my experience with Circle Strings.

I suspect the time between last Friday and a finished guitar will seem longer than it actually is!

Best,
Scott

j. Kinnaird · #2 04-03-2016, 08:34 PM

Pretty wood. Anxious to see the build continue

drplayer · #3 04-04-2016, 10:20 AM

Really like the specs, and the wood looks beautiful. Something just seems so right about the combination of Walnut & Engelmann. Congrats, and keep the pics coming!

stptak · #4 04-04-2016, 06:16 PM

I was so pleased to see some update pictures from Adam Buchwald (Circle Strings) showing my back with the Abalone back strip. I am blown away by the Bastogne Walnut back and the strip really sets it off.

Here are the pictures:

I will update as I get more information and pictures. Thanks for checking this out.

Scott

Tony Vines · #5 04-06-2016, 08:56 AM

Sure do love that Walnut. It is a great tone wood. Can't wait to see it finished!

stptak · #6 04-06-2016, 04:26 PM

Got some additional pictures today from Adam with the back being braced and the abalone trim. We also discussed using walnut as the rosette rather than the rosewood originally selected. Walnut it is...

Here's the bracing on the back:

Here is the abalone

Thanks - I will update more as the pictures come in...

Best,
Scott

stptak · #7 04-06-2016, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

Pretty wood. Anxious to see the build continue

Thanks John - I am really looking forward to the build. The wood in person is stunning. Can't wait to see it under finish...
Scott

stptak · #8 04-06-2016, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Vines

Sure do love that Walnut. It is a great tone wood. Can't wait to see it finished!

Me either! The tonal properties are what appealed to me the most - having a beautiful bookend set of walnut is a wonderful byproduct!

Best,
Scott

LouieAtienza · #9 04-06-2016, 05:31 PM

Scott, looking great! Good luck to you, and great to see Adam's work here on the Forum...

stptak · #10 05-20-2016, 05:43 AM

The build is progressing very well. Adam sent some additional pictures recently and we are getting closer. The wood is even more beautiful than I thought and can't wait to see it under finish.

Here are the latest pictures:

The top is being braced.

The rosette is being built out.

Adam continues to do a wonderful job on the build. If you are looking for a custom build I can highly recommend him.

I will post additional pictures as they come in.

Thanks for checking in...

stptak · #11 05-20-2016, 05:50 AM

Wow!

More pictures coming in from my Circle Strings build and the progress has been great. Looking for a completion date of sometime in late June or the first week of July.

Here are the latest pictures:

Notice the custom signature, Adam's info, and the location information on the underside of the top.

I will continue to post additional information and pictures as they become available. The end of June can't come quickly enough! Press on Adam - press on!

stptak · #12 05-20-2016, 06:01 AM

Hi Folks -

Here are the latest pictures from my Circle Strings build. This series of pictures show the guitar being buttoned up. On-going work includes the neck being rough carved and the binding channels for the curly maple binding being routed out.

Completion date is still sometime late June or early July.

Body being closed up.

Adam has done a great job forwarding pictures of the build as it progresses. I will post more as they become available...

Thanks for checking in...

LouieAtienza · #13 05-20-2016, 07:16 AM

This is going to be awesome! Glad to see you enjoying the build, good luck!

stptak · #14 05-21-2016, 04:29 AM

Hello Again -
Just got a couple of addition photos from Adam Buchwald, Owner and Luthier at Circle Strings. My build is progressing very nicely and looks incredible. Completion date is the last week in June or the first week in July - quite simply - I just can't wait!

Here is a shot of the body after coming out of the glue bands.

And here are three of the neck being roughed out with a CnC prior to hand carving and shaping.

Thanks for your continued interest in this build. I will post additional shots as they become available.

Scott

stptak · #15 05-24-2016, 01:22 PM

Hello -

My builder, Adam Buchwald of Circle Strings Guitars in Burlington, VT, send out a few pictures this afternoon showing the fretboard fret slots cut, the headstock logo inlaid and the Celtic Knot at the 12th Fret. We are getting close - only about 5-weeks or so away.

Here are the pictures:

Thanks for checking this out - I hope you are enjoying the build as seen through the pictures and descriptions.

Best,
Scott