Build: Baranik Meridian, Sick Cocobolo/Blue Spruce

[Cocobolo Kid]

Originally Posted by justonwo

Oh I will be going and pictures will be abundant.

Cool, thanks Juston. I'm very much looking forward to seeing your photos and hearing your thoughts about the guitars you played.

John

[Steve Kinnaird]

Magnificent! Congratulations on a fine instrument.

Steve

[riorider]

John, my favorite picture (so far):


I really like the color blending between the binding, purfling, sides, and soundhole. Elegant and magnificent at the same time.

And of course I already know how a coco/blue spruce will turn out tonally!

Best,

Phil

[Cocobolo Kid]

Originally Posted by Steve Kinnaird

Magnificent! Congratulations on a fine instrument.

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for the compliment and taking the time to post. It means a lot coming from a talented luthier like yourself.

John

[Cocobolo Kid]

Originally Posted by riorider

I really like the color blending between the binding, purfling, sides, and soundhole. Elegant and magnificent at the same time.

And of course I already know how a coco/blue spruce will turn out tonally!

Best,

Phil

Thanks so much Phil. I'm bummed that I won't be going to HGF or the Baranik Gathering this year, and that I won't get to see your smiling face (or play all your nice guitars). Hopefully, I'll get to see you in 2015.

John

[Cocobolo Kid]

After a two-year wait from choosing the flitch-matched Cocobolo back/side set at Mike's shop during the first Baranik gathering, my dream guitar is finally done. Mike finished the guitar this morning and sent me these trophy photos of my new Meridian:

Mike chose fiddleback Australian blackwood for the tuner buttons. It is the same piece of wood that Mike used for the neck of his #100 guitar.










I love the silking of the top and lack of runout in this photo - I can't believe the quality of spruce tops that Mike has:


I'll upload batch 2 in just a minute.
John

[Cocobolo Kid]

The last photos from Mike:

I love this Cocobolo back! Mike has one more set of this wood available.










Unfortunately for the friends of mine attending the second Baranik gathering after HGF this year, Mike shipped this Meridian to me this afternoon. I should have it by Friday, and I will post a review in a week or two after it settles in. I'll also post some photos of my own.

Thanks everyone for following this thread,
John

[justonwo]

Oh wow. That turned out amazing!

[El Conquistador]

Beautiful John. Just beautiful. Of course, we know that the looks of any Baranik are just the icing on the cake, the cake being the unearthly tone this guitar will provide you.

We will miss you next week.

Steve

[Cocobolo Kid]

Originally Posted by justonwo

Oh wow. That turned out amazing!

Thanks Juston. I'm certainly looking forward to your Biggeridian build next year. Have you given any thoughts to wood selection yet?

John

[Cocobolo Kid]

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

Beautiful John. Just beautiful. Of course, we know that the looks of any Baranik are just the icing on the cake, the cake being the unearthly tone this guitar will provide you.

We will miss you next week.

Steve

Thanks Steve. Yes, I can't wait to hear how this Meridian is going to sound. I'm trying not to build it up too much in my mind because I know from experience with my Black & Blue CX that the Blue Spruce top is going to take a while to really open up. I certainly wish I could join you guys next week too, but work allows me to pay for new guitars.

John

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by Cocobolo Kid

Thanks Juston. I'm certainly looking forward to your Biggeridian build next year. Have you given any thoughts to wood selection yet?

John

Some but nothing super serious. I will most likely choose blue spruce for the top. I've thought about wenge or perhaps even Brazilian, but I need to give it more thought.

[steveh]

Looks fabulous; I'll be very excited to read that review.

And enjoy the wait this week - I know just how exciting it is to be within days of a commissioned guitar arriving after many, many months; enjoy!

cheers,
Steve

[usb_chord]

Again, Mr. Baranik has made one of the most beautiful guitars I've ever seen. I think the top 3 "most beautiful guitars I've seen" are all occupied by him at the moment.

[racman]

Beautiful!

Congrats John it looks stunning and will no doubt sound even better than it looks!