Played Mike Baranik's most recent yesterday

[jennconducts]

HOLY COW! Perhaps the best sound I've ever heard coming from my hands. Subtle, sweet, powerful, incredible pitch separation, fundamental, earthy, manipulable.

Carpathian and African blackwood. Delivered to the owner just last week. I've played a lot of Baraniks now, including several of the present Meridian model. I own a CX that I love, and was my first good guitar. The man just keeps getting better at what he does. My new one is next; Carpathian and Cocobolo.

Jenn

[riorider]

augh! Didn't happen to have a camera in hand, didja, Jenn? Would love to see another ABW 'nik.

I'm working through trying various strings on the two Meridians now. A set of DR Sunbeams on the coco/blue spruce, and it lost some of the crystalline sparkle that the spruce produces, so I'll move on. Have some GHS LJs and DD's enqueue.

The mahogany/cedar just keeps getting better. D'A PBs still sound great on it, so I'm not tempted to just try something else. Will put on Martin SP PBs because I have lots of those and like them on almost everything.

I agree - each new guitar I see and hear of Mike's upps the bar.

Looking forward to reading your build thread!

rr/Phil

[justonwo]

Can't wait until my Meridian gets going. I'm next up after Jenn.

[jennconducts]

Originally Posted by riorider

augh! Didn't happen to have a camera in hand, didja, Jenn? Would love to see another ABW 'nik.

I'm working through trying various strings on the two Meridians now. A set of DR Sunbeams on the coco/blue spruce, and it lost some of the crystalline sparkle that the spruce produces, so I'll move on. Have some GHS LJs and DD's enqueue.

The mahogany/cedar just keeps getting better. D'A PBs still sound great on it, so I'm not tempted to just try something else. Will put on Martin SP PBs because I have lots of those and like them on almost everything.

I agree - each new guitar I see and hear of Mike's upps the bar.

Looking forward to reading your build thread!

rr/Phil

Here's Mike with the new owner:


Actually I misspoke: it's MALAYSIAN blackwood.

[Larry Pattis]

Originally Posted by jennconducts

HOLY COW! Perhaps the best sound I've ever heard coming from my hands. Subtle, sweet, powerful, incredible pitch separation, fundamental, earthy, manipulable.

Carpathian and African blackwood. Delivered to the owner just last week. I've played a lot of Baraniks now, including several of the present Meridian model. I own a CX that I love, and was my first good guitar. The man just keeps getting better at what he does. My new one is next; Carpathian and Cocobolo.

Jenn

Solid top, or some variation on a double-top construction?

[jennconducts]

Originally Posted by Larry Pattis

Solid top, or some variation on a double-top construction?

Solid top, double sides for the neck adjustment.

After playing Marty's, I called Mike and said, "Just like that one, please!"

[riorider]

Originally Posted by jennconducts

Here's Mike with the new owner:


Actually I misspoke: it's MALAYSIAN blackwood.

ummm... I don't see the picture... is it just me??!!

Phil

[JasonA]

Not just you, I can't see it either. Still loving my italian/coco meridian...

[jennconducts]

Originally Posted by riorider

ummm... I don't see the picture... is it just me??!!

Phil

Hmmm... not sure what I did wrong there. Here's the link to it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconducts/4850043508/

[El Conquistador]

Wow, that's the least black piece of African Blackwood I have ever seen. Sure would love to hear that thing.
LC

[JasonA]

She pointed out that it was actually Malaysian Blackwood a few posts ago.

Looks great!

[riorider]

Originally Posted by jennconducts

Hmmm... not sure what I did wrong there. Here's the link to it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconducts/4850043508/

That's a great shot - thanks for posting it Jenn.

I'm beginning to think I can't tell these woods apart: malaysian blackwood, ziricote, and macassar ebony - at least some versions of them. Here's why:

MBW:

ziricote:

macassar ebony:


The grain and "feathering" are very similar!

Ah well.... the education continues...

rr/Phil

[jennconducts]

For those who don't know him, in the picture that I posted Mike is on our right.

Jenn