Kwasnycia SJ Baritone Build - Lutz/Hormigo

markallen · #1 12-08-2017, 08:03 PM

After 40 years in the same industry I decided to retire recently and reward myself the best way I knew how. Yes, another guitar!!

This will be my third Kwasnycia built by Dennis and I'm truly excited that it will be an incredible instrument just like my previous ones have been.

After playing a Taylor baritone for a few years I decided to take the plunge and have one built. As always, Dennis has been great to work with and incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. After lots of consulting, I decided to take a "step of faith" and try building with two woods I had not previously been personally familiar with. Dennis is using Lutz for the top and Hormigo for the back and sides. The balance of the specs are:

Kwasnycia Small Jumbo guitar
27 inch Baritone
Wide band spalted Maple rosette
Outer shell Rosette ring (green)
Company logo inlay at 12th fret
Lutz spruce top
Hormigo back and sides
Gold Gotoh machine heads with black buttons, 18:1 Ratio
Gold Evo Fret wire
1 13/16 nut width
Maple binding

I'm looking forward to this as the perfect companion guitar to my existing Tunnel 13 Small Jumbo that Dennis delivered to me last year. Now retired, with lots of free time on my hands, hopefully I will become a better player and maybe someday be worthy of these beautiful instruments.

Cheers,
Mark

fitness1 · #2 12-08-2017, 09:11 PM

Love Mr K's build threads - this will be fun!

You had that Cedar/Mahogany cutaway a few years back, right?

Wonder where that is now?

markallen · #3 12-08-2017, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitness1

Love Mr K's build threads - this will be fun!

You had that Cedar/Mahogany cutaway a few years back, right?

Wonder where that is now?

Yes, you are correct, you have a good memory.

I heard from the owner who is another AGF member about three or four years ago but nothing since. It was an incredible sounding guitar but had a very thin carve neck that caused me some hand trouble when playing.

My Tunnel 13 is an absolute perfect fit for for me ergonomically.

justonwo · #4 12-08-2017, 11:30 PM

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Kwasnycia thread. I’ve always wanted to play one.

D.Kwasnycia · #5 12-09-2017, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justonwo

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Kwasnycia thread. I’ve always wanted to play one.

Hey Juston, I hope you get a chance some time to play one soon. I don't always get to post my builds on this site. If I have a client that does not want their guitar shown to the public, I have to honour that.

Im hoping to post more soon and to repost the builds I have done in the passed, since Photo bucket stopped the uses of my photos. Stay tuned!

markallen · #6 12-10-2017, 07:33 PM

The magic continues....

fitness1 · #7 12-10-2017, 07:57 PM

Whoa - that's got a pretty deep body, eh?

D.Kwasnycia · #8 12-10-2017, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitness1

Whoa - that's got a pretty deep body, eh?

It's the picture angle. The body depth is 4.5/8 at the lower bout and 3 7/8 at the neck joint. I would say an average depth.

fitness1 · #9 12-10-2017, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.Kwasnycia

It's the picture angle. The body depth is 4.5/8 at the lower bout and 3 7/8 at the neck joint. I would say an average depth.

Ah - yes it sure looked cavernous!!!

Tim McKnight · #10 12-10-2017, 09:08 PM

HI Dennis,
I admire your neck block and Padauk bridge plate. Excellent choices my friend.

D.Kwasnycia · #11 12-10-2017, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

HI Dennis,
I admire your neck block and Padauk bridge plate. Excellent choices my friend.

Hey Tim, Thank You, I have been using Padauk for years when it comes to the bridge plate. Some may argue that it doesn't mater, but Personally, I know it does. For me, It's the right choice. As for the neck block., I can't remember anymore but I saw that someone was using this design and I liked it. Was that you?

I weighed the difference between my old block and this one, Wow! big difference, I think it was 60 grams difference and the same strength.

LouieAtienza · #12 12-10-2017, 11:09 PM

Dennis, nice to see one of your builds here again, you have one lucky customer...

What woods are you using for that neck block, by the way? Looks pretty fancy!

D.Kwasnycia · #13 12-10-2017, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouieAtienza

Dennis, nice to see one of your builds here again, you have one lucky customer...

What woods are you using for that neck block, by the way? Looks pretty fancy!

Thank you, The neck block is made up of Spruce and Mahogany or Spanish Cedar in the case of this one.

Tim McKnight · #14 12-11-2017, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.Kwasnycia

As for the neck block., I can't remember anymore but I saw that someone was using this design and I liked it. Was that you?

Yep, it was (and is) me. I do the same for the tail block too. If you ever had a neck or tail block split, you will appreciate the benefits of laminated blocks, not to mention the weight reduction too

D.Kwasnycia · #15 12-11-2017, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

Yep, it was (and is) me. I do the same for the tail block too. If you ever had a neck or tail block split, you will appreciate the benefits of laminated blocks, not to mention the weight reduction too

Hope you don't mind me using it. I did have one split back in 2003 when UPS got a hold of it. It does make for a big job to fix. Im also laminating the tail block as well, because of the potential Booboo.
Thank you Tim!