P.S. On the end graft front, I'd asked Jason whether he might be able to do something symmetrical (across the centre line - i.e. along the axis between the top and the back), and maybe vaguely along the rectangular theme of Eric's recent OM, and ideally integrating ebony (and possibly walnut).

I suspect most of his customers are not so prescriptive and just leave him to get on with things, but the man's been very tolerant and accommodating! :)

Jason went with this amazing flamed Honduran mahogany, which I think works rather better than more walnut: it will tie things up with the neck, really lifts the end graft and acts as a highlight and focal point. I think he really came up trumps with this one! There's also rosewood in the central purfling layer for the mahogany rectangles, which links in with the outer ring of the rosette (which looks like it's also rosewood). Love it! :D

http://i65.tinypic.com/161kj76.jpg

Great wood choices. I think this is going to be a real jaw dropper. Has Jason ever built a mod D with walnut? I'm guessing this will be a first?

Yes, he made one in black walnut (also German spruce, I believe) maybe 18 months ago, which is currently in France. I've not had the pleasure of hearing it; looks stunning though (I think Jason has photos on his website and/or on his facebook page). As far as I know, that's the only other walnut Kostal, but I may be wrong.

I was a little nervous going with walnut when I'd not heard a walnut MD or Kostal before, but my hunch was that it'd work well with the way Jason voices guitars...

I wouldn't be nervous. You are in very good hands. My 12 string will be Jason's first but I trust him to make sure it's awesome.

Beautiful aesthetics in every respect. Stunning, truly. Thank you for sharing.

Here's that other walnut Kostal. I'm not sure whether it's black walnut or bastogne... (it's not claro). Also very, very lovely looking! The back makes me think of a waterfall. Neck spec, string spacing and headstock veneer apart - the specs are otherwise identical to mine. Enjoy!

http://i66.tinypic.com/kbd72u.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/1z5qcdj.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/f9qkvt.jpg

http://i66.tinypic.com/6idu6x.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/b6cwpk.jpg

Safe hands indeed! I guess I'm usually pretty nervous about such things by nature, but I had a feeling that Jason's approach to voicing would work brilliantly with walnut. During the build, I've admittedly been a bit of a control freak, but at every turn, any suggestion from Jason's been spot on. So, yes, massive amounts of faith and no reason to be nervous!

Couldn't agree more! You're most welcome. It's been my first proper custom build thread here on AGF and it's been my pleasure to share it and provide the vicarious thrill!

Jason in da UK house!

Hoping to have a beer with him +/- a few friends tomorrow night.

He needs some advice from me on how to brace your guitar...hahaha!

Cheers,
Steve

That end graft is beautiful.

Had a beer with Jason the other night; great fun and he was on form.

He did say though that your guitar was damaged irreparibly on the way to the finishers and that he's starting another for you.

Cheers,
Steve

Sorry to miss him. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to Ian's do and see y'all there (if not before).

:eek::sick::rolleyes:

Confession time. Despite all my apparent positivity and enthusiasm for this build, I have been harbouring some doubts and niggles. I’m not sure I’ve steered Jason in the right direction in terms of features and aesthetics. I realise it’s a bit late in the day, and I know I’ve been a very difficult customer, but I talked all my worries through with Jason and he’s been very understanding.

He’s ploughed through all the changes amazingly quickly. Pics to follow...

I think Jason’s now finally on board with my vision...











http://i63.tinypic.com/1zbf70n.jpg













Only joking... here it is:

http://i64.tinypic.com/2sah2t4.jpg

Back on track...

Attaching the neck and neck carving ...

http://i63.tinypic.com/qsr283.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/200xndh.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/zjxoi1.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/15mird4.jpg

http://i67.tinypic.com/2wdra6g.jpg

"She's lookin' good Vern"!

Cheers,
Steve

:D

Indeed she is. Not long now ... Before I get to be this person!

http://www.openingceremony.us/userfi...1-larson3.jpeg

Getting close now :)

Here are some shots of the guitar before it went off to finish.

http://i68.tinypic.com/zn4ntc.jpg

http://i66.tinypic.com/egwtpj.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/238r8.jpg

Looks absolutely fabulous; you must be very stoked.

Cheers,
Steve

Totally! (And yet no Joanna Lumley in sight...)

It went off to finish a few weeks ago. Back next week ... then EVO gold frets, bridge, nut, saddle, strings and setup ... and a trip across the pond in its Hoffee case.

I'm guessing New Guitar Day will be around the end of the month. In time for it to be (a maybe little early) best ever birthday present to myself. Hurray! :D:guitar::roll::up::wild::cool::guitar:

Wow! Another absolutely gorgeous guitar from Mr. Kostal! Congratulations!

What an enjoyable thread. The guitar looks delightful. I had a walnut Brook Tamar once and it was a beautiful set. Not quite in the same league as this one though!

What a great thread! Thanks for posting it, and congratulations.

Nice story about the walnut, its history with Ervin. Good to see an American wood used to such a noble purpose.

Pat

Thanks Cams!

Good to meet you over the weekend and to connect the real and virtual worlds! Glad you've enjoyed the thread so far.

Shouldn't be all that long now before a Hoffee case ends up in the post crossing the pond. Hopefully with this guitar safely inside!

I've three other walnut guitars (a Lowden Baritone - sitka/bastogne, a cedar/claro McIlroy A25c and a cedar/black walnut McIlroy A25c custom). But this set - and this guitar - promises to be in a very different league!

Dan

Thanks Pat. Glad you're enjoying it!

It's always nice to have a story behind a set of wood, and Jason's not disappointed me there. Nice too to be combining claro (I'm assuming it's probably Californian) with a European wood (the German spruce), fusing the European and US elements in the instrument (being made by an American for a player on the other side of the pond).

Cheers,

Dan

Just in from Jason...!

Back from finish and the EVO Gold frets are in...

http://i64.tinypic.com/znx746.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/30m1tty.jpg

Seemed rude not to share this: :D

http://i64.tinypic.com/b4izhl.jpg

Wow! That is awesome

Beautiful! Is it in your hands yet?

Congrats Dan! Any moment now :)

Not yet; probably in a couple of weeks or so. I'll be sure to keep you all posted. I may even have to do a Steveh style countdown ;)

Any then I may just ban myself from the internet and spend some time with this beauty!