Build Thread: Lame Horse Saddle Pal Cedar / Koa
 

My dear acoustic friends,

I have been looking for a small bodied guitar for a long time now, something extraordinary and unique. After searching for quite a while I finally found: the Lame Horse Saddle Pal. Everybody who plays these little guys seems to fall in love, and Michael Watts’ favourable words here on the AGF, and also the fact that Todd Hallawell plays his Saddle Pal almost exclusively, made me pull the trigger and contact Chris Jenkins. Needless to say he’s great to work with. I send the poor man a ton of emails that he all responded very quickly and friendly.

The Saddle Pal is 12 frets to the body, usually with an elegant and subtle cutaway. It has adjustable playing action even under full string tension (an idiot-proof system -good for me- developed over the past 20 years or so), and a width at the lower bout of 13 inches. Although available with a traditional soundhole, Chris and Jeremy like to built this model with various soundholes and -ports that are placed on the upper part, including a non-traditional rosette. The scale length is 25.5, I guess that contributes to the loud and powerful sound.

This one is going to be special. We chose a Cedar top, but not any Cedar. Chris and Jeremy have their tops evaluated and measured by the Galloup School of Lutherie, using a specific rating system that has been mentioned by Tyler Robbins here on another thread. It works on a scale from 1-10, but higher ratings are possible. 10 or just above ten is already pretty darn good, and our Cedar top was rated 12,2 (!). Chris send me the corresponding certificate. I think at this time it was the highest rating they ever had, don’t know if it still is. What this basically means (I think) is that the stiffness to weight ratio is spectacular: light as Cedar and stiff as Spruce. Here it is:
Attachment 20042

For the back and sides we chose a beautiful set of Koa with very good curl:
Attachment 20043

And here is the rosette design Chris send me (I told him I liked turquoise and corral, so he used these colors on a Koa background). The man is a true artista, I said to him it was perfect:
Attachment 20041

More soon.

Congrats on your new build!

The woods look wonderful--I'm sure it will turn out beautifully.

Wasn't able to see your rosette design--perhaps you didn't attach it!

Congrats again, and enjoy the ride!

Thanks! Yes, the woods are special. Chris will send more photos soon, I think he has already started the build...

Sorry for the confusion with the pics, I finally figured out how to insert images directly, should all be visible now.

Cheers

Chris is one of my best Texas-lutherie buds, and I'm quite familiar with his work.
That said, he never ceases to surprise me with his artistry and inventiveness.
Your rosette is a case in point--how does he think this stuff up?
This will be fun to watch, and you will have fun owning this! Congrats!

Steve

Wow!
 

Very cool axe you have coming.
I would sure like to find out about the adjustable neck mechanism!
Anything idiot proof is right up my alley. Haha
John Kinnaird and I have been discussing such a neck for my next JK custom.
Chris, if you are reading this, is there any chance you would give JK the poop on your concept? I figure it never hurts to beg... :)

This one will be fun to watch

Paul

Looks fantastic, can't wait to see it.

I myself am also a fan of offset sound holes, I think the design lends itself to a great guitar. I've had two and they've both been spectacular.


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4471/...4f306ae1_b.jpgCHROMA 160815 11430 by Tristan Koehler, on Flickr


One thing I would consider, if I were to do another, is some sort of access hatch to get into the guitar, for future repairs, pick up installs, etc. I wonder if you have considered this. I know it adds complexity, and I don't have any good ideas on how to execute it. I just know that sometimes you want to get into the guitar, and it is harder to do so with the offset soundhole. In your case it looks like offset soundholes, which will look awesome but will preclude reaching into the guitar.

Just a thought.

TK

I think Lamehorse always has an access panel, and usually one as creative and visually appealing as the soundhole. Check out the website: really gorgeous and unusual guitars.

https://lamehorse.net/saddle-pal

Thanks, Steve! And you're right, when he send me the rosette design, I was actually asking me the same question;)

Yes, their system is the best. I think they used it from the beginning, and have improved it over the years.

Good thought, and indeed all Lamehorse guitars have an access panel, as has been said. The panels usually look as stunning as the rest of the guitar.

Your guitar looks beautiful. What is it?

Indeed they have.

Ah you've got the access hatch covered - very clever of them to include that as standard. You really do need it with offset sound holes.

My guitar - yeah thanks it was awesome. Here's the build https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=443382

TK

I have one as well, bought at Woodstock from Chris a couple of years ago, it is a work of art. Enjoy your build, the process is as much fun as the guitar will be.

Photos please ;)

Chris send some photos of the back and sides sanded to 80 grit. Even at that rough grit, the wood shows a lot of color and curl. Chris said it should really look great under finish:
Attachment 20380

Lame Horse is always happy to share the details of the adjustable playing action mechanism. It would be an honor to have John Kinnaird, brother of my good friend, Steve, use it. It is pretty fool proof, and very user friendly - if I do say so myself.

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Whoa, beautiful example of the Saddle Pal Tom! Best of luck with your build Ernesto!