THE MITCHELL for Paul. Final shots
 

This will be the delux edition Mitchell sized guitar for Paul.
Brazilian Rosewood body. The wood is reclaimed BRW from construction beams that was resawn into guitar sets in Brazil. I love the fact that this wood has been down for ages and subjected to all sorts of stress and vibration and survived. Built in character. The grain is straight, and quarter sawn and dark as can be which will make it fun to accessorize. There are a few orangish streaks just to emphasize that its not ebony nor A.blackwood.

We have been going back and forth on the top for awhile now. To start with the plan was Cedar. Then the Tunnel Redwood came along with all of its promise. So we switched to Redwood. Then i got a set of cedar from Allied that was just wonderful, easily the match of the tunnel in taptone. So, since Paul likes the cedar used on previous guitars we switched back to this cedar set. You can see that there is some figuring in the top.


https://photos.smugmug.com/Pauld-Bra..._143824-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Pauld-Bra..._143728-XL.jpg

This Brazilian will darken dramatically under finish.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Pauld-Bra..._143757-XL.jpg

Off and running....
 

Here we go! FYI the Mitchell is John's largest size. At 16.75" across the Lower Bout it is almost as big as a Gibson Jumbo or say a Taylor Leo Kottke, which are 17".

Coincidentally, The Mitchell is quite close in size and shape to the new Taylor Grand Orchestra/X18 designed by Andy Powers to replace their Jumbos.

This has a nice curvy shape with a rounded Lower Bout. Since I play seated a lot, with the guitar propped between my legs up in kind of classical position I find this larger size with the longer body is actually MORE comfy for me. Especially with 12 frets clear, the Manzer Wedge and the big comfort bevels.

Are we still going with the Kiaat for the binding/bevels?

More soon...

Play on gang

Paul

John, that is some stellar wood. I have to know: does this body shape get its name from a certain mountain in NC? Or is that a coincidence?

And you're underway John and Paul!! The woods are gorgeous and I love the history. And I'm sure that, with these woods and John's skills, this guitar will sound amazing!

I look forward to following along!! And eventually making my way down to the mountains east of San Diego for an appropriate introduction. (I will socially distance from Paul if that's still necessary-no promises about staying distant from the future guitar though) :)

beth

That is the darkest set of brz I've ever seen.

The Pablo Package...
 

Hey Treenewt. Pretty sure it is named for the largest Mt. In John's area...

Beth, you are welcome any time! Can't wait for you to play this one in the same woods as your FAB new Ben Wilborn. But about twice the size! Haha

Matthew, I think John may have some even blacker BRZ! With Green streaks!!!

This one will have the new and expanded "Pablo Package" of features John and I have worked out over my prior FOUR builds. Whooeeeee.... (actually, John did ALL the work. I just ask, and he usually accommodates me.) THANK YOU JOHN!

Happy Saturday Night to all!

Paul

Nice BRW! Sounds to be a powerhouse of a guitar. Will be fun to watch!

Boss Braz
 

hello bench buddy, your set of dark and ancient BRW has just cast a huge shadow over my woods... I hope John shows tender loving care to both babies and they grow up strong and healthy together!

Thanks guys
 

Thanks Dennis! Judging by the BIG GUN John just made me, this should part hair at 50 paces... hahaha

Hanter, your forgotten Coco is mighty pretty and no doubt will yield major sonic dividends with that T14 in John's most capable hands. His guitars just keep getting better and BETTER! No worries on that front at all.

I am waiting for someone to ask about the Pablo Package upgrades and innovations... but maybe folks have seen it already in Hanter's thread???

Off to play the BIG GUN. OPEN D SLIDE MADNESS! No amp necessary!!!

Cheers

Paul

Wow--those are some awesome looking woods to start with, John and Paul!

Cocobolo would be an awesome binding with that dark BRW--just sayin'!

I'm buckled up--this will be a fun one to watch!

Indeed. Gives a clue to why this species is called Dalbergia NIGRA.
(Botanists forgive the all-caps used for emphasis.)

Wow! Great looking woods. This one will be fun to watch!

Thanks Memphis1
 

Thanks Hart. John has a serious SERIOUS Stash in his wood locker.

Glad you are Loving The BROWN BOMB!!! What a BOSS axe it is...

And glad to have you along for this.

Paul

Coco...
 

Hey Nemoman

Coco,would be pretty, but John has an exceptional piece of African Kiaat, which looks like very figured Koa.

I think that golden hue will set off the gold streaks in the back and sides, and compliments the Cedar top as well.

Up to John as he can see the woods up close and personal !

Nice to have you along for this one, too!!!

Paul

Here is the kiaat. It's from THEKIAAT TREE. Not only does it look good but the indigenous people say it cures blackwater fever. Maybe it cures SARS-cov 2 as well. Who knows.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Pauld-Bra..._132649-XL.jpg

Yowzah! That’s some amazing flame and color there! I think it will look spectacular with the BRW and Cedar top (which will darken a few shades after finish).

Have you also decided on purflings?

Thanks Han

No decisions yet on purfling.

I wonder how it would look with cocobolo

An obscure suggestion
 

I'm not sure if you have this or if Paul would like this, but I think purpleheart purflings will elevate the entire guitar. It will contrast nicely. Purple and Gold are Royal colors meant for a Royal guitar!

Purfling
 

Hey John

Have anymore spalted Maple from your yard? I have been checking the last two out and really REALLY like the spalted yard Maple !!!

I think the lighter color purfling would really make the Top Pop. Hahah

Whadda ya thunk???

Thanks folks for the suggestions! And coming along for the ride.

Paul

I have lots of yard maple

Yard Maple PicAttachment 38416

Hope this shows it off OK.

Attachment 38418

Maybe a better shot. Shows the Fretboard side markers through the entire binding, too. These markers are most helpful when playing in a dark room, while drinking! Hahaha

Paul

Neck lay up. Fresh from John just now. I like the subtle light inner portions of the Spanish Cedar. A LOTAttachment 38955

We are thinking about more Desert Ironwood for the outer portion of the laminated Fretboard

Woohoo

Paul

Desert Ironwood FB on the BIG GUN.

Attachment 38960

Better crop on neck layup

Attachment 38959

Play on AGF!

Paul

That subtle light part is pretty special. Looking schweeet! :)

Some progress shots
 

The rim is now complete and the Laminated lining on the top Is installed.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Pauld-Bra..._150024-XL.jpg

The back lining is done and you can see the massive support for Paul’s massive back bevel. Also being trimmed up is the side support of the carbon fiber tube

https://photos.smugmug.com/Pauld-Bra..._144459-XL.jpg

Here is a long quarter inch bit drilling through the neck block into the side support. The quarter inch carbon fiber tube will follow.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Pauld-Bra..._144743-XL.jpg

The above picture shows a non romanticized view of my shop and how messy structures can look before clean up

Carbon fiber tubes cut to length and fit. The tape will help keep the incredibly messy epoxy off the wood when the tubes are glued in.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Pauld-Bra..._151800-XL.jpg

Because glue failure is not an option. 5200 pounds per square inch ought to keep things tight.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Pauld-Bra..._152056-XL.jpg

Struts glued in. Also you can see the slide Chanel for the adjustment mechanism cut into the heel block.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Pauld-Bra..._153516-XL.jpg

How did I miss this build?! Wow what a set of BRW. I wonder if it is a cousin of my JK BRW West Coast OM, which has some of that same blackness. I love that cedar too.

Paul, congratulations on another beautiful JK coming. My two JKs get more play than anything else I own, because they sound so good, they are so comfortable to play, and they are so beautiful. My JK BRW West Coast (thanks Mike!) is ridiculously good, and is my #1 guitar presently (out of a number that I adore).

Hooray....
 

Progress, and a lot of it! Woohoo.

Thanks Jamie! I was really tempted by your west coast when Mike had it FS!!!

I am still knocked out by The OVERLORD AND THE BIG GUN. I rarely play my other guitars, and they may be getting jealous... :)

John's shop is almost as messy as my music room! Hahahahahaha

I just spoke with John and he is quite pleased! So I am pleased too!!! This will be a real KILLER.

Go John, Go

Paul

Hi Jamie
Glad to hear your j.kinnaird guitars are treating you right.
That set of rosewood is probably from the same construction beam that your guitar was cut from. In fact I have one more Set and it is in the process of being made into a west coast OM. Imagine that. I will reveal who its for in a later post but when you hear you will laugh I promise.

Yeah Paul, those are reality shots of what its like when you have 4 guitars in various stages of construction on the bench at the same time.