McNally OM build, Adi/Cuban: Guitar has landed
 

In March last year I decided to go with a 00 and an OM from Ciaran. The 00 arrived for Christmas and is being loved and played a lot, so I've managed to hold the anticipation for the OM. Both guitars built with woods supplied by me, a first for me.

It was due to be built in the last batch, but the sides I supplied were pretty slabby and cracked in bending, so the build was delayed until now. Ciaran offered me a range of alternatives, and I was very tempted by bog oak, but my heart was still set on Cuban mahogany. We managed to find another set of old Cuban back/sides as an alternative, but I really like the figure of the original set, which was salvaged from old furniture so is probably around 200 years old, and had an emotional attachment for me.

Luckily, the original supplier managed to replace the sides with a comparable, more quartered set which have survived bending. The adi top is from John Arnold's 2014 ventures into the woods with the Hampton Bros. Specs are a 1 13/16 nut, manzer wedge body and soundport. And off we go!

https://i.imgur.com/ryYqch6.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OYIC0ka.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3o0wCSs.jpg

Hi Dennis; just seen this.

I'd not come across Cairan McNally, so have just spent the last 10 minutes on his website: Very impressive. His prices also look extremely reasonable for a luthier built instrument.

Have you posted about your 00? It would be great to see and hear it. I know you have played some absolutely stellar guitars over the years.

Bog oak seems to be this years "hype", so I understand the temptation, but your Cuban looks great. I asked Ralph Bown many years ago about an OM in Cuban and he feared he would not be able to get his hands on any that was decent enough to build with so very well done for that.

Does your 00 have a soundport? I hate those things!

Cheers,
Steve

Hello Dennis,
The tonewoods you've chosen look fantastic! I'm a big fan of Cuban Mahogany, and pairing it with Red Spruce should be great. Is there a certain playing style, or type of song, that you are targeting this for?

Hey Steve, here's the link to the original 00 build thread: https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=597147

a couple of vids of the 00:







The tone has continued to mature since. As for soundports, I love those things!

Chuck, I am indeed excited about the woods combo. I guess I'm looking for something similar to the 00 but bigger all round sound if that makes sense, suitable for the kind of mixed fingerstyle stuff I like but hopefully versatile enough to tolerate a fat pick wielded in anger...

Update pics. Fingerboard and bridge will be rosewood. I'm going for simple appointments, let the wood speak for itself. I kind of like the colours in the red spruce.

http://i.imgur.com/uxjvY8L.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1niHV2q.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WGryh7b.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/z3C8yte.jpg

Should be a box this week. The excitement of anticipation never changes.

https://i.imgur.com/nFdZ8Qq.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Li1FpK5.jpg

Oh my, what a set of tonewoods. The coloring is great for the top and back. The Cuban Mh seems really dark. I think you'll be very happy that you've chosen a simplistic design to let the woods speak for themselves.

Pretty woods!
 

Beautiful woods. Cuban Mahogany is such nice stuff...

I love soundports and a Wedge is always a plus in my book! Comfort is so comfortable! Hahaha

Enjoy

Paul

Never was a truer thing said!

I often think the journey is the best bit. I'm currently waiting on a nylon guitar - 2 years in, 2 years further to go. Savour every moment...

Cheers,
Steve

I guess the anticipation provides room for the fantasy to flourish. Gotta say though, I'm still loving my 00 after 3 months of reality, and it's made me want to actively play more rather than cruise the internet and fantasise. It sits nicely in my desired spot between power and sweetness, with a chiming musicality that is noticeably beautiful. I've just been comparing it to my other 00 which is ultra-lightly built sitka over mahogany 12 fret, and has a bit more power but is slightly more brittle tonally.
So I'm looking forward to this Adi-topped OM, which I'm presuming will provide a little more oomph than the 00. Box progressing to bound status!

https://i.imgur.com/UBzxOxW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GtLm3fd.jpg

And we have a wedged box!

https://i.imgur.com/iox37DC.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5c7hwBo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NM7IKeF.jpg

Starting to pop under the spray... the neck has some stain

https://i.imgur.com/ysb5Jht.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lyfYZXn.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9siVx5d.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/U3XzLnd.jpg

I asked Ciaran to keep the finish as thin as possible, so he has done 9 coats of satin instead of the usual 12. Should be assembled and strung up by the end of next week!

https://i.imgur.com/dbElS34.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ce3IkWO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/sirD4wv.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oo93Wi5.jpg

Congratulations, looks very nice. Ciaran is a great builder and a very pleasant young man to deal with.

Wow--that mahogany and the adi look fantastic under finish!