Final pics post 47!!-take your time" guitar. Kinnaird West Coast Cedar/Afr. Blackwood
A LONG while back I coerced John to begin a build for me with the thought..."I'm in no hurry...take your time". He said he would work it in as time permitted. I said that was totally fine. He and I had talked on several occasions before that about another build...more of a somewhat traditional look with Cedar. I've owned cedar top guitars before and two things bothered me...mostly that I was allergic to cedar and thought I was having sinus issues related to the wood. Then I traded for a guitar that had a cedar top that was very satisfying and it didn't give me any sinus issues ;). So to try it again (build with Cedar) became a possibility. I felt that if anyone could get me the total package of looks and sound that I wanted, certainly John could deliver as well or better than anyone.
So we finally mapped this guitar out over a year ago and decided on Cedar for the top and African Blackwood for the back and sides. That decision came about as a result of my question to John, which was "what wood combination would provide the best tone?", his answer was "anything with African Blackwood"!! Some particulars... This one was slated for an extra bevel...THREE bevels in fact...one for the arm, one for the ribs, and...well...one for extra good measure and looks LOL!! Standard scale length 14 frets. Lots of Paua without overdoing it. Oh yes, and a sprinkle of Cocobolo here and there ;). So this one was slated to be a slightly bigger guitar than most I've owned, and the looks to replace a Taylor 914ce that I have loved dearly. My Taylor has a florentine cutaway and a gorgeous tobacco burst up front (of course with abalone all around the top). So this new one was originally intended to replace the Taylor. Make no mistake, I love the Taylor but I have come to the realization that I want to play customs and I can only afford a few so the Taylor will find its way to my nearly famous table and be sold at some point in the future. Since this one has been in process for a while, I'm gonna accelerate this picture display considerably as time permits over the coming days without so much nitty gritty details. Here are some early pictures... https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...1_101900-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...7_103303-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...1_101910-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...1_102058-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...8_083650-L.jpg |
Hooray!
Yay, Mike is BAAAACK...
ABW and anything, huh? My question for John was what it the absolute lightest weight wood that will get the job done? Spanish Cedar, for me. But we are both getting Cedar tops, and you will be glad you did, I am SURE. As JK has had the magic touch with my two Cedar top Customs so far! And you are wisely going for the bevels! Comfort rules. Hope your new work situation is going great. This will be fun to follow Paul |
Thanks Paul! This will likely be my last build project so hopefully it turns out to be a long term keeper.
Here are some additional photos: https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...IMG_7994-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...0_165100-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...1_102205-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...2_150430-L.jpg |
This is going to be a stunning instrument! That rosette really is something!
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I've played Paul's cedar topped guitars that John built and they are wonderful! So responsive! I love playing those instruments. And we are such different players- I have a light touch, play a lot of finger style stuff, fool around with classical pieces.... And Paul plays a lot of slide and blues and is percussive in his playing. And John's guitars sound great and work so well for both of us! I'm interested to see this guitar take shape and to hear your thoughts on it when it's done.
This will be fun to follow! beth |
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Beth, I really appreciate the tone plug. That’s what its all about (the hokie pokie not withstanding)and I am very pleased that you like the tone of the guitars from my shop that you have played. |
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And John...you can chime in ANY time!! After all, this isn't "my thread", it's OUR thread. The easy part is what I do, the hard part is what you've done...taking rough materials and turning them into something gorgeous. That has to be very satisfying for you!! Thanks for all you do! |
Hokey Pokey...
As John said, "Beth, I really appreciate the tone plug. That’s what its all about (the hokie pokie not withstanding)and I am very pleased that you like the tone of the guitars from my shop that you have played."
Hey gang, I find the Hokey Pokey much easier when the guitars sound this GREAT! And, John, please chime in on my (our) new thread whenever you want. Mike is correct. You are doing all the hard parts. I have no idea at all how you MAGICAL LUTHIERS can do what you do. I always compare the finest Luthiers to modern day alchemists. Turning wood Into MUSIC ! Way to go Paul |
Have always loved African Blackwood--both visually and tonally.
And that cedar top and the rosette--Wow! This one is looking awesome right out of the gate--can't wait to see and hear it once it's finished. |
Mike, this one looks very cool. Love your spirit of experimentation, trying Cedar again ... I approve. :D. Glad you added the mega-bevels package (a la Paul).
Looking awesome - thanks for sharing the journey with us! |
Thanks Nemoman and Andy! Appreciate the kind words. There are certainly some woods that are prettier, but I think John and I came up with some ways to take the less distinctive look of these woods and highlight the best of them. We'll see if you agree. Certainly again I acknowledge that John is the one who masterfully puts these pieces together. The cocobolo he chose for the trim on this one is just really nice with lots of color and figure.
As I mentioned, this guitar has been in process for a very long time and I have not been diligent to first GET a thread up, and certainly I haven't kept up. So, here are some pictures of the completed box which is now at Tony's famous finishing shop... https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...7_145758-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...7_145836-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...7_145745-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...7_145614-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...7_145628-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kinnaird-...0%281%29-L.jpg |
Woohoo!
Geez, this axe is BEAUTIFUL!
And no doubt will really SING, too. Absolutely gorgeous trim. Love how the cocobolo pops against the Blackwood . We almost went with Coco for my new trim But decided on Figured Walnut... Mike, you have gone through a LOT of guitars. But I am pretty sure that this will be a keeper for you! Looks like a lifetime instrument to me!!! Absolutely beautiful work John, as always. Mike, if you ever get a few minutes to take a deep breath I would love to talk on the phone and catch up! After all we are now benchmates… Play pretty everyone and have a great day Paul |
I'm digging that ganged up kerfing in the earlier photo's. Love the bindings used also, so rich and luxurious!
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