While the boss is away #2...(your votes needed)
 

It's been a while since Steve has taken a break from the shop, but for the next two weeks Steve and his wife will be on a much needed vacation. But, while he's away, I get to play. Really I guess we're going to test the patience of the AGF with how much Kinnaird glut they can stand.

My goal is to build an OM model box while I'm shop alone. This will be one of our "formerly known as F1" models or the more recent designator "cease and desist (C&D) model. (More backstory on that later) Basically, it's a dressed down guitar with all the same sound - less miters, no pearl, etc. They are a more affordable version of our custom models. The catch is: I want you to help me build it!

I'm going to be posting throughout the weeks different choices about how to construct this thing, and majority vote is going to win. Now a word of a little moderation, my job does depend on a good guitar. So, put on your best luthier's cap, and let's have some fun.

I will be updating this Spec sheet list as the votes accumulate.

Kinnaird OM with a Manzer wedge
Top: Sitka Spruce (cut by the great Idahoan luthier Lawrence Smart)
Back/Sides: Curly Red Eucalyptus
Moradora bindings
25.4" scale

Vote 1 : Red Eucalyptus back/sides
Vote 2 : Manzer Wedge
Vote 3 : Scale length - Long Scale (25.4")
Vote 4 : Moradora binding
Vote 5 : Red Eucalyptus rosette
Vote 6 : Purple side brace fabric
Vote 7 : Double-X top bracing
Vote 8 : Add side purfling
Vote 9 : Moradora end wedge
Vote 10 : Unbound neck and peghead
Vote 11 : Southern Cross peghead inlay
Vote 12 : No Constellation inlay

The top is going to be the same Sitka Spruce that has topped all three of our other "EPH WON" guitars built to date. They are killer! (Include Lizzard's endorsement here.) It has the ability to strum hard and not break up, but can also fingerpick a delicate melody. I bought them from a fellow luthier with the last name of Smart, and it's always been a smart decision to use it.

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/...psgpswdqg0.jpg


Vote #1: Curly Red Eucalyptus
- Steve and I each bought a set of Eucalyptus 9 years ago, but we still haven't got around to building out of it yet. Looking at this set makes me wonder what has taken so long. Also known as Red Gum, this Australian wood has been used for many instruments down under, but relatively few in the States. Should we remedy that?

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/...psnos67otk.jpg


Please help this poor lonely employee by giving me some guidance. I am not used to thinking for myself. And please make yourself a part of this adventure.

Put me down for the Red Gum--it looks beautiful, and is seldom seen here, so why not?

This is gonna be fun!

I'll go first: Curly Red Eucalyptus for me, that is really pretty. The Paldao would be number 2 for me.

Have to admit you did lose me on the "EPH WON"??????

Edit: Woops I'll go second, Nemoman beat me hahaha

Here's one vote for quilted birds-eye maple

Curly Red: 1st

Paldao: 2nd

Another vote for the Curly Red Eucalyptus. I think the fun of a custom build that isn't for specific person is learning and trying something new in the process.

Another vote for the Maple - looks gorgeous!

Dag-gum Red Gum. :up:

Ok. We've built a handful (actually 4, so not quite a handful) of these basic models. Up until now, we've been calling them our F1 model. They were named after long time AGF member fitness1. He had asked us if we could build a more economical guitar stripped of extra adornment. A couple of years later we did, and in recognition we called it our F1 model.

Last year about time we delivered the last one, we got a phone call from a plectrum maker that he had trademarked the name F-1. He asked us to cease and desist our nomenclature, or for a small fee per instrument, we could obtain a license. Since then, we've been taking to calling it all kinds of stupid names - though C&D for cease and desist has been the front runner. Steve's favorite, I think, is EPH WON as the homonym of the original name. What it will be called from here hence may be something this thread can determine. Any ideas?

Got it, I don't feel too bad for not figuring that one out hahaha!

Quickly it's -

Red Eucalyptus - 5
Quilted BE Maple - 2
Poor Paldao - 0

Still plenty of time to vote.

Definitely the Red Gum. This has nothing to do with being Australian........Ok, maybe a little!!

Curly Red Eucalyptus!

vote
 

Good story. And I thought the F1 was a fighter plane. I wonder if he wrote the government asking for money on that as well? I vote for C&D ther.

Oh, you wanted my vote for a back and sides instead? Red Eucalyptus is first, Paldao second. Birdseye third. I already have a birdseye guitar. It's a fine wood too.

Red gum has my vote!