A week without the boss (more Kinnaird F1 content)
 

So, Steve decided to leave me alone with the shop for the next week. Apparently he has some familial pull to go see his brother and nephews and whatnot. And though it's going to be fun babysitting Tom's SJ, I thought I might take the week and build most of a F1 model guitar. You could even help me out if you would like. I'll be making some choices along the way (though not as many as say a custom build), if you want to put in your input, feel free.

Here's what I'm accomplishing currently:

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

So, to start: our F1's are OM's that have been stripped down of most ornamentation (no side purflings, no fretboard binding, etc.). This will be a Sitka Spruce top and E. Indian Rosewood back and sides given to us by the aforementioned brother John.

This is what it looks like:

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/...pswpssqu5y.jpg

The top looks good for Sitka, but I'm guessing you've seen a Sitka top. So how bout some input on a rosette. I'd like to get one in today, so if you have any suggestions on either the Texas Ebony or the Quilted Maple, let me know. Just for matching purposes, you should know that quarter sawn fleck Maple will be the binding.

Rosette choices:

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

Help a boss-less employee out. Pretend you're the Kinnaird CEO for a week. And let's nobody tell Steve what's going on here.

;)

Put me down for the Texas ebony...

i vote maple :-)

what about a double or triple ring using both maple and ebony-thin rings-nothing big.

thats some real nice EIR

d

Ha! Anyone want to split the CEOs' tie?

That would be nice Daryl, but trying to keep it simple.

I'm an Ebenezer too. I mean, I like Ebony, too!

Ok. Texas Ebony wins this round. Hope y'all picked well (i.e. typical employee non-culpability).

Ryan - I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to slip in a small "NSK" inlay somewhere not easily noticed (not Steve Kinnaird). :D

I Ok Texas Ebony voters, here you go:

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/...ps98hylhkm.jpg

I'll finish the purfling around it tomorrow. All in all I inlaid the rosette, got the center seam reinforcement on the back, thinned the sides to bending thickness.

We'll have more fun tomorrow, but in the meantime, do you - my surrogate bosses - think this should be a deep bodied OM or not? I'm leaning to the extra air volume and woomph of the deep body - especially for a EIR guitar, but I could be persuaded into the bark of a thinner body. Let me know.

Thanks for the help.

Jay, I figured you might like Texas Ebony vote. Hope your guitar is still performing well. I'm pretty sure Steve will demand the NSK inlay after he finds out I'm leaving decisions up to popular vote. :)

Looking good, Ryan--I'm pulling for the thinner body bark!
Thanks for letting us play along... :D

Sorry I was late to the party, and missed the voting for the rosette. You know I would have gone for eccentric rosette since there is a jig for that now. I vote for big body oomph! Keep that SJ safe plz.

Tom, I'm pretty sure my job depends on keeping it pristine. Though I will say that I am as ready as anyone to get it into your hands. Some joys just can't wait to be passed on.

Awwwwh, come on, Tom--let Ryan have a little fun! You want that SJ good and broken in when you get it next week don't you? :roll:

OK, just the words SJ and good and broken in the same sentence just made me almost feint....