That's true, Tom: I like them better myself in that first picture. They are bigger than I imagined once in place, and more modern looking than really fits. I never gave it much thought, but Steve's peghead is actually on the traditional side, just with some added flair.

And thanks for all of the other suggestions, guys! This is another guitar you'll get to check out at Tom's B.I.G. '19, if you go.

You say it's shipping out tomorrow? Sorry boys, you took too long: I bought this one instead:

https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...23&oe=5C434C1C

Just kidding, of course. I traded a mandola I wasn't playing for this octave mandolin, almost even swap. Why? Guitars just look cooler than mandolins, even when it's just a mandolin in disguise, don't ya think?

Wow, you had me going there Stan...Good choice to wait on the Kinnaird I am confident you will be happy you did.

The good news hidden in my bad joke is that it IS being shipped back to Nacogdoches tomorrow, and so it's only a couple of weeks away from being finished. This interstate shipping business is pretty nerve-wracking though - I'm definitely driving over to pick it up.

This little Pono is more or less a toy in comparison, though I hope to have some fun with it at bluegrass jams, where my new Kinnaird is definitely not going to be making appearances. Horses for courses.

Okay okay. Just a little sneak peak for Stan...

https://i.postimg.cc/SN1nfdVZ/6-D07-...51529-E523.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/0y6bWSB9/465-E1...B92-CCFFB2.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/zXGLh6wb/E4-DED...-A228-C504.jpg

Oh. My. Goodness.

Oh boy, that is looking great. The rosette in particular is beautiful in how the big band is just a little darker than the top, but definitely in the same palate set off by the lighter maple (?) bands. It just came out perfectly.

Congrats Stan, the boys pull it off again and then we have the sound to look forward to!!!

Glad y’all like it...especially you Stan. The purfling is curly mahogany, so just a little more golden than maple would be.

Finals Week here at Kinnaird Guitars! Got to close out two guitars this week with Stan’s being the pièce de résistance. I’ve got a couple more pics, but I don’t know how many I should show before Stan picks it up because it’s so beautiful. Let’s see if we can just tease him for a while. :)

Steve buffing out the neck.

https://i.postimg.cc/jdwYV3BF/4920-E...-F850-CF47.jpg


Fitting the tuners.

https://i.postimg.cc/2Snpybkd/2-D2-B...42-C1691-D.jpg


Gluing on the Texas Ebony bridge.

https://i.postimg.cc/jjTp7x2p/84-E1-...-DC7-EA3-A.jpg


More fun coming.

Whimper. It's gonna be a looooonnng week.

Congrats Stan, wow, just look at the color of that top with the rosette, that is about as pretty as you can get!

Sorry, I can't help myself - it's just so darn pretty!

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...4b&oe=5C6B7A5E

Wow, this is shaping up to be the second best guitar ever to come out of the Kinnaird shop!......haha, jk. Seriously, it looks fantastic - and having been in your shoes just a few months ago, the wait is excruciating!

S

Wow, that sure is a beautiful guitar! I can't wait to see the final pics. Congrats Stan, I think you are going to be one happy camper.