Baranik acoustics at La Conner 2022
 

These were mentioned in another thread, and I didn't want to derail that thread - so here are some pictures from La Conner 2022 of the three guitars Mike Baranik built. All three were pre-purchased - the owners allowed them to be shown and played, and picked them up after the show.

Just to start, as I'm making sure I can post some pics, here's the headstock of the OO. More to come!

Koa Retreux Parlour
 

2022 Baranik parlour shown at La Conner.

"Super Meridian" - white ebony and wine-cask redwood
 

This Super Meridian had tone!

My, there’s lots to like about all of these! But those tuner buttons on the Super Meridian are pretty sweet. Never seen anything like ‘em.

Love the Super Meridian. Mike is the best.

Awesome, awesome and...awesome!

Lucky you Phil, to get to play them all together and then have one follow you home :). What wood did you use for the bevel and buttons on the 00?

Thanks for sharing the pictures and information, Phil!

All three guitars are beautiful examples of Mike’s keen, original aesthetic. (I’m especially partial to the understated elegance of the Retreux Parlor.)

It’s good to know that Mike hasn’t completely ceased building acoustic guitars, right?

Baranik Guitars at La Conner
 

Thanks for posting these pictures Phil. It was nice to meet and visit at Mike's La Conner Show table. I was late to join the Baranik family but I'm sure glad I did! Here's a picture of all 3 Baranik guitars together that Mike exhibited at La Conner:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...588f5443_z.jpg



Here's a picture of Chris, the happy owner of the Super Meridian with his guitar outside of the exhibit hall:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b8d44243_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...20ddc9f7_z.jpg


I agree with you Steve...very beautiful and unique buttons. Chris is an artisan pen maker and supplied the pen blanks Mike used to craft these buttons.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...73e82f51_z.jpg

Hopefully, Mike will take time in the future to accept a few new orders for acoustic guitars in between his popular electric guitar models.

Milkwood
 

Thanks Col! Actually had another cool aspect to all this as my brother and s-i-l invited Mike & wife & Chris up for dinner at their place - and aside from all the talk Chris did a short impromptu living room concert for us! That super really showed it's stuff.

You were there when we decided on the Kingwood for the back and sides, and although at the time we reserved a set of Adi, we changed to a nice, wide grained, very stiff set of blue spruce. Other than the headstock design - for which Mike took a couple of comments and ran with it - I just let him choose the binding and bevel and tuner button woods... and they are milkwood (never heard of it previously). The "soft" yellowish tan sets off some of the other aspects well. Speaking of which -- the rosette design was again one of Mike's taking some comment or two of mine and running with it. I had a "river" theme in mind, and the blue in both the headstock and rosette supported that theme. The small chunks of tannish wood IN the rosette came from some turned wood my father had. I thought it was manzanita (of which I have lots of turnings from dad) but Mike thought more likely sycamore. Regardless - that's the "touch of home" story in this guitar.

I will say that although I've had a handful of Mike's guitars, this one is a standout. I will be trying some different strings than my normal Martin SPs, though. Too bright!

Cheers!

Mike's attention to detail is outstanding. It shows in every aspect of his instruments, and these are some fine examples!

Agreed, and he combines it with a real sense of adventure in the visual aspects of the guitar.

I tried a few different strings on mine and settled with GHS Vintage Bronze.
Nice details Phil, and didn't Phil 'Manzanita' play with Roxy Music ;)

Baranik 00
 

Phil, your Kingwood 00 looks amazing, especially that blue headstock! Could you please post a photo of the rosette?

Thanks John! Yes - I've been intending to post a specific thread for that guitar with more pics. But - to whet your appetite - here's the rosette!

Phil