Casper Custom OM

[Kidron]

Recently completed and delivered for me is a stunning Kenneth Casper OM.

I wanted to share this incredible instrument with you as i know that many of you have an eye for world class instruments and would enjoy seeing this one.

My journey with Kenneth Casper began with my discovery of his unique web site which led me to contact him this year in hopes that he could create for me a unique finger style instrument.
One of life's joys for me is to discover a new luthier who is not only building world class guitars, but is also someone who really loves to interact with his customers.
Kenneth is not only extremely gifted as a Luthier, having 3 decades of custom woodworking skill under his belt, but he is also a music aficionado and best of all is just a really interesting and nice person.

I wanted to choose my own woods for this guitar as i prefer to do this and Kenneth was more then willing to not only let me send him the woods I wanted to use (tho he has a ton of supremely figured wood at his stash), but he was also happy to accommodate a few custom design tweeks including a slightly wider and deeper upper bout, a custom neck, scalloped bracing that is designed for light gauge strings, and a very beautiful ebony bound back strap and ebony bound heel cap.

So, we began a commission process which ended with an incredible Casper custom OM in my hands after only 4 months of waiting.
And i have to tell you that the entire process was for me by far the best build process i have ever encountered, with updates and photos that were constant and detailed.
Kenneth enjoys sharing the entire process with you, which includes giving you a deep insight into they hows and whys of what he does as he builds each part of your custom instrument.
The entire process was a fantastic experience, truly.

If you asked me to describe the sound of a Casper Custom, i would say that the words which would suggest the best representation of his sound are, "sweet, rich and lush".
If you are familiar with Lance McCollum guitars and are familiar with James Goodall guitars, then, if you were to combine the sound of both you would have a general idea of the Casper tone.
His guitar is incredibly rich and lush sounding with generous sustain and the neck is perfect with a playability that is only found on the best of the best guitars in the world.

This Custom Casper OM includes the following:

Italian Spruce Top

Claro Walnut B&S

5pc Mahogany and Rosewood Neck

Koa body, neck, and head stock binding

Koa Back Strap, Koa Rosette, and a Koa Heel cap

Macassar Ebony fret board

Macassar Ebony bridge

Osage orange purfling

Evo Gold frets

Ebony Head stock overlay and ebony bound Back Strap and Heel cap.

Gold Star of David @ 12th Fret

Kevin Ryan "Zip-Flex" for the Top border and the Rosette border and the back's center piece.

Gotoh 510 tuners in Antique Bronze

25.0 scale

1.75 nut width

Bone nut and saddle

LR-Baggs "Lyric" pickup


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So, below are the photos of the finished Casper and his website link.
Kenneth is a remarkable Luthier, so be sure to check out his site.
Im already planning my next Casper - is how impressed i am with his workmanship, his attention to detail, and his finished product.

http://www.casperguitar.com/


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[Kidron]

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[marty bradbury]

Wow!! Contrats on a beautiful guitar. Sound clips soon?

[theEdwinson]

It's a beautiful guitar in every respect. When you describe the tone of it, it sounds like a fully realized instrument. Looking forward to seeing more Kenneth Casper guitars on this forum.
Applause!

[Bill R]

Splendid guitar! My compliments to whomever selected the appointments.

Bill

[Kidron]

Originally Posted by marty bradbury

Wow!! Contrats on a beautiful guitar. Sound clips soon?

Thank you.

its a beautiful guitar.

Ive owned , mmmmmmmmmmm, about 80 acoustic guitars since i started the buying quest in 1991.
Not too many keepers along the way, and ive tried all the brands multiple times that we all love.
The Casper is one of the few keepers.
Its a gem

Looking forward to #2



K

[Kidron]

Originally Posted by Cminor7sus4

It's a beautiful guitar in every respect. When you describe the tone of it, it sounds like a fully realized instrument. Looking forward to seeing more Kenneth Casper guitars on this forum.
Applause!

Yes, it is a fully realized instrument.
And this is especially true of the tone, as the guitar has a "broken in" and seasoned sound that is quite lyrical, complex, and magical.
Im not certain what special Elixirs Kenneth is mixing in his shop using wood and glue while striving towards perfection, but whatever he's doing, the result is amazing.

[mikealpine]

Really beautiful! Love the Star of David, as well. Very classy. Enjoy!!

[Kidron]

Originally Posted by Bill R

Splendid guitar! My compliments to whomever selected the appointments.

Bill

Thank you Bill.

I am the one.

and thanks to Kenneth Casper for delivering the acoustic gem as commissioned.

[peteom]

Wow beautiful.

[Kidron]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

Really beautiful! Love the Star of David, as well. Very classy. Enjoy!!

thank you.

Kenneth did an exceptional job on that design.
it looks 3D layered and that is so unique.
He typically enjoys adding more bling to his commissions, but i tend to like the ''less is more'' approach to "bling" on my instruments, with the exception of blue pau, as i like this on the top border and the bk-strp, and in the rosette.
I considered putting another Star of David on the back strap, but decided to instead just let the Koa be the star.

[Tony_in_NYC]

Ken builds a beautiful guitar. You are a lucky man.

[Kidron]

Originally Posted by peteom

Wow beautiful.

thank you,

here are more photos.

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[Kenneth Casper]

Happy to hear you are enjoying your guitar, Larry! One great thing about a custom build is that you can see your decisions all over it! And indeed, you made some good ones!

I appreciate the kind words from you and others. A lot of work goes into one of these, so always great to hear the guitar is delivering on expectations. Hope it does so for years to come!

Ken

[leftybanjo]

Kenneth, welcome to the Forum... you do exquisite work... hope to see more of your beautiful instruments.