Tinman's "Heart Guitar" - a new build in progress - Page 2

rwskaggs · #16 05-24-2012, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marty bradbury

How is this guitar coming along?

Hi Marty - the last photos were from about 5 days ago. Chris Kenny hasn't updated his site, but you can see his blog about it at http://acornhouseworkshop.com/in-the-workshop/

He's doing a parallel build with a different mini-jumbo to show to potential customers.

This is my first commissioned guitar - the whole process is exciting!

rwskaggs · #17 05-24-2012, 01:28 PM

Here's a photo of the top in the process of being braced. I chose a symmetrical bracing pattern similar to my favorite Larrivees....

marty bradbury · #18 05-27-2012, 10:42 AM

Thanks!! very cool indeed

rwskaggs · #19 06-10-2012, 07:07 AM

Got a note from the builder (Chris Kenney) today about the back. He wanted to know if I desired a cocobolo center strip or not. Cocobolo is going to be used on the bindings and as a fretboard...

At first it seemed like a good idea to add the strip b/c osage orange is normally a pretty plain wood with very little figure...then he sent me this photo. What would you choose?

Tim McKnight · #20 06-10-2012, 07:59 AM

Hi Ross,
As beautiful as that set is, you can expect more movement during moisture exchanges because its flat sawn, which is not a desirable attribute in a musical instrument. Perhaps you might want to consider a set that is quarter sawn, which would be more stable and less susceptible to movement as the seasons change?

Cornerstone Guitars · #21 06-10-2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

Hi Ross,
As beautiful as that set is, you can expect more movement during moisture exchanges because its flat sawn, which is not a desirable attribute in a musical instrument. Perhaps you might want to consider a set that is quarter sawn, which would be more stable and less susceptible to movement as the seasons change?

Thats exactly what I was going to suggest. Nice looking set but what many may think of as figure its actually evidence of a flatsawn piece. Never worked with Osage but I'd prefer a set closer to quartered.

Love the inlay though!!

rwskaggs · #22 06-10-2012, 12:49 PM

Tim / Peter,

Thanks so much for the pointers! I wrote to Chris and will let you all know what he says about flat vs quarter-sawn. Since I'm unlikely to finance another build in this lifetime, any longevity tips are very welcome...

I'd at least like this one to outlive me...after that it won't matter much!

Neil K Walk · #23 06-10-2012, 01:15 PM

Cheers, Ross! I'd say go with the center strip, especially if you end up going with a less-figured quartersawn set. If there's anything I've learned from this weekend playing various guitars - including a couple made with osage orange - tone should be the motivator, though the right mixture of colors and materials can make for a nicely balanced visual design.

BTW, this should be part of a series. If I could afford it - and if I only had a brain - I'd be a prime candidate for the scarecrow ! ;o)

rwskaggs · #24 06-10-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwakatak

Cheers, Ross! I'd say go with the center strip, especially if you end up going with a less-figured quartersawn set. If there's anything I've learned from this weekend playing various guitars - including a couple made with osage orange - tone should be the motivator, though the right mixture of colors and materials can make for a nicely balanced visual design.

BTW, this should be part of a series. If I could afford it - and if I only had a brain - I'd be a prime candidate for the scarecrow ! ;o)

There ya go! Who's up for the Cowardly Lion? Anybody?

How about a Flying Monkey on a (name your least favorite) guitar?

Tim McKnight · #25 06-10-2012, 04:01 PM

Ross,
This may be of some help to you and your builder to identify cuts of wood:

If you look at the figure in the back set you will notice the "V" or chevron shaped figure is the visual indicator of flat sawn cut of wood in the figure above. Flat sawn cuts of wood is OK for furniture or building structures but should be avoided in musical instruments.

ZekeM · #26 06-10-2012, 07:36 PM

That is an impressive headstock. Very unique very stunning. In response to the backstrip I personally like them and would go with it if I were you. As far as the wood being flat sawn that is why I love this forum. There is no other place with such a wealth if knowledge and people there for advice and knowledge in all things guitar related. Keep posting pictures I can't wait to see how this comes out.

rwskaggs · #27 06-13-2012, 05:04 PM

Well, after several days of input and searching, we (collectively!) located another Osage Orange set -Quarter Sawn this time - big enough for a dread! This one is making its way to Acorn House Workshop / Chris Kenney - luthier.

Sincere thanks to all for their input and support, and especially to Chris for tolerating the email mixups well. I'm still excited!

lossforgain · #28 06-13-2012, 05:34 PM

That's great! Glad one of the ones I found was a good fit for you. Can you tell us why you chose Osage Orange and what you know about its tone?

rwskaggs · #29 06-13-2012, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lossforgain

That's great! Glad one of the ones I found was a good fit for you. Can you tell us why you chose Osage Orange and what you know about its tone?

Thanks for the tip - it was getting frustrating, so I posted that classified ad! I'm glad you found it and I appreciate your efforts. I discovered today that Chris Kenney emailed me about it, but the message ended up on Neptune someplace in the last day or so...

Last year at the McKnight Mcjam, Tim gave us a class on "tap tones" of various woods, ranging from rosewood, mahogany, maple, etc. and he included a piece of osage orange. Holding it up to the microphone by a corner and his tapping each piece you could hear a GENERAL difference in tones and sustain of the vibrations.

This wasn't scientific - only comparative. However, the osage orange 'rang' longer than most of the other hard back woods he tested. It was similar to rosewood...but different at the same time to my ear. I normally like mahogany tones, but I want to experience a super-responsive top (we're using Master Grade Italian Red Spruce) and back at least once in my spared life!

One of our moderators - Fitness1 - has a McKnight build with osage back and sides - perhaps he will chime in with his impressions of his guitar compared to others. I KNOW we will never pry it out of his hands!!!

lossforgain · #30 06-13-2012, 07:20 PM

That would be awesome if fitness1 would chime in. I am interested to hear how a completed guitar of this wood compares with other woods tonally - especially since you said you thought it had some rosewood-like characteristics. I had thought that it was more in the midrange/sparkly realm like koa or midrange/woody like walnut. But this is all secondhand impressions for me, because I've never played a guitar made of it.