Malachite Machinga Meridian--New Baranik Build!!!

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by riorider

looking good K!!! I haven't taken time to log on in a while, but I'll be back for some tasting now that I have something specific to look for!!

Took a couple of you at the shop in Oct... playing my pumaquiro parlour (what is it with South American alliteration???!!!) and the afore-mentioned spectacular cedar / tree Honduran mahogany Meridian. I'll get those posted as soon as I can resize them....

Cheers!

Phil

Thanks for stopping in, Phil--Mike is busy getting ready for NAMM right now. Should be much more coming after that!

Your Tree / cedar Meridian was certainly a memorable experience--what a killer guitar!

[mikealpine]

Enjoying the way this is coming together, and I read the back story again. I am sentimental, so seeing all the ways this particular guitar ties in many personal touches makes it even more special. Every build is "nice" in its own way, but when you incorporate special elements like this, it raises it to another level.

[Ukulele_Eddie]

Wow, @Nemoman, that Malachite Machinga Meridian is going to be, er ah, MMM-good! ;-)

I had not heard of machinga before and I love spalted woods. The personal connection you have to the woods makes it even more special. Cannot wait to see it finished and hear it in action.

[Cocobolo Kid]

Hopefully we will see some updates on this build soon. I am following this build with great anticipation. Mike is one of my favorite builders, and this combination of Machinga and Malachite looks to be special!

[colins]

Originally Posted by Cocobolo Kid

Hopefully we will see some updates on this build soon. I am following this build with great anticipation. Mike is one of my favorite builders, and this combination of Machinga and Malachite looks to be special!

I'm with John!

Time to hassle Mike for some more photos...after all, he's back from NAMM now

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by colins

Time to hassle Mike for some more photos...after all, he's back from NAMM now

Haha--yeah, we need to sway him away from his Super-Surf Electrics back to his Totally Awesome Acoustics!

[colins]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Haha--yeah, we need to sway him away from his Super-Surf Electrics back to his Totally Awesome Acoustics!

You may get one of the last acoustics without a GT stripe. They look so cool on the electrics, I'm sure that before long Mike'll want to put them on all his guitars .

[Nemoman]

Just a quick update on the progress of this MMM build.

Mike has sent the malachite off to someone in SoCal to cut and furnish the pieces required for this Meridian.

Meantime, Mike and I have been going back and forth refining design elements for various features of this guitar. It's been an exciting process that Mike has allowed me to participate in, and we've been exchanging ideas and dxf files as the creative juices are flowing and the ideas are coming together.

I feel fortunate to have Mike guiding the process and creating this guitar for me. I have no doubt that his expertise and craftsmanship will make this a one-of-a-kind, lifetime guitar!

Much more to follow in the weeks to come...

[colins]

Looking forward to more posts as it comes together!

And a suggestion, if you are getting a Visesnut case like I did. I really like mine but I have been surprised at how long the "new" smell has lingered, which is essentially the volatiles slowly escaping from the plastic. Maybe ask Mike to leave your case open (somewhere in his cavernous work-space), so it can release the volatiles a bit before you get it?

Col

[Nemoman]

Hmmmmnnn--that's interesting, Colin. I currently have 2 Visenut cases, and I haven't noticed that to be an issue.

Perhaps they have an aversion to the land down under? I'm thinking you need to send me that case with the Blue Tesla OO contained therein, and I'll get them both acclimated for you!

[colins]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Hmmmmnnn--that's interesting, Colin. I currently have 2 Visenut cases, and I haven't noticed that to be an issue.

Perhaps they have an aversion to the land down under? I'm thinking you need to send me that case with the Blue Tesla OO contained therein, and I'll get them both acclimated for you!

It's funny you say that because I had a similar odour issue with the hoffee that came with my Wingert.

Thanks for your generous offer of minding the Teslatar , but I cannot oblige as it is my go to at the moment.

Do you have a pick up date for the Meridian?

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by colins

Thanks for your generous offer of minding the Teslatar , but I cannot oblige as it is my go to at the moment.

Do you have a pick up date for the Meridian?

It was worth a shot anyways--let me know if you change your mind!

No pickup date at this point--we've been working through some of the final details and getting things dialed in. Fortunately, there's no hurry on this, and I've got plenty of toys to keep me busy!

I am really looking forward to getting this one in hand and joining the Baranik team!

[Nemoman]

Just a quick update on this build...

Mike has done a prototype of the rosette design we have worked and it came out superb. I'm really happy with the direction we're going. Had a minor setback as the initial top that we selected turned out to display some run out, and I was pretty emphatic that I wanted none of that if possible visually. I know it's not a tonal thing, but I can't get past it when a top looks as though it's got different colors going on.

After selecting a different blue spruce top with some nice silking, Mike was off to the races on the rosette. He completed it and then upon sanding it down encountered a pitch pocket.

So it's back to square one to select a different top and start over again on the rosette. Disappointing for sure, but I'm glad Mike is gracious and conscientious and willing to do what it takes to make this guitar the best it can possibly be (as I know all the luthiers here on the AGF would do the same...).

Can't wait to show you all the rosette once Mike has it completed on the new top!

Until then, play on...

[TomB'sox]

Wow, that is quite a story, so if I am following, top numero 3?

[CoolerKing]

Hang in there!