New Kennedy Parlor - Lutz over Old-Growth BRZ

XYRN · #1 10-29-2012, 09:46 AM

Not technically an NGD, as I got it last week, but finally took some decent pictures over the weekend, so, here we are.

Although this guitar was not a commissioned build, it is a one-off handmade custom. It is a parlor, Martin Size 2 specifically, made by Terry Kennedy, Kennedy Guitars of Alexandria, MN.

The top is Lutz (aka Roche) spruce, a naturally occurring hybrid of Sitka and Engelmann; the body is old-growth Brazilian Rosewood.

Per the builder:

Quote:

The wood was from a large stash he {Walter Lipton at Euphonon Co. in NH} got from rejected Martin stock in the 70's. All quartersawn and as he says "manna from heaven" now.
The back for this guitar was from a rejected D model that was broken through the center strip and had the edges cracked off. It was too small for anything but a size 2.

At 12-frets to the body, with a shortish (24.9") scale, this guitar is a perfect 'couch guitar', but it's volume defies its size, it really fills a room.

Sound sample from The Podium here.

Here are the pictures:

Slotted headstock, Waverly 3-on-a-plate tuners, Ivoroid buttons

The Kennedy trademark shamrock:

I'm still getting acquainted with this incredible guitar - but I can tell you all it's a keeper and Terry does amazing work!

-Kris

fitness1 · #2 10-29-2012, 10:25 AM

Very cool.....love the story about the wood. I've seen a few of these Kennedy's on the Podium site and remember thinking the recordings made them sound quite good.

ChuckS · #3 10-29-2012, 10:32 AM

Congratulations on the Kennedy gutiar; Terry makes some really fine instruments.

bubbaprime · #4 10-29-2012, 10:41 AM

a beautiful parlor guitar...and equally beautiful recording of it.

XYRN · #5 10-29-2012, 05:15 PM

Thanks guys, it really is a 'grail' guitar for me.

I've long been wanting a 12-fret, and since I mainly play seated on the couch smaller bodied guitars have a lot of appeal. When I saw (on the Podium site) that I could satisfy those criteria AND get old-growth Brazilian, I was sold.
Plus, I really like supporting a local builder, which also means if I need setup tweaks or warranty work it's only a two hour drive.

I've got to sell my Taylor GSLJ to cover my expenditure, but since dreadnoughts aren't that comfortable to play on the sofa I'm not that heart-broken. (I will miss it though, that's an outstanding guitar in its own right.)

-K