Cypress with Rosie

[Michael Watts]

Hello everyone,

I visited Rosie Heydenrych of Turnstone guitars this week to try out some new guitars, two of which featured a soundboard wood that I was completely unfamiliar with, English-grown Monterey Cypress. I really enjoyed playing these guitars, have a listen and let me know what you think - as ever they were recorded with a pair of Gefell M300's, no EQ, reverb or effects

Here's a 16" TG model in Cocobolo and Monterey Cypress



and here's a smaller TM model (15" lower bout) in Fenland Black Oak and Monterey Cypress



I also got the chance to play one of Rosie's first cutaway guitars, a TM in Brazilian Mahogany and Alpine Spruce



All the best

Michael

[jaymarsch]

The two cypress guitars are very intriguing. It is like they have a kind of earthy refinement to the tone. A dark elegance. Nice playing, as always, Michael.

Best,
Jayne

[zmf]

Beautiful sound on that oak/Monterey cypress. Challenges preconceptions. But between the excellent luthier and player, how am I supposed to judge the quality of those tonewoods.

[Stevien]

I believe that Monterey Cyprus is the English version of what we call Port Orford Cedar. Maybe a Luthier or two will chime in.
Steve

[frankmcr]

on the thread title, although I did assume before opening that it would be about a cypress/rosewood model.

[colins]

Originally Posted by frankmcr

on the thread title, although I did assume before opening that it would be about a cypress/rosewood model.

Love the thread title Michael! But didn't he pay a violin?

[LeftyKev]

Rosie's brilliant, a true artisan. All three models look and sound lovely.

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by zmf

Beautiful sound on that oak/Monterey cypress. Challenges preconceptions. But between the excellent luthier and player, how am I supposed to judge the quality of those tonewoods.

Ha, well that's very kind but I guess both Rosie and I believing in pushing woods to their limits and seeing where the potential lies.

Originally Posted by Stevien

I believe that Monterey Cyprus is the English version of what we call Port Orford Cedar. Maybe a Luthier or two will chime in.
Steve

My understanding is that they're different, certainly the colour and grain patterns on the Cypress would suggest that as would the response.

Originally Posted by frankmcr

on the thread title, although I did assume before opening that it would be about a cypress/rosewood model.

Ha! Yeah, I couldn't resist!

Originally Posted by colins

Love the thread title Michael! But didn't he pay a violin?

Well, yes...

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by LeftyKev

Rosie's brilliant, a true artisan. All three models look and sound lovely.

Couldn't agree more Kev!

[ukejon]

Incredible looking and sounding guitars....inspiring to see Rosie’s skills as a maker.

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by ukejon

Incredible looking and sounding guitars....inspiring to see Rosie’s skills as a maker.

Absolutely right! i'm looking forward to playing her guitars (amongst others) at the Holy Grail Guitar Show in Berlin this May

[AcousticDreams]

First thoughts:Comparing the first two videos of Cypress tops, to the last with Alpine Spruce

I hear a higher Dynamic range between the lows and highs. This does not necessary mean louder, just more difference in volume between notes played softer vs. harder.

Obviously the Back and sides do have an influence here. Mahogany is a more rounded tone? And Cocobolo might have the ability to project more harmonics & overtones across the board? So not a direct comparison. But yeah, I thought the Cypress was more expressive.

Did I like that more expressiveness that Cypress might offer? A Big Yes. I love Dynamics. And Michael is the King of dynamic playing. A great inspiration to us all. In Truth, I like all of those guitars. In some instances a song might benefit from the higher ratio of soft to hard notes played. In other tunes the more standard compressed sound is best.

Unfortunately I was a bit under the weather at NAMM this year and did not get up to Rosie's booth, like I did last year. Would have loved to played her latest creations. I am very thankful to any luthier that reaches out to try new things. And she certainly does.

Michael, Did you feel like I do, that the Cypress exhibited more responsiveness? And What is your take on the headroom of Cypress. Seems like it could take heavy strumming.

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by Knives&Guitars

First thoughts:Comparing the first two videos of Cypress tops, to the last with Alpine Spruce

I hear a higher Dynamic range between the lows and highs. This does not necessary mean louder, just more difference in volume between notes played softer vs. harder.

Obviously the Back and sides do have an influence here. Mahogany is a more rounded tone? And Cocobolo might have the ability to project more harmonics & overtones across the board? So not a direct comparison. But yeah, I thought the Cypress was more expressive.

Did I like that more expressiveness that Cypress might offer? A Big Yes. I love Dynamics. And Michael is the King of dynamic playing. A great inspiration to us all. In Truth, I like all of those guitars. In some instances a song might benefit from the higher ratio of soft to hard notes played. In other tunes the more standard compressed sound is best.

Unfortunately I was a bit under the weather at NAMM this year and did not get up to Rosie's booth, like I did last year. Would have loved to played her latest creations. I am very thankful to any luthier that reaches out to try new things. And she certainly does.

Michael, Did you feel like I do, that the Cypress exhibited more responsiveness? And What is your take on the headroom of Cypress. Seems like it could take heavy strumming.

I'm glad you enjoyed the videos! There's a lot of detail coming out of those guitars when you listen closely!

I could tell you my thoughts on the Cypress but I'll actually beg for your patience for a few days more as I'm editing a wonderful interview with Rosie where we go into this in some detail!

All the best

M

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

I'm glad you enjoyed the videos! There's a lot of detail coming out of those guitars when you listen closely!

I could tell you my thoughts on the Cypress but I'll actually beg for your patience for a few days more as I'm editing a wonderful interview with Rosie where we go into this in some detail!

All the best

M

I look forward to the video and to the discussion.

Best,
Jayne

[AcousticDreams]

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

I look forward to the video and to the discussion.

Best,
Jayne

As will I!