Thought I would build a guitar with Kinnaird guitars west!

[TomB'sox]

Originally Posted by canuck7

Very nice!! That walnut really looks great under finish!!

Thanks, wish you could be here to try it out with us!

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Sure is purdy! Can't wait to give it a try.

Originally Posted by Carpinteria

Looks really great, Tom! It’s a wonderful combination of woods and these sets are particularly nice. Looking forward to seeing you and Kathy (and the guitar) soon!

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Shazam--can't wait to see it and check it out in person!

Excited about seeing you all again at the show! We are going to try and work out something special with Steve and Ryan, we are going to do the finishing touches on it here as much as possible including stringing it up for the very first time and then we can all hear it and then play it as the day goes on to listen to how much it changes over 24 hours. Not something many of us have had a chance to do!

[nootis]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Thanks, wish you could be here to try it out with us!

Excited about seeing you all again at the show! We are going to try and work out something special with Steve and Ryan, we are going to do the finishing touches on it here as much as possible including stringing it up for the very first time and then we can all hear it and then play it as the day goes on to listen to how much it changes over 24 hours. Not something many of us have had a chance to do!

That sounds like a most excellent way to ceremoniously bring your guitar into the world. It’ll be like a gender reveal party, but for a guitar!

[TomB'sox]

Ryan and I slipped away from B.I.G. for about 30 minutes, sanded and installed the saddle and nut, filed the nut slots to adjust the action and put strings on it.

At first it made sound and it was not too bad, but it was quiet, nothing too special. A couple of hours later, it started to have more sustain and overtones. By 8 hours, Tony McManus had it on the couch and gave it two hours of Bach (Ben Wilborn had previously given it Smoke on the Water LOL, it must have been very confused), and he never put it down or asked for another. The harmonics were developing and sounded great.

By the next day, about 18 hours it was being played in front of 10 people and no one could believe it was less than a day old or that I had built it. More Bach from Tony!

Today, now about 3 1/2 days old, I am through the roof pleased. GREAT sustain, overtones, bass, trebles, very balanced and loud. I think it is fantastic!

[soma5]

Congratulations, Tom! You must be over the top about this.

[Aspiring]

Congrats Tom! That is going to have a special place in your collection for sure!

[difalkner]

Beautiful guitar and great build story, Tom. Steve and Ryan are great hosts, for certain!

I have some figured Walnut in a large billet (22" x 34" x 2.75") and I'm eager to get that cut so I can build a few guitars with Walnut.

[Steve Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by difalkner

Beautiful guitar and great build story, Tom. Steve and Ryan are great hosts, for certain!

I have some figured Walnut in a large billet (22" x 34" x 2.75") and I'm eager to get that cut so I can build a few guitars with Walnut.

Thanks for the vote of approval, David. And Tom, thanks again for this opportunity—it was a success.
But David, back to your billet—22” wide? That’s a monster! How many guitars are in that chunk of wood?!

[doodahdoug]

Tom, congratulations on your superb Kinnaird student build. May it bring you years of joy and satisfaction.

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by doodahdoug

Tom, congratulations on your superb Kinnaird student build. May it bring you years of joy and satisfaction.

I second Doug! Way to go. ENJOY IT!!!

Paul

[theEdwinson]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Ryan and I slipped away from B.I.G. for about 30 minutes, sanded and installed the saddle and nut, filed the nut slots to adjust the action and put strings on it.

At first it made sound and it was not too bad, but it was quiet, nothing too special. A couple of hours later, it started to have more sustain and overtones. By 8 hours, Tony McManus had it on the couch and gave it two hours of Bach (Ben Wilborn had previously given it Smoke on the Water LOL, it must have been very confused), and he never put it down or asked for another. The harmonics were developing and sounded great.

By the next day, about 18 hours it was being played in front of 10 people and no one could believe it was less than a day old or that I had built it. More Bach from Tony!

Today, now about 3 1/2 days old, I am through the roof pleased. GREAT sustain, overtones, bass, trebles, very balanced and loud. I think it is fantastic!

There's no turning back now, Tom. You've been chosen by the luthier bug to be its host organism, and once you've got that bug on you, IT DOESN'T COME OFF! Don't worry, it's pretty benign, and at worst, it'll just give you a strong creative itch that you'll need to scratch, often.
One of the things that makes this craft so compelling and addictive is the reward you get when you first string up, after all your long and careful work, and witness that magical awakening, as the tone and character begin to emerge. And it only gets better from there. What a great way for you to deepen your love relationship with our favorite instrument!