Burner #11 - a black-top for a friend!

[songsender]

MS Model (our 16" lower bout)
Black Ebony Sides/Back
Sitka Spuce top (black)
Sound Port
Koa Neck, Rosette
Aussie Blackwood binding (which is pretty much "Koa")

I haven't posted photos of this build as Kyle and I were really unsure how we were going to like this one.

This guitar is being built for a friend who I played in a band with back in the mid-70s. We continue to be great friends.

We were at a hotel bar prior to a Nebraska Football game. My friend had traveled back from CA to see the Huskers play. We're standing around chatting guitars, music, etc.

I have my daughter to thank for being at the right place at the right time and saying... "So, why hasn't my dad built a guitar for YOU?"

His comment was, "Well, I don't have any good reason - I guess you'd better build me a guitar.

I gave him the 24-hour "I was under the influence" out - but he stuck with the order, but firmly stated he wanted a guitar with a black top.

Kyle and I groaned at making a black top guitar.

BUT........ we just received the guitar back from Joe White - and we LOVE THIS GUITAR. Everyone who has seen the guitar LOVES the look. I guess we got lucky!

So - here are the finish photos from Joe White. I'll post more in the near future as we are almost done. Just a pickup to install (K&K).













and here's one more to stir up some hornets - HA!

[KolayaGuitars]

Beautiful! Love that bookmatched Koa neck! Great work guys!

Brad

[Trevor M]

Stunning guitar.

[needspeed]

Classy in every way......I love it.......Steve

[D. Ramsey]

Beautiful!

[songsender]

Here are some final photos of the black-top Black Ebony guitar we just finished. We are VERY happy with the sound of the guitar and excited to send it to its new owner (who is a dear friend).

[ewh2]

Very nice indeed. Not a fan of black finished guitars for the best part of the time, but this is one of the nicest I've seen.

What is the finish? It looks very nice indeed in particular for the neck.

What does it sound like?

[songsender]

Originally Posted by ewh2

Very nice indeed. Not a fan of black finished guitars for the best part of the time, but this is one of the nicest I've seen.

What is the finish? It looks very nice indeed in particular for the neck.

What does it sound like?

I agree about not being a fan of black finished guitars - but this one is changing my mind. Finish is by Joe White - Poly finish. He does AMAZING work!

First and foremost the guitar is LOUD. The Sitka top rings out with wonderful sparkling clear highs - but the mids and bottom are full and rich. The bass is not like a Martin Dread - but more balanced along the full spectrum of sound. This guitar is MUCH better than my personal guitar - HA!

[aaronl]

Originally Posted by songsender

and here's one more to stir up some hornets - HA!

I admit to being a total neophyte to acoustic guitars but what is the thing on the strings???

[songsender]

Originally Posted by aaronl

I admit to being a total neophyte to acoustic guitars but what is the thing on the strings???

It is called a ToneRite. It basically "seasons" the guitar. Like playing it for hours and hours to break it in some. Go to ToneRite.com and read about it.

There are many who think this is bogus, but I really believe in what I am hearing and we run it on all our new guitar builds.

[aaronl]

Originally Posted by songsender

It is called a ToneRite. It basically "seasons" the guitar. Like playing it for hours and hours to break it in some. Go to ToneRite.com and read about it.

There are many who think this is bogus, but I really believe in what I am hearing and we run it on all our new guitar builds.

So this is along the lines of running some bass heavy music through a new guitar amp speaker to "break it in"?

Sounds interesting, makes sense, if vibration is what makes something loosen up then no matter how you achieve vibration you should receive the benefit of the said vibration.

[songsender]

Originally Posted by aaronl

So this is along the lines of running some bass heavy music through a new guitar amp speaker to "break it in"?

Sounds interesting, makes sense, if vibration is what makes something loosen up then no matter how you achieve vibration you should receive the benefit of the said vibration.

Yep. Tim McKnight and I (along with others) are big believers in this product.

[Neil Gardiner]

Very nice looking guitar. I am a big fan of black top guitars and I think they work especially well with koa bindings. Really makes them pop.

Awesome.

[RogerC]

That's pretty spectacular! I'm in love with the neck

[markallen]

WOW!! That is just stunning!! Congrats on a wonderful looking (and I'm sure sounding) build.

Cheers,
Mark