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View Poll Results: What should I go with for in a Keystone Guitar?
African Blackwood 26 40.63%
Straighter-grained Brazilian Rosewood 25 39.06%
Crazy wild Brazilian Rosewood 13 20.31%
Voters: 64. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 11-21-2018, 12:37 AM
Marcus Wong Marcus Wong is offline
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Question African Blackwood or Brazilian Rosewood - Help me decide!

Hey guys, so usually I don't do this but my shop build for a Keystone Guitar is starting tomorrow and I am presented with a dilemma so I need your help! I had initially already made up my mind on build specs, but was thrown a curveball when Keisuke Nishi said that he will be delivering the guitar to me in person. That opened the possibility of a Brazilian Rosewood guitar as it would be much safer to transport that via plane than shipping.

The original idea was a Mod-D in Moon Spruce and African Blackwood with maple bindings and rib bevel, and a nice little African Blackwood Rosette with Sapwood.

1) This is the actual set (sorry for the low quality photo)


And it should look like this (one of the guitars he has completed before)


Now I am considering going with Brazilian. There are 2 sets in particular I am deciding between. One that is a little more straight grained, with some rift sawn parts at the edges, or a crazy wild set that just throws all my straight grained principles out the window

2)


3)


Probably going with a celluloid rosette with paua shell like this


So do I 1) stick to the ABW, 2) go with straigher grained BRW or 3) go with crazy wild BRW? Thanks for your help!!

If you guys like to see more of these kind of threads where I let you guys have your input on my shop's builds, let me know below! And I won't have to make all these decisions at all if someone wants to put their name on this build slot either
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Last edited by Marcus Wong; 11-21-2018 at 01:03 AM.
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  #2  
Old 11-21-2018, 01:15 AM
Quake17 Quake17 is offline
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Marcus,

I just wanted to say that rosette is awesome!

Since it's for your shop and you know your clientele best, it's difficult to say which will find a home quickest.

I really like the aesthetic of the African Blackwood guitar pictures. If I had to vote, I'd go for the wild BRW as the first one is not as interesting to my eye. I'm not familiar with Keystone so I'd rely on the builder's views.

Sounds like a fun build! Best of luck!
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Old 11-21-2018, 01:18 AM
pandaroo pandaroo is offline
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The wild grain gets my vote. I am biased as I am always in favour of any tonewood that has wild grain or high figuring or strong flame. By the way, the celluloid rosette is insanely purty!
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Old 11-21-2018, 01:30 AM
Hierophant Hierophant is offline
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Straight grain will always be my choice. The ABW looks pretty much as good as it can get, how does it tap? The BRW might not be the highest grade but is absolutely fine for nowadays supply. I would let the builder decide between 1) and 2) based upon my tonal goals.
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Old 11-21-2018, 06:58 AM
Ernesto Ernesto is offline
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One more vote for the ABW if it is all straight grained (it looks like it), what an amazing set!
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Old 11-21-2018, 07:17 AM
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mikealpine mikealpine is offline
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I am sure I will be in a serious minority when it comes to why I suggest the ABW. I have never played a BRW guitar that I thought, "Now I know what they're talking about." I lean more toward the Ebonies, and I've played a couple of ABW guitars, and that's the sound I like. Of course the caveat is that most of the tone has to do with the builder, and as others have suggested, the builder should help decide, but given the choice as you presented it, ABW is what I would go with, and if I were to be a prospect for this guitar, it would be the one I would want. Only other side note, the figured BRW looks fantastic and would probably make a visually stunning instrument. Even with that, ABW. Good luck!
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Old 11-21-2018, 08:39 AM
doodahdoug doodahdoug is offline
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It is hard to go wrong with either tone wood but my preference if pressed would be for the African Blackwood. In any event, looking forward to following this build.
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Old 11-21-2018, 09:08 AM
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justonwo justonwo is offline
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I prefer the tone, weight, and look of Brazilian - though that AB is quite nice.
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Old 11-21-2018, 09:20 AM
mercy mercy is offline
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I voted for the straight Braz but the tap tone would be the deciding factor.
Ill just say also that I think a back center strip interferes with the beauty of the the wood and also shell is gaudy anywhere on a guitar. So thats my opinion.
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Old 11-21-2018, 09:53 AM
Martz911 Martz911 is offline
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This is a tough one. African Blackwood might be a tad heavy physically on a Dreadnought size build, but it can sure sound very resonant and "chimey".

Brazilian is much better known throughout the guitar world, and that may make it easier to sell. If you do go with the Brazilian, though, I add my vote for the straight grain set.

What a great dilemma to have!
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Old 11-21-2018, 10:00 AM
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Guitars44me Guitars44me is online now
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Smile Hard to pick...

They all are beautiful! The ABW could be shipped worldwide? Might be a factor in selling eventually...

Ask the builder what he prefers, and let him roll!

I look forward to the build thread, hopefully!

Be well and have FUN

Paul
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Old 11-21-2018, 10:10 AM
runamuck runamuck is offline
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Anything quarter sawn is better than the wild Brazilian. The chances of that wood cracking in the future is VERY high, in my experience.
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Old 11-21-2018, 10:27 AM
Nemoman Nemoman is offline
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Go for the ABW--looks like it would be awesome based on the previous version!
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Old 11-21-2018, 10:58 AM
barcafan barcafan is offline
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-my vote goes to African blackwood

-Bryan
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Old 11-21-2018, 11:28 AM
nobo nobo is offline
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Likewise straight grain for me (though it's generally less visually appealing). I'd generally favour the straight Braz tonally (and have voted for that), but it's a tough call - that ABW looks great! And more quartersawn across the piece. Though if you're get it build on spec for sale, sapwood seems to somewhat split the crowd...

I'd generally want to know what taps best. And I guess £££ may be a factor...!
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