#46
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A few updates
IMG_1610294447.834819.jpgIMG_1610294462.977365.jpgIMG_1610294473.196902.jpg The bridge, like the fretboard is made of rocklite and is almost ready, while the body is getting prepared to receive it. IMG_1610294906.369560.jpgIMG_1610294920.407849.jpg |
#47
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I love it! It's great to see someone do something bold with an acoustic guitar's aesthetic design.
I'm also a fan of Joel's guitars and have on occasion while wearing my Fretboard Journal hat at guitar shows, chosen his guitars as among the best of the show.
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John |
#48
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I especially like your bridge design. Very artistic yet totally functional. Might have to do a “variation on A theme “ on my next build. ;-)
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BradHall _____________________ |
#49
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Thanks John. As Joel commented, no one is ever going to mistake this guitar for another Michaud! We are both having a lot of fun with it. Really looking forward to finally getting to play it.
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#50
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It is a very nice design. Because of the mass/ density of rocklite, Joel really likes it as a bridge material. He also offers a pinless bridge that I really like but is still in the process of tweaking a fanfret version of that design.
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#51
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The bridge is now glued on
IMG_1611415669.516659.jpg ...and getting ready to install the fret wire. Going with Evo gold 43080 IMG_1611415926.756227.jpg |
#52
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I also really like that he and you are using Rocklite. A cool material that I wish more would use.
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John |
#53
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Won't be long--you gotta be excited beyond belief about now!
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2013 Stehr Auditorium (Carpathian/Myrtle) 2015 Stehr Auditorium (Adi/BRW) 2020 Baranik Meridian (Blue Spruce/Manchinga) 2020 Wilborn Arum (Tunnel 14/Coco) 2021 Kinnaird Graybeard (BC Cedar/Bog Oak) 2022 Kinnaird CS Student Build (Adi/Padauk) 2023 Kinnaird FS (Italian/Koa) |
#54
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Quote:
I think I had the typical reaction of not wanting anything other than real wood. My attitude has changed since then. Even with the public acceptance of ebony that isn’t uniformly black, the supply is limited. But also, Rocklite isn’t just a cheap ebony knock-off. It costs about the same, it’s hard, dense, doesn’t shrink, warp or crack, characteristics that make it very good for fretboards, bridges and binding. It stands on its own merits. I think we will see more people using it. Rocklite normally has a “pore” structure. If you look at this fretboard, it is very smooth. That is because in order to seal the dye in the maple, Joel polished it with a CA glue with the side effects of further hardening the rocklite and filling in the pores. |
#55
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It has been a very long wait . One the plus side, waiting years to have a guitar built provides lots of time to put away the funds, so the financial pain is long forgotten.
I’m about a 13 hour drive from Joel’s shop, with family along the way. I had planned on driving there to pick up the guitar in person. With Covid, that plan has unfortunately gone out the window. |
#56
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After considering several tuner options, we went with Schertlers in satin black. Also considered the Schertler in metallic and the Gotoh 510 in the black chrome finish.
The strings are now on! Joel will leave it under tension for 2 weeks for the guitar to settle before installing the actual nut/saddle and doing the final set up. I’m really pleased with how this has turned out! So close now. IMG_1612317626.464197.jpgIMG_1612317639.699357.jpgIMG_1612317658.115600.jpgIMG_1612317669.263617.jpgIMG_1612317691.382862.jpgIMG_1612317702.636269.jpg |
#57
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Commissioning a guitar is an interesting process, especially for a first timer like myself. You choose a luthier who’s work you admire, visually and sonically. You can have a lot of input on the visual aspects, less so on the sonic aspects beyond wood choice.
It’s not like you can try before you buy, trust and a willingness to accept some degree of uncertainty is important. So, after seeing the guitar with strings, one of my first questions was “How does it sound?” Joel’s response, with permission to share. “I let it sit overnight before judging tone... this morning wow. Let’s just say I managed to impress myself. The combo of the barely there finish as well as my new voicing makes this perhaps one of the most responsive and in your face guitars I have ever played. I am a bit floored actually. Still another 2 weeks though until a more thourough review.” Ok, I am getting even more excited! It is going to be a long 2 weeks.... |
#58
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Hey, congrats virob!
Sounds like Joel is really impressed with the tone and responsiveness already with your guitar. Can't ask for more than that!
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2013 Stehr Auditorium (Carpathian/Myrtle) 2015 Stehr Auditorium (Adi/BRW) 2020 Baranik Meridian (Blue Spruce/Manchinga) 2020 Wilborn Arum (Tunnel 14/Coco) 2021 Kinnaird Graybeard (BC Cedar/Bog Oak) 2022 Kinnaird CS Student Build (Adi/Padauk) 2023 Kinnaird FS (Italian/Koa) |
#59
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Really cool guitar, clearly an eye catcher. Excited to hear more about the tone in 2 weeks, and also for you to share your thoughts.
Cheers, |
#60
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That's quite a statement from Joel. Now anticipation reaches the pinnacle. I can imagine you must be going crazy! I would.
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Life is like a box of chocolates .... |