Jordan McConnell Build

[stuartb]

I've been attracted to the rich deep tone of a number of builders across time, and came across Jordan's guitars via Dream Guitar a number of years ago. The recordings I've listened to are haunting in the depth of the tone coming from his instruments. Finally I took the plunge and added myself to Jordan's build list back a few years, and we're now working through the final stages of the build process.

One of the things that attracted me to Jordan's guitars was the visual continuity of the end product. And I am looking forward to seeing it all come together.

I decided to have a relatively elaborate inlay designed/included with this build to be completed by both Jimmi Wingert and Jordan - a combo if you will. Jimmi was commissioned to design and construct the headstock vine and bird inlay and do the fretboard vine and flower inlay and Jordan would design the rosette and design and add some decorative inlay on the body to pull the visual together. Sounded great to me.

We had gone on a family journey through India, and at after looking at a variety of possible birds for the headstock, I chose a green tailed sunbird to be the bird of choice.

I asked jimmi for a flat or non-reflective look when thinking about the materials and Jimmi was very helpful. She used banded Malachite for the branches, dyed maple for the leaves which are non-reflective, and reconstituted stone for the bird. I'll post some of the initial designs of the headstock inlay a little later today.

I've included a link to Jordan's site and a link to Jordan playing one of his guitars so that you can give it a listen.

The specs are more or less as follows:


• 16" Model
• Fan Fret 25.5 to 26.25
• 1 13/16 nut
• 2 5/16 saddle
• Stainless Steel fret
• Ebony bindings/bevel
• Moon spruce top
• Cutaway
• Fan frets (25.5"-26.25")
• BRW
• Full French Polish
• Bevel on Top Side
• Custom Inlay on Headstock and fretboard by Jimmi Wingert
• Rodgers tuners SS11 plates with cloche pattern MOP buttons


Jordan playing one of his guitars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4ZxUm0CjAA

Website
http://www.mcconnellguitars.com/gallery.html

Talk soon,

Stuart

[zackl]

Nice..and have you heard this one !? 😳 Oh my...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DF38_oQGO14

Looking forward to see yours Stuart!

[stuartb]

Originally Posted by zackl

Nice..and have you heard this one !? 😳 Oh my...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DF38_oQGO14

Looking forward to see yours Stuart!

Ah, that sounds incredible. Clive Carroll is a wonderful player too.

I'll get some pics up soon!

best,

Stuart

[stuartb]

Here is a photo of the bird I chose for the headstock, which was to be surrounded by vines etc.,



And the initial mock up of the design for the headstock.



P.S. how do you get the photos larger when you post via links

thx,

Stuart

[rogthefrog]

Congrats! Jimmi is a fabulous artist.

[islandguitar]

Looking forward to this build.....I think his guitars are spectacular! Thanks.....

[stuartb]

Ah, that's a better size to give you an idea of the design of the headstock.





One way or the other, I do eventually learn technology


Stuart

[CoolerKing]

Wow! This should be fantastic. Thanks for posting, I certainly haven't seen a McConnell build here since I joined.

[Beer1996]

Your headstock looks spectacular.

Moon spruce/Brazilian rosewood is an unbeatable combination.

Looking forward to see the rest of your guitar.

[ukejon]

Amazing guitar, Stuart. Wow....

Originally Posted by stuartb

Ah, that sounds incredible. Clive Carroll is a wonderful player too.

I'll get some pics up soon!

best,

Stuart

By the way, here is Clive in my house playing my Hatcher Greta. He is indeed a most wonderful player:

[islandguitar]

Wow, Jon, that is VERY cool!

[stuartb]

thx Jon, you're own playing is quite remarkable.

This shot of the backwood is poorly lit, but it's what I can find looking at past exchanges. The shifting colour patterns, from dark to light, and the changing intensity at the one third point from the top, gave me a sense of inpirational melodies clawing their way through to the surface of the wood. Chuckle. A back and fourth on the tap tone closed the decision.

[billgennaro]

Jordan's guitars don't get much press around here and I've always wondered why. His work appears to be right up there with the best of the best. Should fit nicely with your Franklin and Walker instruments. The inlay work promises to be stunning as well. Best of luck with the build. Looking forward to following this thread.

[stuartb]

Bill, I know what you mean. Truth is Jordan is an exceptional guitar player himself, and certainly has spent a fair bit of time gigging, touring, and on stage, in recent years, either with a band or solo. He is now focusing on building guitars full time, so I think you'll see his numbers begin to climb in terms of guitar output. And he's still young. Here's an interview with a Winnipeg free press reporter I think it is. It's a good video that speaks to his passion for building.

Stuart

[stuartb]

Jimmi Wingert has some natural talent, that's for sure. We went after the stone look, and she used some very interesting colours.




As I mentioned, the bird was inspired by a trip through south India, the vines remind me of the outdoors.