2 Chasson Concerts

Kent Chasson · #1 10-19-2012, 04:20 PM

I've got 2 fun Concerts underway. Some very special wood. One is for Trevor at TAMCO. It has an Engelmann top and Cocobolo back/sides.

Engelmann varies more from piece to piece than any other top wood I've seen. It's all over the map in density, stiffness, and appearance. I have a few sets of the more classic creamy white wood with less distinct grain lines and when stiff, they can make great tops. But I also have a handful of tops with wider grain and harder lines. These sets are more like the best Euro spruce. They have a crisper tone than the softer Engelmann but are still warmer than other spruces. This particular top is also as light weight as any I've seen. Awesome wood.

The Cocobolo back is unusual in that it has the dark ink lines as well as a light bees wing figure. Perfectly quartered too. Like the guitar I built for Adam Chan, I decided to continue the sapwood theme to the fingerboard and headplate.

The other guitar is Redwood and Ziricote. The redwood is more from my stash of 50 year old wood found stored in a barn in Idaho. The Ziricote speaks for itself. I prefer the look of a Florentine Cutaway but the client who ordered this prefers Venetian. I proposed a compromise in Bruce Sexauer's hybrid and we are both well pleased. Thanks to Bruce for sharing!

Larry Pattis · #2 10-19-2012, 04:39 PM

Beautiful work, Kent...and love that cutaway design...both for aesthetics and the resulting ergonomics!

So many too-big guitars (for me), and so much tendonitis!

Some lucky customers will enjoy these creations...

ZekeM · #3 10-19-2012, 04:41 PM

That's some nice zircote kent! Ive always been drawn to the sharp contrasting lines in it and that is a prime example of a beautiful piece! Both guitars look stunning. I bet the grain will really pop under finish.

roberts · #4 10-19-2012, 05:04 PM

Hey Kent - Both wonderful looking and, doubtless, sounding. BTW next week is Woodstock, how about coming east for next year's show. Except for the few who can get to Staten Island, not too many folks around here have had the chance to play your guitars (I being one of the lucky ones!)

Regards,
Robert

Kent Chasson · #5 10-19-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Pattis

Beautiful work, Kent...and love that cutaway design...both for aesthetics and the resulting ergonomics!

So many too-big guitars (for me), and so much tendonitis!
....

How about I combine Bruce's cutaway with the 24" scale on this Parlor?

Funny thing happened this weekend. I had on open house as part of a local arts event. A 10 year old girl played the Parlor and I realized that it's a great guitar for serious kids because it works for small hands but you don't grow out of it.

Zeke, yes, I'm looking forward to seeing them under finish!

Robert, it seems like a great show. Maybe one of these years. I will be in NYC in Feb though. Will be in touch.

japple · #6 10-19-2012, 06:32 PM

I was just pondering the idea of a cocobola concert body guitar of yours Kent. These are really beautiful. the aesthetics are wonderful.

Bruce Sexauer · #7 10-19-2012, 06:49 PM

I guess it's time for me to get more familiar with your work! That bee's wing looks surreal.

Larry Pattis · #8 10-19-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kent Chasson

How about I combine Bruce's cutaway with the 24" scale on this Parlor?

<<snip>>

I'm guessing that a retro-fit application for a cutaway on this guitar is out of the question...

haolebrownie · #9 10-19-2012, 07:10 PM

Both guitars look awesome. I'm really liking that Cocobolo (not that there is a thing wrong with the Ziricote

). I always preferred a Venetian cutaway, but the hybrid is making me reconsider.

Ken Franklin · #10 10-20-2012, 12:45 AM

Beautiful work as usual, Kent. Those woods got guitars they deserve.

Trevor M · #11 10-21-2012, 04:40 AM

I can't wait to see the continued sapwood, beautiful cocobolo. Will the ziricote auditorium you have in line for me have similar ziricote! That's gorgeous.

Kent Chasson · #12 10-21-2012, 08:52 AM

Thanks for all the kind words. Trevor, hopefully you will have a few options. I have an extra back from that same board but no more sides. There is more from that same batch around so I'm working on finding sides to match. Otherwise, I have a gorgeous set I just bought from Brad Goodman. I'm also pursuing a lead on an old stash of boards. Will let you know.

Billy Boy · #13 10-21-2012, 11:59 AM

Beautiful sisters, for sure!

Joel Stehr · #14 10-21-2012, 08:26 PM

I think I just drooled in my beard. That ziricote is amazing, and I really love the Florentine shape. Great work, as always!

Joel

Kent Chasson · #15 10-24-2012, 10:32 PM

Thanks Joel and BillyBoy.

I was drooling too but more out of cross-eyed concentration in getting the 3-way miters to work out. Last one of these I did, I was putting the finishing touches on the very last corner and the guitar slipped out of the body vise, fell two inches to the safety strap below.... and the safety strap popped off! It was one of those slow-motion moments as it fell the next 2 feet to the concrete and landed on that same corner. I had to apologize to the neighbors for the outburst. Apparently the corner was the perfect place for it to hit because the damage was limited to one piece of binding that was fairly easy to replace. The safety strap is more secure now but I hope it never gets tested again.