What actually goes into designing and building a new model?

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

Cedar? Oh my, now I am intrigued! I don’t recognize the wood for the back and sides though?

HI Neil,

Its common name is South East Asian RW from the vicinity of Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. The botanical identification is either Dalbergia bariensis or Dalbergia cochinchinensis, both of which are on the CITES endangered list now. It very briefly came to market some 15-20 years ago through Dynamic Hardwoods out of Canada which is now out of business. The wood is very hard and dense with very small grain pores so it finishes easily. The upside is that it bends easily and has a powerful and long sustaining tap tone. I doubt that you will ever see this wood come to market again, at least in our lifetimes.

According to the owner of Dynamic there was a mix up in orders because Martin got a shipment that was supposed to be mine. So the owner pulled 10 sets from his from his private stash to full my order. After I received the wood I was so impressed with the quality of the wood that I attempted to place a second order only to discover that they had abruptly closed their doors.

[Treenewt]

Tim,

That sounds like some amazing wood, but the story of how you came to have it sounds wild! Like 007 Spy novel stuff!

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

Why, Bertolli Tomato and Basil Sauce silly

Actually its a 1# cut of flake super blonde shellac.

Sounds yummy if you will pardon millennial speak. I think I would certainly prefer the tomato sauce to raw egg white.

[Tim McKnight]

I'll be skipping a lot of steps in the build for sake of repetition of our numerous other builds here on the AGF. The Abalone rosette is in which is trimmed with red "fish paper" and maple. The top and back are braced and voiced as well.

[Nemoman]

Beautiful, elegant rosette, Tim!

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by Treenewt

Tim,

That sounds like some amazing wood, but the story of how you came to have it sounds wild! Like 007 Spy novel stuff!

I had to laugh when I read your comment because it reminded me of a "deal" we made several years ago in Healdsburg. We were visiting LMI (a luthier supply house) and after we came out there was this guy standing in the parking lot by his car. He goes, PSSSSST, hey you interested in some tops? We walked over to his car and began chatting and before long we were rooting around in his trunk buying some great old Sitka tops, all the while looking over our shoulder...

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

Sounds yummy if you will pardon millennial speak. I think I would certainly prefer the tomato sauce to raw egg white.

Never tried the egg white thang but I'll have to agree that the Tomato / Basil smells a lot more appealing.

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Beautiful, elegant rosette, Tim!

Thanks Nemo. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one under finish ... soon. Wetting shell has a magical affect on revealing its true beauty and iridescence.

[Treenewt]

I knew it!!!! “The name’s McKnight...Tim McKnight.” That’s so great Tim!

[Tim McKnight]

Well moving on with the build. The body was just pore filled and should be ready for finish very soon...

[FLRon]

Oh my! What a gorgeous guitar Tim. It never ceases to amaze me how gifted some people are. What a blessing that you are using your gifts and talents to build such incredible instruments.

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by FLRon

Oh my! What a gorgeous guitar Tim. It never ceases to amaze me how gifted some people are. What a blessing that you are using your gifts and talents to build such incredible instruments.

Good morning Ron,
Thank you for your gracious words of encouragement.


In a few days this pile of "stuff" will be used in this build. Anyone have any guesses what this pile of "stuff" will eventually be used for? The winning guess just might win a prize...

[cigarfan]

My guess would be spraying finish.

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

My guess would be spraying finish.

Well ... not exactly but you are warm.

[j. Kinnaird]

4 bearings and two pulleys.
Are you making some kind of sander

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

4 bearings and two pulleys.
Are you making some kind of sander

No, but good guess and thanks for playing along.

[BEJ]

Some kind of neck carving machine?

Bruce,