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"Volcano" Baranik Meridian Concert
First off - this is an already built guitar, not a build thread. Most of the pictures have already been posted by justonwo in his build thread and Healdsburg report. But, as the new owner, and soon to be guitar-in-hand owner (!!) I decided to start a review thread with a few extra pictures. I'll add to it over the next few weeks, with hopefully some helpful reviews and A/B contrasts with the Baranik CX Brazilian/German Spruce I have now.
Many of you already know this guitar, and I've mentioned on other threads that I was the lucky one to "make the final bid". This is the first production Meridian Concert. It was shown and played at Montreal and Healdsburg this year. Mike's comments to me: Quote:
Now, to this guitar specifically. The back and sides are cocobolo negro - almost jet black cocobolo. The top is Colorado Blue Spruce - rare in that billets of a size and quality for guitar tops are simply not logged these days. The top is creamy and almost white, like englemann, but (my imagination?) almost with a hint of glacier-blue. Bindings are spalted maple, and the rosette, heel cap, volute, headstock overlay, and end wedge feature a particularly spectacular example of flamey cocobolo. That "hot" red coloring and flame led Mike to call this the "lava" guitar, and if you look at the heel cap you'll see what he means! Fretboard and bridge are ebony, bone saddle and nut (I believe) and the fretting has Mike's perfect intonation all the way up (not a surprise, but a treat nonetheless!). Purflings are African Satinwood - slightly more yellow than maple or koa. I am having a Highlander IP-1 (special) pickup installed by Mike. He has Ron Saul (uke maker, former Ernie Ball engineer) mill the slot for the Highlander, and that's the picture below. If anyone is interested in a top-grade handbuilt uke, you really need to talk to Ron, and/or visit his shop in San Luis Obispo. Amazing woods. He's designed a "plucker" (my term) that strums the uke 1MM times before it goes out... talk about playing it in and opening it up! Here's a link to a video article on Ron that is quite enjoyable, by the way: Ron Saul The other mod Mike is making for me is just for fun. You will know, if you've read the "Wanderer" build thread, that sailing ships and boats have had a big influence on me at various times in my life - whether my real experiences or vicariously through books (Graham's "Dove", Hayden's "Wanderer", Shackleton's voyage, etc.). My most recent real sailing had been crewing on a J30, both racing and cruising, that belonged to a good friend. His boat's name was "Volcano". The clear connection with the "lava" guitar led me to name this guitar "Volcano". What Mike did was have a laser-wood-engraving made of a picture of (the real) Volcano (with my daughter sitting on the windward rail) and that will be placed in the guitar as a neck block plate. You can see both the original picture and the laser plate below. Now to the pictures! Rather than re-post them all, here are the ones Mike had taken professionally: http://baranikguitars.com/0709.htm# I will post this one of the heel cap which shows the "lava" color and grained cocobolo: Here's Volcano set up for the milling of the slot for the Highlander pickup: And here's Ron Saul making some adjustments: The original photo of Volcano: And the laser-engraved wood plate for the neck block: Last edited by riorider; 01-01-2010 at 01:35 PM. Reason: slight wording |
#2
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Quite a stunning looking guitar! Very nice. Thanks for sharing the story and the pics with us...
Taylorplayer
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Will |
#3
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Beautiful details!
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2009 Cornerstone SJ: MdRw/Adirondack Spruce 2000 Taylor 510 w/2005 ES retrofit: Mahogany/Engelmann Spruce 2013 Gretsch G5420T: All stock 1991 Fender American Std. Stratocaster: Keystone single coils and updated controls/wiring |
#4
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I still get the same reaction now as when I first saw/read about this guitar...simply breathtaking. You are one of the lucky ones..yes indeed!
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Andrew White Production: Cybelle 112 Rosewood/Sitka Andrew White Production: Cybele 312C Crossover Rosewood/Red Cedar Clark: A-Wedge Koa/Snkr Rdwd 12-str Clark: A-Wedge Monkeypod/Snkr Rdwd Cornerstone: Zion All Koa Cornerstone: Tenor Ukulele Prototype #2 All Koa Fay: OM Mac Eb/Englemann Stehr: Aud. Braz/Snkr Rdwd 8-str Plaid Coyote's gone home to play |
#5
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Phil, I can't decide whether to DIScourage this kind of thing or to ENcourage it. I mean if I discourage it, then I don't have to look at all the awesome pics of guitars that I'll never own. However, if I encourage it, then we're close enough that I'll at least get to play a bunch of really cool guitars. Man, what do I do?! LOL!!
Dude, you have great taste in gutars. |
#6
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Quote:
And we need to have a get together soon - we need to share some stories and songs and play a few tunes! Phil |
#7
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And thanks Hen, tpp, and taylorplayer. If I couldn't share this with fellow "appreciators" it would be significantly less fun!
Phil |
#8
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Absolutely stunning...awesomely kewl...perfect...congratulations!
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Price is what you pay. Value is what you get. Warren Buffett |
#9
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For my ears and hands, this is the best guitar that I've ever experienced.
I hope that mine turns out as well! Jenn |
#10
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Really sweet, Phil !
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Steve _______________________ Cornerstone Genesis - Curly Macassar Ebony / Sinker Redwood Klein M43 - EIR/Spruce Tony Vines Baritone - Walnut/Adi Joel Stehr 8 String - Figured Myrtle / German Spruce Kammerer 8-NNG - Maple Chrisman guitar 1934 2-Russian made classical - Rosewood/Spruce Mervyn Davis Smoothtalker - Cedar/Kiaat Kinnaird Student Build SJ Sitka Spruce / Black Wanunt |
#11
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Meridian
Hi Phil,
Congratulations on aquiring that beauty,is it a double top? Regards Tony |
#12
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I had a cheeky squezze of that guitar in Montreal last summer. Very lovely indeed, like all Mike's work!
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#13
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Thanks BillyBoy, Jenn, Steve, Tony, and Michael!
No Tony, it's not a double top, but is one of the last of the Colorado Blue Spruce tops that Mike had. I think your Black and Blue has one as well - correct? Justonwo has spoken for the last set. It would be nice to find another source - the trees aren't particularly rare, they're just not being logged currently I understand. I am gratified that many of you were able to play this guitar - for me that adds to the provenance and value, and is yet one more thing we can "share"! Thanks again! Phil |
#14
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Meridian
Hi Phil,
Where did i get the double top thing from? Having played a few Classical guitars with them i was not that impressed apart from a bit more volume,i am really pleased for you it looks super and of course you have the other to look forward to,i will keep looking with great interest. Best Regards Tony |
#15
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Quote:
I believe you have one coming,what are the specs on it? Best Regards Tony |