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  #1  
Old 06-27-2023, 06:21 PM
Nemoman Nemoman is offline
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Default Build thread--Koa Kinnaird FS by Steve and Ryan--FINAL PICS & VIDEO ADDED--NGD!!!

The custom shop has been a little slow of late, so what better time than to start a new build thread!

In March 2022 I had the pleasure of doing a student build with Steve and Ryan of Kinnaird West in piney woods. During the week that I stayed there, Steve let me play around with several of their current guitars. I fell in love with the tone and feel of a Black Limba FS model that they had recently completed. Light, warm, and ultra responsive, that guitar won me over from the first strum. The boys were taking it up to Laconner, and I knew it wouldn't make the return trip.

I also made the mistake of looking through the woodstash there at the shop and became enamored with a gorgeous set of Koa that they sprung on me. I thought about that Koa and the FS I loved and plunked down my deposit for a custom build shortly thereafter. I wanted that FS to be the tonal benchmark for my build and Ryan assured me that they could deliver. No pressure, right guys?!

Aesthetically, I really want to keep it clean and simple and let the woods do the talking. I trust Steve and Ryan to produce a winner and feel comfortable in letting them lead the way. The Limba FS had an Italian spruce top, and Ryan felt like that was the way to go here as well.

So now we're at the starting line ready to go. Ryan sent me pics of a couple of tops to choose from and that decision has been made. The build won't officially begin for a couple of weeks, but the back has been joined here's some pics of the woods we'll be using.

More specs and pics to follow, but in the meantime, here's some photographic proof to get us rolling. Thanks for checking it out.

Attached Images
File Type: jpg KDF Koa sides.jpg (33.2 KB, 610 views)
File Type: jpg Guitar top-1.jpg (19.4 KB, 614 views)
File Type: jpg Koa back-joined.jpg (62.0 KB, 607 views)
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2023 Kinnaird FS (Italian/Koa)

Last edited by Nemoman; 01-12-2024 at 10:19 AM. Reason: photo added
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  #2  
Old 06-27-2023, 06:45 PM
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iim7V7IM7 iim7V7IM7 is offline
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Following along…
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings…
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Old 06-27-2023, 06:47 PM
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Guitars44me Guitars44me is offline
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Smile Oh BOY!

Count me in, too!

Cheers

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Old 06-27-2023, 06:56 PM
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That is going to be a beauty! Well done in the selection of woods!
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Old 06-27-2023, 09:07 PM
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mikealpine mikealpine is offline
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Happy for you, Kevin, will be exciting to watch! Will it be ready for BIG??
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Old 06-28-2023, 05:42 AM
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Beautiful set, wow. Looking forward to following this one along.
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Old 06-28-2023, 05:57 AM
Carpinteria Carpinteria is offline
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Everything about this build looks spectacular, Kevin! The woods are gorgeous, and I love what these woods do together, tonally. Looking forward to seeing more.
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Old 06-28-2023, 06:25 AM
Tim Porter Tim Porter is offline
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So cool, will follow with great interest. I have that combo of woods in an OM from Bruce Sexauer and it's a stellar mix!
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Old 06-28-2023, 10:17 AM
Nemoman Nemoman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikealpine View Post
Happy for you, Kevin, will be exciting to watch! Will it be ready for BIG??
Sadly, no, it won't be finished for BIG.

I had to delay the start time for a bit, so we missed that window of opportunity.

But it should be off to finish at that point I do believe!
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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)
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Old 06-28-2023, 11:11 AM
PTL PTL is offline
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Congratulations! And Wow on the Koa! Did you perchance also tap tone it to see how it tapped? At first read, I thought this is going to be another student build but I see that you are having them build it. Nice. Following.
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  #11  
Old 06-28-2023, 12:16 PM
Martz911 Martz911 is offline
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Gorgeously three-dimensional Koa! Will be watching.
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  #12  
Old 06-28-2023, 04:59 PM
doodahdoug doodahdoug is offline
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Looking forward to seeing this koa beauty come together Kevin!
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  #13  
Old 06-29-2023, 01:45 AM
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Congrats Kevin! Mighty pretty woods you have there. I'll be following.
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Old 06-29-2023, 02:16 AM
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Congrats, Kevin and thanks for starting this thread. My favourite build threads are usually koa!
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  #15  
Old 06-29-2023, 06:53 AM
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Great set of KOA! Will be following as well.....

Is this the Black Limba / Italian spruce top FS model you played? I bought this from the boys from Nacogdoches at the Artisan Guitar Show in 2022 - didn't make it to La Conner if this was the one? The notes just jump off of her.....






Funny about this guitar as I bought it late Sunday afternoon before the show ended.....All weekend the marketing geniuses from Nacogdoches mostly displayed the guitar with the back showing.....You could see it from across the room.....How smart was that??

I finally played it and went...........whoa!!

Congrats again on the new build!
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Last edited by blews; 06-29-2023 at 09:14 AM.
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