Cornerstone Baritone? Watch the build!

[Cornerstone Guitars]

I was voicing a double top a while ago and it was so stiff that got me thinking...maybe a bit more string tension would drive that soundboard real well. Higher tension I thought? It was like a light bulb went on in my head!
That's it, a Baritone!
I have thought about it several times and did all kinds of research and finally decided to do it!

So, the consensus from some of the builders I talked to was to use a larger body and since I already have one I am ready to go.

This Baritone will be based on my most popular model, the Zion.

A few things to note, personally I think the larger scale will greatly improve the bass response while keeping some tension on the strings but the treble strings don't need as much tension. So I decided to go with a multi-scale setup.
You all know I am a redwood lover so redwood it is! But which redwood? The bass response on the Carter TB logs is something to brag about and as the name implies (Tono Basso) I thought it was just screaming to be used on a Baritone.

Here's the specs:

Zion Fingerstyle body
Ryan Style Armrest Bevel
Special Bees Wing Makore Back and Sides
Carter TB and Lutz Hollow Core Double Top
Multi Scale Fretboard (27.75" to 26.9")
plus some cool accents....

For the first time I will document the whole process here.

Backs trued and ready for joining



A good joint will give you a nice squeeze out throughout the seam.


Center seam after cleanup.



and here is the back and sides ready to go!

[riorider]

Beautiful, Peter! Thanks for sharing this. I'll look forward to seeing it progress.

rr/Phil

[hnuuhiwa]

Oh Boy! Peter, this Bari build is going to be fun to watch ....Can't wait for the next set of pics

[tpp]

I'm looking forward to riding along! Great idea for a new build.

[Ryan Alexander]

A fanfret baritone?! I'm so happy yet sad at the same time since I likely won't get a chance to play this

Good on ya for tackling both of these challenges in one guitar. And you're using that lovely set of Makore that I considered for my Zion. Simply awesome, Peter

[lightmage81]

WOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That wood is stunning!

Anychance this guitar can make a roadtrip to Singapore, I hear that Singapore probably has the highest concentration of Conerstones anywhere in the world!

[SlopeD]

Woowee woowee

Nice wood.

[missouri.picker]

what is the purpose of the notch at the lower bout seam?

[Cornerstone Guitars]

Originally Posted by missouri.picker

what is the purpose of the notch at the lower bout seam?

The center seam is pretty hard to see so I cut a little notch at both ends so I can locate the center.

[Acoustom]

Sweet, Sweet, Sweet Peter!! I love the wood. That's going to look killer. I didn't know you like to build with Redwood in particular. We must talk after I play the road show guitar.

[tpp]

Tell us more about the back and sides wood. What's bees wing makore like?

[Cornerstone Guitars]

Originally Posted by tpp

Tell us more about the back and sides wood. What's bees wing makore like?

Tom,
it feels, sounds and machines like mahogany. I like it a lot.

[Cornerstone Guitars]

Originally Posted by Ryan Alexander

A fanfret baritone?! I'm so happy yet sad at the same time since I likely won't get a chance to play this

Good on ya for tackling both of these challenges in one guitar. And you're using that lovely set of Makore that I considered for my Zion. Simply awesome, Peter

Sorry I wasn't ready when you ordered yours... I am a research freak and needed more time.
I'm ready now!

[Cornerstone Guitars]

Here's the Carter TB Redwood soundboard ready to get joined.



Stay tuned...

[nobo]

Ooooh - I'm excited about this one. I'm speccing out a custom baritone at the moment. This is pretty much exactly what I'm after - the only thing I'd add is a soundport!

What sort of tunings and string gauges are you planning to use with it?

All the best,

Dan