Build thread: Claxton Malabar, European spruce / Maple

[cbjanne]

Hi guys, and thank you for asking about the project! Coincidentally, just last night I got a delightful message from Ed. The guitar is now strung up -- and Ed says it sounds great and he's very happy with it. Which, of course, makes me very happy. I'm so excited to see and play the guitar it's difficult to express.

The hard decision to make now is to figure out how to get the guitar across the Atlantic to Finland. From the beginning it has felt very important to travel to Santa Cruz to pick up the guitar when it's finished, so that I get to see Ed again and thank him in person. However, a global pandemic is a thing I did not plan for in advance. Almost all European residents, myself included, are now prohibited from entry to the US, and all returning travelers from the US back to Finland are quarantined for two weeks. Nobody knows when the situation will end, so the options are to wait and see, or to ship the guitar. The latter option would of course be the reasonable one. But I honestly think it would detract greatly from the experience.

Final pics are yet to arrive, but here’s a couple from a while back.

The ingredients of Ed's spirit varnish finish. I cannot name all of them, but there's different kinds of shellac and wood resins. They are dissolved in alcohol and applied on the wood.



Applying the finish with a rubbing pad. The wood gets a beautiful amber tone.



More to come soon, I think!

[colins]

Originally Posted by cbjanne

Hi guys, and thank you for asking about the project! Coincidentally, just last night I got a delightful message from Ed. The guitar is now strung up -- and Ed says it sounds great and he's very happy with it. Which, of course, makes me very happy. I'm so excited to see and play the guitar it's difficult to express.

The hard decision to make now is to figure out how to get the guitar across the Atlantic to Finland. From the beginning it has felt very important to travel to Santa Cruz to pick up the guitar when it's finished, so that I get to see Ed again and thank him in person. However, a global pandemic is a thing I did not plan for in advance. Almost all European residents, myself included, are now prohibited from entry to the US, and all returning travelers from the US back to Finland are quarantined for two weeks. Nobody knows when the situation will end, so the options are to wait and see, or to ship the guitar. The latter option would of course be the reasonable one. But I honestly think it would detract greatly from the experience.

As another AGFer outside America I feel for you. I was very lucky to pick up my Baranik in person late last year, and spend time with Mike and a few other Baranik players. It seems so long ago! If you do decide to have the Claxton shipped I hope you can still catch up with Ed in the future and have the chance to talk about the guitar with him after you have played it and had it open up. Good luck either way.

[cbjanne]

Colins, thank you for your message! It really resonated with my situation. Also, congratulations on your beautiful Baranik -- I've drooled over the photos many times!

[cbjanne]

This teaser photo just arrived.

[Spineycat]

That looks stunning

[steveh]

Originally Posted by cbjanne

That is really quite beautiful; the french polish imparts such a rich, warm tone.
Can't wait to see the entire guitar. It will be spellbinding.

I have FP on all my nylons and love it - and it smells great every time you open the case!
Some of my pals find it too fragile but they should take better care of their guitars!

Cheers,
Steve

[Richard Mott]

The headstock is beautiful beyond words. Wow.

[Cocobolo Kid]

Wow! Love the headstock and tuners. The Malabar model by Ed seems so well proportioned and elegant.

Congrats. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed guitar.

[cbjanne]

Thanks for the kind comments, again. Yesterday Ed sent me three photos of the completed guitar.

I'm happy.

[iim7V7IM7]

Beautiful guitar...Congratulations

[cbjanne]

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

Beautiful guitar...Congratulations

Thanks!

[Treenewt]

Congrats! I love the hue the FP brought out in the maple. Beautifully done!

[blindboyjimi]

Oh my! Wow what a beautiful guitar. I love maple guitars. Congrats. I hope you are able to figure out how to get to California some time.

[Nemoman]

That looks amazing--congrats!

[justonwo]

That's a fantastic looking guitar. Ed makes some of the best!