Leo Buendia OM Mahogany 2018 build

zackl · #1 09-10-2018, 06:02 AM

This spring Leo contacted me, ready to start with my OM. It was trouble, I did not yet have a set for back and sides wich I was ready to go with. I paused, and Leo was kind to build the next in line before mine. I then found this set for B&S, and we had a go in spring of 2018.

Marcus helped me to set up pic below, THX!

zackl · #2 09-10-2018, 07:00 AM

Thank you Marcus. Easy as pie with your help!

Marcus Wong · #3 09-10-2018, 07:03 AM

That's no ordinary Mahogany... that's "The Tree" Quilted Mahogany and a nicely figured set at that! Wow, congratulations!! Leo's list is over 6 years long right now and just raised his base price. You are one lucky man to have yours happening right now

tadol · #4 09-10-2018, 02:00 PM

That doesn't look like the quilted - looks alot like the tortoiseshell figure, which is very nice - Looking forward to seeing this come together!

Erithon · #5 09-10-2018, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zackl

I then found this set for B&S, and we had a go in spring of 2018.

Where in the world did you just "find" a set of The Tree, and a particularly fine set at that? Can you find me one as well?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadol

That doesn't look like the quilted - looks alot like the tortoiseshell figure, which is very nice - Looking forward to seeing this come together!

All sets from The Tree are quilted: that's its basic figure. The intensity of the quilt (and the incredible chatoyancy it conveys) is what makes The Tree so visually striking. Sometimes that fundamental figure is further enhanced--not replaced--by the tortiseshell veins.

tadol · #6 09-10-2018, 05:31 PM

While that is true, you'll find that when the wood was originally sold, and as many luthiers will tell you, there are a few distinct patterns that are found in material from the tree - Quilted (which indeed all of it can be called), sausage, and tortoiseshell - there were even sections that could be called flamed - the tortoiseshell is one of the most distinct styles, and I see alot of it in that set - its very nice -

Erithon · #7 09-10-2018, 05:47 PM

Yep, that's what I'm saying: those are different variations of what we term quilting. One of my guitars has the so-called sausage quilt figure. Marcus has a gorgeous Michaud with the tortoiseshell figure.
I've never seen a Tree set I'd consider flamed, but if you know of one I'd love to see it.

tadol · #8 09-10-2018, 05:55 PM

Unless it also has sections of the more unique figures it looks like any other flamed mahogany -

Almost 40 years back I had a board of it about 17” wide, and 21 ft long that had samples of all the figures - shoulda kept it. Back then it was all getting turned into fancy conference tables -

zackl · #9 09-11-2018, 06:08 AM

Thanks for nice comments on B&S. I guess the word "find" in above post does not exactly reflect the amount of time, thought and efforts put into my choice, and really, I did not look that far.. Leo was of great help. It was just a bit of a decision.

Next to decide was the top. I knew I would like a top that would hold up for a variety of playing, and fit well together with the Hogg. I had a Cedar guitar, and even though very nice fingerpicked, my thick right hand did not fit the Cedar very well, it kind of imploded on me when digging in. When discussing it with Leo, he suggested Adirondack. He had a quite recent build with the same combination of woods, and he had some really nice sets of Adirondack available.

Diamondave · #10 09-11-2018, 07:33 PM

Leo is a favorite builder of mine, I love his guitars...!!! Exciting, smart choice! gorgeous wood...

justonwo · #11 09-11-2018, 08:59 PM

Jeez. You can't go wrong with that choice. Yowza! Please don't be shy about pics. Although it may seem at times like we hate pics, we don't.

Marcus Wong · #12 09-12-2018, 08:39 AM

Looking forward to following this build thread!

Michael Watts · #13 09-12-2018, 09:15 AM

This is going to be fun to watch! Congratulations!

zackl · #14 09-12-2018, 10:29 AM

Thank you for the kind words. Next was the rosette. After trying to learn photoshop overnight, and giving up in bribing my wife to do the photoshopping for me, Leo gave the magic question I needed: whats the first rosette that comes to your mind ? Well, the first rosette that popped in my head was this classic...

I chose black, the rest was a breeze, it was to become a guitar with a clean look.

swiftz07 · #15 09-12-2018, 06:23 PM

Oh my, that is an exquisite rosette!