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New Custom Irvin SJ Cutaway Build
I am having an Irvin SJ Cutaway built. Why, Irvin? Funny you ask! I have a Larrivee L28 and have loved that guitar for its resonance and strong character.
But then I met the Irvin. Its neck is a great fit for my hand. The sound from the Irvin guitars has a wonderful resonance and distinct sustain. It fits me well as an acoustic player, playing mostly rhythm and some soloing. Wayne Johnson, the owner of Irvin, is a newer builder and the buzz is catching. I first heard his guitar a couple of years ago, in a serendipitous situation: a luthier showcasing his guitars (Irvin) at a shoe store. Ever since playing various SJ and Parlors, I keep coming back to its sweet, consistent sound and feel . For 2 years I have compared the Irvin to other guitars, and I keep coming back to where now I will have my own cutaway. This is going to be a special guitar! I have always loved the Larrivee sound: a cacophony of resonance and strong sustain. The Irvin has these qualities as well with its own distinct aspects. As importantly, I find my fingers easily moving up and down the neck. A couple of weeks ago, I went over to the Irvin shop in Bremerton, WA, to tap on the tone woods and the back/side pieces, to make choices on which pieces to use. The top woods, collected by Jean Larrivee, were, as I expected from the revered luthier of high standard luthier,, rich sounding Moonwood Spruce pieces from Austria. The two pieces had subtle differences in their tone as I tapped them. Finally, I chose the one I wanted. Big decision made! The back and side Indian Rosewood pieces were easier for me to choose. Specs include: Small jumbo - 14-fret East Indian rosewood back and sides Austrian moonspruce top ebony bindings, headplate, fingerboard and bridge 5-piece laminated neck - mahogany, maple, walnut, maple, mahogany East Indian rosewood rosette ring Gotoh 510 tuners string spacing - 1 3/4 at the nut - 2 1/4 at the saddle Wayne is now building my guitar along with another order. The first photo is of the rosette on the Moonwood top. I will add photos as I can.
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-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#2
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The Austrian moonspruce is probably from Josef Bergmann; I had a guitar with this top and it's really something special.
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#3
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Cool!!!! Tapping it and the second piece was an interesting experience. I could hear its resonance and some tone already.
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-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#4
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Congrats on the build. Wayne is a great guy and build a fine guitar. The Irvin guitars that I have played all had a great feel and tone!
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Eric Omega Braz MJ, 2011 Omega MJ Braz Baritone Ryan Cathedral ABW/Bosnian Build thread: 2011 Kostal Mod D Brazilian/German Build thread: 2019 Kostal MDW Brazilian/German Build thread:2019 Bigfoot Mod D |
#5
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Here are a few more photos.
These are of the back. These photos were taken about ten days ago.
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-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#6
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Eric, I totally agree with you, what a feel and tone. It's quite remarkable to my ears.
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-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#7
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Here is the next update on my Irvin SJ-Cutaway build.
This photo is the top with tone bars being glued This photo is the top bracing all shaped and completed
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-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#8
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New photos as the build continues!!! We're getting closer
Tapering the sides Kerfing is installed ready to close the box. You can see the Moonwood Spruce top in the upper left and the Rosewood back at the upper right.
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-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#9
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The moonwood spruce was pretty awesome to tap (I helped choose the specific piece).
I am 99.9% sure I will be using moonwood on my future Irvin custom. I look forward to being the second person to play this guitar
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-Gordon 1978 Larrivee L-26 cutaway 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway 2006 Larrivee L03-R 2009 Larrivee LV03-R 2016 Irvin SJ cutaway 2020 Irvin SJ cutaway (build thread) K+K, Dazzo, Schatten/ToneDexter Notable Journey website Facebook page Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art. - Leonardo Da Vinci |
#10
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It's getting closer. I can hear a few tones from where I am, ringing out to me.
Here are a few more photos for you to view its progress: The top closed up The back closed up A view at the heel A view at the cutaway
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-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#11
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Okay, it has been awhile. Let me explain. I went out in February after the onslaught of snow we had and the guitar box was all closed up. It was very exciting to see it, tap on the box and look at the neck.
Wayne Johnson holding the top of the guitar. Tapping the guitar top sounded so nice even at this stage. Here is the front side of the guitar-Indian Rosewood. Cool design The ebony neck which then went to Larry Robinson for the inlay The top of the neck with pearlized buttons After this came the inlay work, which took much longer than I anticipated. I will show that in my next posting. This is so exciting, on so many levels: Thank you for your continued interest.
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-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby Last edited by Bhaj; 04-28-2019 at 09:00 PM. |
#12
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I wanted simple inlay to compliment this elegant guitar. My vision was to have a symbolic representation of the source of sound above, connecting with the source of sound coming from the earth.
My first thought did not work as it combined symbolic with representational elements which did not integrate the vision I had. Finally, and after much consternation, my brother's initial treble clef/labyrinth/spiral idea became the representation of the higher source of sound, while the bass/nautilus shape represented the lower source of sound, connected by a silver thread. Larry Robinson of Robinson Inlays graciously took on the project and rendered an inlay deserving to be on Wayne Johnson's Irvin SJ cutaway guitar. Now we are moving closer to the finish!!!! The neck is affixed to the body. The polish and curing are next while I gleefully wait for the opportunity to see, play and begin my journey with this magnificent representation of sound. The neck, after Larry Robinson completed his work [IMG] [/IMG] The neck and box joined [IMG][/IMG]
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-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#13
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My guitar is here. I picked it up last week at the La Conner Luthier Festival and by the time I got it home it was late. I thought I would just play it for 5 minutes, and indeed, 2 hours later I forced myself to put it down so I could get some sleep.
Good golly Miss Molly!!!!!!! i know it is a guitar, but it sounds like a grand piano. It is so well toned, the overtones are sublime, the sustain is so clear, the resonance is strong. What a tone!!!!! This is one nice guitar. It is easy to play as my fingers fit so comfortably on the neck. I have enjoyed posting and hope it has been of use to you. The new Irvin SJ Cutaway: The new Irvin SJ Cutaway on its side: Notably Bhaj
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-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#14
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Congratulations! What a beauty. I love the fret board inlay - very elegant. Enjoy.
Best, Jayne |
#15
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Beautiful guitar! My favorite body size. Enjoy!
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Alvarez AP-70 Squire Contemporary Jaguar Kustom Amp (acoustic) Gamma G-25 Amp (electric) |