Build Thread: Jason Kostal Modified Dread AND OM

[ericcsong]

Originally Posted by jonnymosco

Hi Eric

Wenge for me. Stefan Sobell started using it last year and extolled its virtues on his website - so if it's good enough for him... Jason was also keen to use it, not for necks though due to its 'ripping' nature.

At the moment discussing with Jason about having a wedge. Probably a good idea, don't you think?

Jonny

wedge is an awesome option to have. I absolutely love mine! so comfortable and you don't even know its there!

so wedge and wenge. reading that can be confusing! great choice in woods!

[jonnymosco]

I forgot to mention Trevor that it was also the fact that your Somogyi had wenge b/s that led me to that decision - shame I never played it.

Jonny

[jonnymosco]

Great Eric, thanks. I played Michael's with a wedge and found it to be very comfortable - I wouldn't want the size of the beast to discourage me playing it.
I know Steve's not opted for one, but he is having a cutaway.

Jonny

[Trevor M]

Hi Jonny,

It will let you (and everyone else) know when the next one arrives.

[steveh]

Originally Posted by jonnymosco

I know Steve's not opted for one, but he is having a cutaway.

True - Jason's base price is very reasonable for the quality on offer but add this, add that, add the stained-glass rosette, add some "fancy" back and sides (I asked Jason if anyone ever simply orders mahogany or indian rosewood these days?) etc and soon its waaaay more. Sure, I'd like a wedge but I just can't afford it - it brings the cost over my "line in the sand". I had a budget for the guitar and had to work within this. I spent on upgrading the BS to ABW which, for me, is a better option I think.

I was going to omit a cutaway on the MD as well, simply because of cost, but it seems to me that 99% of MDs have a cutaway. On reflection, I thought leaving out the cutaway would be rather like buying a yellow Ferrari; people expect them to be red!

Wenge is intriguing. The only wenge guitar I've played was the Somogyi at TAMCO and it was astonishing. I've thought long and hard about having one of these guitars in wenge but, for whatever reason, didn't go for it. I'm probably a tocuh too conservative. I did ask a very well known UK luthier a couple of weeks ago about whether he'd make a wenge OM and he basically said "no" - pores the size of tennis balls and splinters +++ was the reason. Pity. The sound of that Somogyi still haunts me.

Cheers,
Steve

[steveh]

UPDATE: My ETA is Early June apparently.

And the sides have an ebony laminate on the interior.

And here they are...







Cheers,
Steve

[Billy Boy]

Your guitar is coming along beautifully, Steve...congratulations!

[nobo]

Hi Steve,

Looking fantastic!

Yes - I'm in London. If there's any chance of getting my mits on it at some point before I finally decide on b/s woods (probably walnut, or possibly wenge ... or koa/EIR/cocobolo) and voicing preferences, that'd be fantastic. I've got quite a while to go though - current ETA late 2013/early 2014, I think!

Will drop you a PM re Michael J.

I've only seen photos of a few Kostals - a koa OM, MW's "the Tree" and a few rosewood models (Braz and MadRose). That said, Jason has a stunning wood stash (including some EIR I've not seen the likes of before) and I would imagine can work wonders with any of it. Wenge seems to be a great option if you're after something in the Braz direction soncially on a budget (or for CITES reasons, etc), though it's visually quite understated. I've come across a fair few luthiers (including in the UK) who are big fans ... soncially, at least (less so in terms of working it).

Cheers,

Dan

[ericcsong]

why are your sides so pretty? I know that sounds funny. but I just love African Blackwood!

[Michael Watts]

Those that have had a peek at Jason's wood stash will agree that anything found within is very high quality indeed...

And it may soon be time for me to have another rummage in it too...

saw some slab-sawn ziricote that took my fancy...

[ericcsong]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

And it may soon be time for me to have another rummage in it too...

if you do it, I'll do it

please don't quote me!

[steveh]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

saw some slab-sawn ziricote that took my fancy...

Wouldn't happen to be this would it?!



I have to say, I've ignored ziricote until I recently played a Ralph Bown OM made from the stuff - I won't be ignoring it again! Superb guitar with great clarity and response.

Cheers,
Steve

[steveh]

Originally Posted by nobo

Yes - I'm in London. If there's any chance of getting my mits on it at some point before I finally decide on b/s woods (probably walnut, or possibly wenge ... or koa/EIR/cocobolo) and voicing preferences, that'd be fantastic. I've got quite a while to go though - current ETA late 2013/early 2014, I think!

Thanks Dan - of course, no problem. By that time I should also have my OM from Jason - the idea is to have it follow on about 6 months after the MD, so you can try both. Gives me time to refine my ideas based on what I hear from the MD...and to save the cash!

Anyhows, the top is now progressing. European spruce:



Cheers,
Steve

[Trevor M]

Ziricote is one of my favourites. One of the most memorable guitars I've had was a Petros in cedar and ziricote, not an obvious combination but it was fantastic. It was bought by Terry Lees. Terry has swapped a few guitars since but not that one.

[Welshboy]

Originally Posted by Trevor Moyle

Ziricote is one of my favourites. One of the most memorable guitars I've had was a Petros in cedar and ziricote, not an obvious combination but it was fantastic. It was bought by Terry Lees. Terry has swapped a few guitars since but not that one.

I remember that guitar well - the first cedar-topped guitar I ever played and loved. If Terry ever decides to part with it.......