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  #61  
Old 07-16-2019, 06:39 PM
chippygreen chippygreen is offline
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Default Locking Down Inlays

Thanks everyone who weighed in on the backstrip/no backstrip debate. Here is where we ended up.

We settled on the rosette with the concentric koa and walnut rings that evoke sliding Shoji screens, with maple accents, all outlined in black. Based on that I drew some sketches of a back inlay and end graft that reflect the same theme.

For those who are familiar, these bear a passing familiarity to Michael's more organic art nouveau/belle epoque treatments, but with a simpler, more squared and geometric look. The geometric aesthetic also keys off Michael's new "squared off" bridge design (though we will need to work together on something that works for a fan fret).

Rosette-End Graft-Back Inlay Designs.jpg

The designs do not indicate the colors, but generally speaking, the thin strips are either koa or walnut, and the larger strips are ebony or maple. Conveniently, Michael made these CAD drawings to scale so that I can cut them out and visualize them on my other Bashkin guitars.

Michael also showed me the koa, walnut and maple he has picked out and laid them on the Swiss Moon Spruce top so I can visualize the color harmony.

I expressed some concern about whether the maple will "show up" on the spruce top (not an issue when set against the finished rosewood back and sides) but Michael thinks with the black outlining they will do just fine and overall the look is consistent with the "lighter" visual projected by Jimmi's headstock work.

Rosette Woods.jpg
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Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog
Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread)
Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa
Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb
Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19)
Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67)
Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR
Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build
Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW
K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR
KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa
Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71)
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  #62  
Old 07-16-2019, 07:09 PM
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Guitars44me Guitars44me is offline
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Smile My Goodness...

This is going to be a visual feast!

Have fun and enjoy it all...

Paul
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  #63  
Old 07-16-2019, 07:29 PM
chippygreen chippygreen is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guitars44me View Post
This is going to be a visual feast!



Have fun and enjoy it all...



Paul


Thanks Paul! This guitar is going to cost a pretty penny more than the used Bashkins I have but the design process is a lifelong memory and one I am really enjoying.
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Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog
Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread)
Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa
Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb
Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19)
Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67)
Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR
Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build
Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW
K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR
KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa
Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71)
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  #64  
Old 07-20-2019, 09:11 AM
chippygreen chippygreen is offline
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Default More Pics

Working on the back...



sanded to thickness...





cut to size...



sanded...



and joined



__________________

Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog
Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread)
Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa
Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb
Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19)
Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67)
Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR
Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build
Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW
K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR
KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa
Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71)

Last edited by chippygreen; 10-07-2019 at 07:44 PM.
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  #65  
Old 07-22-2019, 10:46 PM
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nootis nootis is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chippygreen View Post

Sides

Panama Rosewood sides cut and ready to be set, waiting their turn alongside an eye-popping Ziricote set destined for another lucky owner.


I haven't checked on this thread in a while, but that lucky owner is me!

I am up to date on the photos though. I'm drooling right along with everyone else over your Panama Rosewood and the overall theme of your build.

We are a couple of lucky dudes!!
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  #66  
Old 07-22-2019, 10:55 PM
chippygreen chippygreen is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nootis View Post
I haven't checked on this thread in a while, but that lucky owner is me!

I am up to date on the photos though. I'm drooling right along with everyone else over your Panama Rosewood and the overall theme of your build.

We are a couple of lucky dudes!!
Great to make your acquaintance! Michael's just awesome to work with and the moment I laid eyes on that Ziricote I knew my OM was going to have an awesome buddy through this build experience.
__________________

Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog
Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread)
Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa
Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb
Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19)
Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67)
Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR
Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build
Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW
K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR
KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa
Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71)
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  #67  
Old 07-29-2019, 08:18 PM
chippygreen chippygreen is offline
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More updates...

Back is braced...



and has been fitted to the sides...



Swiss Moon Spruce top being prepared

[IMGhttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9zVOR6aUSKUDX2RCXmKqhw8oDzl-6kGwuhSHINuSgqqTFnOdY_IdHsxYL9COneE0U5rxZ6S4_p1MpL-dd9BpdgCMvCxt8DFvMgH4avoQl3Jf-f74Rr96NH63h4dtR9XxzSL9Ipge-g=w596-h1256-no[/IMG]

...rosette inlay woods picked out...



...rosette being routed...



....inlays being set...



...and the finished product




...overall, really happy with how this is turning out!

A preview of how the finish will bring out the flaming in the koa...



...next: bracing the top!
__________________

Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog
Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread)
Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa
Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb
Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19)
Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67)
Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR
Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build
Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW
K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR
KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa
Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71)

Last edited by chippygreen; 10-11-2019 at 02:03 PM.
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  #68  
Old 07-30-2019, 02:10 PM
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iim7V7IM7 iim7V7IM7 is offline
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I think that you’re really going to be happy with that back set, especially after seeing it under finish...
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  #69  
Old 07-30-2019, 07:06 PM
chippygreen chippygreen is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7 View Post
I think that you’re really going to be happy with that back set, especially after seeing it under finish...
Bob, that's no small compliment (to Michael), having seen the wood on some of your builds!
__________________

Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog
Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread)
Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa
Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb
Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19)
Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67)
Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR
Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build
Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW
K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR
KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa
Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71)
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  #70  
Old 08-10-2019, 03:44 PM
chippygreen chippygreen is offline
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Default Getting closer

A few more pics...

Bracing the top



The End Graft design isn't compatible with an end pin, so a block is being installed on the lower bout to support a pickup jack if I opt to install one.



Preparing the Florentine Cutaway



One of the themes I wanted to explore in this build was the tension between balance and asymmetry. From the natural lack of symmetry in the wood figuring, the non-symmetric headstock, fan fret, design of the rosette, end graft and back inlay (which is now being moved to the back of the headstock), and of course, the cutaway, there is very little true visual symmetry in the instrument as designed.

Yet at the same time, I wanted it to be well-balanced in terms of weight and feel, ornamental restraint, palette, and of course sound. Michael produces instruments with excellent intonation and tonal balance, both attributes further enhanced by his fan fret design.

And ready for the maker's mark



__________________

Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog
Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread)
Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa
Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb
Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19)
Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67)
Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR
Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build
Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW
K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR
KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa
Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71)

Last edited by chippygreen; 10-11-2019 at 02:11 PM.
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  #71  
Old 08-10-2019, 05:41 PM
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such a beautiful thing; tasteful and elegant ... after seeing a number of builds and hearing the resulting choir(s) of angels, I've pretty much decided that the day I have the wherewithal to commission a build of my own, Mr. Bashkin will be my first choice ...

thank you for sharing!

...
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  #72  
Old 08-16-2019, 07:52 PM
chippygreen chippygreen is offline
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Default Neck and neck

Bound head plates:
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Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog
Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread)
Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa
Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb
Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19)
Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67)
Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR
Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build
Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW
K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR
KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa
Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71)

Last edited by chippygreen; 10-11-2019 at 02:13 PM.
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  #73  
Old 08-16-2019, 10:00 PM
gitarro gitarro is offline
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These photos of the top bracing and back are interesting. Back when I had a bashkin more than 10 years ago, i believe the top bracing below the x brace was fan bracing but your top bracing there is the traditional arrangement. Has michael change the top bracing for all his guirars or is this an optional bracing depending on certain voicings desired by the customer?

I always thought the back bracing had the x brace extending from top to bottom of the back but the x brace on your back is only in the centre portion with ladder bracing. Is that also another recent change?

Quote:
Originally Posted by chippygreen View Post
A few more pics...

Bracing the top






The End Graft design isn't compatible with an end pin, so a block is being installed on the lower bout to support a pickup jack if I opt to install one.



Preparing the Florentine Cutaway



One of the themes I wanted to explore in this build was the tension between balance and asymmetry. From the natural lack of symmetry in the wood figuring, the non-symmetric headstock, fan fret, design of the rosette, end graft and back inlay (which is now being moved to the back of the headstock), and of course, the cutaway, there is very little true visual symmetry in the instrument as designed.

Yet at the same time, I wanted it to be well-balanced in terms of weight and feel, ornamental restraint, palette, and of course sound. Michael produces instruments with excellent intonation and tonal balance, both attributes further enhanced by his fan fret design.

And ready for the maker's mark





And now fully enclosed

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In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference...

Last edited by gitarro; 08-16-2019 at 10:11 PM.
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  #74  
Old 08-17-2019, 12:45 AM
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iim7V7IM7 iim7V7IM7 is offline
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Barry, Michael shifted away from his fan fret approach of top bracing (as well as a more heavily dished, thinner top) to a more evolved traditional bracing approach about 4 of 5 years ago. I noted this top change between guitars that I played at Woodstock Invitational in 2013 and those later that I played in 2016 at the Artisan Guitar Show. I personally much prefer his current guitars (my 2018 Bashkin 00-12 is shown below as a reference). The back bracing concept to control the back plate has changed more subtly. He has always to the best of my knowledge combined ladder braces with the rear x-brace. What I see that is new in Justin’s guitar here is the addition of the two black reinforcement strips (ala Ervin).



Remember, Michael is also a certified repairman for traditional guitars (Martin, Collings etc.) and also has regularly attended the Swannanoa Gathering in NC were many traditional guitars are played. I think over the years, he realized that there were things that he preferred sonically in a more traditional guitars.

It is all too common in lutherie for a artisan’s work to significantly evolve over decades at the bench. People all too often think of a luthier’s work as a homogeneous body of work when in reality most reflect an evolutionary journey. It matters what period the guitar comes from.... Overall, Michael’s current work still falls clearly in what I refer to as the “evolved traditionalist” camp, where his earlier work was in the “modernist” camp.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gitarro View Post
These photos of the top bracing and back are interesting. Back when I had a bashkin more than 10 years ago, i believe the top bracing below the x brace was fan bracing but your top bracing there is the traditional arrangement. Has michael change the top bracing for all his guirars or is this an optional bracing depending on certain voicings desired by the customer?

I always thought the back bracing had the x brace extending from top to bottom of the back but the x brace on your back is only in the centre portion with ladder bracing. Is that also another recent change?
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  #75  
Old 08-17-2019, 12:46 AM
chippygreen chippygreen is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gitarro View Post
These photos of the top bracing and back are interesting. Back when I had a bashkin more than 10 years ago, i believe the top bracing below the x brace was fan bracing but your top bracing there is the traditional arrangement. Has michael change the top bracing for all his guirars or is this an optional bracing depending on certain voicings desired by the customer?

I always thought the back bracing had the x brace extending from top to bottom of the back but the x brace on your back is only in the centre portion with ladder bracing. Is that also another recent change?
It's funny you should ask...I took a picture of the inside of my 2017 GC when I was doing a string change a couple of weeks ago and it has the same top bracing. We did use the GC as a reference build, so I can't say if this is how Michael voices for all his current builds. I'll try to peek inside the 00 tomorrow.
__________________

Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog
Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread)
Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa
Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb
Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19)
Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67)
Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR
Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build
Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW
K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR
KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa
Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71)
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