New Build: Neil Gardiner Shortscale Granadillo/Redwood

[jgillard]

I had seen some of Neil's builds here on the AGF and really loved his sense of design. After hearing their owners' praise and listening to soundclips, I thought I might fancy one of Neil's guitars myself. After reviewing Neil's website I found that he was actually based in good 'ole Ontario Canada in Shedden. A small town south west of Toronto. He was only about a 3 hour drive away from me. That's not so bad. I could always make a road trip one weekend...

Neil is not your standard builder in that he does not do a "custom" guitar. He hand-builds guitars one at a time the way that he thinks they would work best, and offers them up for sale. This works well for me as I appreciate the Luthiers' advice in crafting a guitar. They are the one with the experience and know-how with the woods. After striking up a conversation with Neil we got into what I would want as far as a guitar goes. I think that we both came up with a sweet set of specs that are going to result in a fabulous guitar. I've got this one reserved with my name on it.

Here is what was settled on. It's to be primarily a "fingerstyle" type guitar.

Bodyshape: Bluesbody (Lower Bout 15", upper bout 9.75", body length 19.5")
Cutaway: Yes (Pointy-style Cutaway)
Soundport: yes
topwood: redwood
back & sides: granadillo
nutwidth: 1 3/4"
spacing at saddle: 2 1/4"
scalelength: 24" - braced for mediums (This should give about the same tension as 25.5 with lights)
Neck: Multi-piece
Neck Joint: Joined at 13th fret
bracing Pattern: "Sexauer Tonebar Variation"
fretboard & Bridge: Madagascar Rosewood
Finish: Nitrocellulose (Was originally going to be varnish)

The scalelength and 13 fret joint were inspired by Larry Pattis' Raymond Kraut OM. The specs on that guitar really appealed to me. I love shortscale guitars, and this one has perfect specs. Any shorter would be too short, but 24" is super comfy. I've got small fingers so I like the more crowded fret spacing. I like the tension on a standard scale with lights, so running mediums on this one will work perfect.

The guitar was just started on, so here are the first pictures.


This is the set of wood. It's granadillo with an interesting "blister" figure. Granadillo is not a "true" rosewood but is known as mexican rosewood. It is similar in some ways with cocobolo and has a bright tap tone. It should provide a tone in the rosewood family but with some more "clarity" in the notes. (somewhat less muddy than EIR) It also is supposed to darken to a rich red brick colour in time (similar to honduran rosewood) It is also known to smell like cinnamon and cotton candy.


Here is the set of wood along with the redwood top. Looks good.


Here is the wood along with the fretboard and bridge blanks.


Here are the sides bent and in the mold.


This final picture is of the cutaway held in place.

I've no idea what the rosette will be yet or the binding. That's more in Neil's court. Whatever he decides on I know that it will work really well with the overall aesthetics of this guitar. I will keep this thread updated when I get updates from Neil, so any comments, etc. would be appreciated!

[Jobe]

Congratulations! This one is very interesting. I love the 'Bluesbody' size and shape. Your wood and scale choices are intriguing. Can't wait to see it come together. This may be one for the books.

[jimmy bookout]

Congrats on your new Gardiner. I think I'm the build after you (Blues model, 14 fret, Engelmann/Cocobolo). I have a Gardiner Parlor, it is a great guitar. You will really enjoy working with Neil. Keep them pics coming!!!

Jimmy

[jgillard]

And the build continues...

Neil has gotten the cutaway all sorted out. The back and sides are joined. The cut off pieces of the Granadillo are being used for the headplate. Neil did a burled maple rosette and end graft. He is planning on binding the body and the fingerboard in curly maple. This should make a nice outline and contrast with the dark top and back wood.


Here is the back and top cut to the blues body shape.


The cutaway


The sides


The burled maple end graph


The routed channel for the rosette.


The burled maple rosette in progress


The completed burled maple rosette


Closeup of completed rosette


The joined headplate using the cutoffs from the back

[Neil Gardiner]

Thought I'd jump in here and give some thoughts so far on the Granadillo.

First off, it definitely does have a sweet smell when it's being worked. There really is a cotton candy sort of a thing to it.

The stuff is quite splintery and very hard. Many many little chunks that want to lodge into my skin. Lots of blood shed so far on this one But if there is no bloodshed than it's not really love (I'm paraphrasing a Tom McRae song)

Soundwise, the joined back has a really nice tap to it. Quite low pitched and dark- in the rosewood range I would say. I

All in all 'm quite happy with how it's sounding so far.

Neil

[jgillard]

Thanks for chiming in Neil! It's good to hear that you are happy with how it is sounding so far! I'm looking forward to further updates!

[jimmy bookout]

Hey Neil,
It is looking good. Sorry to hijack, but am I after this guitar?

Jimmy

[Neil Gardiner]

Hey Jimmy

Yes, you're is next after this one.

Neil

[jgillard]

All the kerfing on and the inside side braces.


bracing is cut and sized ready to go on the top.


And the back.

[jgillard]

Spalted maple binding on the pointy tip of the cutaway that will match the rosette and the end graft. You can see the wood wiped down with mineral spirits to give an idea of the colour of the granadillo after finishing. It looks fantastic I think.


A second shot of the binding on the cutaway


Bracing glued to the back and carved


Bracing glued to the top ready to be carved

The next step is adding the soundport followed by carving and voicing the top and then putting the box together.

[jgillard]

Preparing re-enforcement for the soundport hole


Re-enforcement applied for soundport


Another shot of the re-enforcement area


The soundport cut out


The top bracing all carved


The back joined to the sides


The top and the back together

Neil has not trimmed down the top and back yet, so it's a bit rough looking in that shot. That's next and then on to the binding.

[jgillard]

Here's a few more update shots.


Body is all trimmed and sanded and ready for binding channels to be cut.


The little triangle thingy in the top.


Closeup of triangle.


The binding all bent.


A shot looking at the end of the guitar wiped with mineral spirits to give some idea of the finished colour.

[Neil Gardiner]

I have to say, the more I work with this Granadillo, the more I'm liking it.

It sounds good, it looks really nice, I think. Every time I wipe it down with mineral spirits to get an idea of how it will look under finish, I like it.

I'm surprised you don't see more guitars out of it. It really is a great tonewood.

Might be one to put on your "to be considered" list.

Neil

[PlayABadGuitar]

This is looking great! I really like the sort of marbled look of the Granadillo - matches nicely with the textured look of the Maple. And the redwood looks like a great color match with the Grandillo.

[Jobe]

The maple with the redwood is going to 'pop' under finish I think. I really like the look. The contrast is striking yet comfortable. Glad to hear that Granadillo gets a thumbs up too. Nice looking guitar all around!