Mcknight/Poling Build

[fitness1]

Go to post 62 on page 4 for new pics of the work Tim and Mary are doing!



Some of you may remember this thread I put up a while back....

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=155719

I'm happy to say that I just received pics from Brock Poling last night with the body taking shape. I'm starting to get pretty excited!! I know the final product is still quite a way off, but just seeing the Koa taking shape is enough to get me going!!

Thanks to Brock for his work on this and in advance to the others. This is really something special to me...it was like a dream when I first found out I won the contest!







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[fitness1]

Oh, and before some of you ask, it appears this is going to be a double sided build, with (I'm guessing) Mahogany as an inner wall. I'm guessing one of the builders can confirm that!

[Ilovetaylors]

hey fitness, great story!!! That koa looks wonderful.

Btw how does it work? does kragenbrink make the top while mcknight does the back and sides and paragon does the finish? and poling does the inlays?

not sure what each individual guitar maker does.....but it seems like a labor of love from each maker. very envious, and I know each one will put a little something something to the guitar. I am sure its going to be a special guitar!!!

[Mary]

Since the gents have the details worked out I will let the builders speak for themselves.

I appreciate all the patience Todd has displayed on this build. It's time to get the ball rolling. Once we get the guitar in the McKnight shop I will certainly take pictures for Todd to share with the many who will be watching and we'll move it along to the next builder participant.

Todd, welcome to the McKnight guitar family as a 2 X owner.

[fitness1]

Here's what was planned at the beginning.....I'm sure some of it will be "negotiable", but this is the basis...

1. Rob makes the neck start to finish. Once piece mahogany with double action truss rod and carbon fiber, Ebony FB and overlay. Paragon headstock and heal for ease of jigging.
2. Lance joins top and installs Rosette (single wood ring with b/w/b inner and outer purf) Sends to Tim.
3. Brock Joins back, bends sides, laminates sides, blocks and lines and sends rim and back to Tim.
4. Tim braces top, braces back and closes box and sends to Lance.
5. Lance binds box with Ebony and b/w/b top and side purfling mitered at end graft and sends box to Rob.
6. Rob fits neck using whatever method he uses and sends to finishing.
7. After finishing the guitar goes back to Tim for final set up.

It's exhibition grade Koa b/s, master grade Italian top, based on Brock's Sierra model (Om sized)

Lance and I had talked about dressing it up some with abalone he was going to try to get from another builder, but that hasn't been discussed for a very long time. I told him I'd be willing to pay extra for that, of course. We had also talked about Madagascar binding for the body and fingerboard.

and, 1 13/16 nut - 2 5/16 saddle spacing, of course

[Ilovetaylors]

wow you really know what you want. It would make my head spin with so many options!!!! can't wait to see the finished build!

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by Mary

.

Todd, welcome to the McKnight guitar family as a 2 X owner.

just one short year ago, I NEVER would have thought that to be possible, but I'm one LUCKY guy!!

[riorider]

Hey Todd - glad to see this moving along! Thanks for posting. Some nice koa, and with dbl sides w/ inner mahogany, should have lots of character!

Phil

[Spieler]

I've wondered off and on what happened to this project, and am glad to see that it's underway.

Please let us keep us posted on its progress, although once it's past step three and in Tim's hands, I'll consider you and your guitar to be on the home stretch. :-)

~ S.

[Brock Poling]

Yes, it is a double side. That pretty much all I build now. Obviously it is Koa on the outside. ;-) and the inner side is Honduran Mahogany.

The linings are capped to provide added stiffness.

[Neil K Walk]

Hey, Todd! Congratulations on being a 2-time McKnight owner!

I'm glad to see that this project finally got underway, Todd! That koa looks stunning and I know that Tim will add a top that will make that guitar truly sing like an angel. I can't wait to see more pics!

[cotten]

This has to be one of the most intriguing builds of all time!

Just curious though. Is UPS getting multiple shots at this guitar, or is someone hand delivering it between stops?

cotten

[kirkham13]

Very cool Fitness-

[ChuckS]

Hey Todd,
Great to see this build moving along. The Poling Sierra size and shape is really a great fit for me, and I imagine it should work out well for you. I gotta ask; is the soundhole going to be positioned high (as is typical for the Poling Sierra) or will it be a bit lower as is typical on most other guitars? I assume bracing will be typical of McKnight guitars.

The Koa looks fantastic. You mentioned maybe using Mad Rose for the fretboard and binding. I've always let my builders make the aesthetic choices for me; not my talent; but I would suggest to let the Koa make the statement and make sure the binding/fretboard color won't clash or figure be too much. Also, Mad Rose for a fretboard has quite an open grain; not necessarily bad quite different than ebony.

[kscobie8]

Soooo... who's name will be on the headstock?

Congrats on this thing getting rolling again, Todd!


Bel isi,
-kyle