Baranik Meridian - Black Cocobolo/Colorado Blue Spruce

[racman]

I received a mail from Mike this morning with the confirmation that we have now started this much awaited build. The guitar will be a Baranik Meridian with Florentine cutaway and sound port.
I was also fortunate enough to secure the last piece of Black Cocobolo that Mike had in his wood stash, after being persuaded by his enthusiasm for this wood. Mike’s comments on the Black Cocobolo were enough to get my attention: “I may have another set of Black Cocobolo available, jet black and dense, makes a fantastic sounding guitar. As it is extremely rare and not replaceable I have paid a fair amount for it. The upcharge is $ but in my view well worth it. I have tried to research the reason for the Black colouring. Two wood experts have agreed that the tree or log was submerged in a river, bog, or mud hole. The wood has a distinct iron smell to it as it seems to have absorbed it into the woods cells. The wood is well quarter sawn and tight old growth grain, which tells me it's very old and probably was discovered after years of being submerged. Sides have a bit of sap that is a grey colour. .
The Black Cocobolo taps differently than other Coco, this stuff has a bright tap with sustain for days. This wood was milled and rough sanded in the earl nineties. When I sand it down it will turn a purple grey colour and then oxidise back to black. The pics are not very good and make it appear a splotchy Brown Black. I assure you it is awesome and will in the end be very close to jet black. You will still be able to see grain under the finish. The sides have a nice grey sap stripe running along the edge.”

So here are a few pics of the Black Cocobolo:

[ericcsong]

Roy, I'm excited for you! can't wait to see this one come together!

[bwstl01]

I loves me a fine piece of Coco!

Can't wait to see this under some finish...

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by bwstl01

Can't wait to see this under some finish...

Exactly what I was thinking...under a gloss, this is going to be absolutely gorgeous! I wonder what the impact of the process that creates the blackness (the submersion) will have on the tone, and how it will differ from standard Coco. This will be fun to watch and, ideally, hear when it is all done. Enjoy!!

[racman]

Thx everyone - been looking forward to this one for a while now.

[JoeCharter]

Jet black cocobolo that sustain for days -- sounds like a concept I would've bought into as well...

Congrats on getting this build started. Very anxious to see the end result.

[justonwo]

This is the same wood combination as used on my Meridian. You are in for a real treat. The sound is huge. Enormous headroom, volume, and dynamics with a beautiful voice. Visually it's hard to beat. It is nearly jet black under finish.

[Tom Doerr]

Congrats Roy on getting one of Mike's guitars! It sure will be a beauty. I am looking forward to your impressions of the Coco. Enjoy the process!

[racman]

Originally Posted by justonwo

This is the same wood combination as used on my Meridian. You are in for a real treat. The sound is huge. Enormous headroom, volume, and dynamics with a beautiful voice. Visually it's hard to beat. It is nearly jet black under finish.

Thx Juston. Both yours and Phil's (riorider) Baranik Meridians, build threads and comments were a big part of the inspiration and decision to get on Mike's build schedule. EricSong also had a hand in stoking that fire as well

[colins]

The build will be great fun, and finally getting the guitar and learning its abilities will be even more fun. Way to go!

Col

[racman]

I have some catching up to do as I have been away for a little while.

The inner sides will be spalted Manchinga:





Side bending process:







Done:

[ericcsong]

Roy, this is going to be so fun to watch come together!

[justonwo]

That'll look really cool on this inside. Looks great so far and the really fun part hasn't even started yet!

[racman]

Thx Juston and Eric - really looking forward to seeing this come together as Mike throws together his design ideas etc.

Mike's idea is that one will see the spalted Manchinga through the soundport which will be bound in spalted Maple.

[colins]

Roy, that manchinga will be a great contrast to the coco. They are both quite dramatic but in different ways.

What wood are you planning for the top?

Col