![]() |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
I am having an Irvin SJ Cutaway built. Why, Irvin? Funny you ask! I have a Larrivee L28 and have loved that guitar for its resonance and strong character.
But then I met the Irvin. Its neck is a great fit for my hand. The sound from the Irvin guitars has a wonderful resonance and distinct sustain. It fits me well as an acoustic player, playing mostly rhythm and some soloing. Wayne Johnson, the owner of Irvin, is a newer builder and the buzz is catching. I first heard his guitar a couple of years ago, in a serendipitous situation: a luthier showcasing his guitars (Irvin) at a shoe store. Ever since playing various SJ and Parlors, I keep coming back to its sweet, consistent sound and feel . For 2 years I have compared the Irvin to other guitars, and I keep coming back to where now I will have my own cutaway. This is going to be a special guitar! I have always loved the Larrivee sound: a cacophony of resonance and strong sustain. The Irvin has these qualities as well with its own distinct aspects. As importantly, I find my fingers easily moving up and down the neck. A couple of weeks ago, I went over to the Irvin shop in Bremerton, WA, to tap on the tone woods and the back/side pieces, to make choices on which pieces to use. The top woods, collected by Jean Larrivee, were, as I expected from the revered luthier of high standard luthier,, rich sounding Moonwood Spruce pieces from Austria. The two pieces had subtle differences in their tone as I tapped them. Finally, I chose the one I wanted. Big decision made! The back and side Indian Rosewood pieces were easier for me to choose. Specs include: Small jumbo - 14-fret East Indian rosewood back and sides Austrian moonspruce top ebony bindings, headplate, fingerboard and bridge 5-piece laminated neck - mahogany, maple, walnut, maple, mahogany East Indian rosewood rosette ring Gotoh 510 tuners string spacing - 1 3/4 at the nut - 2 1/4 at the saddle Wayne is now building my guitar along with another order. The first photo is of the rosette on the Moonwood top. I will add photos as I can. ![]()
__________________
-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
![]()
The Austrian moonspruce is probably from Josef Bergmann; I had a guitar with this top and it's really something special.
__________________
2009 Martin 000-28ECM 2015 Martin OM-28A 1930 Martin OM-28 2014 Baranik PX 2015 Baranik Meridian 2015 Giacomel Saturno 2017 LeGeyt Parlour On Deck: 2019 Brondel A2c, 2019 Circa OM-18/21, 2020 LeGeyt CLM The Clueless Audiophile demystifying the two channel hi fi audio market for the clueless among us |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Cool!!!! Tapping it and the second piece was an interesting experience. I could hear its resonance and some tone already.
__________________
-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Congrats on the build. Wayne is a great guy and build a fine guitar. The Irvin guitars that I have played all had a great feel and tone!
__________________
Eric Omega Braz MJ, 2011 Omega MJ Braz Baritone Ryan Cathedral ABW/Bosnian Build thread: 2011 Kostal Mod D Brazilian/German Build thread: 2015 Kostal OM Brazilian/German Build Thread:2019 Bigfoot Mod D 2017 Osthoff Coco SJ |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Here are a few more photos.
These are of the back. These photos were taken about ten days ago. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
__________________
-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Eric, I totally agree with you, what a feel and tone. It's quite remarkable to my ears.
__________________
-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Here is the next update on my Irvin SJ-Cutaway build.
This photo is the top with tone bars being glued ![]() This photo is the top bracing all shaped and completed ![]()
__________________
-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
New photos as the build continues!!! We're getting closer
![]() Tapering the sides ![]() Kerfing is installed ready to close the box. You can see the Moonwood Spruce top in the upper left and the Rosewood back at the upper right. ![]()
__________________
-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
The moonwood spruce was pretty awesome to tap (I helped choose the specific piece).
I am 99.9% sure I will be using moonwood on my future Irvin custom. I look forward to being the second person to play this guitar ![]()
__________________
-Gordon 1978 Larrivee L-26 cutaway | 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2006 Larrivee L03-R | 2009 Larrivee LV03-R | 2016 Irvin SJ cutaway K+K, Dazzo/ToneDexter Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby "Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art." -Leonardo Da Vinci |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
It's getting closer. I can hear a few tones from where I am, ringing out to me.
Here are a few more photos for you to view its progress: The top closed up ![]() The back closed up ![]() A view at the heel ![]() A view at the cutaway ![]()
__________________
-Bhaj 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway | 2001 Larrivee P-01 Parlor | 1972 Gurian | 2015 Taylor GS Mini Notable Journey website Facebook page CD Baby |