A "student" guitar for my grandson

[j. Kinnaird]

My grandson (who is 9) surprised me by deciding to take guitar lessons at the local Acoustic Corner music store. So, since he is playing a plywood rental, I decided to whip up a simple box with my best efforts to make it sound good and look decent and play easily because nothing can be more discouraging to a new player than playing a guitar that's like trying to choke a horse. Nothing fancy, no elaborate decor, mahogany body, bois de rose binding, plastic purfling because I had it and never seem to use it, and a 00 size to fit comfortably but with the potential to grow with him, and a redwood top that I have had laying around the shop for ages. The top already had two paua rings inlayed in it or this box would not have had anything so fancy.


The w/b/w purfling lines are some kind of plastic that begs to be bent and I fit them in before the binding in short order with superglue. It all went fast.
It got me wondering if there would be a market for something simple like this. Maybe a beater guitar that actually plays and sounds very nice and has an attractive price point. It was a fun and quick project with little tedium and it reminded me of how time consuming the "little" extras can be. The arm rests, the bound sound ports, the wood purfling that must be bent in conjunction with the binding (at least that is how I do it) all the mitre joints and agonizing over decorative details, rosettes, inlay, bound finger boards, etc, etc.
The neck will be solid mahogany, with CF bars and a truss rod, I'll probably use an EIR fingerboard, and overlay. Simple, no undercutting the frets to lap over the bound fingerboard, just pound them in, drop in a little CA, clip file and go.
It's and interesting project in its simplicity and the box is already sounding very resonant

[Aubade Acoustics]

That's the way, I like it, uh huh, uh huh. Nice and simple. He will love it.

[random works]

It's like a master baker making a simple loaf of bread. Now that's the loaf you want to have.

I wonder how much time is saved making a guitar like this? Could it be 1/4 the time or less?

I have a couple of grandkids I am trying to get interested in guitar...if they had a guitar similar to this and it languished for lack of motivation, Grandpa would surely be playing it when he visited.

A guitar like you are making would be something special for sure, perhaps turn into an heirloom. Great idea!

[mountainguitar]

That is one blessed 9 year old to have you for a grandpa! What a gift to be able to learn on such an instrument. A solid redwood top, solid wood, soundport, great neck, built with your craftsmanship.... I'm sure there would be interest in something like this- I'm interested!!

beth

[Steve Kinnaird]

Beth stold my thunder. I want one, too!
Looks nice, bro!

Steve

[JoeCharter]

Unfortunately my grandfather wasn't much of a music supporter but thankfully my dad more than made up for it. A guitar is just about the most memorable gift one can give (and receive) -- and it's even better when it's built out of your own hands.

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Aubade Acoustics

That's the way, I like it, uh huh, uh huh. Nice and simple. He will love it.

Thanks Michael. I hope you are right.

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by random works

It's like a master baker making a simple loaf of bread. Now that's the loaf you want to have.

I wonder how much time is saved making a guitar like this? Could it be 1/4 the time or less?

I have a couple of grandkids I am trying to get interested in guitar...if they had a guitar similar to this and it languished for lack of motivation, Grandpa would surely be playing it when he visited.

A guitar like you are making would be something special for sure, perhaps turn into an heirloom. Great idea!

Thank you sir. Regarding the time, I am not sure. It seems like so far the box took about half as long as the typical cutaway with all the trimmings.

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by bmh1

That is one blessed 9 year old to have you for a grandpa! What a gift to be able to learn on such an instrument. A solid redwood top, solid wood, soundport, great neck, built with your craftsmanship.... I'm sure there would be interest in something like this- I'm interested!!

beth

Thank you sir

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

Unfortunately my grandfather wasn't much of a music supporter but thankfully my dad more than made up for it. A guitar is just about the most memorable gift one can give (and receive) -- and it's even better when it's built out of your own hands.

I should be a nice enough gift I suppose. I am really interested in the utilitarian function and to those ends I hope it gets some use. I would hate to see it languish in its case. (Which I suppose will be part of this gift )

[Joel Teel]

Hi John...what a cool idea! Will it be joined at the 12th fret? What scale length is it going to be? I see that you've snuck a sound port into the upper bout too...that alone will make him feel like it's a really fancy guitar 😋

Joel

[OddManOut]

Very nice! A gift which will truly give joy for a lifetime.

[Guitars44me]

Hey John

Considering the tone of the two JKs I have, I am VERY sure there is a market for these!!!

Still, I would like all the bells and whistles... Well, not the full on tree of life bling, but the bevels and ports sure make a diff when playing my gigs! To have the comfort AND the sound, sure makes the hour or three a lot nicer!!!

Really looking forward to the next one!!!

Have a fun Fourth!

Cheers

Paul

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Wood Knot

Hi John...what a cool idea! Will it be joined at the 12th fret? What scale length is it going to be? I see that you've snuck a sound port into the upper bout too...that alone will make him feel like it's a really fancy guitar 😋

Joel

Thanks Joel
12th fret, 25 inch scale.

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by OddManOut

Very nice! A gift which will truly give joy for a lifetime.

Thank you sir