Malachite Machinga Meridian--New Baranik Build!!!

[Nemoman]

I had this initial idea for the rosette with segments and small accents of Malachite. But Mike took my idea and really made it his own and knocked it out of the park! So here's a few shots of the rosette which consists of spalted Machinga and recessed Wenge segments and Malachite inlays. There is also a ring of Koa outside of the inner Rocklite band. Koa and wenge will appear again in the overall theme.

The Malachite proved to be very delicate to work with on the small inlays as they would tend to break apart quite easily. The idea behind the recessed Wenge segments is that they get an initial spray finish on them but then not the high gloss finish as the rest of the top thereby not trying to get the near impossible pores of the Wenge to fill in. I love the look they present in the recessed segments. And WOW--the silking in that Blue Spruce top!

Kudos to Mike for pulling it all off!







Cheers until next time--stay safe out there!

[nootis]

Looking wonderful Kevin! A fun build to watch indeed.

[Deft Tungsman]

Congratulations, Kevin! That may be Mike’s most beautiful rosette ever!!

[doodahdoug]

That rosette looks mighty fine Kevin. Another beauty from Mike Baranik!

[TomB'sox]

That is really cool and inventive Kevin, congrats, so unique

[colins]

Fantastic! This guitar is gonna be a stunner.

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by nootis

Looking wonderful Kevin! A fun build to watch indeed.

Glad to have you along for the ride, No-Otis!

Originally Posted by Deft Tungsman

Congratulations, Kevin! That may be Mike’s most beautiful rosette ever!!

I agree it's one of my favorites he's done!

Originally Posted by doodahdoug

That rosette looks mighty fine Kevin. Another beauty from Mike Baranik!

Thanks, Doug--really enjoying your Robbins thread right now as well!

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

That is really cool and inventive Kevin, congrats, so unique

Thanks, Tom--if is different for sure!

Originally Posted by colins

Fantastic! This guitar is gonna be a stunner.

Thanks, Colin--and the fun is really just beginning!

[Nemoman]

A couple of shots to take us into the weekend with the back and top relaxing before their impending union. The sketch is the first one I initially presented to Mike that began our design dialogue for this Meridian.

Much has changed (for the better I might add) from that first sketch due to Mike's great design sense and guitar knowledge...





Have a great weekend everyone!

[Nemoman]

The latest on the MMM...





Life is good--cheers!

[colins]

The hide glue is being heated!

[Nemoman]

A few more of the Malachite Machinga Meridian--now also known as "Tres M" with a nod to Cinco de Mayo yesterday!

The top is now braced and joined with the back and sides. Colorado Blue Spruce top, Achihua transverse and soundhole braces, Adirondack for the remaining braces, and a maple bridge plate...







And as a parting shot, here's Tres M practicing extreme shop social distancing...



Thanks for checking it out--stay safe out there!

[nootis]

Cool shop perspective! Loving this build.

[Nemoman]

Mike dropped a new bunch of pictures on me today!

Super excited to see this coming together and can't wait to see how the binding and purfling will set this Machinga off.

Commencing with pictorial overload...





















Thanks for following along...

[TomB'sox]

Looking great Kevin, such a unique guitar this is going to be!

[cigarfan]

Such an interesting looking wood. The rosette is really cool. Unique it will be!