#31
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… |
#32
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SK |
#33
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Based on my playing style and goals for the 00-12, Michael chose a top set European Alpine Spruce (Picea abies) from Graubünden region of Switzerland that came to him from Florinett AG, Tonewood Switzerland (http://www.tonewood.ch/index.html).
Here are some solid Spanish Cedar linings being fabricated to conform to the 3-dimensional tapered rims and being installed to the Koa sides. Michael made a beautiful, simple Koa rosette using his hot sand shading of the rosette segments. You can get a sense of the contrast and figure when solvent is wiped on.
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… Last edited by iim7V7IM7; 04-23-2018 at 12:42 PM. |
#34
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Michael's work is never anything short of exquisite... congratulations!
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www.michaelwattsguitar.com Album Recording Diary Skype Lessons Luthier Stories YouTube iTunes Guitars by Jason Kostal, Strings by Elixir, Gefell Mics and a nail buffer. |
#35
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What a difference a little solvent makes, wow, nice rosette.
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PS. I love guitars! |
#36
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Michael has routed the Koa back set and installed an Ebony backstrip with Holly purflings.
Michael uses a hybrid back reinforcement approach combine a traditional back reinforcement strip with Sitka Spruce ladder braces in the lower bout together with an x-bracing approach in the upper bout. The solid Spanish Cedar linings and Spruce side reinforcement strips can be seen. The back plate has a 25’ dish, but the braces are shaped to a 15’ radius. Michael has begun to brace the Swiss Alpine Spruce top. The main Carpathian Spruce x-brace has been installed and carved. The UTB, tone bars, bridge plate (Sugar Maple) and finger braces in the rough have been installed on his go-bar deck. Michael has moved to a flatter 50’ dish. The x-brace and UTB are shaped to a 50’ radius but the other braces are HHG’d in place flat.
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… Last edited by iim7V7IM7; 04-29-2018 at 08:25 AM. |
#37
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Love it, beautiful work!
Steve |
#38
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Sure is fun to watch the masters at work. Looking good!
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Life is like a box of chocolates .... |
#39
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Congrats and welcome to the family! I have had mine for about 7 years now and it continues to grow and amaze me with every note! Looks like you have a beautiful guitar coming your way!
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Mike ’11 Bashkin Belleza - GC (Cedar/Mahogany) ’89 Taylor 712 Takamine EN-50 ESP Ltd MV-200 |
#40
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In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference... |
#41
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… |
#42
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Like many luthiers, Michael’s approach “under the hood” (and above as you’ll see later in the build “above the hood”” with the bridge) have evolved over the last 20 years. Michael did indeed used to fan brace his instruments and employ a more domed top dish on his instruments. Over the years, his approach has shifted a bit more towards the traditional. This instrument simply reflects Michael’s current thinking. I am not exactly sure when his approach shifted, but I believe it was within the last 5 years or so. To my ear and style of play, I prefer the timbre of his current instruments over some that I auditioned in the past (e.g. 2017 vs. 2013). As in all things guitar, others might feel just the opposite...
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… |
#43
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How would you compare bashkin's 2017 tone profile vs his earlier guitars' tonal signature?
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In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference... |
#44
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I think that the last time I played one of Michael's fine guitars was just about 4years ago and it was an exquisite instrument in both sight and sound. Did not know about any shift in his approach but in my experience as luthiers evolve over time and apply their expertise, the results are usually positive. This looks like it is shaping up to be another winner.
Best, Jayne |
#45
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With that caveat, I find the balance of the fundamentals to overtones to be more to my liking and the overall timbre to lean more traditional on Michael’s more current instruments. Michael’s earlier guitars while balanced in their tonality to my ear were much richer in their overtone content.
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… |