Intro & Guitars for TNAG - Braz + German Spruce Mod D

[BigfootGuitars]

Hi all,

I've been visiting this wonderful forum occasionally over the past few years, and thought I'd finally sign up and introduce myself!

My name is Karan Singh, and I'm a luthier based out of Goa, India, and have been building acoustic and electric guitars for the past 8 years now. I was fortunate enough to spend time studying with Jason Kostal and have developed my voicing methodology based on his principles.

Being in India, I spend a fair bit of time hunting down new species of hardwoods which are suitable for guitars, and I love experimenting with them. Species like Spalted Tamarind, Jackfruit, Mango, Indian Redwood, Ghamar, Rain Tree (Monkey Pod), Bhilwara Rosewood are a few that I've worked with, apart from the usual suspects.

My work can be seen at www.bigfootguitars.com, for anyone who is interested

Anyhow, now that I have an account, I thought I'd start with a thread on 2 recent guitars I built for TNAG (my first 2 with them!). Here are the specs -

Mod DC
Scale - 25"
Top - German Spruce
Back and Sides - Quarter Sawn Brazilian Rosewood
Mahogany Neck
Ebony Fretboard with recon stone inlay
Brazilian Rosewood bridge
Ebony back centre strip and bindings, with white and black purflings
EVO Gold fretwire
Gotoh 510 tuners (gold with black knobs)

OMC
Scale - 25"
Top - Bearclaw Sitka
Back and Sides - Beeswing Indian Redwood (Also referred to as Indian Acacia / India Koa)
Micro Arm Bevel
Indian Rosewood Bridge
Mahogany Neck
Ebony FB with recon stone inlay
EVO Gold wire
Gotoh 510 tuners

To kick things off here are a few photos of the backs, and the OMC side which was wet prior to bending - gives a better idea of what the final product will look like!

Enjoy, and hopefully the images get uploaded alright!

[TomB'sox]

Welcome to the forum. Great to have you here. The pictures look great and the woods look fantastic!

[Lkristians]

Karan, welcome to the AGF and many thanks for your support!

[NTS]

Welcome aboard Karan. Thanks for letting us tag along on your builds.

[BigfootGuitars]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Welcome to the forum. Great to have you here. The pictures look great and the woods look fantastic!

Thanks Tom! And also for guiding me through the process of getting started

[BigfootGuitars]

Originally Posted by Lkristians

Karan, welcome to the AGF and many thanks for your support!

Pleasure to be a part of this group!

[BigfootGuitars]

Originally Posted by NTS

Welcome aboard Karan. Thanks for letting us tag along on your builds.

Cheers! Plenty more coming up soon

[jt1]

Welcome, Karan!

[iim7V7IM7]

Karan, thanks for letting us sneak a peek over your shoulder while you work at your bench…

[justonwo]

The Indian redwood looks quite beautiful. Wow.

[BigfootGuitars]

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A few more images of the backs with the ebony Center strips and mahogany braces installed, and a coat of shellac to seal everything.

[martingitdave]

Wow! Beautiful! Is the shellac sealer a process used in wet/humid climates like India? Are mahogany back braces common? Wonderful work.

[BigfootGuitars]

Hi all!

A few more images of the bodies after being bound. The strips of ebony really start framing everything beautifully



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[BigfootGuitars]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

Wow! Beautiful! Is the shellac sealer a process used in wet/humid climates like India? Are mahogany back braces common? Wonderful work.

Hey,
The shellac is a thin coat applied on the inside to seal the wood a little and slow down (theoretically) any drastic movement in the wood caused due to changes in humidity and/ or temperature. Also, it looks pretty

I’ve been using Mahogany braces on my backs since I started, and I’m pretty sure that’s what most folks go with!


Karan

[sinistral]

Wow, welcome! I’ve been a fan of the intoxicating sound of your guitars since TNAG posted this intoxicating ditty composed and played by Carl Miner last year: