For Sale: Stunningly Beautiful Baranik Meridian Black Cocobolo/Colorado Blue Spruce w/ Warranty

[ericcsong]

Stunningly Beautiful Baranik Meridian Black Cocobolo Spruce with Warranty. This is by far one of the prettiest Baraniks I have seen and the tone is unreal!




Up for sale is an amazing "as-new" Baranik Meridian guitar built in Black Cocobolo and Colorado Blue Spruce. This guitar came straight from Mike Baranik's shop and he says that it's in perfect condition. He is also going to transfer a 5 year warranty with this guitar! From Mike: "the guitar is flawless, set up is .09" bass and .060" treble." Guitar tone is all Baranik and Mike hit a home run on this guitar. Sweet trebles, wonderful balance and sustain that last for days (well, not days, but very nice!)! Will try to get some recordings soon and let them speak for itself!

A little history with this particular Meridian. This was commissioned by Roy Clarke (racman) who is active here on AGF. Build thread for this guitar: (http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...light=baranik) Roy lives in South Africa so he thought it would be better to keep the guitar stateside to sell. Keep in mind, guitar was sent back to US to be looked over by Mike Baranik and also to receive a fresh set up. After inspection and set up, Mike mailed me the guitar! This particular Meridian is extremely special because its made with Mike's last set of Black Cocobolo. This guitar also has Spalted Manchinga inner sides so when looking through the soundport, you can see the beautiful inside wood match the incredible binding!

A little bit about Black Cocobolo from original build thread, "Two wood experts have agreed that the tree or log was submerged in a river, bog, or mud hole. The wood has a distinct iron smell to it as it seems to have absorbed it into the woods cells. The wood is well quarter sawn and tight old growth grain, which tells me it's very old and probably was discovered after years of being submerged. Sides have a bit of sap that is a grey colour. The Black Cocobolo taps differently than other Coco, this stuff has a bright tap with sustain for days. This wood was milled and rough sanded in the early nineties. When I sand it down it will turn a purple grey colour and then oxidize back to black."

Since this guitar was built for someone in South Africa, Mike suggested to do a few little details with African influence. From Mike, "I used some Spruce and Blackwood scraps to inlay it into. The binding is the spalted maple, the purfling is black/purpleheart/black on both the side and top. The main wood inlay is that African milkwood, earthy coloured with fiddleback flame. If we decide this design works, I will use some darker stock to make it less tan. Although this will darken as well. The smaller pieces are a turquoise acrylic flanked by small pieces of black /satinwood/black on one side and black/Bubinga/black in the other. So all the woods except the maple are species from Africa. The plan is to have the turquoise piece every 4 inches or so it creates a pattern.”

This particular Meridian was completed in 2013. The Meridian hasn't changed since, so if you order a Meridian today, you would get the same type of build (if you could get black cocobolo today). When the guitar was received, the owner found a new job, had a relocation, and didn't have much time for the newly built guitar. It has less than 2 hours playing time and has always been in a humidity controlled room and case. Guitar is as-new condition and as perfect as a new guitar. Since mike found it in perfect condition, he kindly will transfer the warranty to buyer. When looking at the guitar from afar, the guitar seems simple and harmonious. When you look examine it close up, you will see the attention to fine detail which is simply breathtaking. Below are some studio pics that Mike had done when he was looking the guitar over. Sound Samples and video coming soon!

Measurements
Body Size: Medium
Scale: 25.6 in. (650.2 mm)
Nut Width: 1 25/32 in. (45.2 mm)
String Spacing: 2 1/4 in. (57.2 mm)
Body Length: 19 1/4 in.
Upper Bout: 10 3/4 in.
Lower Bout: 15 1/2 in.
Body Depth @Neck Heel: 3 1/2 in.
Body Depth @Tail Block: 4 1/4 in.
Frets to body: 14

Mike said that is he built this guitar today, it would cost $13,000 (if he could even get Black Cocobolo).
Asking $10,500 shipped w/ 5 year warranty and with hoffee case ($1200 value)

[Nemoman]

Wow, Eric--you're killing me with this one as I'm currently waiting on a coco Meridian build with Mike. What a beautiful, stunning guitar!

I'm not seeing one, but just to verify--this guitar does not have the adjustable neck feature, correct?

Someone is going to score big-time with this guitar--GLWTS

[roberts]

Jaw-dropping! Best with this, Eric....

[justonwo]

As the owner of an identically spec’ed Meridian, I can tell you that some lucky person is about to have their mind blown. This black cocobolo is gorgeous stuff, tonally and visually.

[riorider]

As a previous owner of #1 production Baranik Meridian - which was of the same black coco / blue spruce - I can attest to both the quality and exceptionality of the guitar. You will find it a bit heavier than normal rosewood, and even heavier a bit than other cocobolo. The blue spruce crystalline highs reflected off the back and sides produce an immediacy of overtone-laden notes.

As others have mentioned frequently, the scale length Mike builds is very alternate tuning friendly.

You will not find a better modern toned rosewood guitar! In my humble opinion, of course....

Best,

Phil

[ericcsong]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

I'm not seeing one, but just to verify--this guitar does not have the adjustable neck feature, correct?

That is correct, no adjustable neck.

Thanks for all the compliments and pms so far. And for those who have the same wood combo on their Baraniks, thanks for influencing this guitar's build for me!

Guitar sounds and plays even better than it looks!

A few more pics:

[palolowarrior]

Eric,
Please put this away.
Man, if looks could kill.
Exceptional attention to detail.
And if you say the voice is tremendous then it is!

Best,
Alan

[golfreggie]

It sure is a great work of "art"! How stunning. I wish I could afford it, but alas not in the cards now. I'd have to sell off all 3 of my guitars and then put more cash to get it. I am confident that it will sell for you. It is eyedropping.

[moga]

I played this guitar this morning.

what a great little box. and sounded really great!!

[Cocobolo Kid]

How did I miss this one!

Oh no, Black Cocobolo, must resist temptation... GAS in high gear.

Such a gorgeous guitar. Love the turquoise colored accents on the binding and rosette. If only I didn't already have a deposit with Mike.

GLWTS. Someone is going to be extraordinarily lucky!!!

[highervista]

One of the prettiest guitar I've ever seen
Ron

[Diamondave]

Unbelievable STYLE....!!!

[ericcsong]

Thanks for all the compliments! Guitar sounds and plays better than it looks!

Originally Posted by palolowarrior

And if you say the voice is tremendous then it is!

Thanks Alan! I'll try to get recordings up soon!

Originally Posted by golfreggie

I'd have to sell off all 3 of my guitars and then put more cash to get it.

I downsized and got rid of all my guitars to get my first nice handmade. Haven't looked back!

Originally Posted by Cocobolo Kid

Oh no, Black Cocobolo, must resist temptation... GAS in high gear.

I think your Baranik was built around the same time. You know you want another!

[Cocobolo Kid]

Originally Posted by ericcsong

I think your Baranik was built around the same time. You know you want another!

Of course I do. I just need to save my money for my future Baranik build.

Would it be possible to post a photo of the black cocobolo back and sides where you can see the wood grain. I understand you may have to overexpose the photo slightly to do so. It's hard to see what the wood looks like in the photos you have posted so far. The black cocobolo looks even darker than African blackwood.

Thanks.

[justonwo]

Hopefully, this won’t muddle the post but here’s the same stuff for a photo of the wood grain. If this creates confusion, happy to delete. I’m nearly positive it’s a sister set.