will this combo work?

[Brendan688]

Hi all, I'm having a custom build done later this year. The top is Sinker redwood, back is walnut. The tuners are Graf, and the buttons are snakewood. The builder and I discussed possibly doing the fretboard and bridge in snakewood as well. He has very high quality/strong snakewood.
Individually, all the woods are beautiful. But I'm concerned that the snakewood with the sinker might be a bit too much. The builder also isn't sure, he might do a ebony/maple binding to define the lines a bit. When it gets closer he is going to lay them all out together to get a better feel for how they look with each other, but I'm too impatient and keep thinking about it!
Wondering everyone else's opinion on if it's going to work.
If it matters, the hardware is gold, with evo gold fretwire.
Thanks!

[prickards]

Here is the same stuff you are talking about. Snakewood bindings with sinker redwood top. Hope it helps. I love it, but I get how it might be a bit much for some people.
[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

[Brendan688]

Hmmm, very helpful. It is beautiful but I'm not sure if it is the look I'm going for. I don't think I would do it for the binding, but the fretboard looks fine. I think the bridge would tie in nicely. Thank you very much, I appreciate it.

[mikealpine]

Just my opinion, but I don't like the color of the bridge against the top. I would favor something dark, to pick up the darker lines of the Sinker top. And I would do the same for the bevel(s). I had a Sinker/Macassar Taylor with Ebony for the bridge and bevel, and really loved that look. I didn't want anything to compete with the look of the Sinker top.

[islandguitar]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

Just my opinion, but I don't like the color of the bridge against the top. I would favor something dark, to pick up the darker lines of the Sinker top. And I would do the same for the bevel(s). I had a Sinker/Macassar Taylor with Ebony for the bridge and bevel, and really loved that look. I didn't want anything to compete with the look of the Sinker top.

+1 on this thought! YMMV!

[Brendan688]

I am tending to agree with you guys. I don't want to take the focus off the top, it's a really awesome piece of sinker. Thanks

[Marcus Wong]

Wow prickards, is that your guitar??? O.o personally I find it gorgeous! Haha seems to brighten and liven up the generally dark/warm colours of the guitar. But I'm one of weird tastes....

Brendan, to me it seems like you love how snake wood looks by itself but if you're hesitating as it might be too busy, drop the idea and look for another alternative, and ask Joel to keep the Snakewood for your next build....hehehe

[Ronnie RedZone]

Originally Posted by Brendan688

I am tending to agree with you guys. I don't want to take the focus off the top, it's a really awesome piece of sinker. Thanks

I'm with you on this. Sinker is gorgeous all by itself. I think the binding, bevel, etc. will clash with the top. Just too much going on there, visually. In my opinion, nothing sets off sinker like ebony.

A few years ago, I had a Taylor BTO with Sinker top, Walnut back & sides, and Ebony armrest & binding. It was absolutely stunning to look at, but I found the tone a bit...I don't know...sterile. Just didn't work for me, and I ended up selling it. I much prefer my current custom Breedlove build, which is Sinker over Cocobolo. Unfortunately, it's currently back at Breedlove getting a new top (warranty repair). Can't wait to get it back!

Taylor Sinker/Walnut BTO






Breedlove Sinker/Cocobolo Custom

[Brendan688]

That's beautiful Ronnie! My sinker is close in color to your Breedlove. The builder and I both seem to be in agreement, although beautiful by itself, the snakewood probably won't work.
We are leaning towards ebony, for the binding and scoop cutaway. Perhaps a wenge wood, but I think that would be similar to the snakewood in that it might take away from the sinker.
I think the ebony will set off the darker streaks of the sinker nicely.
Marcus, what do you think of Joel's partnership with the jeweler? I'm interested to see what he has up his sleeve with that. I'm assuming for either inlays, headstock or rosette?

[Marcus Wong]

Those are indeed beautiful!!

Mine is in Wenge. Perhaps you can wait for my build to be completed to see how you feel about it

I can't wait for him to unveil it. He's being very secretive at the moment....haha it's almost completed though! and it must be REALLY good because he is extremely excited about it. Can't wait to see it

[Brendan688]

I take it that your scoop is also in wenge? That's what I'm considering, or ebony. Joel said that his wenge is very tight grain and dark, very similar to ebony. He did say that he had one with wenge on the table and I will see it soon. Glad to know that it's yours.
I was going to write you and ask why you haven't made and updates to your thread! Must be a tough couple of weeks.

[Marcus Wong]

Haha yes the scoop, bevel, inlay and bindings are in Wenge. Guess you'll get to see it "soon"

It has been tough indeed!! No updates till next weekend I believe he is busy finishing up the Collab build as well as dreamincolor's so mine has been put on the back burner. Sigh haha

If you follow his Instagram @michaudmade, you can see some progress on that one. Real purty! That's what gets me through the tough weeks, the odd picture or two hahah

[Brendan688]

I follow him on Instagram, following you as well!
You think 2 weeks is tough, I got a year!

[Marcus Wong]

Haha! I forgot that you still have a little more waiting to do. I should have some updates by this weekend I think...