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Build Thread: Lame Horse Saddle Pal Cedar / Koa
My dear acoustic friends,
I have been looking for a small bodied guitar for a long time now, something extraordinary and unique. After searching for quite a while I finally found: the Lame Horse Saddle Pal. Everybody who plays these little guys seems to fall in love, and Michael Watts’ favourable words here on the AGF, and also the fact that Todd Hallawell plays his Saddle Pal almost exclusively, made me pull the trigger and contact Chris Jenkins. Needless to say he’s great to work with. I send the poor man a ton of emails that he all responded very quickly and friendly. The Saddle Pal is 12 frets to the body, usually with an elegant and subtle cutaway. It has adjustable playing action even under full string tension (an idiot-proof system -good for me- developed over the past 20 years or so), and a width at the lower bout of 13 inches. Although available with a traditional soundhole, Chris and Jeremy like to built this model with various soundholes and -ports that are placed on the upper part, including a non-traditional rosette. The scale length is 25.5, I guess that contributes to the loud and powerful sound. This one is going to be special. We chose a Cedar top, but not any Cedar. Chris and Jeremy have their tops evaluated and measured by the Galloup School of Lutherie, using a specific rating system that has been mentioned by Tyler Robbins here on another thread. It works on a scale from 1-10, but higher ratings are possible. 10 or just above ten is already pretty darn good, and our Cedar top was rated 12,2 (!). Chris send me the corresponding certificate. I think at this time it was the highest rating they ever had, don’t know if it still is. What this basically means (I think) is that the stiffness to weight ratio is spectacular: light as Cedar and stiff as Spruce. Here it is: Webp.net-compress-image.jpg For the back and sides we chose a beautiful set of Koa with very good curl: .archivetempkoay39.jpg And here is the rosette design Chris send me (I told him I liked turquoise and corral, so he used these colors on a Koa background). The man is a true artista, I said to him it was perfect: Webp.net-compress-image (1).jpg More soon. Last edited by Ernesto; 04-15-2019 at 11:56 AM. |
#2
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Congrats on your new build!
The woods look wonderful--I'm sure it will turn out beautifully. Wasn't able to see your rosette design--perhaps you didn't attach it! Congrats again, and enjoy the ride!
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2013 Stehr Auditorium (Carpathian/Myrtle) 2015 Stehr Auditorium (Adi/BRW) 2020 Baranik Meridian (Blue Spruce/Manchinga) 2020 Wilborn Arum (Tunnel 14/Coco) 2021 Kinnaird Graybeard (BC Cedar/Bog Oak) 2022 Kinnaird CS Student Build (Adi/Padauk) 2023 Kinnaird FS (Italian/Koa) |
#3
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Sorry for the confusion with the pics, I finally figured out how to insert images directly, should all be visible now. Cheers Last edited by Ernesto; 03-09-2019 at 10:01 AM. |
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Chris is one of my best Texas-lutherie buds, and I'm quite familiar with his work.
That said, he never ceases to surprise me with his artistry and inventiveness. Your rosette is a case in point--how does he think this stuff up? This will be fun to watch, and you will have fun owning this! Congrats! Steve |
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Wow!
Very cool axe you have coming.
I would sure like to find out about the adjustable neck mechanism! Anything idiot proof is right up my alley. Haha John Kinnaird and I have been discussing such a neck for my next JK custom. Chris, if you are reading this, is there any chance you would give JK the poop on your concept? I figure it never hurts to beg... This one will be fun to watch Paul
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3 John Kinnaird SS 12c CUSTOMS: Big Maple/Cedar Dread Jumbo Spanish Cedar/WRC Jumbo OLD Brazilian RW/WRC R.T 2 12c sinker RW/Claro 96 422ce bought new! 96 LKSM 12 552ce 12x12 J. Stepick Bari Weissy WRC/Walnut More |
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Looks fantastic, can't wait to see it.
I myself am also a fan of offset sound holes, I think the design lends itself to a great guitar. I've had two and they've both been spectacular. CHROMA 160815 11430 by Tristan Koehler, on Flickr One thing I would consider, if I were to do another, is some sort of access hatch to get into the guitar, for future repairs, pick up installs, etc. I wonder if you have considered this. I know it adds complexity, and I don't have any good ideas on how to execute it. I just know that sometimes you want to get into the guitar, and it is harder to do so with the offset soundhole. In your case it looks like offset soundholes, which will look awesome but will preclude reaching into the guitar. Just a thought. TK |
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Quote:
https://lamehorse.net/saddle-pal
__________________
Hatcher Woodsman, Collings 0002H, Stella Grand Concert |
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Your guitar looks beautiful. What is it? Quote:
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Ah you've got the access hatch covered - very clever of them to include that as standard. You really do need it with offset sound holes.
My guitar - yeah thanks it was awesome. Here's the build https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=443382 TK |
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I have one as well, bought at Woodstock from Chris a couple of years ago, it is a work of art. Enjoy your build, the process is as much fun as the guitar will be.
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PS. I love guitars! |
#11
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Photos please
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Chris send some photos of the back and sides sanded to 80 grit. Even at that rough grit, the wood shows a lot of color and curl. Chris said it should really look great under finish:
Webp.net-compress-image (1).jpg Last edited by Ernesto; 04-15-2019 at 11:57 AM. |
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Lame Horse is always happy to share the details of the adjustable playing action mechanism. It would be an honor to have John Kinnaird, brother of my good friend, Steve, use it. It is pretty fool proof, and very user friendly - if I do say so myself.
Last edited by jcjenkins3; 03-16-2019 at 12:03 PM. |
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__________________
PS. I love guitars! |
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Whoa, beautiful example of the Saddle Pal Tom! Best of luck with your build Ernesto!
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