NGD - McKnight

[jjhturbo]

Yesterday, I received my first-ever new custom-build! Prior to commencing this order, I researched many different builders...and eventually decided to go with Tim & Mary McKnight of McKnight Guitars. EVERYTHING from start to finish was above and beyond what I expected -- from the level of collaboration in the design process to the thorough and continuous engagement throughout the build process. And beyond this, Tim & Mary have to be the nicest people on the planet. And oh yeah....Tim is an absolute master in his craft. I am so thrilled that I went with McKnight Guitars and have zero regrets. In fact, I cannot recommend a luthier more highly!

To top this all off, when I communicated to Tim yesterday that I received the guitar, the first thing he made sure I knew was that if there was ANYTHING AT ALL that I did not like about the guitar, to just let him know and he would make it right and make sure I was satisfied. In fact, his company policy is that within the first few days of receipt, a customer can even return the guitar for a full refund, no questions asked! Astounding level of customer service.

Tim & Mary simply want to make sure the customer is happy. That is their main goal. There's really nothing to lose if you go with them!

Ok....now on to the specs and the pics.

- McKnight LowLander - OOO body
- 12-fret w/ venetian cutaway
- German Spruce top
- Amazon RW back/sides
- Honduran Mahogany neck
- Ebony bridge, fretboard
- ABW binding
- ABW rosette
- Luckenbooth sound port
- 25.25" scale
- 1 3/4" nut width
- 2 3/16" string spacing
- Gotoh 510 tuners
- SS frets
- Blue trim

The playability and tone are mind-blowing. I know tone is subjective...and even the adjectives used to describe it differ from person to person, but for me, the main things that strike out at me are the huge volume (esp for a smaller-body guitar) and the excellent resonance with lush overtones (yet without any muddiness)....making it equally great for finger-style or strumming. And the level of warmth (mids and lows) is definitely coming through! I did not want a bright guitar, and this was something that was communicated in the design/planning process. Sure enough, I am hearing the warmth....and from what Tim tells me....the mids and lows will continue to improve and become more accentuated over time.

Intonation are also unbelievable good up and down the neck, with or without capo.

Seriously, I'm not finding any flaws at this point. And this guitar has delivered on all the main things I had in mind prior to commencing this journey. Those main things I wanted were:
- simple, yet elegant design (i.e. clean look)
- smaller body, yet big sound
- nice sustain / good amount of overtones
- nice mids/lows (good warmth)
- 12-fret
- cutaway for access to higher frets
- a more playable fretboard radius (compared to Froggy Bottom) (I love Froggy Bottom guitars, but the nearly-flat radius is not ideal for me)

Sorry....I know after all these glowing remarks, I'm going to get asked for sound clips....but that's not something I do. At least not at this point.

You'll have to take my word for it and use your imagination!

[marty bradbury]

Amazing looking guitar! Enjoy!

[Rev Roy]

Sweet! Congrats!!

[Treenewt]

Big Congrats! Tim and Mary are truly wonderful people, and his instruments are top notch to boot! That one looks to be tremendous. Enjoy every note!

Edit: that sound port is FIRE!

[KevinH]

Very nice! How long have you been waiting?

[jjhturbo]

Originally Posted by KevinH

Very nice! How long have you been waiting?

It was a very reasonable turnaround -- not sure if I just lucked out on timing ....but I ordered in early January. So, all told about 4 months from order to receipt. Spectacular service, expert craftsmanship, and amazingly kind people to work with.

Btw -- the sound port is a new feature for me as I don't have it on any of my other acoustics, and I was on the fence about it during the initial order/design process. But, I sure am glad I listened to Tim's recommendation on that!

[BrunoBlack]

Looks beautiful. I’m sure with Tim’s skill and attention to detail it is magnificent. Enjoy.

[Rosewood99]

Are their guitars more traditional In tone or modern?

[jjhturbo]

Originally Posted by Rosewood99

Are their guitars more traditional In tone or modern?

I would say it's more on the modern spectrum, *but* I am pleased with the warmth I'm getting on mine -- which I specifically requested. Tim can definitely tweak the voicing/bracing, etc.. to bring out different tonal qualities, and of course different wood combos are going to make a difference. I am getting a good amount of mids and lows, which I am pleased with.

In general though, it leans more on the modern side of the fence.

[jaymarsch]

Congratulations on your new guitar! I have played a number of Tim’s guitars over the years and they sure tick all the boxes for having a great customer experience and a lovely guitar for life!!!
Best,
Jayne

[AcousticDreams]

Amazon Rosewood is my absolute favorite back and sides.

For me, it is the Clarity of Maple, with rosewood sustain, dynamic range and sensitivity. Yet with fundamentals showing over the overtones.

Wise choice!

[The Growler]

Beautiful! Congratulations to you and the McKnights. Well done.

[jjhturbo]

Originally Posted by Knives&Guitars

Amazon Rosewood is my absolute favorite back and sides.

For me, it is the Clarity of Maple, with rosewood sustain, dynamic range and sensitivity. Yet with fundamentals showing over the overtones.

Wise choice!

Excellent description! Spot on.

Thanks all for the kind remarks and well wishes.

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by Rosewood99

Are their guitars more traditional In tone or modern?

Hi RW99,
We can build and or voice both vintage or modern looking and or sounding guitars. We don't have a signature sound and the day that we do is the day I hang up my chisels. Each guitar we build is a one-off for each unique and individual customer based on their aesthetic and tonal goals.

Thanks again Turbo it was our pleasure working with you on this project!

BTW, If any of you care to follow along on Turbo's build its an interesting read located here:
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=603949

[ship of fools]

My only regret in life was not owning a McKnight or getting to try one before I had to stop playing. I did make a stab at trying to buy one when it came up on the site but alas it was not meant to be.
My second regret was not being able to meet Tim and Mary. I have watched him build from the time I started here and should have pulled the trigger when I was still able to play and travel. But that was my mistake being focused on being home and working and watching my kids grow.
I am sure you will enjoy your McKnight for a very long time as they rarely come up for sale which speaks volumes as to why folks never re-sell them. Congrats on a very wise choice.