Casimi C1 Custom Signature African Blackwood / Moon Spruce

[Michael Watts]

Hello everyone

It has been quite a while since I last posted a build thread here but I've enjoyed watching so many beautiful instruments coming to completion. I hope you will join me on this journey - my new Casimi C1 Signature!

I have loved the work of Matthias Roux and Matthew Rice of Casimi Guitars in Cape Town South Africa for many years and I am very excited to finally own an example of their sublime work.




Here's one I borrowed a while ago

There is a little more information on this guitar in this video which I just uploaded to my YouTube Channel - There is also some electric content (I just love the look of the Tosin Abasi's designs), a ravishing acoustic by Tyler Robbins, heartbreakingly beautiful archtops by LHT Guitars and John Monteleone and finally a look at the new Casimi C1.





in the meantime I'll get the ball rolling with the set of African Blackwood I chose for this instrument - I went for straight grain with a flash of sapwood.





And here is the photoshop mockup that first inspired this build





You may be wondering if my existing relationship with Jason Kostal has changed. It has not. Nor will it. Jason's work will always be a vital part of what I do and in many ways this Casimi guitar will reflect and pay tribute to that fact

And no, that does not mean it will have stained glass inlay all over it...

That's all for now but there will be more as we progress

All the best

Michael

[MThomson]

Congratulations Michael. They are stunning guitars in all respects and this looks like no exception to the exceptional. Enjoy every minute of the journey.

[Dustinfurlow]

Congrats! This will be loads of fun to follow and no doubt a treat to hear upon completion. Very exciting.

[TomB'sox]

Color me jealous. I love their work, but alas, they are a little out of my reach I fear. Maybe we will see each other again someday and I will get a chance to play it! As for Jason, he has already reached out to me, wondering if I would like to fill the void you are leaving behind, but in the end I doubt that my complete mastery of the first position cowboy chords will be quite enough for that role!!!

[nootis]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Color me jealous. I love their work, but alas, they are a little out of my reach I fear. Maybe we will see each other again someday and I will get a chance to play it! As for Jason, he has already reached out to me, wondering if I would like to fill the void you are leaving behind, but in the end I doubt that my complete mastery of the first position cowboy chords will be quite enough for that role!!!

Hey now! First position cowboy chords sound quite lovely on a bespoke guitar IMHO.

Michael, I'm excited to see this thread. I too have been drooling over Casimi guitars for a while now. Congratulations! I think the best way to pay homage to Jason would be to have him demo it for us.

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

You may be wondering if my existing relationship with Jason Kostal has changed. It has not. Nor will it. Jason's work will always be a vital part of what I do and in many ways this Casimi guitar will reflect and pay tribute to that fact

And no, that does not mean it will have stained glass inlay all over it...

Not at all.

Many of us own guitars by more than one luthier and remain the best of friends with them…. Different guitars made by a variety of makers can make a player feel differently when playing a piece and it can open up new areas of musical exploration.

The African BW set is lovely and when paired with an Andreas Florinett spruce top crafted by Matthias it should make for a superlative instrument.

There is an interesting luthier lineage behind Matthias:

Art Overholtzer > Bruce McGuire > Richard Hoover > Marc Maingard > Matthias Roux (Cal State Chico in the 1960s to South Africa today!).

I look forward to watching this guitar come together over Matthias & Matthew’s shoulders…

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by MThomson

Congratulations Michael. They are stunning guitars in all respects and this looks like no exception to the exceptional. Enjoy every minute of the journey.

Thank you very much! I have high expectations for this instrument but that is based purely on what I know Matthew and Matthias are capable of.

Originally Posted by Dustinfurlow

Congrats! This will be loads of fun to follow and no doubt a treat to hear upon completion. Very exciting.

Thank you Dustin! I have enjoyed watching the creation of your Taran guitar - I hope I'll get the chance to meet it and you at some point!

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Color me jealous. I love their work, but alas, they are a little out of my reach I fear. Maybe we will see each other again someday and I will get a chance to play it! As for Jason, he has already reached out to me, wondering if I would like to fill the void you are leaving behind, but in the end I doubt that my complete mastery of the first position cowboy chords will be quite enough for that role!!!

Oh Captain my Captain!

Thank you so much for your kind words Tom. i hope all is well with you and the family.

Originally Posted by nootis

Hey now! First position cowboy chords sound quite lovely on a bespoke guitar IMHO.

Michael, I'm excited to see this thread. I too have been drooling over Casimi guitars for a while now. Congratulations! I think the best way to pay homage to Jason would be to have him demo it for us.

Thank you very much Dan! Ha, I will always look forward to hearing Jason play this, or indeed any, guitar. He's one of my favourite players!

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

Not at all.

Many of us own guitars by more than one luthier and remain the best of friends with them…. Different guitars made by a variety of makers can make a player feel differently when playing a piece and it can open up new areas of musical exploration.

The African BW set is lovely and when paired with an Andreas Florinett spruce top crafted by Matthias it should make for a superlative instrument.

There is an interesting luthier lineage behind Matthias:

Art Overholtzer > Bruce McGuire > Richard Hoover > Marc Maingard > Matthias Roux (Cal State Chico in the 1960s to South Africa today!).

I look forward to watching this guitar come together over Matthias & Matthew’s shoulders…

You're absolutely right about the lineage of Casimi Guitars. Matthew Rice also apprenticed with Maingard and prior to that he was a professional jeweller which explains the sublime inlay work typical of a Casimi instrument.

Speaking of the African Blackwood here's a closer look at the set



I was very grateful that Matthew and Matthias let me select a set from their incredible stash of ABW.



As we progress I'll share more about the sonic goals for this guitar and how Casimi are approaching meeting these. It's a pleasure to speak with luthiers who understand the importance of every single detail.

[TRose]

I watched your video yesterday and enjoyed it. I look forward to watching your Casimi guitar being built almost as much as I anticipate hearing you play it!
Cheers,
Tom

[K Trespass]

Great news Michael.

There is definitely room for a Casimi and a Kostal. Both exquisite but different.

Are you going fan fret?

Greg

[Guitars44me]

Congratulations! Play some Elvis on it ASAP…. Hahahaha

Looking forward to this thread. I have my drool towel handy.

Cheers

Paul

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by TRose

I watched your video yesterday and enjoyed it. I look forward to watching your Casimi guitar being built almost as much as I anticipate hearing you play it!
Cheers,
Tom

Thank you for watching Tom, that means a lot to me! I'm really looking forward to seeing where this new voice will take me. It's very exciting.

Originally Posted by K Trespass

Great news Michael.

There is definitely room for a Casimi and a Kostal. Both exquisite but different.

Are you going fan fret?

Greg

Thank you so much Greg and yes I quite agree, Casimi and Kostal guitars are the perfect foils for one another for what I play.

In this case I'm keeping things straight - no fan. I look forward to sharing more detaisl with you as we go!

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

Congratulations! Play some Elvis on it ASAP…. Hahahaha

Looking forward to this thread. I have my drool towel handy.

Cheers

Paul

A drool towel! That's a strong image Paul! Elvis covers? That's all I do!

I hope you're keeping well my friend

[cigarfan]

OMG! ABW on a Casimi! You are one lucky man!

Looking forward to following your journey and very much forward to hearing you work your magic on the guitar. Gonna have to stoke one up in your honor today!

[Jeff Mc]

One thing this forum does is educate me about luthiers that I had never heard of before. Not sure if that is a good thing or not.

[Dustinfurlow]

Very cool about Matthew having a background in fine jewelry, makes total sense. Btw, that set of ABW is primo as they come, congrats again

[Bill Kraus]

Unique designs!, and a nice stash of blackwood there. This will be a fun one to watch, I am interested to see the bracing style that will be used.