Time for another Kostal build thread … Modified Dreadnought

[antsdmb]

I'm a sucker for walnut so I can't wait to watch this unfold. While I've never played a Kostal, I understand the reputation of his product. I'm stoked to follow this build. Congrats on everything working out!

Mark

[nobo]

Originally Posted by ukejon

Beautiful! How exciting.

I've experienced Michael Watts' custom Kostal dread....absolutely mind blowing instrument. Huge sound....just perfect.

Yup - fantastic guitar (perfect in all respects, save that Michael and I have very different ideas about neck spec...!). That was the one that started it all for me!

Originally Posted by antsdmb

I'm a sucker for walnut so I can't wait to watch this unfold. While I've never played a Kostal, I understand the reputation of his product. I'm stoked to follow this build. Congrats on everything working out!

Mark

Yup - another walnutter right here! Glad you're enjoying the build thread.

I can't wait to hear this guitar! There will be audio and videos ... eventually... with another new arrival due in January (in human rather than guitar form), it may be some time before I get to it!

[nobo]

Originally Posted by nobo

On a somewhat related note, some of you may find this talk interesting about why luthiers do what they do, and what it is that customers get from handbuilt guitars...

Kathryn Marie Dudley conference at the Holy Grail Guitar Show 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbsd...ature=youtu.be

More on topic, here's a great interview with the man himself, which sets out some of his philosophy and approach to his craft, amongst other things:



Enjoy!

Dan

[steveh]

Originally Posted by nobo

save that Michael and I have very different ideas about neck spec...!

Make that Michael and the rest of the world!

I like my necks wide and thin, the polar opposite of Michael's preference. I think we drove Jason crazy with having to make such different profiles.

Of course, great thing about a luthier build is that you get what you want.

Really looking forward to dinging that walnut for you Dan...

Cheers,
Steve

[jdelin86]

Am I the only one who LOVES the neck on Mr Watts' guitar!?

We spent ages discussing neck dimensions for my build, culminating in the realisation that I needed a tree trunk!

[steveh]

Originally Posted by jdelin86

Am I the only one who LOVES the neck on Mr Watts' guitar!?

No: Michael loves it and I am sure Jeff Beck would admire it also.

...but that's it.

Cheers,
Steve

[nobo]

Originally Posted by jdelin86

Am I the only one who LOVES the neck on Mr Watts' guitar!?

Joel - I think you're flying solo on that.

That said, if Michael wanted to find a home for that guitar, maybe I could learn to live with it!

[nobo]

Build thread video alert!

How cool is this?

Jason adds his seal of approval...

[nobo]

No doubt you've seen Jason's stunning "stained glass" rosettes before.

My preference was for:

• small segments;
• muted/subtle to integrate with colouring of the back and sides (no reds);
• no abrupt colour changes/ pro smooth colour variations (if there are any).

Yup, I'm officially a demanding customer (aka a "PITA").

Jason said he had an idea... a blue rosette. I was a bit surprised and maybe a bit sceptical too - it sounded rather bold! That said, I was conscious I didn't have the benefit of being in the room with the actual woods, which may suggest their own path. Jason said he had been trying with walnut but thought that something more complimentary would work better with the back (he likes to design the rosette bearing in mind the aesthetic of the whole guitar, and by holding the top against the back).

I thought Jason was in the best position to judge, and - given his superb taste on his other builds - left in his hands.

A few days later, he sends me some photos of what he had in mind and had worked up ... not only that, but of another rosette as an alternative option. Talk about service! So, here's the one that won out for me - which, perhaps unsurprisingly, was the one that Jason had in mind all along.





Well, that was a yes from me! It looks to be quite a subtle bluey-grey. I really like how in brings out the darker bluey/purpley/grey shades in the walnut but also has the lighter browns showing through to match the back's overall tonality.

That top looks fantastic too: regular and tight grain with lovely, consistent cross silking...

Exciting!

Dan

[JamesO]

Looks like he finally got to use that blue rosette

[nobo]

Originally Posted by JamesO

Looks like he finally got to use that blue rosette

I was wondering about that too - turns out this is a different one (I suspect a fair bit less blue), and the blue one got used some time ago.

If I recall correctly, Ericsong was saying that Jason's currently favouring the darker rosettes - in part because they age better.

[j. Kinnaird]

That is a lovely rosette. And the top and back and sides, just great!

[justonwo]

That's going to be so sweet. I love the rosette color.

[Nemoman]

The rosette looks awesome--great match for your walnut!

[ericcsong]

Originally Posted by nobo

If I recall correctly, Ericsong was saying that Jason's currently favouring the darker rosettes - in part because they age better.

I think Jason told me the darker rosettes tend not to not fade as much over time.

But don't be fooled, the rosettes tend to look different under different lights