Stephen Kinnaird OM build - LS Redwood on Ziricote

[vanceen]

I'll be more alert for plural self-references "in future" (as we said while living in the UK).

But I have it on good authority that Ryan WAS in the shop yesterday, and Kinnaird Guitars got a lot done. (Presumably there were also no time-wasting kibbutzers as on Monday.)

Last steps before attaching the back: drilling the holes in the neck block for the bolts, and cutting the sound port.





Bolt-on necks are a subject of controversy in some quarters. I have a couple of Les Pauls, and you should hear LP people argue about "long tenons" vs. "short tenons" on neck joints. From this non-luthier's point of view, bolt-on necks make perfect sense. The mechanical integrity must be at least as good, assuming the wood contact is good. And as someone who has paid for neck reset on a dovetail joint guitar and dealt with the finish damage due to the steaming, I'm happy to have an instrument that will be easier to work on.

Now the back gets glued on:



While Ryan was occupied with those matters, Steve was able to turn his attention to the neck. Here it is with truss rod channel cut, between channels for carbon fiber rods. Steve tells me he puts to wooden stops at each end of the carbon fiber pieces to provide more stiffness and stability for the neck.



If you remember the piece of ziricote selected for the headstock overlay, here it is being glued on. I hope that's enough clamps.



Finally, here's the fretboard with the fret slots cut into it, beside the bridge piece. Notice how the best figuring was selected for the part that's going to be the bridge.

[TomB'sox]

Looking great, about time Ryan gets back to work!

[cigarfan]

Coming along swimmingly!

[vanceen]

Progress on all fronts: top, neck, and back.

The top bracing going on:



The headstock plate, with a bit of shellac on it to indicate its appearance when finished:



And, best for last, the back, all glued on and trimmed:

[Nemoman]

It's been said before but bears repeating--that is Amazing Ziricote!!!

[vanceen]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

It's been said before but bears repeating--that is Amazing Ziricote!!!

It seems to be getting better. I think it's probably because it's looking more like a ziricote guitar, rather than ziricote sets.

[vanceen]

OK, now for the transformation of a rough piece of ziricote into a finished, polished bridge. I won't make a running commentary, because I think what's happening will be clear.










Good looking bridge, I'd say.

[Jamiejoon]

Incredibly beautiful bridge, I'd say!

[doodahdoug]

Wow that ziricote bridge is beautiful as is the amazing figure on the back!

[cigarfan]

Have I told you I love Ziricote! Nice bridge!

[Steve Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Jamiejoon

Incredibly beautiful bridge, I'd say!

Originally Posted by doodahdoug

Wow that ziricote bridge is beautiful as is the amazing figure on the back!

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Have I told you I love Ziricote! Nice bridge!

Gentlemen, thank you all for the kind remarks. Vance and I decided that if we went with the LS top, we would use this bridge. There is a homogeneity (in appearance) in the LS top which we both feel will be a nice backdrop for this little bit of visual drama. So for instance, if we had used the striking looking sinker top, there probably would have been a more restrained piece of wood chosen for the bridge. I'm happy with the direction this is heading.

Steve

[TomB'sox]

Let me also say, that is a beautiful bridge, great wood and great shape.

[Steve Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Let me also say, that is a beautiful bridge, great wood and great shape.

Tom, we will certainly let you say that, and add our thanks to you as well!

SK

[Kyle76]

Great bridge! Are you shaping three at once?

[vanceen]

The artistry of top brace carving: