Build Thread: Baranik Meridian Cutaway (Ziracote/Colorado Blue Spruce)

[cyacoub]

Hi All,

This will be my first (and despite what I told my wife...probably not my last) build thread.

At last years Memphis Guitar Show, after trying an overwhelming number of guitars from some incredible luthiers, I pulled the trigger on having Mike Baranik build me one of his Meridian model guitars. A few weeks ago I received the exciting news that that he was ready to start my guitar, so I headed down to Mike's shop to get a tour, pick out wood, and nail down the details.

I had a great time hanging out with Mike, and so far he has been fantastic to work with. Not only has he been very professional, and helpful in guiding me through the process, and I enjoyed chating with him as he also shares passion for the guitar, and music that go well beyond his craft.

The guitar will be a Meridian Cutaway with Fan frets, Zirocote back and sides, and Colorado Blue Spruce top. I got the first pictures from Mike the other day, and I am super excited to see this guitar start to take shape. Here is some of the first round of pictures. I'll continue to post more as they come in.

Let the fun begin.

[LouieAtienza]

Congratulations! Mike builds some great guitars. Met him at Woodstock in 2014, a genuinely great guy....

[CoolerKing]

Awesome! A taste of what's to come:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...355293&page=11

[justonwo]

You are about to have a great time!

[cyacoub]

Originally Posted by matthewpartrick

Awesome! A taste of what's to come:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...355293&page=11

I love this guitar. I followed this thread a while back, and it definitely played into my decision to go with Mike for my build.

[nootis]

Congratulations! I too met Mike at Healdsburg and got to spend a couple of nights with him (and others, including his wife) in Memphis. He is definitely a fun guy to be around and definitely on my wish list to build me a guitar.

I asked him why I never hear of anyone else building with CO Blue Spruce, and his answer was..."Because I bought it all!".

BTW, a really beautiful set of Zircote!

[Cocobolo Kid]

Congrats on the custom Baranik build. The Meridian is a great choice. It excels at everything you would want in a guitar. Mike is indeed a great guy.

Hopefully you can make it to the Santa Barbara guitar show in Sept/Oct. I'm sure there will be a Baranik owners' gathering of some sorts.

I can't wait to see how this build turns out.

Cheers.

[JJI]

This is going to be unreal. One of the best builders on the planet and your materials are exquisite.

[colins]

Congratulations. Mike is great, the build process is great, the guitar will be great and then.....you get to enjoy it every single day. What a great idea!

I will enjoy your thread while I wait for my build with Mike to come up. BTW, what fan have you chosen - similar to Matthew's?

Col

[iim7V7IM7]

Thanks for sharing your build with the forum.. Mike makes some great guitars.

[cyacoub]

Originally Posted by colins

Congratulations. Mike is great, the build process is great, the guitar will be great and then.....you get to enjoy it every single day. What a great idea!

I will enjoy your thread while I wait for my build with Mike to come up. BTW, what fan have you chosen - similar to Matthew's?

Col

If you got the wood set that I think you did, it's going to be amazing

The fan fret design will be quite a bit different then Matthew's. If I recall, his was an extended scale, where mine is going to actually bit a shorter scale neck so the fan will likely end up being quite mild. I play in mostly dropped tunings, so I am hoping to compensate for that a bit with the fan.

[cyacoub]

Originally Posted by Cocobolo Kid

Congrats on the custom Baranik build. The Meridian is a great choice. It excels at everything you would want in a guitar. Mike is indeed a great guy.

Hopefully you can make it to the Santa Barbara guitar show in Sept/Oct. I'm sure there will be a Baranik owners' gathering of some sorts.

I can't wait to see how this build turns out.

Cheers.

I will definitely be at the Santa Barbara show. Already got tickets, and a few classes booked. It would be really cool to meet up with some Baranik owners. Look forward to it.

[CoolerKing]

Originally Posted by cyacoub

If you got the wood set that I think you did, it's going to be amazing

The fan fret design will be quite a bit different then Matthew's. If I recall, his was an extended scale, where mine is going to actually bit a shorter scale neck so the fan will likely end up being quite mild. I play in mostly dropped tunings, so I am hoping to compensate for that a bit with the fan.

I think mine is 25.5-26.5, perp fret around 7. Works very well for my use in full step down standard, DADGAD, or DGCGCD/full step down...

[justonwo]

Here is some more Meridian goodness, in case you aren't already overloaded.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=162794

[colins]

Originally Posted by cyacoub

If you got the wood set that I think you did, it's going to be amazing

The fan fret design will be quite a bit different then Matthew's. If I recall, his was an extended scale, where mine is going to actually bit a shorter scale neck so the fan will likely end up being quite mild. I play in mostly dropped tunings, so I am hoping to compensate for that a bit with the fan.

I'll ask Mike which set you were looking at. If it isn't mine it sounds like I should swap!

Short scale with a bit of fan, nice idea. I have been wondering about a 24.9 neck so maybe a bit of fan would mean you could play in standard with lower tension on the trebles and no flap on the bass.

Here is some more Meridian goodness, in case you aren't already overloaded.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=162794

Juston, I had forgotten how ultra-cool your Meridian is.

Col