Coming: Baranik build thread

jennconducts · #1 05-26-2010, 10:22 PM

Hi all,

A new build thread will soon be started! I visited Mike today and we selected back, side, and top sets, as well as scale length, string spacing, trim, etc. for the new Meridian. I believe that it will be an amazing instrument, based on my CX, and other CXs, JXs, and Meridians that I've played. Needless to say, I'm very, very excited! Photos to follow as work progesses.

Jenn

Martin_Nut · #2 05-26-2010, 11:26 PM

Looking forward to this build thread, Jenn! Mike is one of my favorite builders. I will be following this one very closely. Enjoy!

Don Lampson · #3 05-27-2010, 12:23 AM

Baranik builds a great sounding box! They are loud, and have a deep bass, but I just don't like the look of them?

Maybe I'm just a slave for traditional looking guitars? I hope not, because I sure don't like other people sucking up to the status quo! HawHawHaw!

Don

riorider · #4 05-27-2010, 06:19 AM

Hi Jenn! This will be great - watching another Baranik build thread!

Are you going to keep us in suspense, or tell us what your wood choices are?

Don, is it the shape or what Mike does within that shape that don't attract you? I suspect it's the shape - but I can tell you that it's really comfortable, and the Meridian is even more comfortable than the CX.

I guess you have to be "new generation" to really appreciate a Baranik!

7 month old grandson, fascinated by the depth of tone and sustain of grampa's mahogany / cedar Meridian:

JasonA · #5 05-27-2010, 07:24 AM

Awesome Jenn! I recently got my Meridian and haven't taken pictures yet for a formal post, but it's fantastic. I'm sure you'll love yours. I agree with Phil... where's the details?

jennconducts · #6 05-27-2010, 08:22 AM

Thanks, everyone!

We selected an incredibly beautiful set of cocobolo for the back. Both the back and the sides have some beautiful sap; I really wanted this. The top is Carpathian with just a bit of bearclaw. Mike helped me with this, as he knows that I like Adirondack, and he believes that Carpathian is much like that, but perhaps with better response. Venitian cutaway. I forget the wood for the fine trimline, but it's lovely; sort of like maple to my eye. The tuning knobs will be an interesting blend, bringing together all of the woods. 25" scale. 2 25/32" nut spacing, 2 1/4" at the bridge.

This will, along with the Meridian body shape, be an interesting change from my CX, which is cocobolo/cedar.

While his asthetics are obviously incredibly great, the sound is the thing. I just love the sound of his instruments.

Meanwhile, I should be receiving the Martin LJ Pro (Adirondack/maple) any day now, which will help with the anticipation anxiety of receiving my dream instrument from Mike ;-)

Jenn

jennconducts · #7 05-27-2010, 08:29 AM

Almost forgot: BAM case

K III · #8 05-27-2010, 08:56 AM

Great, Jenn. I really like Mike's aesthetics. Congratulations.

Riorider: Is this the way of teaching a 7 month old the first barre chord? Great looking tree b/s!

MikeD · #9 05-27-2010, 12:15 PM

I have a Euro/Koa CX cutaway from Mike that is outstanding! I have not yet played one of his new Meridian models, but my guess is they fall in between the CX & JX in terms of size/sound. Congrats! I cannot wait to see pics.

Huckleberry · #10 05-28-2010, 08:09 AM

Really looking forward to this thread.

I'm a great fan of Mike's guitars - both the incredible sound and the aesthetics. I love the unique asymmetrical design, and think he builds a very beautiful guitar.

I've not yet played a Meridian, but I hope to in the next couple of weeks.

riorider · #11 05-31-2010, 04:39 PM

Jenn - you'll love the BAM case. I bought the padded "overcase" as well (you simply cannot call it a "case cover" - this thing is about 1.5-2" thick all over!). I don't know if using the additional case is needed most of the time, but I think you could actually ship it or fly with it under the plane (as well as use it for an all-nighter at the Greyhound depot!).

The carbon fiber case, though, is wondrously light and sturdy. Really nice.

(( KIII - ha. I think that's the Bm from "Puff"... and as my son plays more and better than I, I'm sure the young'un is well beyond his first barre chord!! ))

rr/Phil

jennconducts · #12 06-01-2010, 09:44 AM

Thanks, Phil. Yeah, I kind of fell in love with the Bam when Mike showed it to me. SUPER light, yet very protective. Seems kind of like a Calton but with a manageable weight. I'm starting to fly a bit with my instrument, and so far it has worked every time to put it in the overhead in a Reunion Blues bag, but this case will, I think, allowed it to be checked if I ever have to do that.

Jenn

El Conquistador · #13 06-04-2010, 03:57 PM

OK, see, this is why I don't like segregating the custom builds into its own section. I completely missed this thread.

Congratulations Jenn! Can't wait to see the first pics. I am sure it will be a stellar instrument.
LC

cpabolting · #14 06-05-2010, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

OK, see, this is why I don't like segregating the custom builds into its own section. I completely missed this thread.

Congratulations Jenn! Can't wait to see the first pics. I am sure it will be a stellar instrument.
LC

I think that a lot of people do. Probably the best idea to do so, but when you look at percent of people viewing, the traffic is much less.

El Conquistador · #15 07-20-2010, 10:03 AM

Jenn,
I know that Mike usually prefers the Highlander pickup system. Are you going to have him install the Anthem in this guitar?
LC