NICK KUKICH (Franklin Guitar Co.) The OMC (German Spruce / Cuban Mahogany)

[Ryan Alexander]

Awesome! There are so many interesting builds on here, including this one. I've never encountered a Franklin in the wild, but I'm hopeful that changes one day

[ChuckS]

I'm looking forward to following this build. Wonderful looking set of woods. I've seen photos of a guitar or two built with fiddleback Cuban Mahogany (I think one was a Bown).

Cuban Mahogany is a great tonewood. To me, it seems to keep the typical Honduran Mahogany trebles but has a richer and more focused bass. The luthier who built mine said Cuban Mahogany was typically about 15-20% more dense than Honduran Mahogany , and the particular set of Cuban Mahogany I chose was about 20% more dense than typical Cuban Mahogany. Mine was sourced from Brad Goodman, and came from a tree that was downed in St. Thomas by hurricane Hugo.

[cigarfan]

Congrats Bob. The Cuban is beautiful. Don’t recall any I’ve seen with that much figure. Gonna be special.

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

I'm not a mahogany guy. Or I wasn't until I heard a Charis in Cuban Mahogany that made me rethink what that wood sounds like. I can't describe what made it different, but I just know I should have bought it. Love the figuring in yours, I can only imagine that this is going to be a wonderful instrument.

In my experience, the sound of a guitar is influenced by 1) its maker; 2) its design/size; 3) top wood; and 4) the body wood (in that order). I suspect you like Bill Wise’s instruments and it may have been a denser set of Cuban Mahogany.

Originally Posted by Marcus Wong

No way that is Cuban Mahogany..... lucky you Bob! Looks incredible

Thanks Marcus...

Originally Posted by Ryan Alexander

Awesome! There are so many interesting builds on here, including this one. I've never encountered a Franklin in the wild, but I'm hopeful that changes one day

I enjoy following other people’s build threads here as well...

Originally Posted by ChuckS

I'm looking forward to following this build. Wonderful looking set of woods. I've seen photos of a guitar or two built with fiddleback Cuban Mahogany (I think one was a Bown).

Cuban Mahogany is a great tonewood. To me, it seems to keep the typical Honduran Mahogany trebles but has a richer and more focused bass. The luthier who built mine said Cuban Mahogany was typically about 15-20% more dense than Honduran Mahogany , and the particular set of Cuban Mahogany I chose was about 20% more dense than typical Cuban Mahogany. Mine was sourced from Brad Goodman, and came from a tree that was downed in St. Thomas by hurricane Hugo.

Yes, I suspect that its density, stiffness and damping differs...

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Congrats Bob. The Cuban is beautiful. Don’t recall any I’ve seen with that much figure. Gonna be special.

Thanks Dennis.... I have high hopes for it.

[Guitars44me]

As so many have commented the Cuban mahogany is beautiful!

But am I the only one here who LOVES the old German Spruce? I really dig the racing stripe down the center, and find it just gorgeous!!!

And, I believe more folks should go for tone over looks.

To coin a phrase that just occurred to me:

Looks are only skin deep but tone goes to your heart!!! And, that is a pleasing plantilla, indeed. Bigger is better IMHO.

This will be a KILLER

Paul

[iim7V7IM7]

That was my view as well...

Nick had some aesthetically superior Swiss Spruce that was a mere 30 years old, but he felt sonically that it was no match for this old German Spruce. I have a wonderful guitar that Bruce Sexauer made for me using German Spruce that has compression wood in the top. By general market aesthetic standards, it’s a AA top. But sonically..., , grade.

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

As so many have commented the Cuban mahogany is beautiful!

But am I the only one here who LOVES the old German Spruce? I really dig the racing stripe down the center, and find it just gorgeous!!!

And, I believe more folks should go for tone over looks.

To coin a phrase that just occurred to me:

Looks are only skin deep but tone goes to your heart!!! And, that is a pleasing plantilla, indeed. Bigger is better IMHO.

This will be a KILLER

Paul

[jt1]

Fantastic! I love Nick's work.

[FormerFoodie]

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

Nick had some aesthetically superior Swiss Spruce that was a mere 30 years old, but he felt sonically that it was no match for this old German Spruce. I have a wonderful guitar that Bruce Sexauer made for me using German Spruce that has compression wood in the top. By general market aesthetic standards, it’s a AA top. But sonically..., , grade.

You are a wise man to trust the luthier.

I have a Frog that has this asymmetric streak on the adirondack top. Most purists would raise their nose at it. However, the tone that oozes from this guitar is insane. I'm glad I judged with my ears and not my eyes.

[justonwo]

As a mahogany connoisseur, I definitely appreciate the radness of that mahogany. Superb stuff.

[rgregg48]

Puppy's and pancakes!

[Codfather]

Originally Posted by Tone Gopher

That may have been my ol’ thread.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...light=Franklin

Regardless, Nick was great to work with, and the guitar truly wondrous. Enjoy the path.

Still have it?

[M Sarad]

The first time I ever saw Flamed Cuban Mahogany was when John built this guitar for me around 2001. I had to sell it for home repairs. I am currently trying to get it back.

http://www.kinnairdguitars.com/Galle...00Main29e.html

[iim7V7IM7]

Looks like similar stuff...(thanks for sharing)

Originally Posted by M Sarad

The first time I ever saw Flamed Cuban Mahogany was when John built this guitar for me around 2001. I had to sell it for home repairs. I am currently trying to get it back.

http://www.kinnairdguitars.com/Galle...00Main29e.html

[usb_chord]

Exceptional stuff, Mr. ii–V–I. I'm really excited to see how this one progresses!!

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by usb_chord

Exceptional stuff, Mr. ii–V–I. I'm really excited to see how this one progresses!!

Thanks... I am uncertain how many updates I will post, but Nick will likely share some key steps as his build progresses.