Build thread--Koa Kinnaird FS by Steve and Ryan--FINAL PICS & VIDEO ADDED--NGD!!!

[kyee]

Wow. I've seen a lot of koa guitars, and that set you've selected is visually stunning. Looking forward to seeing this build progress.

[boombox]

That's going to be a very pretty guitar and if it's anything like my FS-12 (in cedar and mahogany), you are not going to want to put it down - ever! I still can't believe I chanced upon her while looking for something completely different. I normally rotate my guitars on two stands, one 6 and one 12, but that one hasn't been in her case for nearly two years now.

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by PTL

Congratulations! And Wow on the Koa! Did you perchance also tap tone it to see how it tapped? At first read, I thought this is going to be another student build but I see that you are having them build it. Nice. Following.

I didn't get a chance to see how it tapped. At the time we looked through about 2 dozen sets of varying species. And of course at that point I had no intention of commissioning a build! Or so I thought...

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by blews

Great set of KOA! Will be following as well.....

Is this the Black Limba / Italian spruce top FS model you played? I bought this from the boys from Nacogdoches at the Artisan Guitar Show in 2022 - didn't make it to La Conner if this was the one?

That is indeed the aforementioned Limba FS! I must of had my guitar shows mixed up.

You are one lucky owner!

Thanks for following along!

[Nemoman]

Steve and Ryan have made some progress on the Koa FS this week, so I thought I'd share. Our intent with this guitar is to let the woods do the talking and keep a clean, crisp feel with the appointments. I've always loved the contrast that ebony has next to Koa so that's what we're going for here.

We decided to use a narrow black backstrip with the typical W/B/W purfling, and I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. The binding and purfling will use the same look to tie it all together. Ryan is working up some rosettes to choose from, so stay tuned. He also cleaned up the top since last time and you can see how creamy and white it looks in the pic--should make for a beautiful combo with the Koa.

Here are the latest pics--thanks for following along.

[iim7V7IM7]

Coming along beautifully…

[cigarfan]

So nice! Love it!

[blews]

Gorgeous!!

[Nemoman]

Thanks for the comments, guys!

Not too much to report on as Steve and Ryan had a student build last week, but the journey continues...

More to come!

[Nemoman]

The journey continues!

Ryan's eldest was at the shop yesterday and helped out working on my guitar--looks like she did an awesome job.

He was also able to get the venetian cutaway side successfully bent--a sigh of relief on that aspect!

Ryan and I have been discussing the rosette all week. Ryan tried several different options, but ultimately we ended up using a fairly minimalist rosette. He really nailed what I wanted--it's pretty well complete and will have ebony binding on the soundhole.

The koa and the italian spruce top continue to impress...thanks for checking it out!

[TomB'sox]

Looking great Kevin. I like the understated rosette as well. That Koa is absolutely stunning. This is going to be a great guitar, but we knew that!

Kinda looks to me that someone is being a hero on that bandsaw though!

[BlackKeys36]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Looking great Kevin. I like the understated rosette as well. That Koa is absolutely stunning. This is going to be a great guitar, but we knew that!

Kinda looks to me that someone is being a hero on that bandsaw though!

You and I have gotten the same lecture while standing at that bandsaw, I see. I had the same thought...lol

I love this guitar, Kevin! I had the opportunity to put my Kinnaird Koa 000-12 in the hands of a few professional guitar players last week and every one of them was blown away..."I can't get over how (balanced, warm, articulate, responsive, loud, etc.) it is." Unfortunately, they're all professional musicians and can't afford a guitar of this quality.

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Looking great Kevin. I like the understated rosette as well. That Koa is absolutely stunning. This is going to be a great guitar, but we knew that!

Kinda looks to me that someone is being a hero on that bandsaw though!

Thanks, Tom--sometimes less is more with the rosette. And I had the same "hero" lecture as well!

Originally Posted by BlackKeys36

You and I have gotten the same lecture while standing at that bandsaw, I see. I had the same thought...lol

I love this guitar, Kevin! I had the opportunity to put my Kinnaird Koa 000-12 in the hands of a few professional guitar players last week and every one of them was blown away..."I can't get over how (balanced, warm, articulate, responsive, loud, etc.) it is." Unfortunately, they're all professional musicians and can't afford a guitar of this quality.

Thanks, John--your Koa 000 was definitely an influence on my decisions and choices going into this build. It's really a stunning guitar--glad it's still giving you and others joy!

[Nemoman]

The build continues onward...

More progress pics from Kinnaird West!

[TomB'sox]

OK, clamps galore! However, now he is just showing off on the bandsaw with that fretboard. No one likes a show-off Ryan!