Build Thread aka Dream Come True: Kinnaird Guitars Student Build

[vpolineni]

Originally Posted by Nahil.R

What a fun build you took us through Vasu! Congrats on that beauty, I'm sure she will sing as sweetly as she looks.

Thank you Nahil! I have high hopes for this guitar and fully expect the same.

Originally Posted by vanceen

That is going to be beautiful.

And the Lucky Strike redwood, shaped under the tutelage of Kinnaird Guitars will sound exquisite.

I hope we get some audio when it's finished.

Thank you Vance your LS Kinnaird is truly one of my favorites from Steve and Ryan. If this sounds anything like yours it will be in good company! Speaking of, are you offering to do a demo of it? How about a day trip back to Nacogdoches for you and your LS/Ziricote once this is finished?

[vanceen]

Originally Posted by vpolineni

Thank you Nahil! I have high hopes for this guitar and fully expect the same.

Thank you Vance your LS Kinnaird is truly one of my favorites from Steve and Ryan. If this sounds anything like yours it will be in good company! Speaking of, are you offering to do a demo of it? How about a day trip back to Nacogdoches for you and your LS/Ziricote once this is finished?

Well, that wasn't what I was thinking of. It's not impossible.

[Neil K Walk]

This was touched upon but I am curious, what is the plan for applying finish and doing the setup? Many luthiers have said that building is just half the job and that applying the finish is a long and tedious process. I know many of us would likely be very interested in seeing how that initial setup is done as well.

[vpolineni]

Originally Posted by vanceen

Well, that wasn't what I was thinking of. It's not impossible.

Would love to see that happen. It would be great to hear the guitar played by you and maybe even a side by side comparison of the two!

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

This was touched upon but I am curious, what is the plan for applying finish and doing the setup? Many luthiers have said that building is just half the job and that applying the finish is a long and tedious process. I know many of us would likely be very interested in seeing how that initial setup is done as well.

Great question Neil. The guitar and neck both (thankfully) arrived at Addam Stark's workshop in Santa Cruz, California to have a nitrocellulose finish applied. Side note here... doesn't it bother you when two packages shipped at the same time to the same address take different routes and arrive at different times?!?

As my previous posts indicate, I spent 6 days at Steve's workshop with one more to go. Day 7 will happen once the guitar and body return from Addam at which point I'll learn the art of the setup from Ryan. I completely agree with you that the finish and setup can make or break a guitar. Neither Tony nor Addam are cheap-both are experts in their field and I decided to spend here because quite frankly the build warrants it. Ryan and I initially talked about cheaper alternatives such as a rub on tru-oil finish and I might explore that for build #2 because I want to experience that component of lutherie as well at some point. I couldn't do that for this build because it's too special being a first time experience, the woods used and the fact that this will be a mainstay in my stable. This will be my go to couch guitar and fill the 00 void in my collection.

[vpolineni]

i visited Steve's workshop to complete the guitar and bring the final product home! Steve recorded some demos yesterday so the guitar was set up but we added the finishing touches-my favorite part being the honduran rw tuner buttons made by Steve!

I realize my bias but I'll start off by saying I'm thrilled with the guitar. The specs of 12 fret 00 with 25.4" scale and a deep body is a goldilocks combination to me. I have come to prefer shallower bodies on larger guitars to retain punch/clarity but on a smaller body i feel it gives a larger voice reminiscent of an OM or larger. Close your eyes and it does not sound like a 00 at all. One of my goals was to give a R&D opportunity to Steve and Ryan, presenting a different configuration than what they normally build. I'm happy to say that I believe it's a resounding success and I hope that they will build more of these 00's going forward.

I'm still getting to know the guitar and will post updates but aside from the power I'm noticing a strong fundamental to the note supported by a nice mix of overtones. The lucky strike top lives up to its fame with incredible sustain and the signature Kinnaird voicing is present in the trebles with no weakness as you move up the fretboard.

The aforementioned LS top has lots of silking which shows up nicely in the pictures. The tucarensis turned out nicely as well and the photo of the back captures the colors most accurately. I hope you all have enjoyed following this journey. It has truly been a dream come true and was too much fun to only do once. I know in previous posts I mentioned a 12 string being next but after further discussions today there may be a plot twist! Until then, enjoy the pictures below:

[j. Kinnaird]

That is a really beautiful guitar. Great work!

[cigarfan]

Stunning guitar. That silking in the LS is off the charts. Sure was fun to watch you work as well. Congrats again.

[iim7V7IM7]

Congrats...

[doodahdoug]

Congratulations Vasu...that's one beautiful guitar! Thanks for letting us share the experience of your amazing journey with Steve and Ryan to craft this fine instrument. I look forward to getting to see it in person one day. Enjoy it in good health.

[nootis]

Absolutely fabulous. Well done!!

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Stunning guitar. That silking in the LS is off the charts. Sure was fun to watch you work as well. Congrats again.

I second Dennis! Way to go

Paul

[vpolineni]

Thank you everyone for the kind words. I'm glad that you enjoyed following along on this journey it was a pleasure to share it with the AGF community. I hope to share it in person too, hopefully at B.I.G and at the very least to our local members once life returns to back to some semblance of normal.

Final parting words for now: I would encourage anyone who took inspiration from this thread to contact Steve and Ryan about taking the plunge yourself. I can't stress this enough-if I can do this, you can too!

[jt1]

Gorgeous guitar! Congratulations.

Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

[Steve Kinnaird]

I'll second Vasu's thanks for the kind words. This project was a lot of fun.
We got to work with some of God's best handiwork. We got to build a guitar.
Plus, it's just a blast hanging out with Vasu. What a fine experience!

Steve

[BlackKeys36]

Congrats on finishing your masterpiece! I can't wait to experience what you are right now and getting to play a guitar that you built! I bet it sounds extra sweet!

It truly is stunning to look at; I can't wait to hear it!