Kinnaird Guitars Student Build: Because One Isn't Enough

[vpolineni]

I spent last week in Nacogdoches, a welcome reprieve from the grind at work. Since my inaugural student build, others have joined the program including two AGFers-blackkeys36 and nootis! Reading their build threads reminded me of my experience and I knew that one build with Steve and Ryan would not be enough.

The impetus for my first student build was simply to build a guitar. It had been a bucket list item of mine and under their supervision, I knew I'd be able to cross it off. Truthfully, whether or not a great sounding guitar emanated from the experience was immaterial. I wanted to go through the steps I've seen in so many build thread pictures and experience it first hand. While I had that in spades, I also received a guitar that captured the sound in my head. I love my 00. If I had to save one guitar from a fire, I'd choose it ten times out of ten. I have more expensive guitars but its the only one I purchased a Calton for. I don't think I need to say more than that about it. I have no doubt that this second build will sound great but at this point it's all gravy because again, I love my 00 (I guess I did say more!).

Okay onto this build. Seeing as my 00 fits my needs for fingerstyle, I wanted a strummer. I started out playing with a pick, strumming songs when I learned how to play but have since gravitated to fingerstyle. I wanted a guitar for strumming and to learn flatpicking as I've become interested in this over the years as well. When Steve and Ryan debuted their sitka/paldao dreadnought last year, it immediately landed on my radar as the next build. I chose an adirondack top from their collection and a honduran rosewood back and sides set with an interesting story. It was once in Dana Bourgeois' shop but was sold off as a b-stock item to Darren Hippner, who I purchased it from last year. I chose a laminated neck with a bubinga center which should compliment it nicely. Ok enough talking, here are some pictures!

[vpolineni]

We didn't take as many pictures this time. Ryan said the process went by faster the second time around since he had to do less explaining! It was interesting recalling the steps and I will say some parts felt easier to perform.

Here I am carving the braces after they were glued on to the adi top:


And here are the back braces being shaved. I still have a love/hate relationship with the chisel. It did become more comfortable with repeated use but usually by the time I felt like I was getting the hang of it, that step was completed!


Speaking of love/hate, here I am profiling the sides. This guitar has a manzer wedge and it was really interesting to see Ryan set it up to have that profile as I sanded.


Last time I used the router for a soundport, I almost created a second sound hole. I felt more confident this time and it was a relatively smooth experience.

[vpolineni]

Using the drill press felt like a trip down memory lane.


Here is a picture of the box before we closed it up. It's a honor to have my name next to these two.


The box all closed up!


Using a rasp to remove any excess.




Not shown here are steps involved for driving the bus and leveling sides. They definitely fall in the 'hate' category and I hope to never have to do them again! With that said, here is the box with purfling and binding.

[vpolineni]

As I mentioned above, we moved along a little faster than last time which allowed me to participate in some new steps.

Not a new step, but here is the neck being cut to shape on the bandsaw.


This was new. I used the rasp to help profile the neck shape.


Last time I watched Steve carve the volute but this time around he got to kick back and relax for a moment.


Filing the fret ends (before)


And the after!


Sanding the bridge to match the radius of the top

[vpolineni]

Here is the front, with the bridge pinned on.


And the back with the HRW back/sides. Looks great to me!


Another satisfied Kinnaird customer! (super comfy with the wedge)


And pictures with the people who made it happen.




I'll be sure to update this thread with pictures once it arrives from the finisher. I plan to bring this to B.I.G so if you're attending, definitely try her out and see what you're missing. I'll repeat what I said in my first build thread-if I can do this, anyone can! (thanks to Steve and Ryan, of course)

[MThomson]

Congratulations! I think this sounds like an amazing experience, and you've managed to do it twice. I think I'm jealous.

[BlackKeys36]

Looks great, Vasu! Can't wait to play it.

[Guitars44me]

Two times!!!

This is really cool, and you will be stoked when it gets back from Tony! John K says HRW is as good sounding as ANY Rosewood, and I sure liked both my HRW JKs!

Very nice!!!

Enjoy

Paul

[Nemoman]

Wow--cool experience times 2!

Congrats on your 2nd build, Vasu!

You've inspired me--I'm doing a student build with Steve and Ryan next March...

[TomB'sox]

Congrats again!!! One more and I think you are opening your own shop!

[vpolineni]

Originally Posted by MThomson

Congratulations! I think this sounds like an amazing experience, and you've managed to do it twice. I think I'm jealous.

Thank you! It is definitely an amazing experience. Actually during the week Steve asked me what I would say to anyone who is interested in the program. My response was if you are into lutherie, this is a real treat. If not, you might just want the final product and not see how the sausage is made!

Originally Posted by BlackKeys36

Looks great, Vasu! Can't wait to play it.

Thanks John. I had to stop staring at your koa long enough to actually get this done! It will be great to compare both guitars later this year.

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

Two times!!!

This is really cool, and you will be stoked when it gets back from Tony! John K says HRW is as good sounding as ANY Rosewood, and I sure liked both my HRW JKs!

Very nice!!!

Enjoy

Paul

Thanks Paul, I'm really excited to have a HRW guitar. Ironically enough I almost bought the JK HRW 000 many years ago and I've now come full circle with this HRW from Steve!

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Wow--cool experience times 2!

Congrats on your 2nd build, Vasu!

You've inspired me--I'm doing a student build with Steve and Ryan next March...

Thanks Nemoman! I can assure you it will be a thrill and rewarding experience. Let me know what specs you decide on. I think I've convinced Steve and Ryan that any future long scale, deep body 12 fret 00 will be named 'The VP'

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Congrats again!!! One more and I think you are opening your own shop!

Thanks Tom! I hope you have enough room for all of these student builds at B.I.G! No plans to open my own shop (one of the key takeaways is not to quit my day job) but you know what they say, all good things comes in threes...

[Hanter]

My my so jealous of your experience(s) and your guitars Vasu. Great looking build, looking forward to Number 3!!!

[CarolD]

Such a cool story! I’m sensing a second career 😁😁😁

[cigarfan]

Congrats again! Looks like we know what your retirement will look like. LOL

[Steve Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by CarolD

Such a cool story! I’m sensing a second career 😁😁😁

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Congrats again! Looks like we know what your retirement will look like. LOL

This is proving to be our specialty: training our competition!