Cornerstone Zion for South Africa!

After many months of research, pestering numerous luthiers with enquiries and questions etc, I finally made the big decision (believe me with our exchange rate it is always a BIG decision) to have Peter M of Cornerstone build my dream guitar. I was ecstatic when a build slot opened up in August 2010 and while I initially was looking at the SJ model, I have decided to take Peter’s advice and go with the Zion. It’s still a long way off but I just had to start a thread so long!!

I currently have three EIR guitars and, while I initially was looking at Rosewood, I eventually decided to trust Peter’s advice for a guitar that suited my tone requirements and playing style (And I use the word “style” in its broadest possible sense).

I have also started a build thread on our local guitar forum which is generating quite a bit of interest as well.

The confirmed/agreed specs so far are:

Model : Cornerstone Zion
Back & Sides : Quilted Sapele
Soundboard : Sinker Redwood single top
Bindings : Ebony
Ryan Bevel : Macassar Ebony
Fingerboard : Ebony
Purflings : Blue Paua Abalone on top
Cutaway : Florentine
Sound port : Design to be decided

The selected Quilted Sapele (still in the process of choosing the Sinker Redwood top):

[naccoachbob]

That's gonna look nice. Can't wait to see the build. Hope you have tons of pics.

I will be posting as many pics as I get from Peter - no pressure Peter!

[hnuuhiwa]

Congrats Roy...glad to see that you'll be posting the build here as well as on the Guitar Forum South Africa. I didn't realize that you were on the AGF, however when I read your post on Guitar Forum SA listing the luthiers you had considered, I began to wonder

Aloha,

Hen

Originally Posted by hnuuhiwa

Congrats Roy...glad to see that you'll be posting the build here as well as on the Guitar Forum South Africa. I didn't realize that you were on the AGF, however when I read your post on Guitar Forum SA listing the luthiers you had considered, I began to wonder

Aloha,

Hen

Aloha Hen,

I have a sneaky feeling we will be communicating a lot in the coming months

(unless of course you're also having me followed )

This will be the first Cornerstone guitar in Africa if I'm not mistaken so it looks like Peter is taking the world one guitar at a time!

[tpp]

Congratulations! I look forward to seeing this build come together. Enjoy the ride.

If it wasn't for the Custom Shop section and the sponsors of this forum, I would never have even started down the road. I have pretty much read every build thread in this section and look forward to adding to someone elses pleasure when mine starts.

As Hen and I stated already, the local Guitar forum thread I started on this topic is generating some interest as well with both PeterM and Hen joining in which is fantastic!

The link is:

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/setup-m...-guitar-build/

(Moderators please remove the link if it is a violation of protocol to refer to another forum)

[Coke_zero]

I would love to buy a Cornerstone, especially that baritone Peter is making.

[Martin_Nut]

Awesome choice of woods and design. Right up my alley (Cedar/Redwood fan). Good luck!

[Acoustom]

Beautiful wood Racman. Peter builds a fantastic guitar! I believe you'll be overjoyed with the results. Enjoy the build process.

Thank you for all the kind comments and encouragement on the build.

I am already enjoying the process and have learnt to trust Peter's eye for what will both sound and look fantastic. I will post the pic of the selected Sinker Redwood top as soon as we have made a final selection.

[tpp]

Originally Posted by Racman

Thank you for all the kind comments and encouragement on the build.

I am already enjoying the process and have learnt to trust Peter's eye for what will both sound and look fantastic. I will post the pic of the selected Sinker Redwood top as soon as we have made a final selection.

+1 on trusting the luthier, especially this one.

[D. Ramsey]

Racman... Great choice in a builder

I've been able to go to Peter's shop a couple of times a month to visit and see what he is doing.
He really is a man in pursuit of perfection

I've seen him redo things because something didn't look quite right to his eye.
I know that the guitar he builds you will be beautiful and as well crafted as any luthier out there.
He has been inspired by the perfection and attention to detail that Kevin Ryan shows in all his builds.

Peters desire is to make guitars that not only look beautiful but sound fantastic and the ones that I've heard come out of his shop have been responsive, balanced and great sounding

I'm sure you will be proud that you have the first SA Cornerstone

[RogerC]

You won't be sorry. I've had my Cornerstone for about 3 years now and am still in love with it. Peter's a great guy with tons of talent. You're in for a great treat

I need patience ...... NOW!!!!

The wait until August is part of the fun I suppose and I fear I am pestering Peter with all my questions to the extent that the wait might be longer as he has to continue taking breaks from other builds before mine, to answer all my questions!!!!