Build Thread: Circa 00-12 Adi/Braz Style 30

[justonwo]

So, many of you are probably aware of my Circa fanboy-dom. Over the years, John and I have become pretty good friends (at least, I think he's my friend, he hasn't admitted as much publicly), in part because I love his guitars but also because he's fun to work with and hang out with.

In the end, though, he builds some of the best guitars on the planet. Since I'm utterly lacking in variety, depth, and breadth in my guitar collection, John and I decided to do a triple-30 project. That is three guitars with Martin style 30 appointments and built in the pre-war tradition. Each of the three will be Adi with Brazilian rosewood back and sides. All will be non-cutaway and 12 fret. 0, 00, and 000.

I haven't given John any instructions other than to make the best version of each that he can. I abandoned the idea of telling luthiers what I want a guitar to sound like a long time ago. I just let them do their thing now. And I have so much experience with John (and he with my tastes), that I have 100% confidence in pretty much everything he does.

The first in the series will be a 00-12. Although John is going mostly old-school with the spec, we're going to leave the bar frets and banjo tuners off the table. But he IS going to do a bird beak neck joint on each.

Body: 00-12
Top: Adirondack spruce, Slobod Supreme
Back and Sides: Brazilian, Slobod Unobtanium Grade Supreme Master Venti Platinum
Neck: Mahogany with bird's beak neck joint, carbon non-adjustable truss rod
Headstock: Paddle
Neck Profile: The CORRECT shape
Tuning Machines: Waverly
Frets: EVO Gold 55090
Bridge: Ebony pyramid
Fingerboard: Ebony
Binding: Ivoroid
Purfling and center strip: Style 30
Nut spacing: 1 3/4"
Saddle spacing: 2 41/128"
Case: Hoffee (and I'll probably convince Jeff to do me a custom color)

Now, I know what you're thinking . . . where is Slobod going to get the right kind of style 30 purfling? The best ones I've ever seen were done by Howard Klepper. John is getting some stuff custom made and waiting for some samples. I'm hoping it will be reasonably close to what Howard used on my Schoenberg. But John has his own ideas of what style 30 should look like, so I'll probably let him dictate.





For now, we've got some wood photos, the rosette, and the rim.

[TomB'sox]

Wowser, that is quite a project!!! We can replace the now cancelled Woodstock event just with this thread. Pretty high grade woods too lol!

[Jimmy Caldwell]

No banjo tuners or bar frets? Very disappointing.☺️

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Wowser, that is quite a project!!! We can replace the now cancelled Woodstock event just with this thread. Pretty high grade woods too lol!

I'm trying to create a perpetual Healdsburg in my home.

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Caldwell

No banjo tuners or bar frets? Very disappointing.☺️

Yeah, I know. As much as I like finicky tuning and sharp-edged frets, I'm passing this go-around!

[asobi]

Awesome! Watching this keenly

[iim7V7IM7]

Mr. Smithers goes to Maine (and often ).

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

Mr. Smithers goes to Maine (and often ).

I’m going to stop over in NJ!

[Carmel Cedar]

What an awesome project. You will be anointed the official West Coast Circa Guitar Appreciation Society founding member. And the only person on the planet with the ability to offer a direct Circa tone/projection comparison from 0 to 00 to 000 on same woods. Way cool!

I'm fascinated by this one, and will eagerly follow along. Go Juston!!!

[jmat]

“2 41/128"....there’s a man who knows what he likes!

[FormerFoodie]

Oh man... This is going to be SWEET!!!! What a trifecta...

Originally Posted by justonwo

I haven't given John any instructions other than to make the best version of each that he can. I abandoned the idea of telling luthiers what I want a guitar to sound like a long time ago. I just let them do their thing now. And I have so much experience with John (and he with my tastes), that I have 100% confidence in pretty much everything he does.

This has been my approach too. I basically tell the luthier to build the guitar as if it is for them. If I like the general tonal DNA of their builds, I can't go wrong here.

Looking forward to seeing more of this build unfold!!!!

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by Carmel Cedar

What an awesome project. You will be anointed the official West Coast Circa Guitar Appreciation Society founding member. And the only person on the planet with the ability to offer a direct Circa tone/projection comparison from 0 to 00 to 000 on same woods. Way cool!

I'm fascinated by this one, and will eagerly follow along. Go Juston!!!

We can all demo Circa guitars under the 8’ tall oil and canvas painting of John that hangs in my living room.

Originally Posted by jmat

“2 41/128"....there’s a man who knows what he likes!

My calipers are ready!

Originally Posted by FormerFoodie

Oh man... This is going to be SWEET!!!! What a trifecta...


This has been my approach too. I basically tell the luthier to build the guitar as if it is for them. If I like the general tonal DNA of their builds, I can't go wrong here.

Looking forward to seeing more of this build unfold!!!!

Yeah, I remember in 2009 I sent John this long spec sheet with all these crazy detailed descriptions and I think he got a little nervous. Let the luthier do their job and watch the magic happen. You gotta make sure you like their work first . . . or keep an open mind and take a gamble.

[Jamiejoon]

Wow. Good for you, Juston! Merry Christmas! Beautiful wood. I appreciate you making me look conservative in my guitar buying habits.

[jt1]

Fabulous project. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[srick]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Wowser, that is quite a project!!! We can replace the now cancelled Woodstock event just with this thread. Pretty high grade woods too lol!

I like this idea Tom! We certainly have a bunch of interesting builds going on. So we’ve got the visuals and we could do the audio, we just have to figure out how to incorporate a ‘sound hole sniff’ and maybe a cramped ‘try out’ tent.

PS - we need a wood tent too