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A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
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Author:  John Kinnaird jr [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:20 am ]
Post subject:  A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Here is my Colin inspired guitar. Short scale length (25 inches). Honduras Mahogany body, EUROPEAN spruce top. (from Italy to be exact, probably some tree growing in Cremona that was felled in the early 1700's) Most everything else is African Blackwood. (including binding, overlay, rosette, fingerboard, bridge, but not tuner knobs) No position markers (except on the side and they are brass to match the brass in the tuner machines) Tony did the satin finish.

Its my version of a 00.
Author:  Joe Sustaire [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Hey John, you'll be pleased to know, I approve also! [clap] [clap] [clap]

The binding work and end-graft are beautiful.
What is angle of your saddle? It looks like it's angled more than the norm.
Who makes the good looking tuners? And I love that satin finish!

Thanks,
Joe
Author:  John Kinnaird jr [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Thanks Joe
That angle is 4 degrees. It is more than Martin angles their saddles, about the same as a Gibson angle. I always felt like Martins needed more compensation. The saddle is also slanted backwards a little (about 2 detgrees) in the saddle slot. That changes the compensation depending on string height.

John
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Simply elegant, John! It's a beauty and as always most inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
That's worthy of Colin's approval. Beautiful in it's simplicity. Good job! [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]
Author:  douglas ingram [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
And me! I approve, too.
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Elegant John. You did a wonderful job in keeping the elegance understated.
Author:  John Kinnaird jr [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Thanks so much all. I appreciate your kind words. I really enjoy making em simple, don't know why it takes a nudge from a customer to do it more often.

John
Author:  Colin S [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Oh yes I approve John, but then secretly I approve of all of your guitars. It's beautiful, just lets the superb wood and your great craftsmanship do the talking. Yet another one of your's that I would have loved to own. I hope there is another generation of Kinnairds following on, it would be a shame if the Kinnaird luthiery genes died out with the two of you (long time in the future of course ;) ).

Colin
Author:  John Kinnaird jr [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Thank you Colin
I knew that if you did not approve of this unadorned mahogany guitar with a euro top that I was in trouble. It would be time to hang up the luthier gig and start plowing.
When the client ordered this guitar I instantly thought of you and that you had influenced his decisions. But, I couldn't figure out how. The six degrees of separation idea cropped up as did channeling and other silly metaphysical notions.
Anyway, the instrument appeals to me in a serious instrument way. Its formality is all business and makes some of my more garish instruments seem silly

John
Author:  SniderMike [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 12:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Sexy. Super sexy.
Author:  SteveCourtright [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 1:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
I love it all, but the top is so pretty, silky. Really nice one. One of these days I must get some mahogany.
Author:  Heath Blair [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
love it from start to finish. the wood choices and appointments are perfect. excellent work.
Author:  Colin S [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
John it IS a really serious looking instrument, one where form truly does follow function, a real guitar players' guitar. You only have to look at that mahogany, OK it's not the blingiest of woods, but it just looks right. Mahogany's problem is that it was cheap, if it cost BRW money, everyone would want it. But a guitar just doesn't get any better than a Mahogany/Euro. A lot of players may use an exotic guitar on stage, but put them in a studio and both they and the engineer, will insist on a mahogany box. At the EMI Abbey Road studio, they keep a Lowden Mahogany/Euro because the engineers know that it gives the right sound for recording.

Colin
Author:  John Kinnaird jr [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Thanks again you guys. I appreciate you looking as well as your comments.

Colin what interests me about Mahogany is the different colors and densitys it comes in. That veneer on the back of the peghead is Santa Domingan mahogany. (probably no different from Cuban mahogany, but I know where this particular flitch came from) It really is harder and more difficult to bend than the Honduras Mahogany. I will say that as much as I like Euro tops, good Adirondack will give it a run for the money. A mahog/adi is also hard to beat.
Author:  Ken McKay [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
The more I look, the more I want to reach for that guitar.

Spruce grows not in Cremona, think of another one.

Seriously nice work!
Author:  peterm [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
I have to be critical on this instance....
from what I can tell from close inspection of the pictures, I really can't tell how well it sounds...
Please send it over for a in depth study... bliss
Author:  John Kinnaird jr [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Ok Ken
I guess I betrayed my geographical ignorance of Italy and Cremona. The true story of this top is that it did not grow in Cremona, it just made its way to Cremona from the Alps was cut into billits that layed around in the back of Guaranius' violin shop for 3 centuries. The shop had since been transformed into a pizzeria and the biliet was lost for years until quite by accident it was discovered by a wood butcher who had mistaken it for bar stool until he realized that it was a solid piece of wood with no legs. That's the whole story. The top has a history, I just abbreviated it earlier for clarity

peterm I think it sounds very sweet, well balanced, and loud

Thanks for you comments guys
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Great stuff bro. Didn't know that Tony did satin finishes...is there no end to his talent?
There looks to be a slight gentle curl/ripple to the grain of the mahog. Is that right? It is quite attractive.
And did that Coleman wood really come from Santo Domingo?
(Not Cuber?)

KBW
Author:  John Kinnaird jr [ Mon Jul 20, 2009 5:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Thanks brother
Tony does his traditional finish and then rubs it out with some grade of pumice and oil. There is a slight curl to the mahog. Enough to give it some interest but not enough to make it "problem wood"
I knew I would misspell Santo Domingo, and that you would not. Such is the alignment of our genes. At any rate, Coleman did tell me the wood came from there. Its just one or two islands to the east of Cuba. Not far.
Author:  Pat Foster [ Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
John,

A gorgeous piece of work, as expected!

Pat
Author:  Dave Anderson [ Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Such an elegant,understated, beautiful guitar John ! I really like the mohogany!
As always,you've hit a grand slam in the bottom of the 9th. I like the satin
finish too. [clap] [:Y:] [clap]
Author:  John Kinnaird jr [ Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Pat and Dave I thank you. I really am pleased that such a simple guitar is well recieved.

John
Author:  Quine [ Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
Very classy. Sometimes simple is the way to go!!
Author:  Christian Schmid [ Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A simple guitar that Colin would approve of
John Kinnaird jr wrote:
I really am pleased that such a simple guitar is well recieved.


The thing is - your guitar is like a wife.

It may not be the most eye catching one on the planet, but once you take the time to look her in the eyes, you realize how deep her beauty goes and you just can't take your eyes of her any more.

Christian
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