Official Luthiers Forum!

This is my second all koa guitar. The first one I made was over built because I really didn't know how to voice it. I wanted to revisit this as soon as I felt that I could pull it off.
This is number 20, and I'm just starting to have a good feeling about voicing.
Features - Macassar ebony bindings, fretboard, bridge, headplate and mini radiussed armrest
25.7 scale - Zipflex abalone (except the rosette) - Walnut/oak/bloodwood carbon reinforce neck
















Here is that mini armrest. It is more comfortable.

_________________
"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Very nice guitar!!

Did you use a flash for your photographs? I found that without a flash, the Zipflex really shines out and looks purple-blue-ish, just like in your photos, but that in reality, the color isn't quite so striking! If your Zipflex really is those colors, then I want to know what I have to order to get some like it!!

Cheers,
Dave F.

_________________
Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

Beautiful guitar. I really like the idea of a mini arm rest. Can you tell me how you did it?

Thanks,
Pat

_________________
There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.

Wow it's stunning...beautiful guitar!

Gorgeous! I love that crinkly figured koa, and walnut neck. Nice shape as well. Points for rounded tail block... but loss of points for imperfect neck to cutaway fit. Me no like pointy corners in the way of my hands.

How about a recording, or at least a description of the sound? I have yet to hear a good koa topper in person, but I have heard a couple in recordings that I really liked, at least when played with a pick. But most seem to be rather muffled sounding. Does it say "pum" or "tang" or something else? Is it loud? Sustain good?

I'd love to see bracing pics as well. One day I hope to make one say "tanggggggg"

No - never! That is natural lighting near the end of the day.


I'll check when I get home. If I forget - send me a PM.

_________________
"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I have the insert extend at least the thickness of the top, cut the top to shape, transfer that shape to the insert, and the carve that shape on the insert.

_________________
"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I have the insert extend at least the thickness of the top, cut the top to shape, transfer that shape to the insert, and the carve that shape on the insert.

_________________
"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I hate you...we haven't met, but I hate you... Seriously though, that's one BEAUTIFUL guitar! And only your 2nd...I've got many more under my belt and would be proud to call this one mine...good pics too...ditto the aformentioned about the flash...can't wait to see # 3!

_________________
http://www.presnallguitars.com

Oh man that's a nice looking guitar!

Thanks, but read the first post again and see if you still hate me.
This is my 20th guitar, the second all koa guitar.

_________________
"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

That is beautifull work. And the Photography is excellent. What sort of camera (make / model)are you using....if it's ok to ask.

Michael

Thanks Michael. I used my Canon Powershot SX110. I love the camera. My Nikon D50 had a battery problem when I was ready to take the pictures, so I just used the Canon.



Review of the camera -
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras ... ag=rvwBody

_________________
"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Ok, I see now...well, now I'm no longer hating you...just harboring a strong dislike... it is a beautiful guitar and you should be proud, for sure...

_________________
http://www.presnallguitars.com

Great looking guitar, like yours always are.

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

For some reason I like your wood choices...

well done!

_________________
Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Absolute beauty but I have no idea what the mini arm rest thing is.

Love the cutaway and bridge.

_________________
"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.

Imperfect neck to cutaway? I did that intentionally. I find that the point does not get in the way. I made it like that because I didn't want the abalone to be tapered to nothing. I felt it looks better. Normally I make it match up close.


I'll try to get a recording soon. I really like the sound. It is not even close to muffled. It has good balance and separation with strong bass. It is not too bright. To me it sounds very rich. My wife thinks it is my best sounding guitar yet.
I think it has better sustain than many of my other builds - I think. Sustain is hard to judge. Come over sometime and play it. I built this for myself. We'll see how long I keep it, if you know what I mean.

_________________
"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Oh all right, you can have a free pass then But I still prefer a smooth fit.


Can't wait to hear it! I'll be sure to swing by and pluck it myself if I'm ever in your area (and no one has bribed it off of you by then ). Are you going to Healdsburg this summer? If so, bring it along