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First arm rest...pics inside
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=4728
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Author:  John Kinnaird [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:57 am ]
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Here is my first (and maybe my last ) armrest guitar.

Also first attempt at sunburst.   The color is not very true for some reason so just take that into consideration.

The BACK is Bob C, the zootman's special cocobolo. It sure is a fine looking wood. Thanks Bob.





The neck is a combination of Texas walnut and cuban and African Mahogany



One of the worrisome things about dark guitars is that the smudges show so badly.

Thanks for looking

John

Author:  peterm [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:04 am ]
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Good job for a first! Those armrests can be a challenge! peterm38742.718125

Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:09 am ]
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B-U-T-FUL So the arme rest was a task I gather

Author:  Josh H [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:17 am ]
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John

It really looks good!

I spent most of today carving and binding my first ribrest. I did the armrest on this guitar last week. These things sure are a lot of work and I know I have a lot to learn about doing them. I think it is worth it, or I should say I will gladly do one for $300-$400 or whatever I decide on for a price. I found binding them to be the biggest challenge, especially the ribrest. My joints didn't come out quite as clean as I would have liked. Anyway I will try and get some pictures up tomorrow.

Josh

Author:  Brock Poling [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:22 am ]
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Very nice.


Author:  burbank [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:26 am ]
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Congratulations on a job well done! I'm not that brave... yet.

Your bridge sure looks interesting. Could you comment on the whys and wherefores with respect to its "streamlining"?

There's a discussion about fretboard radius. Yours looks to have little or no radius. How does she play?

Thanks for sharing.

Author:  Serge Poirier [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:27 am ]
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Strikingly gorgeous John!

Author:  Bobc [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:48 am ]
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John that is beautiful. I like the arm rest a lot. Sure looks good from here. I forgot all about that cocobolo. That's actually the first guitar I have seen built with it. Sure is pretty. Love the burst too. Bobc38742.7427083333

Author:  JJ Donohue [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:05 am ]
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Steve...it looks great! Tell us of the trials of the sunburst and armrest. Both look like they turned out quite well.

The bridge is striking and classy!

Any problems with gluing that coco?

What about allergic reactions to the coco dust?

Author:  Dave Rector [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:01 am ]
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Looks great John! Man, I don't think I would have had the nerve to try abalone around the armrest, specially on a first try. Very nicely done!

Author:  Dickey [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:07 am ]
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An ambitious guitar. Excellent execution. Love the burst, love the armrest, love the bridge nice nice, and love the abalone, very special guitar. Anyone who could build this guitar would have no problem making bagpipes!   

Author:  John Kinnaird [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:52 am ]
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Thanks for the kind words everyone. Bruce is right, this was an ambitious project and I am glad its over.

JJ
The armrest was just a lot of hand work mostly. I have pictures of that process here http://www.kinnairdguitars.com/John%20Fary.htm Feel free to have a look. What was hard was laminating the rosewood veneer over the bevel. It has to be bent in two directions and I can only handle one, so I made a cardboard template from the guitar, flattened it out and cut out a piece of Brazilian veneer(which turned out to be crescent shaped) then bent that cresent over a hot pipe, filed and sanded till it fit and glued it down. Whew, makes me tired just telling about it. I am going to charge big bucks for the next one!
   The burst was a huge round of trial and error with emphasis on the latter.
    I used Allwood epoxy from LMI which is designed especially for gluing oily woods like cocobolo and teak. No problems. I can vouch for that glue, though I hate working with it since cleanup is such a chore.

JohnJohn Kinnaird38742.8358101852

Author:  John Kinnaird [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:04 pm ]
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Thanks Hersh
   It is loud and sweet.

Author:  Skip Beach [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:10 pm ]
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John,

I'm in the middle of building a guitar with Bob C.'s Cocobolo & also used the Allwood epoxy from LMI. I have to heartily agree with your reference to the messy cleanup. I tried to be neat, but that stuff just wouldn't allow it. Lotsa scraping & sanding the excess drips, etc. but at least it's holding the back onto the rims quite well.

Gorgeous job on the armrest & the sunburst - but then your guitars are always super.

Skip


Author:  John Kinnaird [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 pm ]
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Thanks Skip
I resorted to using denatured alcohol on a rag to help with cleanup. That at least smears things out to a very thin sandable thickness. Or, you could just smear that epoxie alcohol solution all over the inside of the guitar and have in effect a finised interior that I doubt would do any harm whatsoever to the sound and might just look good and slow down moisture movement.

Author:  Rod True [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:36 pm ]
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John, you are amazing. That is one nice looking guitar. Slope shoulder D?

I've always loved looking at your guitars John. Great job.

Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:14 pm ]
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Hey bro, that's pretty! Is this the 'burst we talked about over Christmas? It turned out just fine. And I like the way it looks against that dark rosette.

And you were worried....sheesh!

KBW

Author:  clavin [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:19 pm ]
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I like the new K as well. More modern.

That guitar's got some color to it too! You don't see that in guitars as much anymore with everyone trying to get the wood of the month club award....

We'll work together again soon I hope.
Craig L.




Author:  Dave Anderson [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:03 pm ]
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What a beauty as usual John.Your burst is gorgeous and the bevel looks great . Lovely guitar!

Author:  Colin S [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:07 pm ]
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John, up to your usual exceptional standard of craftsmanship. That bridge looks gorgeous I like the lack of corners, corners have no place on a guitar.

Colin

Author:  John Kinnaird [ Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:01 pm ]
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Thanks Again Guys
   I must give credit to: Craig Lavin for the modern "K" inlayed on the peghead. My bro and I want you in on the collaboration project Craig if you're interested.
   One other thing I forgot to mention are the purfling lines which also came from Bob C. He sells veneer layups which really helps make custom purfling lines a breeze. This one sports maple/bloodwood/maple.

Here is a butt shot with Bob's lines.



and lines on the side
John Kinnaird38743.2979282407

Author:  RussellR [ Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:39 am ]
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John

Thats Lovely work.

Russell

Author:  Mattia Valente [ Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:13 am ]
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John; that's wonderfully inspiring! I'm almost looking forward to the day I try my hand at one (a few guitars from now, on a personal instrument).

Author:  John Kinnaird [ Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:17 am ]
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Many Thanks Russell and Mattia. Cudoes from that side of the Atlantic are always valued.

Burbank, and others who asked about the bridge. I like to sculpt bridges and I try to keep the weight down. That said, if I am in a smooth mood then the bridge is smooth and if I am feeling edgy, then there may be edges on the bridge. I was pretty mellowed out when I built this bridge

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