Official Luthiers Forum!

A few months ago I started a thread about a figured redwood top that I epoxied lutz to the bottom side. I just put strings on it last night. The sound is warm with good bass and nice over tones. I'm very happy that it appears that this is an acceptable way to use this fragile and beautiful wood without it being too thick and heavy.
(I haven't finished cleaning her up - but I couldn't wait to show you all some pictures.)

Specs -
Figured bubinga with sapwood. (Is this waterfall bubinga?)
Small radiused koa armrest
Soundport
27.5" scale - 14 fret model
Koa Bindings
EI rosewood fret board
Bubinga headplate
Bubinga radial purfling
Spalted maple rosette
Gotoh 510 tuners 18:1


















Thanks for looking.

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

That looks nice. That is what I would call Waterfall Bubinga. I like to use Bubinga, I think it is under rated as a tone wood.

Beautiful guitar Steve, what thickness did you wind up with on the top?
And what kind of pins are those? Look good.

Joe

What a beauty. Fine workmanship, and really nice wood combination.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I think many design factors come together very well on this guitar. I love the overall body shape, and I think the colors work particularly well together. To my eye, the wide binding looks just perfect with this combination. Sometimes heavily figured woods can visually clash with each other, but I think you've held everything together really well here. This instrument will surely get a lot of attention when it's played in public!
Patrick

That's one pretty guitar. I like how you blended the curve on the bridge, it ties it in nicely.

Wow, Steve, what a looker!
Here's a 2nd request for info on those pins...

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

The top ended up at about 0.100" thick, with the lutz being about 0.025".
This is the OLF SJ shape, with my own lattice bracing.

The pins are amber buffalo pins from Andy DePaule.
http://www.luthiersupply.com/Bridge_End_Pins.html

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

Whether it's waterfall bubinga or not - it's a stunning back/side set. And it goes very well together with all the other elements of the guitar.

Christian

I have to agree with Patrick! Everything seems to work very nicely together. Well done Steve!

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jw ( o)===:::

Steve I have to comment again, that small radius armrest is great, not really noticed at first, but perfect to soften that edge!

I really hope you took that fine guitar off the bottom of the pool after getting those top-shots! I just can't help but see rippling water every time I look at it.

Super job,
Joe

Wow! Very nice looking instrument!

What did you tune it to (B-B) and did you use Baritone strings as well?? Would also love to hear about the lattice bracing to understand what tone you were looking for in the Bari.

Again, very beautiful guitar!

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Guitar Building = Continuous Improvement Process

I love the radial purfling, it blends so well together and just looks natural. Any chance of a glimpse of your lattice bracing?

Matt

Velly, velly .. nice.

Danny R. Little

That is awesome Steve.
Fantastic

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

I'm doing mostly radial purfling on my builds. I think it is great also.

There is a picture of lattice bracing in the thread below. Mine is like that, although not as thick. I tend to go thin and tall

viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=21695&p=300604&hilit=lattice#p300604

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

thanks steve, are you inlaying the purfling using teflon strips as you would for shell?

What a beauty Steve!
Very nicely done.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

thats what i like to hear! now i can't wait for my package to arrive. mine wont be as crazy of figure in that back.

the top is really nice too. is that redwood fragile when thicknessed for a top is that why you decided to laminate it? and i need to find some more info on these sound ports. they seem interesting

Looks real nice Steve!
Are you going to Healdsburg? I would love to try one of them Baritones!

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

That is one beautiful guitar, Steve. Striking for every angle. Great job!

Ed

I am probably going - but not to show anything.
A guy that is a regular at our So Cal AGF gatherings is the new owner. I hope you can make another one of those - I'm delivering it to him at the next one. Please come!

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

Yes. All those nice waves in the wood make for a lot of short grain. Very weak.
I would not use figured redwood without some kind of reinforcement.

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

I'll try! When is it?

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

I'm a nut for this type of figured redwood so your guitar looks incredible. I have to echo other's sentiment in your sensitivity to clash with such high figure on all woods. You really made it work. On top of it, it seems to sound great to boot!! Bravo, Steve, I love it!