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Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=23827		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Like Peter, I haven't posted pics in a while either.
And like Peter, I want to rectify that.
Unlike Peter, I don't have any Brazilian to show off. :cry:
However, this Tasmanian Blackheart Sassafras is at least interesting.

So here goes:

Top--Bearclaw Sitka (Brent Cole)
Back/Sides--Blackheart Sassafras (Tim Spittle)
Bindings--Macassar Ebony
Rosette--Macassar Ebony w/ green ab.
Neck--Honduran mahog / Black walnut / Cuban mahog
Fretboard--Afr. ebony
Bridge--African Blackwood


Attachment:
Back2 Sm.jpg



Attachment:
Back Close Sm.jpg



Attachment:
Front Sm.jpg



Attachment:
HeadF Sm.jpg



Attachment:
Rosette Sm.jpg



Attachment:
FB2 Sm.jpg



Thanks for looking!

Steve
Author:  Glenn LaSalle [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Wow! A bear certainly went to town on that top ;) . Very nice!

Glenn
Author:  MaxBishop [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Steve,

An absolute knock-out! What a gorgeous instrument. You can be justly proud.

Max
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Very cool!
Author:  SteveCourtright [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
The stopped backstrip is pretty unique. Love it.
Author:  Burton LeGeyt [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Beauty! I Love the Fred Perry headstock and the bearclaw looks great.
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Hey, many thanks guys!

Burton, one Q: what do you mean "Fred Perry" headstock?
I don't get the reference...

Steve
Author:  Randolph [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Steve, being the bear claw lover that I am, this guitar works for me. I love everything about it. I especially love the way all of the separate components (headstock, sassafrass, bearclaw, fretmarkers) work together to give the feel of this instrument - nice choices here. How's the sound of this one? Nice work [clap] [clap]
Author:  Lars Stahl [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Looks beautiful Steve. I really love the shape you have on your guitars. !! [clap] [clap] [:Y:] [:Y:]

Lars.
Author:  Rod True [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Wow, that is amazing bearclaw Steve (the rest of the guitar ain't to shabby either ;) )

You get your sitka from Ed Dicks?

Nice job! [:Y:]
Author:  Arbredelaforet [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Outstanding guitar, as usual, Steve !
Beautiful shape, wood selection and combinaison, and high skill level of craftmanship.

à+
Author:  James W B [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Looks spectacular.I was also wondering about the sound.I`m getting ready to start a build with some Sassafrass.I haven`t thicknessed it yet,but it sounds kind of blah.
James
Author:  Heath Blair [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
youve become one of my favorite builders, steve. i love your work and this guitar is no exception.
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Kind words there folks, my thanks to you.
Randolph and James, I really like the sound from this little guitar.
It is quite well balanced, with a richness in the bass and an authority in the trebles. Does it sound like rosewood? No. Sassafras just doesn't have the density. So there are no cathedral type overtones here, just a nice pleasing sound. Don't worry about the taptone...as this stuff doesn't have one. Just be prepared for it not to sound like Brazilian.
Rod, the Sitka came from Brent Cole in Alaska.
Lars, Abre.-many thanks gents.
Heath--wow! what a compliment. I'm honored. :oops:

Steve
Author:  Chris Paulick [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Interesting to say the least. Sweet.
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Chris (x2) thanks guys!

Steve
Author:  Burton LeGeyt [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Steve,

Sorry for the obscure reference. The laurel leaf design on the headstock is similar to the logo on the Fred Perry line of clothing, of which I am a big fan!
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Ahh, ok, thanks for the clarification!
So then both Fred and I have plagiarised the ancient Romans, who used the laurel wreath for the symbol of victory!
(Though I doubt that Fred puts a "K" in the center of his wreath. :D )

Thanks,

Steve
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Oooh! That bearclaw is fantastic!

Maybe Shane can find some of that for me!

Mike
Author:  peterm [ Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Hey Steve,
I think I saw that guitar at Healdsburg! Very nice indeed! [:Y:]
It was great to meet you in person...
Author:  Marc [ Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Wow, nice work steve, the more I look the more details I find.
Author:  Kim [ Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Beautiful work Steve,

I remember seeing that very set of Sassy when I was up at Tim's, I am please it ended up with you because you always manage to bring forth the very best from natures wonderful gifts.

Well done [:Y:] [:Y:] [:Y:]

Cheers

Kim
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Mike, thanks...if Shane has got some figured tops like this, let me know. I've seen some bearclaw figure in his Lutz, but not this heavy.
Peter, yes you did. It made the trip. And obrigado to you!
Thanks Marc for the kind words.
Kim, yes it sat too long on Tim's site. I was weary of that set tempting me, so I had to try it. Thanks for not buying it, and for your generous remarks.

Steve
Author:  Colin S [ Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Another spectacular piece of Kinnaird artistry, which would seem to be in your 'Post European' style :lol:

Two small things, there seems to be a bit of the guitar missing in the upper bout, and wouldn't all those marks in the top sand out? ;)

Colin
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackheart Sassafras / Bearclaw Sitka FS
Colin, as usual, your wit and discernment are truly appreciated. laughing6-hehe

Steve
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