Dream Acoustic Guitar Build#2: Bashkin Placencia OM

racman · 2011-05-20T12:05:37+00:00

Although the build is scheduled to start in August this year, I thought I would get the thread started so long. As a result of all the hours of research, discussions, listening to sound clips, e-mails and considerations I had when I was considering the first custom build (The Cornerstone Zion build thread in my signature), I decided to secure a few build slots and have more than the originally intended singular build commissioned. One of the Luthier's who impressed me immensely and whose name was consistently mentioned during the process was Michael Bashkin and more particularly his Placencia OM model. Although all his models are highly regarded, some consider that his OM is especially good. My brief to all the forthcoming luthiers has been that I wanted each build to be complimentary to the others that have already been completed. So in order to assist in this regard I forwarded my initial requirements, preferences and historic overview to Michael (and the others) as well as my initial and subsequent impressions of the Cornerstone Zion build. My recent "discovery" of the beautiful tonal appeal that a Classical guitar provides has also been communicated. Likewise I will continue to provide the same flow of information to the Luthier’s responsible for the remaining builds in the future. The Back & Sides wood has been selected as well as some of the specs that I am considering. I will hopefully post more on this during the course of the weekend. Michael Bashkin website details: http://www.bashkinguitars.com/

costafonix

oh man this guitar is going to sound like a million $'s.... ?

racman

Building and securing the bridge...

Squonk

That Bridge placing makes sense now... Good stuff Roy! How long now?

racman

It is due to arrive on 26 Feb. I have a friend who is going over for a holiday and will bring it back for me.

The images of the body seem a little deceiving as it appears to be much larger than it is, which is an OM size.

As soon as this is set-up I hope to get a soundclip and video from two friends who live near Michael and will visit to play it. (One of them plays most of Michael's builds before they leave the workshop.)

racman

Just got word that she's all strung up and Michael Bashkin is "very, very happy with it"

I have decided not to add a pickup to this as I only envisage playing the Bashkin live about once or twice a year and if so it will mainly be in more intimate settings, mic'ed and seated. So why add a pickup ...?

The added advantage is no end button of any sort to ruin that beautiful end graft either. ?

racman

Waverly tuners:

Almost done - just a few frets to add ?

guitarboy2828

Roy, is it a fan fret? It seems like a very mild one ?

racman

Yes it is a mild fan fret. Michael Bashkin calls it a "Transparent" Fan Fret or Multiscale. Here is his description of it:

"The multi-scale fret geometry plays just like a regular guitar but creates a tension gradient across the strings (more tension on the bass and less on the treble). The increased tension creates more power and focus in the bass strings, especially useful for drop tunings, and a more complex, richer high-end. I offer two multi-scale configurations, 25.75 – 25” and 26 - 25.4”. The first one is a bit longer on the bass and shorter on the treble than a standard scale guitar. The second configuration is just longer on the bass."

I chose the 25.75 – 25”.

racman

? thx Zohn - Can't wait, but wait I must....

racman

I asked Michael Bashkin why he completes 12 or so frets at this stage and then the rest later. I thought his reply might be of interest to some:

"My method is that I fret 1-12 and string then guitar up and let it sit for a few days. I then adjust the truss rod, if necessary. Then I examine the upper fingerboard (12-20) under full string tension and see if there is any distortions in this part of the board. This allows me to determine how to dress the upper board "in situ" and produce what I think is the optimum playing surface along all the frets. "

I hope to have a few more pics on Saturday and early next week as well as soundclips and possibly a video from a friend or two who will be playing the guitar on Friday and Monday.

guitarboy2828

RoyC wrote I asked Michael Bashkin why he completes 12 or so frets at this stage and then the rest later. I thought his reply might be of interest to some:

"My method is that I fret 1-12 and string then guitar up and let it sit for a few days. I then adjust the truss rod, if necessary. Then I examine the upper fingerboard (12-20) under full string tension and see if there is any distortions in this part of the board. This allows me to determine how to dress the upper board "in situ" and produce what I think is the optimum playing surface along all the frets. "

I hope to have a few more pics on Saturday and early next week as well as soundclips and possibly a video from a friend or two who will be playing the guitar on Friday and Monday.

So, that means the guitar is actually fully playable right now? :O How tempting!

racman

Installing and polishing the final frets:

I have a few images that provide a glimpse of the silking of the Adi top which is great as Adi does not normally have much at all and I had asked Michael Bashkin for a Mastergrade top with silking if possible:

racman

A few friends visited Bashkin's shop yesterday and sent me these images:

racman

A few more:

Neon-Gecko

Whenever I see pics of that guitar, I seem to drool worse than a bulldog... Maybe one day when I'm big, sigh ?

racman

Thx Wayne and Zohn - you're so right, can't wait. Should arrive 26th Feb!

Zohn, I think they are snakewood. I pretty much gave Michael free reign on most aspects of the guitar and I think it was the right thing to do. ?

Squonk

Brilliant Roy

The Headstock looks incredible, amazing how it all came together.
I will have to see this one in real life ?

guitarboy2828

The 26th is going to be a good day!!!

aubs1

Geez, Roy, that guitar is certainly a thing of absolute beauty.....! I don't really play acoustic, but that guitar seriously makes me just wanna own one,
just to look at and admire....... congratulations man, that's not cool, it's seriously HOT!!!! :applause:

Sean

Aubs1 wrote Geez, Roy, that guitar is certainly a thing of absolute beauty.....! I don't really play acoustic, but that guitar seriously makes me just wanna own one,
just to look at and admire....... congratulations man, that's not cool, it's seriously HOT!!!! :applause:

Aubs, you can certainly an acoustic ?

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