Well, it's that time again and we are about to begin my third in a three guitar rollercoaster ride of "Dream" Acoustic builds!
This “Dream” started some 15-20 years ago but started to gather momentum about five years ago when my “research” started. I embarked on the first journey a few years ago and commissioned all five builds within a year with estimated completion schedules until 2015. The first two have been completed with the build thread links in my signature. Both have been a resounding success in my opnion and are just fantastic guitars with superb tone and build quality.
As should have been expected once I received the first two completed guitars I took a more critical look at what I had planned for the remaining three and after much deliberation, cancelled a few and started the search again for the remaining builds. I had felt that the builds needed to be complimentary and none should by design render any of the others redundant (Much like having a LP, Strat, Gretsch, Tele and 335 or 175 I suppose). All of the remaining builds I had commissioned would have resulted in great guitars but I thought that my needs and desires had changed somewhat as to what I wanted out of the “collection”.
I must say that I have never been one of the “which is better” people and rather see each Luthier bringing a unique signature tone and style that may deviate to a certain degree from his own internal reference point. Over the two builds that have been completed I have learned so much about many aspects of the acoustic guitar, tone woods etc. but probably the most significant aspect I have learned is to provide as much communication on what I like and dislike and then trust the Luther’s opinion on the important aspects.
One of the Luthiers whose name kept on rising to the surface in all discussions and research I conducted was that of Mike Baranik. I contacted Mike and after much discussion, the build was scheduled for September 2012.
An article/informative with Mike can be found here: http://acousticmagazine.com/news/interviews/618-mike-baranik
More to come… ?
This “Dream” started some 15-20 years ago but started to gather momentum about five years ago when my “research” started. I embarked on the first journey a few years ago and commissioned all five builds within a year with estimated completion schedules until 2015. The first two have been completed with the build thread links in my signature. Both have been a resounding success in my opnion and are just fantastic guitars with superb tone and build quality.
As should have been expected once I received the first two completed guitars I took a more critical look at what I had planned for the remaining three and after much deliberation, cancelled a few and started the search again for the remaining builds. I had felt that the builds needed to be complimentary and none should by design render any of the others redundant (Much like having a LP, Strat, Gretsch, Tele and 335 or 175 I suppose). All of the remaining builds I had commissioned would have resulted in great guitars but I thought that my needs and desires had changed somewhat as to what I wanted out of the “collection”.
I must say that I have never been one of the “which is better” people and rather see each Luthier bringing a unique signature tone and style that may deviate to a certain degree from his own internal reference point. Over the two builds that have been completed I have learned so much about many aspects of the acoustic guitar, tone woods etc. but probably the most significant aspect I have learned is to provide as much communication on what I like and dislike and then trust the Luther’s opinion on the important aspects.
One of the Luthiers whose name kept on rising to the surface in all discussions and research I conducted was that of Mike Baranik. I contacted Mike and after much discussion, the build was scheduled for September 2012.
An article/informative with Mike can be found here: http://acousticmagazine.com/news/interviews/618-mike-baranik
More to come… ?
