Dream Acoustic Guitar Build#3: Baranik Meridian

racman · 2012-08-31T09:25:28+00:00

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… ?

rikus

RoyC wrote ETA is end June. Can't wait! 8)

The burning question then becomes how on earth do you possibly decide which one of your guitars do you pick up?! How?!

racman

Ah, that's easy... at the moment

I am fortunate in that the Cornerstone and Bashkin are very different and appeal to me at different times, moods etc. The following also helps:

1) I keep the Bashkin tuned to DADGAD and Cornerstone to std tuning so that generally dictates as well
2) Cornerstone has a pickup so when I want to play into the AER (thx Brent), that's what I use.

... and finally when I still can't decide I use one of two old scientific evaluation processes: "heads or tails" or "Eeni, meeni, minee, mo" ?

racman

Coming together now...

The turquoise inserts for the purfling ...

racman

RobbieZ

Great project. I am looking forward to see her done and to hear what she sounds like.

Shibbibilybob

Very nice looking guitar.
I've not before encountered black cocobolo...it looks exquisite.

racman

Shibbibilybob wrote Very nice looking guitar.
I've not before encountered black cocobolo...it looks exquisite.

The "Black" Cocobolo is as a result of age and probably being submerged for a considerable amount of time, before being discovered or harvested. Mike states that these pieces (this was his last) have a distinctly metallic/iron type of smell when sanded initially so that may give a hint of their origin.

racman

Just the right amount of figure in the Spalt Maple binding to compliment the other aspects, in my opinion:

racman

Sean

Looking fantastic Roy! Thanks for the pics ?

Shibbibilybob

The spalted maple binding is superb. And looks very neat. A lot of luthiers avoid doing that sort of binding with light woods, as it is a lot harder to hide the joins.
I guess the figure in the spalting makes it a bit easier, either way. It looks incredible...and I love the tail joint inlay.

rikus

Jaw-droppingly beautiful!!

racman

Thx for viewing and commenting everyone.

Routing the neck joint;

Fretboard and neck build etc:

Headstock build:

racman

Neck shaping almost done:

racman

Neck and Headstock build process continued:

Squonk

excellent Roy. That 'African' design on the headstock and on the side is hectically brilliant

racman

Squonk wrote excellent Roy. That 'African' design on the headstock and on the side is hectically brilliant

Thx David, the small view of the Heelcap also looks great in my opinion.

Shibbibilybob

Yeah that entire motif is too awesome.
That's what I love about custom acoustics...they are good and proper individual (well some of them)...really personal touches and some great once off designs.
I could (and do) spend all day trawling through the build threads on the custom shop section of the acoustic guitar forum...saw this baby up there as well Roy ?

racman

Shibbibilybob wrote Yeah that entire motif is too awesome.
That's what I love about custom acoustics...they are good and proper individual (well some of them)...really personal touches and some great once off designs.
I could (and do) spend all day trawling through the build threads on the custom shop section of the acoustic guitar forum...saw this baby up there as well Roy ?

? I trawl there a lot ... and have connected with a few people as well who have become more than passing "internet contacts".

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