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… ?

racman

? unfortunately it will be in the baggage compartment though but with a case cover that Mike has loaned me for this.

Sean

Congrats Roy ?

racman

Thx Sean - it has just arrived in Seattle and now waits for a week before making the trip here

charleshaupt

Beautiful instrument,congrats..

rikus

So.... the question on everyone's mind I'm sure... What's next? ?

racman

Rikus wrote So.... the question on everyone's mind I'm sure... What's next? ?

Mmm, well there were a total of five scheduled but I have a feeling that this guitar may well cause me to re-evaluate this going forward (not to mention the decline in exchange rate ? ☹ >☹ )

Shibbibilybob

RoyC wrote
Rikus wrote So.... the question on everyone's mind I'm sure... What's next? ?
(not to mention the decline in exchange rate ? ☹ >☹ )

Then sir, it is time to consider a local luthier ? Go on, commission a Casimi ?

(or a Mainguard, Murray Kuun, Stellenbosch guitar...)

racman

Shibbibilybob wrote
RoyC wrote
Rikus wrote So.... the question on everyone's mind I'm sure... What's next? ?
(not to mention the decline in exchange rate ? ☹ >☹ )
Then sir, it is time to consider a local luthier ? Go on, commission a Casimi ?

(or a Mainguard, Murray Kuun, Stellenbosch guitar...)

I may well do that, although one local builder refused to quote me anything less than the standard $US or EUR value that was also subject to exchange rate - his preference as was mine to not pursue the matter further. So any incentive to avoid the exchange rate is voided with that particular builder. I have subsequently played an example of the particular builders work and let's just say that it didn't "gel" with me.

However, I will certainly try and arrange to take my guitars with as a comparison (build quality, tonal quality - different to just tone in my opinion but it is my own term or understanding I suppose) and play one of the examples of the builder in question. Without being contentious or stirring up a "hornets' nest", there are however one or two that I have engaged with in the past (and viewed instruments of) with less than satisfactory experiences (not necessarily amongst those you quoted) that I would not discuss either publically or privately as it may have been an isolated case. I addressed my decision regarding my choice between USA vs UK/Europe vs SA builders a little at the outset of my Cornerstone build thread to a small degree, but times change and certainly Cassimi wasn't established (I think) when I started that build.

What I can say is that I have had a few highly regarded "Technicians", who have worked on a number of well known local and International custom guitars, inspect either or both the Cornerstone and/or Bashkin and who have raved about both the workmanship and tone of these guitars.

Having said all that, it is after all a totally subjective thing...

Shibbibilybob

I hear you, entirely subjective...although at the cost, you would expect

Given that many local builders have to source their woods and components from overseas, I can see how the exchange rate would impact the price, although the components of the guitar are but a small factor in the pricing of a guitar, and I would expect that the many hours or labour would be independent of international exchanges.

Yes, I don't think Casimi would have been established back then, they only broke away from Mainguard at the start of 2012, I believe.

I think you should bring your cornerstone, Bashkin and Olson and come shoot them out against the Casimi om they have at their shop...just do it on a saturday, so i can see your guitars too ?
Have a chat to Matthias or Matthew, both are very nice approachable dudes, who I imagine would be thrilled at your collection of custom acoustics and very keen to hear your thoughts on their designs.

I dont have the arsenal of custom guitars to compare it to, but the Casimi OM seems to my eye to be of impeccable build quality and is extremely comfortable to play. I would be very interested to see it back to back with the Olson,Bashkin or Corner Stone.

racman

Sounds like a great plan ?

And I agree the Casimi looks great and certainly worth investigating...

By the way I don't have an Olson although I have played two and again, it's all subjective and relative to my ears...

Shoot out? Mmm, maybe more of a gathering of enthusiasts who appreciate craftsmanship and understand context and subjectivity, but "shootouts" always seem like p###ing contests to me ?

But I am sure my version is what you actually mean. ?

I played my son's Cort (00 I think) the other day (used to belong to AlanR) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Does it compare in both build and tone quality to either of my custom builds? No but that didn't stop me thoroughly enjoying the experience. Now that may well be as a result of my extremely rudimentary skills but so be it, it's about the players enjoyment at that moment, to me.

Each of these three custom builds have also been underscored with the brief that I wanted them to be different, hence different luthiers as well, and that I didn't want any of the others to be redundant. Mike Baranik probably had the hardest task to accomplish this but I honestly believe that it will be achieved.

Anyway, back to the Baranik ....

Shibbibilybob

hahah yes, I did not mean to compare them and select a winner, rather just to compare them and notice the character, strengths and even weaknesses of each model.
And again, of course no Olson, somehow in my mind I had decided that you were getting a new Cornerstone now, and swapped your cornerstone for an olson in my mind too.

As for factory versus custom guitars well that's a whole separate discussion, with the merits of each being several threads worth of posts. Suffice to say that there is nothing wrong with a factory built guitar, and occasionally you'll even get one on which all dimensions, thicknesses, and bracings are perfectly congruent for the pieces of wood used. J

racman

Shibbibilybob wrote hahah yes, I did not mean to compare them and select a winner, rather just to compare them and notice the character, strengths and even weaknesses of each model.
And again, of course no Olson, somehow in my mind I had decided that you were getting a new Cornerstone now, and swapped your cornerstone for an olson in my mind too.

As for factory versus custom guitars well that's a whole separate discussion, with the merits of each being several threads worth of posts. Suffice to say that there is nothing wrong with a factory built guitar, and occasionally you'll even get one on which all dimensions, thicknesses, and bracings are perfectly congruent for the pieces of wood used. J

Likeminded we are, I believe ?

Look forward to a get together...soon ?

racman

A recent sighting at Dubai Airport ... ? ?

Shibbibilybob

Damn that is exciting ?

Norman86

getting awfully close...
Im excited for you Roy 8)

racman

Thx guys:

Well after a considerable delay in the flight, the Baranik Meridian arrived safely. Unfortunately after leaving the case to acclimatise for quite a while it was already quite late. Of course I still got to open the box and admire the Hoffee case. The Hoffee case is superb and really does justice to what lies within of course.

Once the case was opened the real star was revealed. The beauty and exquisite craftsmanship is just out of this world and no image does it justice. And I love the little surprises like the turquoise on the bridge pins, and the great themed piece of inlayed plate on the neck block inside the guitar.

Images tend to enlarge everything (which is the point) but do not reveal the amazing aesthetic of it all, how it all fits together and yet nothing is overpowering, garish or dominates any aspect of the aesthetic. Each aspect is just wonderful when viewed in isolation but it all gels so beautifully as the sum of the parts just accentuates the whole guitar!

The elegance of Mike's Meridian design is just fantastic as well and feels very comfortable to play.

While I have not spent much time playing as it was late, today was just hectic and the week has a number of business trips (not to mention spending time with my visiting family from USA ?) so it may well be a week or three before I post my detailed impressions. With rather limited playing last night my impressions so far are very, very favourable and I can hear why Mike's guitars are held in such high regard.

Looking forward to spending some quality time with the Meridian. Hopefully a few images etc. to come in the next few weeks as well.

Norman86

Congrats!!! It definitely is another stunner ?

racman

Well it has been a few weeks and I have not played this beauty as much as I would have liked to due to work commitments but it is clearly one of, if not the best guitar I have ever played (and I've played a few ?)

I am very conscious of the "honeymoon" period when a new guitar arrives but there are aspects to the tone and sound of the Baranik that I have not found as "present" in other guitars. It has a particularly sweet, fat and rounded treble quality that was exactly what I wanted. I have written elsewhere on forums and privately that I am still amazed at the natural reverb that is evident when played. Some say it is like a "tinkering bell" while I describe it fondly as "Angel Harmonies" ?. Of course playing the Baranik in a loud environment may not reveal this as much as when I play in a still, quiet setting but it is really a product of the sympathetic (?) overtones that are produced by the guitar. The first time I played the Baranik I was noodling around the 10-12th fret and described it as if the sound was swirling around in a mini cathedral and then released in harmony to the fundamental tone that was produced. I still cannot find an adequate, less flowery description except to state that it is a combination of natural reverb and luscious overtones being produced.

Bass and mid tones are equally as exquisite and the sustain is unlike anything I have owned or played to date.

In addition to this and besides being very balanced in tone, the Baranik has effortless harmonics to such an extent that I sometimes hear faint harmonics when I play a little less accurately...in a good way.

One of the issues I have found with many guitars I have played which have a Fingerstyle focus is that as a result of the focus on string separation above all else, the sound is less harmonious when strummed and has a "jangle" that I find uncomfortable and unpleasant. I have no idea how Mike does it but the Baranik does not suffer from this attribute and yet excels as a fingerstyle guitar.

I have just spent most of last evening and the morning experimenting with different tunings - from standard dropped semi-tone to DADGAD, Drop-D, DADGBE and a few experimental tunings to suit a particular melody I am trying to work out (currently sitting at DADEAD) and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

I recall Mike saying that the Black Cocobolo tapped like a bell that sounded as if it would “ring for days”. While it doesn’t ring for “days” he certainly has achieved something in a guitar that I have never heard before.

Someone once berated “fan boys” who extolled the virtues of any new guitar and am aware that some may well see every review as a totally subjective “gushing” justification of money and time spent but if I am labelled a “fan boy” of the Baranik then so be it. This has been worth the wait and every penny spent and to me this guitar is beautiful in aesthetic, build and tone quality and is everything that I hoped it would be!

Chocklit_Thunda

Well if anyone calls you a "fanboy", just remember, you have a Baranik and they don't ?

racman

? ? ...I'll be sure to remember that, thx ?

« Previous Page Next Page »