Official Luthiers Forum!

Great looking guitar Steve! The sycamore is beyond words!...I would go with a tortis pickguard.

Chuck

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Really BEAUTIFUL Guitar !!! I think a small teardrop would look nice, but its a difficult choice.

Lars.

Nice work as usual Steve.

I'd think about a Tortis OM picguard

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Bob Connor
Geelong, Australia

My sincere thanks, guys. It's great to have some nice American wood to showcase, and gratifying that it is receiving high marks.

Ken, this is my first Sycamore neck. Thus, no experience to relate. However, the center lam of Bubinga will be adding a lot of stiffness, as will the two carbon fiber bars either side of the truss rod. I'm not worried.

Gene, I don't know any of our suppliers carrying Texas ebony. But they can surprise you at times. Won't hurt to ask.
And good eye on that neck--there are black veneers either side of the Bubinga.

Darryl, I will be able to answer both your tone questions fairly soon. But as this is my first Sycamore guitar, I've no opinions...yet.

Again, thanks guys!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Oh, forgot to state this earlier........but I would leave the pickguard off if it were my guitar. Just me though.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Hey Steve,
I'm with the consensus...It's very very nice. Sycamore and bubinga
is a great combo and that back is so beautiful.! I like that you used E.Texas woods too.
I would like to do one with Florida woods sometime. As always-You hit it out
of the park ! Now, do a victory lap around your shop.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Steve, that's great. I love the sycamore.

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

Very nice Steve,
A medium to darkish tor-tis might look nice. Of course you can't go wrong by letting the customer pick it out. It's very nice without one.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Really beautiful guitar Steve, as always great work. The back is outstanding.

Beautiful stuff!!!

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

Beautiful guitar.

I just picked up a set of Sycamore on the weekend. I saw it and thought it was amazingling beautiful and had to have it. I don't know why more people aren't using it.

You'll have to report on how she sounds when you string her up.

Neil

So pleased you like this little guitar! Thanks so much.
Dave, you have far more interesting things growing in your neighborhood than do we, so you really should do a guitar with Florida woods.
Neil, I will indeed report back on the sound.

Let me also thank you guys for your input re. the pickguard.
You know how much I love clear pickguards .
So the Tor-tis, tortoise, and "none" are all grand ideas.
Whichever way it goes, thanks for the support!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

James, can you elaborate more on the sound infuence of sycamore? Any chance anyone has a recording? Would love to hear it.

Sycamore is beautiful.....and I'm guessing it could be obtained cheaper than many other woods since it's local and not used for many purposes. I would guess a short radius would be appropriate for the back as the wood does move considerably. Thoughts?

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

A year or two ago I toured the Santa Cruz Guitar factory. Richard, the owner, had a huge pile of California Sycamore, Platanus racemosa, which he claimed had working properties similar to mahogany. He said he had spent years looking for an alternative to mahogany because of the illegal trade in Mahogany. California Sycamore was his answer.

I thought the lacewood like figure was beautiful, and decided I would look for some. SCGC had someone who traveled throughout California and felled and milled the sycamore for them. Obviously, I don't. In two years, I have never found a lumberyard that carries sycamore. I hope it does become more popular. If Richard is right, it would be a good domestic, sustainable alternative. And its PUUURDY!

For a range of domestic US species, including Sycamore, have a look at Dave Maize's web site at http://www.maizeguitars.com/woods/index.htm
As his wood is sourced from salvaged trees I suspect his stock list changes significantly over time, but he could be worth an email.

Cheers
Pete

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Cheers
Pete

Yes, the SCGC Sycamore guitar built in collaboration with Paul Hostetter was mind-blowing. The grain was SO pronounced it was difficult to stare at.
The little mom & pop yard where I got this wood kept their domestic species out in the open. And as fate would have it, a fire wiped out their entire inventory. This is all I could get--1 guitar's worth of wood.
Ahh well, Uncle Bob C. sold me a fabulous set, so he can get his mitts on some.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Having just played this guitar at the LINT meeting, I can tell you first hand - these pictures are great but don't come close to seeing the finished product first hand. This thing is soooooo gorgeous! And that voice! I had a hard time turning loose of it so others could try it out. This was my first time seeing of these fine Kinnaird guitars first hand and meeting Steve. I instantly feel like I've met two new friends in Steve and Ryan. Look forward to seeing y'all again, guys.

Seriously. This guitar is really awesome. I think I've got a new benchmark and it's a long way up there. When I stand on my tiptoes I think I can see it. Keep up the good work, guys!

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

Wow, thanks Wes!

I suppose I should report back about the sound.
It doesn't have that rosewood "mystery" about it.
No distant cathedral bells to be heard in this guy.
But there is an honest, straight-forward voice that's balanced from top to bottom I find quite pleasing. The bass does not have that large-bodied whoomph, but it's there in a satisfying amount.
And the low G-F#-F sounds as good as the open E.
And all this, Colin will be pleased to hear, from good old Sitka.

Wes, it was great meeting you. I hope you make a lot more of the LINT meetings-- and the next time, bring a guitar!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

For what it's worth, the Woodcraft in Austin has the occasional piece of Texas Ebony in its lumber stock. It has been a month or so since I was last in there, so I don't know if they still have any.

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53% of all statistics are made up on the spot
http://driftwoodguitars.blogspot.com/

I like your style Steve, really cool looking guitar.

Cheers,

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Gwaltney Guitars

Steve,

Thanks for posting those photos. I am building a tenor uke out of sycamore and have been trying to decide what to use for the fret board, head stock, etc. Seeing your photos has given me some ideas.

Thanks again,

Lefty

Absolutely stunning guitar.

Nice work.

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

WOW...I don't know how I missed your thread until now, Steve!

This is a fantastic looking guitar and I absolutely love the wood. QS Sycamore has been on my list of woods to try and now that I see your beauty, I'm more anxious than ever. The 3 piece back and Bubinga bindings make it very special. Also, a bold departure from tradition to go with a slothead on a 14 fretter...good move!

I like your idea of allowing a future customer make the pickguard choice.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Thanks guys for your continued kindness.
Wayne, I appreciate the tip. You should go get some of that TE if they have any in usable sizes. It's amazing stuff.

Greg, cheers to you! Thanks for the kind words.

Lefty, if you're using Sycamore, then you're not afraid to go outside convention. A few more steps and you might come up with something truly crazy, eh? On the other hand, something tried-n-true would make the Sycamore, perhaps, a bit more conventional looking. Tough call-- good luck.

Chuck, my thanks to you.

JJ, always good to hear from you. I appreciate your comments!
As for the pickguard decision, don't applaud me too much...there's more cowardice in my choice than you know!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com