Well folks, the time has finally arrived for Kolaya Instruments to begin building my commissioned guitar.
If you haven't commissioned a guitar yourself, I can tell you the wait between decision to do it (which usually involves an outlay of cash to hold your place on the schedule) till the time it actually starts is excruciating. But when the time comes it is pure unadulterated excitement! Like a kid in a candy store who is told they can pick out whatever they like!
I will be sharing photos of the build process along with some insights into the decisions that need to be made along the way. Commissioning a guitar is truly an incredible journey which concludes with an owner meeting a musical friend for life. At least I am looking at it that way.
The luthier I am working with is Brad Daniels of Kolaya Instruments. You all have seen this builder at work in
the thread for sachi's Carmen. Recently, Brad has moved from South Carolina to California and is still in the process of setting up the shop. That means my guitar will be the first constructed in the world famous Kolaya luthiery at San Clemente! Woo-hoo! Brad tells me he expects to be up and running shortly.
Anyway, this post to kick off the build thread. I hope you enjoy the ride!
Specs12-fret Kolaya GA2 with Armrest & Fret Access Bevel
Adirondack top
Ziricote back and sides
Cocobolo Binding, Armrest
Adirondack bracing
Figured Sapele or Sipo neck
Slotted Headstock with Ziricote faceplate/backplate
Ziricote fretboard and bridge
Mosaic Wood and Abalone rosette
Antique Silver Gotoh 35G510MF tuners with black knobs
1 3/4" Nut
24.9" scale
Bone Nut and Saddle
L.R. Baggs or K&K electronics (decided to go without internal amplification - I'll use mics for recording)I really like the look of Ziricote and did some tonal research to find it has many qualities which suit me. I found several guitars with Ziricote back/sides but for one reason or another did not end up with the guitar following me home. I found a really nice set of Ziricote (below) and purchased it. Then it was time to locate a luthier willing to build with my wood set. Around the same time, sachi's build was mid-stream and I was really taken by Brad's attention to detail. I sent him a PM and he agreed to build my guitar. Yee-haw!!!
More to come ...
