An Adirondack/Ziricote Build

[cigarfan]

Looking good so far!

Just don't let Brad play with any routers . . .

[cigarfan]

Things are taking shape as this week's photos show. Brad and I have been discussing an inlay for the headstock and hope to have that pinned down by next week.

I am just amazed at the look of Ziricote! I sure hope it sounds as good as it looks.

And some photos from this week ...

The seam edge of the top pieces is flattened before gluing





The glued back is cut to shape and the back strap added







Here Brad is taking a deflection reading for the top



The shape and rosette are sketched on the top and it is cut to size

[Strumming Fool]

That Ziricote is three-dimensional without the gloss finish! I also like the character in the Adi top. This is fun!

[cigarfan]

That Ziricote is three-dimensional without the gloss finish! I also like the character in the Adi top. This is fun!

The grain on the top is interesting as well. Very tight in some areas while wider, more like cedar, in others. Brad had three Adi tops to choose from but this one tapped the best.

Every time I see the Ziricote I like it better. After this first scraping it really pops. Under finish it should be amazing. I have had occasion to play 2 Ziricote guitars. Both had a piano like tone but neither had an Adi top. One was Cedar and the other Sitka. I am really looking forward to the tone of this guitar. Short scale 12-fret Adi over Ziricote! My dream guitar come real. Sometimes I have to pinch myself ... is this really happening?

Thanks for following along with me. It is fun!

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

Wow, I can't wait for more pics!!  So far things are beautiful, we'll be blown away when the finish is on there.  Congrats and I know you can't wait 'cause we can't either.

[American Red]

When you sell this one, I get first dibbs...

Another fine guitar enters the world...

BTO..  So many decisions that you are a part of..
Worth the money, just to be involved..

[briguysm]

Subscribed. In for pics as they become available...

[cigarfan]

When you sell this one, I get first dibbs...

Send me your full name and address and I'll put you in the will. My executor will require the check clear the bank before he ships!   

[cigarfan]

Wow! Can't adequately describe what it feels like to watch as the ideas I have thought about so long actually come together. I have to say, Brad is such a joy to work with. I know it has to be tough on him as the client waffles on everything from wood choices to the plethora of design choices made during the process. Kudos to him for being so patient with me and taking the time to provide photos and descriptions of the whys and wherefors.

This week the sides are prepared and bent, back bracing is placed, fingerboard/binding material selected and cut and we agreed on a peghead inlay design. Brad is working on the rosette and tells me some photos should be coming shortly.

And the photos from this week ...

Marking out and trimming the Ziricote sides for cutting before bending





The first side in the bender



The second Ziricote side is wetted down in preparation for bending. This wood is going to look amazing.



The first side in the laminating mold

[cigarfan]

The first round of back braces being glued in



The finished back brace shape



Planing the back braces to their end view profile and also planing in the parabolic arch



Shaping the back bracing tone bars



All shaped and tuned



Raw pieces for the fingerboard and the binding/rosette. I asked Brad to be sure the coco was more red than orange as some coco can look. He nailed it! This coco looks awesome.



Resawing the Ziricote fingerboard blank for the book matched fingerboard w/ sapwood center



Fingerboard pieces are ready for dimensioning, jointing and gluing



Cutting off the Cocobolo pieces for the binding and rosette



The design for the peghead inlay

[jjrpilot-admin]

Hey Cigarfan!  She's coming along beautifully!  I know this is probably a "duh" statement...but you should definitely keep these photos ...what a wonderful way to also help document this dream build.  The photography itself is wonderful...almost as if I could stick my head into the photos and smell the wood.

Beautiful build.

Question for ya.  What made you go with ziricote wood?  How does it compare to your typical Indian Rosewood or Hog?

[cigarfan]

Hey Cigarfan!  She's coming along beautifully!  I know this is probably a "duh" statement...but you should definitely keep these photos ...what a wonderful way to also help document this dream build.  The photography itself is wonderful...almost as if I could stick my head into the photos and smell the wood.

Beautiful build.

Question for ya.  What made you go with ziricote wood?  How does it compare to your typical Indian Rosewood or Hog?

I had occasion to play two Ziricote guitars, both boutique builds. Both had this piano like clarity with excellent sustain. Not as much in the overtone department as Rosewood. No scooped mids either, very even low to high. Doesn't decay as fast as Mahogany. To my ear, it's closer to Macassar Ebony or Walnut than Rosewood or Mahogany. I was just taken with the sound of both of those guitars so I thought I would give it a shot. Besides that, I like diversity in my collection and right now, I ain't got no Ziricote. And BTW, it looks kinda cool too! 

Yeah, it is great to get these photos. Brad takes them himself and does a great job (him and his helper as he says - the tripod)! But even better than that ... Brads' wife is a professional photographer and I asked her to put together a coffee table photo book of this build start to finish. That should be really awesome! 

[gdeleo]

Dennis,  I look forward to your updates.  Please keep them comming.  That inlay looks awesome, it appears to be sitting in a stained glass window.

[sachi]

I had occasion to play two Ziricote guitars, both boutique builds. Both had this piano like clarity with excellent sustain. Not as much in the overtone department as Rosewood. No scooped mids either, very even low to high. Doesn't decay as fast as Mahogany. To my ear, it's closer to Macassar Ebony or Walnut than Rosewood or Mahogany. I was just taken with the sound of both of those guitars so I thought I would give it a shot. . . .

Brad seems to be able to get remarkable clarity even from woods that would typically have rich overtones. I chose the Amazon rosewood and cedar combination after I tried out his other AR/C road trip guitar – they were both very clear, despite the use of cedar on top of rosewood. To be sure, my Kolaya has lovely overtones but they don't overshadow the clear natural tones of individual notes – even when I strum it! I can't say enough good things about the guitar and about Brad – he did a superb job, and I have no doubt your new guitar will also exceed your expectations!

[Strumming Fool]

Wowy-wow-wow! It just gets better and better! Please keep the build photos coming, Cigarfan. I love the headstock inlay design.

God bless...