UPDATE: BTO GC 12 fret sitka/eir!!

[zeebow]

original post:
12 fret grand concert
sitka top
rosewood aa b/s
gotoh chrome 510
secret inlay (but has koa hehe)
taylor mop peghead logo
stained neck
tusq/micarta nut/saddle (don't like bone with sitka/eir)

need advice which option to get:
ebony peghead, koa binding
rosewood peghead , koa binding
ebony peghead, rosewood binding

selling my sinker/eir GA

UPDATE: order placed with martin music!!!
strumming fool's amazing stable help convince me that his FLGS was the way to go. eric at martin music was amazing to work with and he gave me feedback on my selections!

i'm gonna be able to hand select from some wood at taylor on tues too!!!

final specs;
GC 12 fret
sitka top / aa rosewood b/s
adi 12 fret bracing
engraved twist inlay (koa/boxwood)
koa bindings everywhere (body/neck/peghead) a
koa single ring rosette with bound soundhole
venetian cutaway
bone nut/saddle
gloss rosewood standard peghead and trc
taylor mop logo
gotoh gold 510 tuners with black buttons
ebony bridge, neck, bridge pins


can't wait!!! someone buy my sinker/eir ga!!!

[Strumming Fool]

I would choose the koa binding over rosewood - you'll get a sharper contrast, especially on the peghead, whether it's rosewood (my choice) or ebony.

[timfitz63]

I agree with "SF:"  Koa binding always looks sharp, no matter what the wood combination, but I've always thought it adds a certain elegance to a Rosewood-bodied guitar.  Plus Koa binding will pick up on the 'secret' inlay theme you're doing.  Frankly, I just can't see Rosewood binding working on a Rosewood body; I think the woods would blend together and end up looking like there's no binding on the guitar at all.

If you're curious to see how Koa binding would look on an EIR body, I've got a Custom GS-12 that has a EIR body and Koa binding.  As you can see in the photos, my GS-12 has a Koa mini-wedge on the back as well, which I think it adds a nice styling touch; you might consider that on your BTO.

As for the peg head veneer, I've always favored Ebony myself.  But Rosewood often looks good too, especially when it matches the body wood.  For your BTO, I'd say it's a coin-toss...

Based on another recent post you made, it sounds like you may have your heart set on chrome Gotohs.  If you go with the Koa binding, though, I think the guitar might look better with gold Gotohs.  That's what's on my Custom GS-12.  I think chrome Gotohs would look out of place with the combination of EIR body and Koa binding.

[zeebow]

I agree with "SF:"  Koa binding always looks sharp, no matter what the wood combination, but I've always thought it adds a certain elegance to a Rosewood-bodied guitar.  Plus Koa binding will pick up on the 'secret' inlay theme you're doing.  Frankly, I just can't see Rosewood binding working on a Rosewood body; I think the woods would blend together and end up looking like there's no binding on the guitar at all.

If you're curious to see how Koa binding would look on an EIR body, I've got a Custom GS-12 that has a EIR body and Koa binding.  As you can see in the photos, my GS-12 has a Koa mini-wedge on the back as well, which I think it adds a nice styling touch; you might consider that on your BTO.

As for the peg head veneer, I've always favored Ebony myself.  But Rosewood often looks good too, especially when it matches the body wood.  For your BTO, I'd say it's a coin-toss...

Based on another recent post you made, it sounds like you may have your heart set on chrome Gotohs.  If you go with the Koa binding, though, I think the guitar might look better with gold Gotohs.  That's what's on my Custom GS-12.  I think chrome Gotohs would look out of place with the combination of EIR body and Koa binding.

thx! awesome feedback. i just want to go with a different look and feel, i have gold gotohs on my 914ce but agree rosewood with koa binding and chrome gotoh doesn't look as good as gold

i was thinking of doing rosewood binding  with ebony peghead so that the peghead would have a "border", the rosewood would blend with the back and sides, -!: would dave me some money i could throw at a cutaway

i want a minimalist guitar and now think gold gotoh with black buttons would be a nice option no matter what peghead i choose

now...cutaway or no cutaway lol

[timfitz63]

I agree with "SF:"  Koa binding always looks sharp, no matter what the wood combination, but I've always thought it adds a certain elegance to a Rosewood-bodied guitar.  Plus Koa binding will pick up on the 'secret' inlay theme you're doing.  Frankly, I just can't see Rosewood binding working on a Rosewood body; I think the woods would blend together and end up looking like there's no binding on the guitar at all.

If you're curious to see how Koa binding would look on an EIR body, I've got a Custom GS-12 that has a EIR body and Koa binding.  As you can see in the photos, my GS-12 has a Koa mini-wedge on the back as well, which I think it adds a nice styling touch; you might consider that on your BTO.

As for the peg head veneer, I've always favored Ebony myself.  But Rosewood often looks good too, especially when it matches the body wood.  For your BTO, I'd say it's a coin-toss...

Based on another recent post you made, it sounds like you may have your heart set on chrome Gotohs.  If you go with the Koa binding, though, I think the guitar might look better with gold Gotohs.  That's what's on my Custom GS-12.  I think chrome Gotohs would look out of place with the combination of EIR body and Koa binding.

thx! awesome feedback. i just want to go with a different look and feel, i have gold gotohs on my 914ce but agree rosewood with koa binding and chrome gotoh doesn't look as good as gold

i was thinking of doing rosewood binding  with ebony peghead so that the peghead would have a "border", the rosewood would blend with the back and sides, -!: would dave me some money i could throw at a cutaway

i want a minimalist guitar and now think gold gotoh with black buttons would be a nice option no matter what peghead i choose

now...cutaway or no cutaway lol

No worries!  Glad to help!

I have the gold Gotohs with black buttons on my other Custom GS-12 (Tasmanian Tiger Myrtle with Ebony binding); those are sharp too, would look fine with Koa binding, and you don't see them very often.  So it would be something a little different that probably would work with either peg head veneer.

I personally like having a cutaway.  Some think it detracts from the aesthetics, but I never thought so myself; and I like having easy access to the upper frets.  But if you're not playing on the upper frets much (or at all), go ahead and pocket the money.

[zeebow]

thx! i just found a pic of a 12 fret BTO w/ engleman and eir grade a b/s..w/ figured koa bindings...amazing!!!

i think i'm going cutaway and dropping down the grading of the rosewood to get the price closer to where i want...

i'm literally in the ball park but more than i want to be, so hopefully the dealers can work something out.

i filled out my final specs using my mac (preview) and it lost all the formatting, how infuriating!!!

[timfitz63]

... i think i'm going cutaway and dropping down the grading of the rosewood to get the price closer to where i want...

Well, my understanding is the grading applied to tone woods is purely an aesthetic thing; in theory (i.e., not accounting for the natural variations in wood sets that come from different sources), AAA-grade wood sounds the same as 'standard-grade' wood, so one is just paying for the looks.  Spend your money accordingly...

[zeebow]

... i think i'm going cutaway and dropping down the grading of the rosewood to get the price closer to where i want...

Well, my understanding is the grading applied to tone woods is purely an aesthetic thing; in theory (i.e., not accounting for the natural variations in wood sets that come from different sources), AAA-grade wood sounds the same as 'standard-grade' wood, so one is just paying for the looks.  Spend your money accordingly...

yup! added the cutaway and downgraded the wood grade. i'm keeping the pretty inlay tho!!

[Strumming Fool]

The cutaway definitely makes sense if you're going the 12 fret route and still need access to the upper frets. Many of the non-AA rosewood specimens I've seen are quite beautiful, so I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Inlays can really pop a guitar's appearance, but make sure you're getting the tonewood  top and bracing that fits your style. To me, those features take precedence over the aesthetics if I had to choose. Best of luck with your project!

[zeebow]

The cutaway definitely makes sense if you're going the 12 fret route and still need access to the upper frets. Many of the non-AA rosewood specimens I've seen are quite beautiful, so I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Inlays can really pop a guitar's appearance, but make sure you're getting the tonewood  top and bracing that fits your style. To me, those features take precedence over the aesthetics if I had to choose. Best of luck with your project!

you have been an amazing help! i started the idea bc i like the way the 812ce 12 feet sounds but hate the slotted peghead..

[Jersey tuning]

I've enjoyed watching the process unfold.  I adore my custom Sinker/Rosewood GC 12-fret -- which I bought at a road show -- but have only one regret--the lack of a cutaway.  You received some great advice which seems to have educated your final decision.

[zeebow]

I've enjoyed watching the process unfold.  I adore my custom Sinker/Rosewood GC 12-fret -- which I bought at a road show -- but have only one regret--the lack of a cutaway.  You received some great advice which seems to have educated your final decision.

it's official, changing thread title now!

[Strumming Fool]

I'm really excited for you, z! You're going to get a spectacular guitar through Martin Music. Can't  wait to see it! I'm  sure that your sinker/eir GA will sell quickly, since sinker appears to be in short supply. God bless!

[zeebow]

I'm really excited for you, z! You're going to get a spectacular guitar through Martin Music. Can't  wait to see it! I'm  sure that your sinker/eir GA will sell quickly, since sinker appears to be in short supply. God bless!

thanks! eric is gave some feedback and is super fair to work with!! i initially went with rosewood grade a but they only have aa at the moment.

thx for all of your and everyone else advice!

[zeebow]

red vs purple indian rosewood aa


two sets of dark purpleish rosewood aa


and the set of back/sides i chose! the taylor rep (jorge) sprayed it to simulate what it will look like glossed.

kristian was my rep for picking woods. they told me they enjoy when customers come in to select bto and told me to encourage it on the forums


t-2months!