Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Hi, I thought I might as well post this recent build too, gotta try and lift kiwi guitar presence somehow. This is my first build using the new baconesque stripy Rimu. I have to say its great stuff. The model is the Koru, which is inspired by the unfurling fern tree frond. Specifications. Body size:...

Hi, I finished this version of "The Kauri" a couple of weeks ago. It was the first time I have combined Ancient Kauri and Cedar, and based on how it sounds, it probably wont be the last. It is very lightweight but has amazing sustain. Specifications. Body size: 000 Top: Recycled Cedar Back: Ancient ...

a belated Thanks Chaps!!!

Ohhhh Woe is me, clearly burdened by the weight of 3/4 of a cube of this revolting timber on my doorstep.... perhaps a stray match.... would relieve me of the day to day disappointment of looking and working with this scourge of the tonewood world. Love the Guitar Nick!!! its a really nice design, e...

WOW Paul what a way to showcase all of these woods!!!
a really beautiful guitar, I bet you mate is over the moon!!
Glad to see the Rimu worked out so well, you certainly finished it expertly.

Cheers,

Christian.

Well you built with the heavy hitters of the tonewood world, so that combined with your immense skill, no wonder it
sounds so great.
One these days I'll get around to building one of these little guys.

Cheers,

Christian.

Stringed art indeed!!!! this will turn some heads for sure at Port Fairy.
fantastic work Bob!!!

Christian.

What a stunning instrument, you have certainly been churning out these guitars in rapid fashion Bob.
congrats!!
Christian.

Hi Phil,

Glad you enjoyed the MIM, I really hope to get over there and experience it too one day.
You probably saw a couple of my guitars hanging up there in the NZ section. The curator sent me a photo of them a while ago.

Cheers,

Christian.

Nice Purchase Paul!!! looking forward to hearing how it performs, as I'm looking at something similar.
cheers for being the guinea pig.

Christian.

I think we are pretty evenly split so far at 8 votes for A and 9 votes for B. Like Kim, the luthier in me says quartersawn, better stiffness, safer option in humidity swings, go with A. But B is so intriguing!! I going to be rumaging through the stack today I wonder if I may come accross an option C...

Hi Kevin,

What a cracker of a first instrument!!! hope its the first of many.
all the best!

Christian.

What a gem!! Love the warmth of this guitar, and just the right amount of bling in the rosette.
hand shakes all round on this one Martin!!

Cheers,

Christian.

What a stunning instrument!! Congrats Dave.
your Son must be over the moon!!!

Cheers,

Christian.

Thanks for the feedback guys Love the PJ's comment Jim. If I'm building for someone and I have these options, I'll show them and also disclose the other characteristics. A is certainly stiffer and close to quartersawn so probably more stable too. B honestly looks like fire when I wipe a bit of thinn...

Hi, I'm interested to hear your thoughts as luthiers, which one of these Rimu guitar back options you guys would go for? I realise some of you good folk have had the option already when I put up some sets for sale, an A won by a country mile. But why? Would you choose on looks alone? or tap tone, gr...

Hi,

I can't say I've tried it, but I remember the Mirotone rep telling me about their new water based lacquer.
see link below on http://www.mirotone.com/Mirotec-WB-Wate ... fault.aspx

Cheers,

Christian.

Thanks Chaps!!!
you are too kind.

Paul I look forward to your build with the kiwi natives.
I dragged this set of Rimu out of the heap yesterday. freakin unreal !!!

Christian.

Hi guys, thanks for the comments. Yip its one of the proteaceae, (knightia excelsa) or NZ honeysuckle. it is similar to silky oak but has a much better colour in my opinion and doesn't seem to be as waxy. It's unusal to find 200mm widths, so I thought might as well give it a go. and I'm really happy...

Hi, After putting up with some awful weather this Christmas season, I was glad to get back into the shed and finish off these two guitars this weekend. Nothing you havn't already seen before in the way of specs, Kauri top, Kauri and Rimu necks, although the Rewarewa back and sides on one of them is ...

Hi, Ancient kauri is so varied and is often confused with swamp kauri, the differences are huge in terms of age, cell structure, stiffness and colour you have to be very careful choosing it, as only a small percentage is any good to build with. you can use it for a Uke top but I would go with a quar...

Paul that is one amazing instrument
love everything about it mate !!
the Puriri works in well with everything.

thanks for posting,

Christian.

Hey Nick,

They are on the Buy Swap Sell.
yip I could sell you a neck too.

cheers,

Christian

Hi Guys,

Just to let you know I've put 10 sets of this Heart Rimu up for sale.
$A170.00 per set.

Cheers,

Christian.

Awesome build Shane, much to be proud of !!
really fantastic craftsmanship, love that black limba.
I wonder if our native Taraire is related it looks so similar. after looking at this I'll have to try build with it.

Cheers,

Christian.