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This is a guitar built by Curtis Rockwell and Johanna Mutti of Oriskany Stringed instruments made from premium ribbon figured Cuban mahogany they purchased from me at the ASIA symposium.

The top is a light yellow piece of Western red cedar they also purhased from me.

I think the simple elegance of this instrument really brings out the intense color and beautiful figure of this wood.

Stunning Brad! You should invite them here, I remember seeing them at ASIA and they seemed to be a very pleasant couple.

Do you have any more of that cuban?

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

That is a beautiful piece of work. Really nice lines and lumber. That's why I'm waiting for you to post some more Mahog on your web site.

By the way, the Ziricote B&S set you sent me last week is beautiful! (number 12 I think it was)

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Thanks, Lance I have plenty of great sets.
I will tell those guys they should come on over to our sandbox and play!!

Joe,
I'm glad you liked the ziricote.
All the Cuban mahogany I have came from the same "batch"
so this picture really represents the premium sets I have.
More sets will be posted on the site in a few days.
But it is finally nice to have some guitars built to show the beauty of this wood.

It is very nice wood. Smooth, flowing lines. It kind of sets the tone for the style of guitar that should be built from it. These people hit the nail on the head.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Brad that is stunning. Beautiful cuban mahogany. I remember talking to both of them at ASIA. I really liked their guitars. They bought a set of walnut from me.

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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Very classy looking guitar!

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Hesh,
As far as I know that is "natural".
Those are all the pictures they sent to me,but I am sure they would be delighted to hear from you if you wanted to know about the backstrip.
Their website is www.oriskanyguitars.com

Nice couple, met them at Woodcraft, Curtis taught a guitar building class (where we met, though I didn't attend that class) Next year I attended and had Johanna with him, and they tag teamed. Good time.

pretty guitar. And a big bridge!

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Just out of curiosity Brad... what grade is that Cedar top?
Great Silk!

Ya gotta like a modestly appointed guitar that lets the wood just make 'er sing! That is sweet!

[EDIT]: Speaking of beauties hows the new addition to the family doing Brad?Anthony Z38772.0007175926

Very effective design for a lovely guitar, just brilliant execution of workmanship!

The Black Binding really sets that guitar off. Very subtle & classy looking...Nice!

Now that is my kind of guitar, the finish really lets the wood do the talking. Don't you just know it's going to sound superb. Mahogany/cedar what a classic. Cuban has got to be the best wood there is, you can keep all your BRW just let me OD on Cuban!

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Got to Agree with you there Colin

That is very nicely done, with real sympathy for the wood, Gotta love that beautiful Cuban.

Anthony,
The new one is doing great,thanks for asking-he's already 8 weeks old!!

Daniel,
That was a nice cedar top-it wwould probably be a AAAA
in my book. They said the guitar had a great "punch" for cedar

[Homer Simpson voice] "Mmmmmmmmm . . . Cuban Mahogany, it's not mine Doh!"

Gorgeous looking guitar, bet it sounds good too. That's the colour of natural Cuban that I recognise (lovely figure too) and it darkens up beautifully over time under the finish. I'll bet it has punch!!

Brad - how old is the Cuban that you have?

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

When I was at ASIA last year is watch an impromptu critique of some of Oriskany guitars being made by Judy Threet and Julius Borges. The two guitars they had were beautiful. I learned a lot primarily about what the very best luthiers look for in a guitar. They loved the sound of the guitars and the items that they pointed out to Curtis and Johanna were extreemly subtle fit and finish areas. I never would have seen them, Curtis knew they were there but wasn't sure what to do about them. Judy and Julius made some suggestions on how to improve.

I noticed that Oriskany guitars is going to be at the Newport Guitar festival this summer. That is a juried show and indicates the the best in our business feel that these guitars are of a very good quality.

BTW. The luthier that got the most "buzz" at the last nNewprt show was John Osthoff. He sold several guitars right off the floor and the other luthiers were grumbling that he was selling is stuff too cheaply. They weren't concerned that he was under cutting them but that he was under cutting himself.

I'm in Alaska that week so I'm going to miss this show and I'm bummed.

Mike, I was at the ASIA thing too (but we weren't supposed to say what they said, remember? ) and I think our own Lance K had a guitar up for critique as well (his #12?). Like you I found it interesting to see what those people looked for in a guitar.

The Oriskany people and their instruments were very nice, good to see them doing well.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Dave,
All the Cuban mahogany I have was cut into boards 15 years ago-blown down by a hurricane on the island of St Croix.

I hung out with them a bit the last night at ASIA, they were the sweetest couple. When I got back home I checked out there stuff online and was very impressed.
Evan

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