Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Thu Nov 28, 2024 11:40 am


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Shout out to Birkonium
PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:55 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:37 am
Posts: 4805
The last time I bought CNC’d fretboards was about 10 years ago, but when Andy Birko posted a few on Facebook the other week I decided to pick up a few for upcoming projects. They weren’t much more than the fretboard blank would have been, and having him radius, slot, and faux bind saved me some work.

What I wasn’t expecting was the surface quality. The last CNC’d board I got 10 or so years ago still had small ripples from tooling all along the surface, but thesecame ready to glue. I have no idea whether these are straight off the CNC or given some sanding thereafter, but I can’t find a single mark from tooling. They’re ready to go, seriously. I like to give my fretboards a fine sanding with 600 before fretting for a little lustre, but I could easily go straight to fretting just as these came if that’s not what I was after.

I snapped this pic this morning just to give you an idea. Andy, thanks for your excellent work!

Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk



These users thanked the author James Orr for the post: Pmaj7 (Wed Sep 25, 2019 10:05 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 1:26 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:44 am
Posts: 5498
First name: colin
Last Name: north
Country: Scotland.
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Sheesh!

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 9:02 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:12 pm
Posts: 3293
First name: Bryan
Last Name: Bear
City: St. Louis
State: Mo
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I'm just bumping this up to the first page of new posts so the spammer doesn't overshadow the praise Andy deserves.

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 9:08 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:36 am
Posts: 7380
Location: Southeast US
City: Lenoir City
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37772
Country: US
Focus: Repair
I had the same experience as James. Got a neck and fretboard from Andy and it required only easy finish sanding to complete it. His products are first rate.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 9:30 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:21 am
Posts: 3605
First name: Brad
Last Name: Combs
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
++1

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:46 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 4:58 pm
Posts: 1449
First name: Ed
Last Name: Minch
City: Chestertown
State: MD
Zip/Postal Code: 21620
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
A couple of years back I ordered what turned out to be his first slot head. It was on an exceptional piece of oak I sent him. He laso put a diamond volute on it. Came back perfect, ready for 220

Ed


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:57 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:43 am
Posts: 1707
Everything I’ve purchased from Andy as been just as great


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 5:21 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:21 am
Posts: 4905
Location: Central PA
First name: john
Last Name: hall
City: Hegins
State: pa
Zip/Postal Code: 17938
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
he is a preferred
supplier for us

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 4:04 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:21 am
Posts: 3605
First name: Brad
Last Name: Combs
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
New headplates from Birkonium! Time to build some quarantine git boxes! :D

Image

Brad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars



These users thanked the author bcombs510 for the post: James Orr (Mon Apr 27, 2020 5:28 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2020 3:10 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:59 am
Posts: 1964
Location: Rochester Michigan
Hi guys - Just saw this thread and have to say shucks! Thanks for all the complements!!

To answer the question posed by James - I do not sand parts after they're machined. For fretboards, I'll hit them with a couple swipes of scotchbrite pad but that's it. Necks get no sanding. :)

_________________
http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat May 02, 2020 7:35 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:44 pm
Posts: 1225
Location: Andersonville
State: Tennessee
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Birkonium is awesome!


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Ken Nagy and 56 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com