Kowhaiwhai

[christian]

Hi Guys,

From Sunny South Africa,
finally managed to upload these pics of the guitar "kowhaiwhai" i finished the day before i left NZ,
its a swept up version of the koru prototype i made, sounded great will have to get Morgan the tech wiz to help record it, Specs are quartered Swamp kauri top and neck ,swamp kauri back & sides kowhaiwhai paua rosette and fret inlays, puriri fretboard and bridge, Pounamu (greenstone) inspired purfling and binding veneers.

Cheers,

Christian.

[DarwinStrings]

Another beauty Christian. You are making me jealous of that laser cutter.

Jim

[Allen]

Very refined work, and a great look using the same timbers for body and neck and top.

Rosette is a bit much for my taste, but I'm sure I do things that are a bit much for others too.

[Alan Stassforth]

OMG, WOW!
That rosette is awesome.
It's like it's floating in air!
Everything else is beautiful.
Nice piece of work!

[sebastiaan56]

You're on a roll Christian, another stunner!

[seeaxe]

Another very classy addition to the Gallery

Lets see, what do I like about this guitar?

Beautifully understated wood purfling and binding
Wonderful warm colour of the kauri
Stunning grain in the top - I dont think I have ever seen grain like that in kauri of any sort, swamp or otherwise
Crazy good veneer/purfling in the headstock, such detail!
Fretboard inlay a la Kim??? - keep expecting it to suddenly wink at me
I really like the rosette because it sets off the rest of the guitar - its like you were physically restaining your inner blingness until you got to the rosette and said, "No - I cant stand it any more!!" - and then cut loose. I dont think I have ever seen one like that either

What dont I like?
The humidity/lost pick drain is on the wrong side
Its not left handed
Thats about it

Well done Christian and thanks for posting. I am going to have to get up your way one of these days and come and see the master at work!

[PHANTOM]

that looks great mate well done

[Dave Olds]

Well done Christian - as everyone else has said, another real beauty. Beautiful wood selection and great craftsmanship.

Look forward to the next one

Dave

[Corky Long]

Really elegant.

One of the things I really love about seeing the guitars that are posted here and in other forums is that, among the guitars that show good fit and finish, like this one, there's also frequently a subtle (or not so subtle) individuality in the aesthetic that is so different from other high quality guitars. Every guitar builder is different, and I think that's one of the things that gives handbuilt guitars an edge over the top quality manufactured guitars. It's like reading a really good book for the first time.

[Daniel_M]

I know that this thread has been passed a while ago but after having looking at Christian's work I just had to comment.

Christian, you joinery and inlay is just amazingly tidy - surgical precision! Bravo Sir.

.

[Pappy Green]

now that is something to aspire to