Custom built to F612 specs

[RGSmith265]

After wanting the elusive F612 forever, I decided to have a guitar custom built by Michael Kerry in TX based on the specs.
here are a few “in progress” photos. I’ll post a photo of the completed guitar when it arrives…

 

[GGJaguar]

Wow, very interesting build! Can't wait to see the finished guitar!

 

[RGSmith265]

Thanks. The back and sides are koa, the top is sinker redwood from a tree that fell in 1883.
The sourcing and build have taken almost a year… can’t wait to play it!

 

[davismanLV]

WOW, that's beautiful!! What is the scale length going to be?? Stunning work on the neck, golly!!

 

[chazmo]

Wonderful! Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[RGSmith265]

WOW, that's beautiful!! What is the scale length going to be?? Stunning work on the neck, golly!!

The scale length is 27” the lower bout width is 18”.

 

[ChasingGuitars]

Awesome, great luck with the build

 

[RGSmith265]

Michael does wonderful work, especially on inlays and rosettes…




It’ll look even better after he applies the finish and buffs it out…

 

[HeyMikey]

It’s going to be stunning. Keep posting as the build progresses!

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Michael is doing lovely work, Mr. Smith! What a great choice of woods! The guitar is a real head-turner, and I will venture a guess that it will sound wonderful! I am very happy for you. I hope you can post a video or at least some audio for us.

 

[PreacherBob]

The scale length is 27” the lower bout width is 18”.

That is going to be….A POWERHOUSE 12ER!! You must be have a pretty good wingspan To get your arm over that baby! I have a fairly short arm length, navigating my 17” jumbos is a challenge in the seated position. That one’s going to go boom for sure. Also a 27” scale length is off the charts! Most all acoustics average 24.5”-25.5”, My D40 is the largest I’ve played at 25 5/8”. I imagine those strings are going to tight! Lights will feel like mediums or more, but you’ll be all to hear it around the block Be great to see it done, it’s beautiful

 

[chazmo]

The scale length is 27” the lower bout width is 18”.

I think that scale length is even longer than the F-612 (for some reason 26.5" sticks out in my brain).

My only "concern" for you here, RG, is that the beautiful marquetry on the tail block (and where it is) will certainly discourage you from putting an endpin in there. Just curious whether the builder is recommending a different place for you to put one, or you have no intention of doing so.

 

[RGSmith265]

That is going to be….A POWERHOUSE 12ER!! You must be have a pretty good wingspan To get your arm over that baby! I have a fairly short arm length, navigating my 17” jumbos is a challenge in the seated position. That one’s going to go boom for sure. Also a 27” scale length is off the charts! Most all acoustics average 24.5”-25.5”, My D40 is the largest I’ve played at 25 5/8”. I imagine those strings are going to tight! Lights will feel like mediums or more, but you’ll be all to hear it around the block Be great to see it done, it’s beautiful

Thanks! It is going to be a boomer! Like the F612, it is built to the specs of a baritone guitar. The F612 body was 21-1/8 x 18 x 5 and the scale length about 26-3/4. It will be tuned at least a full step down, maybe even 2… that’ll help with the string tension and playability.

 

[RGSmith265]

I think that scale length is even longer than the F-612 (for some reason 26.5" sticks out in my brain).

My only "concern" for you here, RG, is that the beautiful marquetry on the tail block (and where it is) will certainly discourage you from putting an endpin in there. Just curious whether the builder is recommending a different place for you to put one, or you have no intention of doing so.

I think you’re right about scale length. I was thinking it was 26-3/4, but either way, as a baritone size, it will work great at 27”. Regarding the endpin, I’ll use a Waverly screw mounted strap button positioned right where the four center diamonds meet. When the strap is off, everything will look fine, when on, the strap will cover it anyway…

 

[PreacherBob]

Thanks! It is going to be a boomer! Like the F612, it is built to the specs of a baritone guitar. The F612 body was 21-1/8 x 18 x 5 and the scale length about 26-3/4. It will be tuned at least a full step down, maybe even 2… that’ll help with the string tension and playability.

OK MY EYES ARE OPENED! I just saw John Denver on his F612! He capo‘d the second fret, most likely exactly what you just said, down tuned

 

[mushroom]

Groovy head design

 

[RGSmith265]

Groovy head design

Thanks! That’s Michael Kerry’s signature headstock on his Elijah Jewel guitars.

 

[Brucebubs]

Unbelievably beautiful - what an amazing guitar - absolutely love it!

 

[HeyMikey]

Thanks. The back and sides are koa, the top is sinker redwood from a tree that fell in 1883.
The sourcing and build have taken almost a year… can’t wait to play it!

Super excited to hear what this is going to sound like. That redwood should be very responsive. What was your thought process regarding the choice of woods?

 

[RGSmith265]

Koa is lightweight and has a great compressed dynamic range. It combines clarity with warm, thick tone and produces excellent separation for individual notes. Because I’m primarily a fingerpicker, I felt it would be best for a guitar of this size. I chose sinker redwood because it has a tight grain structure and cross-grain stiffness. This produces a strong sound, excellent response and rich, warm overtones. It privides a good balance from bass to mids to trebles and strong overtones similar to red cedar, but crisper. I have many 12s with spruce, mahogany and cedar tops so I was looking for a completely different sound.