Latest from Acorn House Guitars

[AcornHouse]

Not really a guitar this time. It took longer than I expected, but the Electric Upright Bass build is finally coming to a conclusion; just a few more tweaks. But complete enough for a photo session.
Nicknamed “Woody” for the celebration of the woods used as well as a reference to the composer of ‘This Land Is Our Land’, Woody Guthrie. (Referring to the boat shaped headstock and the redwood used. “…From the redwood forests, to the Gulf Stream waters…”, although I was thinking more of Rhode Island, where it will be heading and the America’s Cup yachts that were built there in the 1st part of the 20th century in Bristol, RI by, among others, my grandfather and great-grandfather.) A live edge redwood burl archtop on a hollow maple body with curly maple neck, Bolivian rosewood fingerboard and tailpiece, African Blackwood nut, Hipsot tuners, K&K Big Twin pickup on an adjustable maple bridge, D’Addario Helicore strings (NEVER complain about the price of guitar strings!).

 

[chazmo]

Wicked cool, Chris.

 

[davismanLV]

HOLY CRAP, Chris!!! That thing is AMAZING!! I'm in awe of your skill and craftsmanship!!

 

[silverfox103]

Stunning and beautiful!

There you go Sandy, weren't you toying around with the idea of an upright bass a few months ago?

Tom

 

[GGJaguar]

Wow! Very nice in an organic George Nakashima kind of way. Kudos!

 

[silverfox103]

Wow! Very nice in an organic George Nakashima kind of way. Kudos!

Always wanted to go to the Martin Guitar Museum. Although I go pretty close to it a few times a year, the timing was never right, until 2 months ago. There was a George Nakashima bench in the museum. Once I sat on it, I didn't want to get up.

Tom

 

[twocorgis]

Not really a guitar this time. It took longer than I expected, but the Electric Upright Bass build is finally coming to a conclusion; just a few more tweaks. But complete enough for a photo session.
Nicknamed “Woody” for the celebration of the woods used as well as a reference to the composer of ‘This Land Is Our Land’, Woody Guthrie. (Referring to the boat shaped headstock and the redwood used. “…From the redwood forests, to the Gulf Stream waters…”, although I was thinking more of Rhode Island, where it will be heading and the America’s Cup yachts that were built there in the 1st part of the 20th century in Bristol, RI by, among others, my grandfather and great-grandfather.) A live edge redwood burl archtop on a hollow maple body with curly maple neck, Bolivian rosewood fingerboard and tailpiece, African Blackwood nut, Hipsot tuners, K&K Big Twin pickup on an adjustable maple bridge, D’Addario Helicore strings (NEVER complain about the price of guitar strings!).

That's just gorgeous Chris, and I'd love to try it! What's the string length on it?

Stunning and beautiful!

There you go Sandy, weren't you toying around with the idea of an upright bass a few months ago?

I did a bit more than toy with the idea. I finally found an upright that wasn't a complete train wreck. It's a lovingly restored '53 Kay C-1 that only needed a few tweaks and a pickup to get gig ready, thanks to a very nice lady on the south fork of Long Island, and an excellent (non-fretted instrument) luthier recommendation from my guy.

And while the bass might be gig ready, I'm not, yet. Giving up the "cheater marks" on the side of the fingerboard has proven harder than I thought!

 

[silverfox103]

I remember that!

Tom

 

[AcornHouse]

That's just gorgeous Chris, and I'd love to try it! What's the string length on it?

36” scale length. It’s for a bass guitar player, so I didn’t want to go too long.

And while the bass might be gig ready, I'm not, yet. Giving up the "cheater marks" on the side of the fingerboard has proven harder than I thought!

I did put side dots in to help.

 

[HeyMikey]

Seriously, you built that? It’s a work of art. I can’t imaging what it took to mate the top to the sides.

 

[AcornHouse]

Seriously, you built that? It’s a work of art. I can’t imaging what it took to mate the top to the sides.

It was more, shaping the sides to match the top.

 

[walrus]

Wow! Beautiful and unique, Chris!

walrus

 

[Opsimath]

That is absolutely beautiful, Chris!

Did you have woodworking experience before becoming a luthier? Matching sides to top - I can't even imagine what that required.

 

[Opsimath]

Wow, Sandy. You found a gorgeous one! May you be gig ready soon!

 

[twocorgis]

Wow, Sandy. You found a gorgeous one! May you be gig ready soon!

Working on it, but there’s more of a learning curve than I expected. It also doesn’t help that I play so much electric bass that there’s limited practice time. I try to play a little every day.

 

[Default]

That turned out killer, Chris!!!

 

[AcornHouse]

That is absolutely beautiful, Chris!

Did you have woodworking experience before becoming a luthier? Matching sides to top - I can't even imagine what that required.

I’d always been interested in woodworking, especially with shows like the New Yankee Workshop and later David Marks’ Wood Works, but was limited by apartment living. When I bought my house nearly 20 years ago, it had a detached one car garage (in addition to the attached one), so I started assembling a workshop. Started with just regular woodworking projects then took the leap with a parlor guitar build.

 

[Opsimath]

I’d always been interested in woodworking, especially with shows like the New Yankee Workshop and later David Marks’ Wood Works, but was limited by apartment living. When I bought my house nearly 20 years ago, it had a detached one car garage (in addition to the attached one), so I started assembling a workshop. Started with just regular woodworking projects then took the leap with a parlor guitar build.

You have certainly honed your craft well!

 

[zulu]

What a beautiful work of art! Hats off, that is wonderful.

 

[5thumbs]

Every time I go back and view those pictures I discover another amazing detail.

I am in awe. Well done!