2023 Stephen Kinnaird Adirondack Spruce/Quartersawn Sapele Dreadnought (featuring Bryan Harkness)

Stephen Kinnaird Dreadnought model with an Adirondack Spruce top and Sapele back and sides. Trimmed with Leopardwood and Malaysian Blackwood. Soundport. 25.4" scale. Light strings. Made for the artisanguitars...
Recorded with:
Rode NT3 - rode.com/
Warm Audio 47jr- warmaudio.com
Featuring flat picker ‪@BryanHarkness‬
#guitar #music #demo #luthier

[@howabouthetruth2157]

This gem is an absolute CANNON !!! And I'm sure that Adirondack Spruce is playing a key role. Gorgeous guitar guys. WELL DONE!!!

[@stephenkinnairdguitars]

Thank you so much! There’s a reason Adi Spruce is prized. 😀 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@masonhamlin3921]

It's Christmas every day you and Ryan introduce a new guitar. Beautiful, and fabulous tone. Mr. Harkness adds a uniquely professional touch with his talents! All around amazing!

[@stephenkinnairdguitars]

Thanks a lot Mason! Thanks for your encouragement. I knew there was a reason I still haven’t taken down my Christmas lights. 🤣

[@masonhamlin3921]

@@stephenkinnairdguitars You are ahead of the game for next Christmas!

[@BlackKeys_36]

Amazing dread. I love how it isn't quite as dry as a D-18 but doesn't have the overtones that a huge rosewood guitar like a great D-28 would have. That perfectly quartered sapele is breathtaking. The guitar already sounds great; knowing how adi ages and that it will get nothing but better over the coming years means someone will be very happy owner. Great call bringing in Bryan for this one; well done all around!

[@stephenkinnairdguitars]

Appreciate that analysis John. I would agree that it fits a middle ground between a D-18 and a D-28. Thanks for the kind words. I’ll pass them along to Bryan who may get more airtime in the future.

[@natemink572]

That is an amazing guitar, love the complexity from the braz/adi top and the sweet/punchy tone from the sapele

[@stephenkinnairdguitars]

Thanks Nate! We’re really happy you liked it.

[@donsaxon1169]

Me too. I've played one Sapele guitar, and it blew me away.

[@charlesslocumjr1693]

I like it , I like it a lot !

[@stephenkinnairdguitars]

Thanks Charles!

[@whiteruski]

This is an awesome channel - keep up the artisan work you do!

[@stephenkinnairdguitars]

Thank you so much! We appreciate the encouragement. We’re glad you like what we’re doing.

[@646627jd]

You never ceas to amaze me.

[@stephenkinnairdguitars]

Wow, thanks James! High compliment indeed.

[@jordanbryan2901]

Beauty! And a great sound! Steve and Ryan nailed this one!

[@stephenkinnairdguitars]

Thank you kind sir!

[@newffee]

Sounds great! Another work of art. Stephen have you ever heard of a Guitar with an Acacia top with Bocote back and sides? Care to experiment? I just had that idea.

[@stephenkinnairdguitars]

No, can’t say that I have seen that combination before. Typically guitars with acacia tops (like koa) are used for the back and sides as well. We have built out of three different species of acacia and built some whole koa instruments. Could we be tempted to try your experiment? We’re wood guys and like experimenting, but it would be interesting to hear what you think that guitar would sound like. Heavy back and sides with a heavy top would probably give a dark sounding guitar that has the potential to be very thumpy. But as no one’s done it before…who knows?

[@newffee]

@@stephenkinnairdguitarsYes I was thinking the same thing about all the wood being hardwoods. But then I thought there's all Koa guitars, they have a nice crisp mids to highs. There's all Mahogany they sound nice and balanced. Not as hard wood but still up there. Then I thought well Bocote or African Blackwood would give a nice deflection and Acacia is plentiful according to the read up on it.? If you make the top as thin as possible and throw in a A Frame X brace pattern, it probably would support the top very well? I'm not sure Stephen I think it would have nice Mid ranges and make a very nice finger style guitar. It would look amazing also if you could find a spalted burl . I like to experiment. lol I built a Rock Maple back n sides with a torrified Sitka top. It has a Maple neck and a torrified maple fingerboard. I have a video up which shows it and I did a song but you really don't get to hear the full sound unfortunately because I'm damping the chords with the strum. I'm not a professional builder. I just made it with minimal tools. Hand bent sides. I designed the A frame X brace combo and it works very well. I'm really surprised I got as much sound out of it as I did because the Torrified top had really wide grains. Anyways check it out if you like. Just click on my channel name. It's in the video Somethin's Gotta Give. Cheers! 🍻