Making a Rosette (For My Most Expensive Guitar To Date)

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[@dougberry5003]

The light color is very pretty but, I like the Dark rosette 👍

[@HardwareLust]

Wow, I think that ebony rosette is amazing. That sitka with ebony binding and that ebony rosette I think would look fabulous.

[@PaulCooksStuff]

Of the two, I think I prefer the dark one. It fits better with letting the wood speak. It's subtle. The maple is a bit shouty, though maybe it could be stained a bit to take the bright edge off, while also highlighting the flame. But it's not my guitar, so I'm just daydreaming! 🤣

[@rickbaker4571]

I love how the shop is always perfecto!! I'm sure it's not like that 24 x 7, but you can tell build quality by the quality of the shop. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

[@kevindoran7007]

I like the subtly of the darker one and think the ebony binding and arm bevel would tie it all together nicely. Great work as usual 😋👌

[@johngriswold2213]

Light years behind you on building (I'm on #3) but I have been using the back wood plus shell for the rosette and I really like how it ties the guitar together. definitely a way to put the wood forward as adornment.

[@scottwagner751]

I like the contrast of the light colored maple binding against the old (grey) Sitka Spruce. You make the process of creating the rosette look easy. Thanks for sharing.

[@josephswenson2056]

Definitely the dark. Very elegant.

[@TheMidnightModder]

Edit: I really like that dark wood with the dark wood. There's less contrast and it has a more serious/macabre feel, which I really like. Original: Y'all do a ton of amazing, but expensive guitars, but I think it would be really fascinating to see you two build an acoustic guitar with a set budget that's very low. Don't just cop out buying cheap wood, but shop around for unique pieces, even though that may require more woodworking to turn them into guitar parts. I don't know how it would play out, but I bet this could be such a fascinating challenge! "The worlds best $200 acoustic guitar."

[@charlesbolton8471]

That sounds like a great idea, but even the wood and all the other parts were given to them for free I think their labor cost would surpass $200 after an hour (if it even took that long). Honestly, for how expensive their guitars are it blows my mind that they have time to spend making KZbin videos.

[@seancca]

@@charlesbolton8471 yeah if you factored in labor costs it would still be expensive. Probably could get it to be around 1k but that is probably as low as you could get it.

[@jikkermanccini]

About to start on my first guitar, thank you so much for this informative video! I'll definitely use bits of this method combined with the usual veneer stacking method to make me a stellar rosette.

[@scottmorris4914]

I like the dark with the dark. Rosette looks amazing by the way.

[@flavorkingpluto]

I love how you say “Hawaiian Koa”, it’s like saying “frozen ice”. Ebony! With the ebony binding and the grey top I think it will be stunning.

[@Sammywhat]

Great background music! So, I'm a fan of the dark rosette. That being said, the top wood is the most glorious top I've ever seen. This will easily be the most beautiful guitar when it's completed. PLEASE film it for us from soup to nuts. Love this channel, fellas!!

[@dalgguitars]

great video, thanks!

[@daviddavis2597]

Gooood evening from central Florida! Hope everyone has a great night! Looking forward to the info in the video!

[@highcountryguitarsaustrali8338]

Excellent video and great to see your method. My Rosettes are always simple wooden affairs and not segmented but your method is something I'll have to try out. I've seen other builders using a mold they place the annular segments into but I'm not sure I like that idea.

[@Hafragrautur1]

I like the ebony better. Maple also looks pretty good!

[@jeffroberts4702]

I liked them both and my preference was the quilted maple. More importantly for me was how you built these rosettes, very nice!

[@VERBANDTREM]

super cool! think i like the dark one

[@nickhotz1862]

They both look great but I prefer the OG! Great video Chris and Matt

[@ericecklund676]

Chris, that's an excellent choice for the back and sides. Ziricote has all of the nice spider-webbing that good Brazilian has, but you don't have to worry about customs when you ship the guitar. I watched your hour-long video of you making that guitar, and I think you need to raise your prices. Bruce Sexauer did that recently, and he seems happier that he did. It will be fun to see how this new custom turns out. Great video!

[@pauldehorn]

Completely split 50/50… both look beautiful! I would do the ebony with a traditional spruce top and the maple with the ancient Sitka top.

[@peterflynn850]

Congrats on a very fun video! I favor the darker rosette - moody.

[@scottreeves1226]

If the maple rosette were too light for the client, one could shade it with slightly darker shellac, something toward amber. Beautiful work!

[@likeakite]

Thanks

[@uptopmikep7065]

I really like both of them however I would choose the ebony rosette. I love the richness of the palette.

[@jamesanthony8682]

Hands down the maple, just the way it pops against that spruce!!!!

[@jipes]

Mapple a winner !!!

[@pauldehorn]

Great video. Your breakdown of the process really shows how challenging it is to “see” what the final guitar is going to look like given all the factors. What would be cool is a 3D rendering software like used in interior design where you could do all of this virtually first, but I guess there is not enough demand to invest in developing a program like that? But knowing you, I’m sure you already thought of the possibilities.

[@MET3]

I was missing your building videos. Very glad to see some more coming out. The live streams are fun too, but I feel like quantity of videos was slowing down. Understandably since everyone is busy, but It was like when you don’t talk to one of your good buddies for a while. I missed you!

[@wbtravis2628]

I like subtly in my guitars. The maple is awesome looking but I’d choose the ebony

[@bpower6362]

Very cool. I like the maple one. Bold is better. :) I've also used a rosette cutting jig that I made to make custom rosettes. It is very similar to the one Eric Schaefer makes and sells.

[@DavePilotCH47]

Maple👍🏻👍🏻

[@paulmccarty5954]

The ebony hands down. A classier look.

[@bobcrites5885]

Contrasted dark would be lovely.

[@glaflamme]

I like that maple! Might be nice if the binding was maple also

[@lauriedepaurie]

For the whole understated 'let the wood do the talking' look I think the ebony rosette works best. It's going to be dark and low contrast, but understated, custom and interesting looking. Personally I like the traditional dark wood with light binding+rosette. I really think it makes the shape of the guitar pop. Plus, dark or no binding in my brain translates to 'entry range', 'student' or 'studio' instruments. Probably an unfair association, but my association nonetheless. For any colour I would keep it consistent. Either light binding-light rosette-light heelcap or all dark. Mixing it up does look custom, but also messy.

[@AnnaStafford-zh1sz]

You are correct the maple is just a little too bold. Drop dead beautiful but slightly overpowering. The ebony looks fabulous but I think a narrow strip of maple or something around the perimeter would prevent it from "disappearing." You''d probably need to repeat that with the bindings. I loved your video series on StewMac also. Thanks and actually it's Anna's husband, Byron Stafford. We;'ve emailed before. My shop is more modest - like the dining room table and an 8 x 8 workshop outside. I love watching your processes. Thanks again for sharing.

[@paulsullivan9117]

This project is long gone, but I like the whole dark theme... kinda like the dark night!!

[@okayguitarplayer]

I like the dark rosette...

[@jeffspangler2367]

I like the maple, without the thin dark strips defining the segments

[@garyshearer895]

In my mind use a thin maple outside ring with Mother of Pearl (widest) next. Then very thin ebony . Now work the mother of pearl and maple to the inside . Make radial lines as needed with maple and ebony to break up the circles .

[@oris316]

Always bet on black

[@earle4370]

I'd keep the ebony and trim the perimeter of it with the strips of abalone to help it pop against the body.

[@kevinmorris7722]

Very nice. Love the method. Okay, hate me but, both pretty. My instinct said mahogany. Choice of the two... Maple.

[@markgrimm3564]

hey chris does the CA glue stain the maple or did you use a wash coat of 1LB cut of shellac to seal the maple

[@JMCustomGuitars]

i prefer the black rosette I just add tho that one a 0,5mm I+of with purling, or other color, in the outside and the inside then you going to have a black but with a small withe that will pop from the both "blacks " rosete and soundboard

[@RSNflatpickn]

i like the dark but they are both really nice and if he dont like the ebony i might buy haha

[@russellscott1151]

The new rosette looks nicer I think but it is bright. Maybe a thin white perfling around the dark rosette?

[@wittypedia2177]

I reckon do a maple skirt around the ebony.

[@TheAciddragon069]

while it would be much more work would a combination of the two be a possibility, where you have a strip of maple, a strip of ebony, the mother of pearl, then another strip of ebony with one last strip of maple. that way the maple with let the rosette standout, while also giving the customer the dark wood they want and also setting off the mother of pearl.

[@thierryholweck6883]

I would have chosen the dark one. Your first idea was the good one, I think.

[@waynejones6215]

Good show when you going to have the 300 year guitar ready BY CHRISTMAS I HOPE MAN

[@drewan575]

Of the two, I prefer the darker version, but I actually like your original suggestion to the client even more as I tend toward a more traditional vibe.

[@marcusadjmi9639]

The ebony has a more western look imo. I kinda like it.

[@seancooke2310]

like the ebony, but maybe some lighter toned edging on the inside and outside of the rosette. plus a light sound hole ring.....triple threat

[@Project2Aero]

all dark would be epic in my opinion...

[@dananthony6258]

I really like the maple idea by itself or another guitar. Just dont think it goes with the fret board. If there was other pieces of maple on the guitar it could work but just by itself it does work like the ebony.

[@seancca]

I like the darker rosette more myself.

[@guycalleddave]

I'd stain the maple and try to hit the yellower tone of the spruce once finished. I think it's just a bit too bright.

[@robertbassinder]

What if you trimmed the ebony soundhole smaller and laced the outside and inside w the maple

[@sambo7326]

Both are beautiful in their own right but the color contrast is a bit extreme for me. I am thinking a wood that closely matches the light color of the wood marbling in the guitar top would look more cohesive.

[@christophersmith5413]

Dark Rosette

[@rickyretic]

Chris, where did you purchase the vacuum clamp I have seen many times at the end of your bench? If I remember correctly it is located near the buffer. Thanks' Chris, love the channel.

[@larrycoon3794]

Those come from LMI.

[@lefuler]

The dark one, no question.

[@mrphil2557]

So, I'm curious. You may have mentioned it in another video, but I don't recall....... Do you work on multiple guitars at the same time? Or finish one, then on to the next. And if multiple, at various stages? Or all in synchronized development?

[@julienstoll9665]

Maybe if you put one piece of mapple then one piece ebony in succession all around it would look great and you have the best of both!😅

[@TommyAlanRaines]

Personally I like the Ebony even though its a dark wood on dark.

[@YegresAL]

Yay... resin mark from sander)))) Remember my first time I saw it on super-bright white spruce top - oooooh the horror....

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

It’s the thing on nightmares

[@edmallon2851]

Ebony rosette with the maple strips on outer and inner perimeter?

[@Raven-Creations]

I think the maple is a bit in-your-face for an ebony bound, dark top. If the top were to be bound by maple, it'd be a different story, but with ebony binding, I'd go with the ebony rosette.

[@polarkgr1]

Honestly, I feel like something between the two rosettes like a Koa would work best with that top.

[@teladan5]

Because of the contrast, I like the maple rosette better. The ebony one sort of disappears.

[@mikecr8n]

I personally think the ebony doesn't have enough contrast and gets lost, while the maple has too much contrast and takes attention away from that gorgeous top. I am no wood expert, but I would try to find something in between those that is on the less-saturated color side. Like a greyish roasted maple or something like - if that exists (sorry - I have limited exposure to wood types). Also, have you tried to use slivers of the top itself as the dividers between the rosette? That might blend in even better. No matter what though, it will be amazing!

[@ErnieB]

I like the maple much better. I think the Macassar seems a little too subtle for the top. Just spitballing, here, but if the client thinks the maple has too much contrast, maybe a light toning with a judicious choice of a light colour could soften the bold, light, maple, and highlight the quilting a bit more. Like that jazz box on your website. (The flat-out sexiest guitar I've ever seen). Alternatively, I wonder if slightly wider maple divider strips would give the Macassar more pop. The only problem I can see with that would be if you can't increase the width of the maple very much, without having to taper it. Just my WAG. As always, YMMV.

[@MarkMetternichPhotographyLLC]

My clients don’t know how the processes work, well, let me just say I feel your pain.

[@fuffy442]

Ebony for the win

[@jkabanas]

I think an in between would be ideal. The maple is too bright, the ebony too dark -- using something like a rosewood or even just staining the maple, or roasting it, might go a long way to balance that contrast.

[@irakopilow9223]

Maple by a country mile! If he thinks it is too stark a contrast, maybe cherry or paduk with maple segment dividers?

[@larryhawes8295]

What are the back and sides? Assuming the binding will match the rosette? Braz Rosewood with maple bindings? Striking but not really letting the wood do the talking as the maple would 'pop' too much IMO. With a simple Braz RW binding and a WBW purf might be nice with the maple rosette?

[@kudgeond755]

He said the back and sides are zircote.

[@larryhawes8295]

@@kudgeond755 Thanks, missed that. The light streaking in some sap wood of Ziricote might go well with a light binding? Dunno. Curious as to what they come up with.

[@ShaneDavisDFTBA]

I’m curious, what would be some examples of requests customers have made that you strongly discouraged because it would affect the sonic quality of the final guitar?

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

ebony binding would look pretty killer... Maple is probably the better choice tho.

[@watchtheskies]

I much preferred the darker rosette, maybe you could outline it with a thin strip of a lighter wood to make it stand out against the background

[@pinballrobbie]

Dark wood looks more sophisticated I think.

[@kenstouffer4495]

Checker. make it checker.

[@taylormoon3561]

I think the ebony looks much nicer on its own but I agree that it blends in with the ancient Sitka too much.

[@stuartyoung8068]

I think the maple is too light....what about some red cedar?

[@woodjustworks]

not really into either, for me I'd say try Cherry maybe?

[@johnp6269]

I think there both sweet that’s a hard one for me i tend to be be more into dark wood but that maple is sweet. I’ve dyed maple to get my desired look before. They are both beautiful though!!!!! Like and subscribe!!!

[@paulshouse524]

Ebony, hands down.

[@bendewittii5120]

What did the customer say about the maple?

[@monday6524]

I like the ebony! The maple “pops” a bit much for me…

[@robertbassinder]

Having a natural hole there cellularly is naturally going to vibrate more from the structure naturally being degraded.. I think this one is gonna be the cannon..

[@brianscott3021]

Dark one hands down but if I used the light one I would loose the shell

[@adifor]

I think I'd like alternate dark and light segments...

[@alexandriashannon7438]

At least if they don't like either one, the maple is stainable. :)

[@erichharrington1213]

Light is better, but I prefer asymmetrical appointments ala Matsuda etc..

[@russellharris5072]

The dark one is the one I'd choose..........................................

[@sluggdiddyyddidgguls]

dark one wins for me. How about a combination of the two with the maple being used less just as an accent.

[@RC51Rod]

Ebony!