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Post by jonnymosco on Feb 23, 2013 10:53:17 GMT
As some of you know I've been selling guitars to fund a new one... It's now in my grubby hands. I wanted something to contrast with the Sobell and Steve put me in touch with Jason Kostal. The Sobell is uber crystalline, the Kostal sounds like a great guitar, but goes to "11" - it just has more of everything, plus a reverby all-encompassing sound. My second guitar used to be a Lowden O25, so this is a replacement and does it surpass it? Silly question. One issue that worried me was that the trebles would not match the big bass, but Jason miraculously managed to create trebles that echo the sound of nylon strings - a bizarre playing experience at first, but ultimately very rewarding higher up the fingerboard. The bass should tame down a bit over time and the fat trebles grow even more. Modified Dread. Wenge b/s. Euro spruce top. Manzer wedge. No cutaway! (How novel.) The guitar is a work of art - sheer perfection, not one aspect could be criticised. Very comfortable to play too. When I met Jason he was a top bloke and it is a privilege to own one of his guitars. He is passionate about what he does... he loves wood, really loves it and does everything he can to create the ultimate acoustic sound (restricted by my specifications of course!). I'll record some toons Monday and have some more photos to upload. Jonny
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Post by michaelwatts on Feb 23, 2013 10:59:27 GMT
I do love the lines of a Non-cutaway Mod-D. Congrats Jonny, can't wait to hear you play it!
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Post by jonnymosco on Feb 23, 2013 11:04:47 GMT
It does look very elegant - thanks for your help Michael during the build.
Jonny
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 23, 2013 11:11:54 GMT
Many congrats Jonny, you must be really pleased. Michael W's guitar was obviously something special when I heard him play it last year, and I had a brief go on it too, though, being in the Devil's Tuning I couldn't get anything like the best out of it!
I'm sure your guitar will sound wonderful, and well done for not having a cutaway, so it looks wonderful too. Have to admit I'm not that struck on the looks of the heel, but otherwise, wow.
Enjoy the honeymoon Jonny - I'm sure there will be some lovely recordings in propspect!
Have fun.
Keith
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Post by michaelwatts on Feb 23, 2013 11:17:40 GMT
It does look very elegant - thanks for your help Michael during the build. Jonny My pleasure Jonny
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Feb 23, 2013 11:19:42 GMT
Jonny,
It looks stunning and in your hands will sound stunning too. Well worth the wait. Looking forward to the toons and to hearing it in the flesh later this year.
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Post by Phil Taylor on Feb 23, 2013 13:05:04 GMT
Looks like a beast Jonny - a marvellous looking piece of luthiery in all respects and I am sure you can make it sing Regards Phil
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Post by andrewjw on Feb 23, 2013 14:05:30 GMT
Looks great Jonny... Looks like there's a pick up on board ..be interested to hear about that too.
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Post by Martin on Feb 23, 2013 15:03:28 GMT
Can't wait to hear you play it, Jonny
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Post by sigmadel on Feb 23, 2013 18:15:22 GMT
Very nice indeed
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Post by ararat66 on Feb 23, 2013 19:07:18 GMT
What a fabulous looking thing - having briefly met Jason at Ian's last year and tried his guitars this will surely sound amazing.
Enjoy it and play it well.
:-)
Leon
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Post by jonnymosco on Feb 24, 2013 12:05:37 GMT
Keith, the heel does look a little 'unique' - in the Somogyi style. Looks like it wouldn't support the thumb at the body frets, but it does. The carved ebony cap on the back is a nice touch. More of a few days away than a honeymoon... just so much to do... keeps impressing me each time I pick it up though and definitely no feeling of "what have I done?" as it sounds like a well played-in guitar with a full open sound (that other guitar I've got took two years to open up, but it was worth the wait).
Andrew - the pickup is a K & K mini - on Keith's advice. Plugged it in briefly and it seems to sound just like the acoustic sound, but louder - may need to do some equalisation for that bass!
Hopefully will record tomorrow - my new neighbour has a home recording studio in his attic, if it's not too windy we'll lay down some tracks.
Jonny
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Post by thecorner on Feb 24, 2013 16:34:53 GMT
That looks absolutely fabulous, Jonny, and really looking forward to hearing what you record with it. You must be incrdibly pleased. Love the subtle decoration on it, especially the inlay round the end-pin. Shows absoultely top notch build quality, and as others have said, Jason is not just a brilliant maker, but also such a nice guy. Enjoy.
Eric
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Post by ianlp59 on Feb 25, 2013 10:11:20 GMT
Stunning looking guitar Jonny. Jason is a top guy and a great builder. Lovely looking end graft and interesting that you elected not to have a cutaway. The spruce top of your guitar has an almost aged look, has it been stained or treated with an ageing toner? My new Fischer has a Euro spruce top which at the moment is almost white in colour, as was my Sobell MS when I first got it, though it now has aged rather well and the top has darkened up considerably.
Can't wait to hear you play it.
Cheers,
Ian
ps. Are you going to be over in the Uk in July - specifically July 13th ? Hosting a guitar do then...
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Post by jonnymosco on Feb 25, 2013 11:18:57 GMT
Hi Eric and Ian - I love the end graft too - not too fancy.
I think the top colour in the photo is the lighting in the studio, it's much lighter in the flesh... the grain is quite wide which is interesting.
I may still be in France then Ian, but would love to be there.
Done the recordings this morning - lots of coffee helped, just got to be edited now.
I don't know if any of you have been to the Guitar Center in the States, like a Tescos for guitars - so I experienced extremes whilst I was there. I played the most expensive guitar in the shop, kept in a locked glass cabinet - a Martin D-45. Cost more than the Kostal and was it any good? Well, not for that price, it really put the Kostal in perspective, I'm very fortunate. Anyway, when I handed it back to the assistant he just nonchalently leant it against the counter where it could easily be knocked, he thought he was cool, I felt like saying "you idiot", but restrained myself.
Jonny
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