Artinger Hollow Sport KD in the works

[kingsleyd]

For your viewing pleasure! Matt and I (along with my design consultant, Tom Kesel) are working on a new KD signature Hollow Sport. The concept is "old school" -- sort of a cross between a '50s ES-330 and a Gretsch. Will be fitted out with vintage dog-ear P-90s and vintage electronics. Righteous!

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_11_09_008.jpg
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_11_09_009.jpg
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_11_09_010.jpg
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_11_09_011.jpg

[kingsleyd]

Ebony fretboard. Brazilian headstock overlay. Inlay concept by Tom Kesel.

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_11_09_012.jpg
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_11_09_013.jpg
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_11_09_014.jpg
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_11_09_015.jpg

[kingsleyd]

for the top color and pickguard I'm borrowing from Matte and Mike Stevens because it's too cool for words and fits my concept perfectly!

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/lj7oh4.jpg

[Dave Orban]

Nice... Matt makes a wonderful guitar, for sure!

[enharmonic]

Looks like a winner. You and I have similar tastes. :dude

[dwes]

That's super!
I happily play Blondie II and it's a marvelous instrument.
Congrats man. Killer concept.
Dave

[Millul]

Like the inlay layout!!!

It'll be a great guitar!

[flume]

Excellent -keep the pics coming!

[Jahn]

I've gotten over the fear of playing my perfect little Blondie Jr. and now am rocking out with aplomb. Long live Artinger Guitars!

[MartinPiana]

Have mercy! One of the many details I like - the fret markers. I've got a couple of guitars with no fretboard top markers, but it makes sense to have them on the bass side up to the 12th fret, and on the treble side beyond since that's where my eyes go when I'm playing on those parts of the neck.

[kingsleyd]

Excellent -keep the pics coming!

That's what I said to Matt! Although I'm actually amazed at how quick progress has been.

BTW, it has a 25.5" scale, a nod to Gretsch and the Gibson Johnny A which I owned for a couple of years and liked a whole lot. In fact it would be fair to say that this is the "KingsleyD" take on that guitar -- I want my own name on the TRC, not someone else's. ;) And, although I'm not a Gibson-basher by any means, I think Matt builds a better guitar of this type than Gibson. Or pretty much anyone.

Thanks for the compliments, y'all. This has been an incredibly fun and interesting process.

[kingsleyd]

Nice... Matt makes a wonderful guitar, for sure!

Yo, Dave, the fact that I've been playing a '53 ES-175D a whole lot over the past year has more than a little to do with my choice of pickups for this guitar.

[kingsleyd]

Here's where we started: (well, I started with a pretty clear concept of what I was after)

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_1_29_09_012.jpghttp://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_1_29_09_017.jpg

[kingsleyd]

And here's what the inside looks like:

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_01_09_017.jpg

[Jahn]

WOW look at that block! I wonder how long it took for Matt to figure out that shape as the one he wanted for his builds!

[r9player]

that looks so cool!

[nik]

Looks cool. I like the bracing pattern and inside block. I'll bet it will have a very "live" tone when its completed.

[kingsleyd]

I'll bet it will have a very "live" tone when its completed.

Every one of Matt's guitars that I've ever played has a very "live" tone. Matt really has a way with wood! :bow

Update as of Saturday: the neck is glued and set. Woo-hoo!

[Irreverent]

Absolutely SMOKIN'!!!

What's the "KD" stand for in the title of the guitar?








Just kiddin'! Can't wait to play her! You better bring this one to the Bluegrass, brother!

Peace.

[kingsleyd]

You better bring this one to the Bluegrass, brother!

Well its purpose in life is to serve as a main guitar for the KD Trio, which at present is based in NH. So I dunno...

...but yeah, I'm sure it will occasionally visit KY!

:BEER

[jaydawg76]

Well its purpose in life is to serve as a main guitar for the KD Trio, which at present is based in NH. So I dunno...

...but yeah, I'm sure it will occasionally visit KY!

:BEER

What part of NH? I'm just over the boarder in York, ME.

[Irreverent]

Well its purpose in life is to serve as a main guitar for the KD Trio, which at present is based in NH. So I dunno...

...but yeah, I'm sure it will occasionally visit KY!

:BEER

Well..........then I might just have to catch a KD Trio gig!:band:drink

Take care my friend!

[kingsleyd]

Here's the latest...

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_16_09_001.jpg

...jaydawg76, I live in Dover NH so I'm close by. When I'm here, that is. I lived in a winter rental in York Beach for about 8 months in 03-04.

The KD Trio has a gig at the Press Room in Portsmouth on 11/16... mark your calendar now! My other Hollow Sport and I might be at the PR tonight for the Tue night jazz jam.

[Jahn]

oh boy! I love the Artinger shape, it's the classiest modern semi-hollow shape in my mind!

[jaydawg76]

Very Cool. I'll have to come check you out at the Press room.

[gitman]

my next Artinger will look like this but i'll go for normal humbuckers and a stoptail. the one i have (and keep) is a true hollowbody thinline with the ebony tailpiece and gets me the warm, fast, mellow and deep archtop tones i want while being the most comfortable (light weight !!!) guitar in my stable !
congrats for the übercool design !
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/gitman/Artinger/51807002.jpg

[kingsleyd]

Gitman, I have one like yours as well. Wonderful guitar.

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_Hollowbody_1.jpg

[The bear]

Sweet Artingers!

[Jahn]

Well since we're showing the Artinger love...I posted this elsewhere but it never hurts the eyes to see it again, my 2003 Artinger Blondie Jr.!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v449/jahn0603/Vox%20AC10/P1000141.jpg

[obelix]

Just wanted to say that if I ever do win in the lottery, I'd buy one of his guitars... simply stunning.

[johnrussell]

Learned of Artinger Guitars when I met Rick Dorfman, his partner, in Toys From The Attic--(tfta.com) a used guitar store in White Plains, NY.

Matt built my semi hollow in 2001. I have played it almost every day since then.

They are very sweet.

[kingsleyd]

Today's update: off to the painters!

Latest photos below. Gotta love the custom logo, courtesy of my pal Tom Kesel and borrowed from that cowboy-themed geetar company from Brooklyn.

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_22_09_003.jpg
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_22_09_004.jpg
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_22_09_006.jpg
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_3_22_09_002.jpg

[Jahn]

nice logo! that's definitely going to fit right in with your theme!

[Mojoman]

Hey Kingsleyd - the guitar looks great. I think your guitar and my own are in the same batch going to the painter.
Matt send me some pics today - I am on vacation, but as soon as I can I will get them up. Cannot wait for this guitar - a semi to go with my full Artinger hollow. Matt is just amazing and way too talented for words!

[kingsleyd]

Here we go... ...the color erred a bit on the side of lime (as opposed to puke green) but that was the instruction to the painter so...

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/5_18_09_008.jpg
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/5_18_09_012%7E0.jpg

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/5_18_09_007.jpg

[kingsleyd]

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/5_18_09_010.jpg

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/5_18_09_006.jpg

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/5_18_09_009.jpg

[Jahn]

Hmm, yep more Toxic Avenger than Swamp Thing, but that's funky too! Nice!

[kingsleyd]

Hmm, yep more Toxic Avenger than Swamp Thing, but that's funky too! Nice!

Given how some of the greens age, I'm betting it will head in the direction of Swamp Thing over time, which is why we directed the painter that way.

[dwes]

My 5 year old twins just walked into the room and one said "I love that hotrod guitar!" He wants me to get it for him. Passing the torch :AOK.

Beautiful guitar and really unique.

Dave

[mwhy]

Love the color, man! You'll dig it in person.

[Irreverent]

Will she be here by Thursday???

[TaronKeim]

Looks killer Kingsley, play'er through the 1210 for me!

_TJK*

[kingsleyd]

Will she be here by Thursday???

No. I'm driving (!) up to Matt's on the 19th to pick it up in person.

I'll have a couple of other nice guitars to bring over on T-day, though. :BEER

[kingsleyd]

Looks killer Kingsley, play'er through the 1210 for me!

_TJK*

Will do. It will (eventually) live in NH which is where the 1210 lives.

[Irreverent]

No. I'm driving (!) up to Matt's on the 19th to pick it up in person.

I'll have a couple of other nice guitars to bring over on T-day, though. :BEER

DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELUXE!!!

(And, by the way, I have a 1210.)

Looking forward to Thursday like Xmas.

Peace.

[crosse79]

Looks real nice. Congrats!

[kingsleyd]

Strung up and ready for action! I love it! :love: And check out the TRC...

Only thing missing is the pickguard.

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_6_11_09_001.jpg

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_6_11_09_002.jpg

[kingsleyd]

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_6_11_09_003.jpg

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_6_11_09_004.jpg

[kingsleyd]

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_6_11_09_005.jpg

[Jahn]

Gorb-Limey, that's coming together nicely! For pure confection I woulda tried those new Lollar noiseless P-90s in white, but knowing you're wanting to Swamp this thing over time I like the choice of black - nickel covers would be cool too. Can't wait to see the pickguard!

[cubado]

Swing!

Congrats!

Love the color!

[kingsleyd]

C, come up to Dover on July 5 and you'll be able to see it in action... I have a gig that night at the Barley Pub with my Trio.

:band

[fretnot]

badass!!!

[mikef1331]

That looks awesome! I'd love to try that bad boy out some time.

[shallbe]

I love everything about that---the shape, color, logo, headstock, P-90s'. What a beauty.

[big mike]

Big pimpin. I love it!

[kingsleyd]

the truss rod cover is great :D

Oh man... that was some work, I'll tell you! Not unlike needing 30 takes to nail a solo on a recording! I filled up four 8.5-by-11 pages trying to get a good one. Finally my buddy Tom (logo guy, design consultant, ace bassist) did a "Pro Tools" job and patched together a usable sig from a few different attempts.

Of course Matt nailed it on the first try. :cool:

I realized when I was playing a Gibson Johnny A model that I was at a point in my life (and my playing) where I really needed to play a guitar with my own name up there. That's where this whole idea started.

Glad everyone likes it! Matt, Tom, and I really worked hard at this one.

[carson072]

Sweet looking guitar, that green is perfect.

[Irreverent]

Sweet, sweet, SWEEEEEEEET!!! Like a sour apple Jolly Rancher!

I wanna play her, por favor!

Peace and congrats!

[GovernorSilver]

That's a purty axe

[kingsleyd]

That's a purty axe

Thanks. I am very anxious to see it in person! It's going to be a long week...

[kingsleyd]

Ya know, the innaresting thing is Matt's guitars are not just works of visual art. They are stunningly musical. I know that sounds funny to say, but they really do stand out in that regard. Some builders just seem to have a little extra ear for tone and nuance that translates through the way their guitars sound and respond, and Matt is one of them. Right away when I got my first Hollow Sport I knew it was one of those guitars that I would play a lot and keep around for a long while.

[todd richman]

Matt is a terrrific luthier and has an amazing eye for detail. He also has the art deco thing down great and is a very nice guy-there is no pretense about him. I have known him from the Philly Guitar Show for about 9 years and he is the real deal.

I can't get the pics to load.

[Thor]

Man, that is a beautiful guitar!!!

Please consider going without the pickguard. I know that Matt does some really cool ones, but there is something about the double f-hole tops that just scream "leave me alone!"

Enjoy that green monster in the best of health!

[kingsleyd]

Man, that is a beautiful guitar!!!

Please consider going without the pickguard. I know that Matt does some really cool ones, but there is something about the double f-hole tops that just scream "leave me alone!"

Enjoy that green monster in the best of health!

Thanks, Thor! The pickguard is under discussion. Matt's going to make one and we'll see which way we like it better. I've had double f-hole thinlines both ways (my other Hollow Sport doesn't have a guard) and I have to say I generally prefer 'em WITH one. No idea why.

[TDJMB]

This thread is really really useless without clips.

[kingsleyd]

This thread is really really useless without clips.

I don't have the guitar yet!!!

[Shadscbr]

Congrats Kingsley! That looks like an outstanding guitar! Love the color :)

btw- I have been listening to your cd I bought from you at Jamie's gathering a few years ago...still loving it!

Shad

[kingsleyd]

This thread is really really useless without clips.

OK, Lily (the guitar has been christened by Tom K) and I got home Saturday night. The drive to Matt's was just under 11 hours each way. So I was a little fried yesterday. That didn't stop me from (a) having my Sunday morning session with Lily, and (b) turning on my Sony PCM-D50. Although the results were mostly trash there were two bits worthy of posting so y'all can get an idea of the SOUND which of course is what really matters... ...right?

So Matt really nailed what I was after. And vintage P-90s rule.
Amps are the usual AC-30/Custom Reverb Sig combination. The Two-Rock is more prominent on these recordings though.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=939428&songID=7740776 (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=939428&songID=7740776)

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=939428&songID=7740767 (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=939428&songID=7740767)

[hottub]

that's a fantastic looking guitar!

[kingsleyd]

that's a fantastic looking guitar!

Thanks! But how does it sound?!?!?

Oh, pickguard update: Matt couldn't get the right thickness (or lack thereof) of plexi material so we ended up going without the pickguard.

[u12drag]

So, pickguard or no? EDIT: HA! Thanks for the answer. Looks like a simultaneous post.

Sick, Sick guitar!

[mojocaster.com]

That's friggin hot as all hell.

[Irreverent]

DEEEEEELUXE!!!!

Can hardly wait to meet her! Glad you both made it back safely.

Peace.

[kingsleyd]

DEEEEEELUXE!!!!

Can hardly wait to meet her! Glad you both made it back safely.

Peace.

Yo, Dave, give me a call -- you need to come over some day this week before Lily heads north!

Here's the official KD photo:

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/Retro_Sport_KD_Sig.jpg

[johnrussell]

She looks beautiful.

Isn't that big seafood restaurant "Newick's", in Dover? I was hoping we could meet there!!

Maybe I'll just listen to the clips.

[kingsleyd]

She looks beautiful.

Isn't that big seafood restaurant "Newick's", in Dover? I was hoping we could meet there!!

Maybe I'll just listen to the clips.

Thanks! Newick's is in Dover, well down on the tip (point), not far from where I live there, but I'd much rather meet you at Bob's Clam Hut over in Kittery, Maine if we're thinking about eating fried clams. ;)

[jaydawg76]

Bob's clam hut is just down the road from. The Weathervain ain't bad either!

[johnrussell]

I'm not too good at these decisions, so I'm going to have to try both places. Any excuse to see Maine and or NH.

[jaydawg76]

I'm not too good at these decisions, so I'm going to have to try both places. Any excuse to see Maine and or NH.

Hell YEAH! ME and NH are both great places. VT ain't too bad either.

As for clams, Bob's is a far more "authentic" experience.

[Brian Porter]

Wow! Fantastic Work! I'm a fan of green guitars as well. Done right it looks killer on flame or quilt.

[kingsleyd]

Here's a nice FLAME shot...

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/normal_RSKD_screen_shot.jpg


Full-size (desktop version) here:
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10098/RSKD_screen_shot.jpg

As for clams, Bob's is the clear winner in my book. But I'm all for that sort of research! Damn, y'all are making me antsy to get back to NH/ME...

...and btw, jaydawg, the KD Trio is playing at the Barley Pub in Dover on Sunday 5 July. I'll definitely be toting Lily (design guy TK came up with the perfect name for this guitar!) for the gig.

[Jahn]

hhhhhooooooooollllllllly crap! man you must be over the moon - nice flame shot!

[kingsleyd]

So here's where the rubber meets the road. Lily is undoubtedly a beautiful guitar, but the whole idea was to create a guitar that would SOUND great and work for what I do musically.

My trio played its first club gig on Sunday night. And last night my pop/rock band from work had a rehearsal. So I got to hear Lily do her thing in two very different contexts.

With the Trio, I got exactly what I was looking for: a combination of clarity and chime with that addictive P-90 midrange. OK, yeah, I got some AC hum as well, as everyone who's ever played in a dingy club with all sorts of not-to-code lighting and electrical work has experienced, but I was more or less able to find Mecca and manage the volume pots so it wasn't overbearing. But it was a lovely experience to have a guitar that did exactly what I wanted. And felt and looked great in the bargain.

Then last night we did a bunch of Monkees, Beatles, early Stones, Pretenders songs. Definite emphasis on mid-60s power pop type of a sound. Lily was great at that. Unlike many thinline guitars with a particularly strong acoustic voice, Lily held everything together perfectly when things got loud and crunchy -- the solo on "Taxman" was perfect. (Macca's Epiphone Casino was definitely an influence on my vision for this guitar!)

So... I am one VERY happy camper. Thanks to Matt for taking my vision and NAILING it!!! :bow

Since clips speak louder than words...

bridge pickup:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=939428&songID=7772691

neck pickup:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=939428&songID=7772681

[equatorinstru]

She is a beauty! Is it a large hollow...or more smaller'bodied?

What is that going to set you back...ballpark?

[kingsleyd]

She is a beauty! Is it a large hollow...or more smaller'bodied?

What is that going to set you back...ballpark?

Relatively compact. I don't know the width at the hips for sure, but I'd guess 15 inches or maybe a little less. Thin, too. Thinner than an ES-335 or a PRS Hollowbody.

Price: talk to Cliff at Destroy All Guitars. Or just look at his sales archive -- they'll give you a pretty good indication of the ballpark. There are a couple of Hollow Sports in there, including my other one.

[GovernorSilver]

Someday, I shall order one for myself. With Chet Atkins Bigsby handle.

[Jahn]

I'd say the dimensions for Artinger thinilnes are closer to the smaller ES-333 than the bigger ES-335. For that hum, have you considered swapping out for the noiseless fralin P90 dogears? I can't wait to get some of those in soapbar form and see how it can withstand the multitude of dimmer lights in my place (even P100s couldn't handle it, they hum believe it or not...plus they just sound bad).

[kingsleyd]

For that hum, have you considered swapping out for the noiseless fralin P90 dogears?

Nahh... I want the tone of the vintage P-90s, and I'll deal with some buzz to get it. Hey, if it works for Eric Johnson! I have yet to hear any modern pickups that really sound like the old ones. Not that the new ones sound worse, necessarily, but with this particular guitar I knew the only way to get the sound I was hearing in my head was to get a pair of vintage P-90 dog-ears and send 'em to Matt. (along with vintage pots, caps, and a wiring harness)

[Jahn]

Hmm, I can understand that. For instance, for me a Guild Starfire isn't a Guild Starfire unless it has the real deal 60's Hoboken mini HB-1 humbuckers in there!

[kingsleyd]

You got it, Jahn, exactly! (and I'm a big fan of those old Guild Starfires btw)

Listening to the recording of the gig, the sounds of the pool table out on the floor in front of the stage are a lot more prevalent than AC hum. :rolleyes: