Cocobolo - was I wrong about this wood?

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Thank you for watching - please subscribe to support my channel!
Do you have a wood that you just don't get on with? This is one of mine - always has been - and yet continued exposure has softened my heart towards this rare Dalbergia.
I really enjoyed spending time with this guitar by Ciaran McNally - he's a talented builder with an impressive pedigree having spent time at both @Lowden Guitars and @Atkin Guitars - arguably two of Europe's most important centres of acoustic excellence.
Thank you, to each and every one of you for watching my videos. It means a great deal to me.
Until next time, stay tuned!
Michael
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This video was inspired by a lot of things from the Justin Hawkins Rides Again to Rick Beato and his amazing work, Tim Pierce - all those great guys sharing incredible content! I'm not a massive fan of Justin Beiber, Pewdiepie or ninja and I think Logan and Jake Paul are a disgrace but there you go...
#luthier #McNallyGuitars #Acousticguitar

Опубликовано:

13 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 91

@daveincanada4794 2 года назад

Michael, this is great stuff. Very insightful. Your videos have been "instrumental" in a number of my recent purchase and modification decisions. I'd love to hear more about design details like acoustic properties of luthiers' instruments, unusual guitar design features and materials, strings, and similar content. By the way, I also love your music samples: they come through with rich detail and clarity. You could just noodle away like that for an entire video and I'd be delighted and inspired.

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Thank you very much for your kind words Dave and I’m really glad you’ve found the videos helpful!

@HotZTrain 5 месяцев назад

Well, American luthier Jose Oribe has been using cocobolo since 1979 with his classical and steel string guitars. He likes it better than Brazilian Rosewood. Dave Schramm of Clovis, California has used it in a number of this classicals.

@StringsAtHome Год назад

Recently received a swiss spruce/cocobolo guitar, Where it would normally be glassy, is mellowed by the fact it is a nylon string Absolutely in love with it.

@Andy_Classic 2 года назад

I was hoping you'd put that better call saul clip in!!

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Had to!

@Andy_Classic 2 года назад

@@MichaelWatts haha yeah I first saw this a few weeks ago and was waiting for someone to bring it up. Side note - that cocobolo desk was 🔥🔥🔥

@Iceveign 2 года назад

I love lamp too. very sneaky Anchorman shout out you slipped in there at 4:46.

@alastair6356 Год назад

This guitar sounds beautiful and looks gorgeous Michael has an amazing knowledge of guitar building and exceptionalism playing. He is a joy to listen to. Many thanks. 👍😊

@MichaelWatts Год назад

Thank you Alastair - glad you enjoyed it!

@cris1186 Год назад

Once again, sir, you manage to bring the best out of the instrument. I also never cared for the sound of cocobolo; but you are making me rethink my perception of this tone wood. Thanks again for the interesting analysis snd the wonderful playing. Truly inspiring.

@MichaelWatts Год назад

Well thank you Cris - that means a lot to me!

@speckmann 2 года назад

Always informative and increasingly entertaining :-)

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Thank you Jakob!

@philleatham3670 2 года назад

Keep the wood videos coming. The biggest problems I have been having recently is with the lacquer coming off the necks (mahogany).

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Interesting! Thanks for watching Phil

@PhilTaylorGuitar 2 года назад

Very entertaining and amusing video Michael. Once again the sound is excellent and very enviable.

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Thank you Phil!

@dobbsguitar Год назад

I build most of my guitars with Western Red Cedar tops, and walnut back and sides. I do not shift the x-braces. The Walnut is in between mahogany and East Indian Rosewood as far as density. I find the sound to be well balanced, rich and warm with just enough brightness to have a pleasant chime from the treble side. The 12 fret guitars I've built have even more volume and responsiveness.

@MichaelWatts Год назад

Good stuff Bill, thanks for watching

@WattWood Год назад

this is a great help , I am planning to make a mandolin ( this will be my first instrument build) for my mother who plays in an guitar and mandolin orchestra and have been stuck on what woods to use for it and have a fairly decent size slab of cocobolo which has been sitting in my store for some time now and had been sitting in someone else's stock for over 40 year prior to me buying it from their estate auction ,looking forward to the build but not the resawing of the slab

@mgammill Год назад

I recently sold my $20,000 coco/bear claw spruce acoustic. It also had coco fb and headstock veneer. I did back was cracked (I bought it used already cracked) but had it repaired. The guitar was very heavy but for me was hard to play. Great on the eyes but ended up letting it go. As an electric builder it is def hard to work with. One of the most beautiful woods on the planet for sure. I prefer Madagasca rosewood and braz. Watch George lowdon discuss all the acoustic tonewoods. Great video here as well!

@MichaelWatts Год назад

Thanks for watching Mark! yeah the only really workable cocobolo electric I have ever played was Scott Walker's incredible Katana model - two pieces of wood and a peg to hold them together in a Japanese style joint - no controls - just a pickup. Outrageously good!

@gustau4764 2 года назад

I made myself a baritone ukulele with cocobolo and cedar. I confirm that the sawdust is like pepper gas. As for the sound: on the minus side, it does indeed amplify the "squeaky fingers". But that is because it is a VERY resonant instrument I have. The sound is deep and the sustain goes on forever, like playing inside a massive echoey cave. And it''s easy on the eye too!

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Very cool! But I hope you were wearing a mask!

@gustau4764 2 года назад

@@MichaelWatts I should have. I learnt the lesson the hard way...

@Dicquewolffe 2 года назад

Thanks for the insight! It's helpful to know that cocobolo is so transparent. I've been looking at cocobolo and mesquite, but I have loud fingers, so might look elsewhere.

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Loud fingers! Yeah I know the feeling

@andrewdarnley4608 2 года назад

Another beautifully produced video Michael. I'm looking forward to be able to hear your playing in extended form on CD or Apple Music.

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Thank you Andrew! You can actually download my album Vetiver on my website and album 2 will be available when I finish it…

@robertnewell5057 4 месяца назад

I completely forgot I was going to post again when I finished making a coco/engel 000 copy. It has a wonderful tone, even after my relatively inexperienced build, and a level of projection and sustain which is great for both instrumental work and accompaniment. The downside is that if you want to BUY one, rather than make it, they usually come with a huge upgrade cost attached. If you have the money, it is worth it. The tone is really special.

@sergeanthorvath 2 года назад

Rich and warm is my aural comfort zone

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Mine too!

@terrywright7893 2 года назад

So which wood combination(s) are your go to for the richness and warmth that you love?

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

@@terrywright7893 anything with a German Spruce top tends to get me where I need to go but in particular ABW, The Tree and Maple

@andrewbowen6875 2 года назад

Someone been watching better call Saul😂 Re working with these Woods I’ve known a cabinet maker since I was a kid and I got a real shock the last time I saw him. Non smoker but admittedly worked in a time when using safety gear just wasn’t a thing. As always thanks for the content

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Oh absolutely and the latest series is incredible! Thank you for watching Andy!

@kevingreene6893 2 года назад

Enjoyed that Michael… nice review:) I have been enjoying my Avalon “S” model with rich Cedar over Madagascar Rosewood for a while now. Nice combo for finger style. Alongside that I recently acquired an all mahogany guitar which is warm with a lovely rich base… again a great finger style guitar. I think I have moved away, perhaps slightly, from the stronger glassier tonal projection but must make an effort to play a Cocobolo on my next visit to one of the big guitar shops😊👍

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Thank you Kevin! I hope you’re keeping well! Congratulations on your new mahogany guitar

@benclaase8181 Год назад

Michael thanks for your videos. Finding the perfect guitar is a personal choice. I have found some fine Canadian made guitars at fair cost. I enjoy a guitar with warmer fuller lows and mids vs some crispy guitars. Again Personnal choices. Cheers , Ben C

@MichaelWatts Год назад

Thanks for watching Ben!

@crissmith2911 2 года назад

I have a custom Furch 12-String on order. Cedar top w/ Cocobolo. It'll be my first 12-string!

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Congratulations! Thanks for watching Cris

@dmillerSG 2 года назад

I love the stuff. Had a guitar built last summer with coco and sinker Redwood as you mentioned, and mine turned out beyond all expectations! Started out with exceptional wood sets, and a highly skilled luthier, both vitally important of course. Thanks - and have you done a video examining sinker Redwood?

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Absolutely right Derek! I haven’t done Sinker anything yet… and I stress Yet!

@nigelcook4811 2 года назад

The sound we hear from your exquisite playing of any guitar is surely also influenced by the microphone and whatever electronic wizardry is used to produce the videos?

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

That’s very kind Nigel but I try and keep things as natural as possible - just a pair of mics into the computer and no effects or EQ

@mooseymoose 2 года назад

My vote goes to zircote, I simultaneously laughed and cringed when I first saw a guitar made of it. But then I am a woodworker since I was young and have some experience with it. Cocobolo is pretty bad though too. As far as gluing goes, you just have to hit it with acetone before glue up.

@rgrtnyjjc 2 года назад

Ever since seeing Jimmy Mcgill and his cocobolo desk I’ve wondered what a cocobolo guitar might be like 😆

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Highly illegal

@frankcousins6479 2 года назад

Love cocobolo... yet to own one though, so far only used as a drop top on a custom bass, but as always you could a make a strung up bucket sound musical ;-)

@BlackwingDan 2 года назад

BEST BRICK TAMLAND REFERENCE EVER!!!! Also, I clipped my nails before writing this.

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Thank you Dan! You’re the only one who has caught it so far!

@BlackwingDan 2 года назад

@@MichaelWattsUncultured swine! I was referring to us. 😁

@crissmith2911 2 года назад

I also love lamp

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

@@crissmith2911 we all do Cris

@Danofstockport 2 года назад

Love this video. Thanks for sharing. How do I like a guitar sounding? Depends on what I'm playing. Slow and expressive I tend to like an OM Adirondack spruce over rosewood. Celtic jigs...gotta be another OM or 000 spruce and mahogany. Contemporary standard pieces and I LOVE my grand auditorium spruce top over flamed maple B & SO OOooo matron that's just so sexy!

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Thanks for watching Dan!

@davidcarambula4545 8 месяцев назад

HI I had a mini jumbo built by John Dartlen (American Canyon, CA) Cocobolo sides and back (figured) and Adi top; the wood is beautiful, the the guitars can be extremely dynamic ;with bell-like low tones and harmonics that hang on forever…it seems.I it’s a cutaWAY, WITH A SOUND PORT IN THE UPPER BOUT AND an L.R.Baggs Anthem pickup. Wonderfully balanced and easy player, 1/34” nut. Beautifully made and detailed. Recommend you check him out.

@MichaelWatts 8 месяцев назад

Very cool! Thank you!

@kurtisr2339 2 года назад

Crisp, zingy, cutting. You might just as well be describing a decent Cab Sav, sir. Exaggerated finger squeaks and all! Either way, the cocobolo did full justice to Celandine et al. Lovely stuff as always!

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Thank you Kurtis! Cheers!

@rabokarabekian409 Год назад

See the cardboard guitars by Torres and O'Brien. There's a reason excellent luthiers gte excellent money.

@MichaelWatts Год назад

Papier-mâché is not quite the same as cardboard but yes - a skilled luthier can get a usable sound out of just about anything - thanks for watching Rabo!

@robertnewell5057 2 года назад

Just saw this as I'm doing my FP on a Coco and Engelmann. Have to wait till I finish to report on the tone, as I never get a chance to play these rarities, being a leftie! Sounds good in your hands, mind you. What I'm really interested in is how it will sound for vocal accompaniment. Incidentally, I had no problems with the dust and my lungs are very sensitive. However, I do have a scavenging system.

@mojoefelix Год назад

What does it mean "doing my FP?" What does FP stand for?

@robertnewell5057 4 месяца назад

@@mojoefelix French Polish - sorry to be so long in replying!

@InPursuitOfLiberty 2 года назад

Hey Michael ultimately what we hear and feel is subjective(?). For my build I've been considering Africa Blackwood or Ziricote for back and sides, and Tunnel 14 or Sitka Spruce for the top. I've even considered a cedar top maybe because it looks and sounds different than my current Martin D28-Authentic 1937 in IRW and Spruce. I just want that rich, lush sound with overtones, depth and sustain. I've been watching endless videos of Michael Greenfield, Beneteau, Wilborn and of course Casimi guitars. You are hard pressed to find these great instruments here at your local music store so I'm relying on RU-vid and your videos.

@paulboden7850 2 года назад

Have you seen Jewitt's new 000-12? White oak b&s, world class sound. Do we really need rare, expensive tropical tonewoods? Mind you, I am infatuated with Cuban mahogany! lol

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

I haven’t yet but I can’t judge a guitar until it’s in my hands! I do, of course, expect all my viewers to leave my videos having experienced any instrument I they were sitting in the room with me, possibly on my lap.

@nigelcook4811 2 года назад

I’d like to hear a comparison between your rendition and that of a non professional using the same equipment good or bad idea?

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Hmmm… that’s an interesting thought!

@mojoefelix Год назад

I am keeping my nails at 4mm. How long are yours?

@MichaelWatts Год назад

Much shorter, closer to 1mm

@cyandkate773 2 года назад

Just putting my two cents in here. I eagerly await your new posts, but must say I enjoyed them more without the video inserts. But keep up the good work!

@kevinwagner8697 Год назад

sounds like Maple and mahoghany had a baby

@davidlewis2055 9 месяцев назад

Very informative thanks

@MichaelWatts 9 месяцев назад

Glad you enjoyed it David!

@a.m.phaneuf6164 Год назад

What brand-name is that capo ?, thnx.

@MichaelWatts Год назад

It’s the Elite model by Elliott capos

@kenpark7427 2 года назад

hi, Michael. what brand of Capo do you use? Brand and mode name. I am looking for nice capo now.

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

It's an Elliott Elite - I'm sure you'll love it!

@kenpark7427 2 года назад

@@MichaelWatts thank you.

@johngriswold2213 2 года назад

Wondering what your take is on Myrtle guitars?

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

Oh now that is a good question, and doubtless the subject of another video once I get my hands on a myrtle instrument that I really like…

@johngriswold2213 2 года назад

@@MichaelWatts Cool, I have a couple of sets acclimating in my shop;)

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

@@johngriswold2213 very nice!

@telee19 2 года назад

How does it compare to EIRW as far as bass response?

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

That’s not really how this works… more depends on the guitar maker and the way they treat the material in most cases.

@ChrisCardenDrums 2 года назад

I'm a luthier, and I cant work with the stuff, if someone wants a guitar with cocobolo, I'm more than happy to refer them elsewhere. Makes me horribly ill

@MichaelWatts 2 года назад

You look after yourself Chris! I’ve heard some real horror stories about several woods but Cocobolo seems to be the one that really makes people suffer