Here we have a rare and classic
1986 (approx) Kinman Blueprint Series electric guitar which is modelled
after the vintage Fender® Stratocaster® from the 1950’s.
I understand that only about 200 of these were made, and they were very
expensive when new. This one is in its original Kinman finish, called
Ivory Tower.
Chris Kinman, the builder of these great guitars now focuses on building
his noiseless pickup which can be seen at http://www.kinman.com.
From an original Kinman brochure:
The Ideal
The Kinman Blueprint Series guitars were developed and perfected
to meet the demands of guitarists who have a passion for fine vintage
instruments. There is no better feeling than that unmistakeable, almost
magical feeling you get from playing a finely crafted guitar. This is
the feeling that top players search for, they know what it does for
their playing and creativity.
The Guitar
Kinman guitars are meticulously crafted from carefully selected
woods known for their tonal qualities. Only guitar playing craftsmen
are employed so that each stage of manufacture gets devoted attention.
The results of many hours of working the fine woods, applying the finish
and careful assembly are manifested in the finished guitar. The graceful
curves and deeply sculptured contours of the body are not only beautiful
to look at, but make it extremely comfortable to hold. The neck has
been specially designed to accommodate many styles of playing. It’s
wide without being too fat, slender without being skinny and fast without
being slippery.
The Difference
Chris Kinman established Kinman Guitar Craft in 1969 and now draws
on his long experience as an electric luthier to create modern masterpieces.
Although named the Blueprint series and inspired by vintage instruments,
they incorporate minor engineering improvements such as low friction
nuts to help with keeping tuned, and a novel method of truss rod installation
resulting in a failure proof system of neck relief control.
The Finer Details Of The Blueprint Series
* Body: American Red Alder - air dried
* Neck: (One Piece) American Rock Maple – incorporating adjustable
steel truss rod
* Machine Heads: Gotoh (vintage Kluson-style)
* Tremolo Bridge: Gotoh (vintage style)
* Bridge pick-up: Bill Lawrence OBL-L250L
* Neck & middle pick-ups Bill Lawrence OBL-L250R
* (3 p.u. models only) Adds neck pick up signal to whatever is selected
on the 5 position switch, enabling all 7 possible combinations of the
3 p.u’s.
* Nut & string guide: Low friction Teflon plastic alloy
* Switch: Special enclosed type 5 position.
* Shielding: All body cavities are electrostatically shielded.
* Neck coating: Polymerised Nitro cellulose lacquer.
* Body coating: Polymerised Acrylic – urethane lacquer.
Stephen Housden, guitarist with the Little River Band, uses one of these
grouse guitars. In fact, his latest solo album, New World Groove, features
the headstock of his Kinman on the cover! Click
here to see/order the CD.
The
original OBL pickups were in the guitar when we purchased it. These were
some of Bill Lawrence's earliest pickups that were made in Germany. Coco
Montoya's yellowish Strat clone has Bill Lawrence OBL blade pickups in
it. Deep Purple's Richie Blackmore was also a user of these pickups through
the late 1980s.
However, after contacting Chris Kinman to check some details about this
guitar, he strongly indicated his disgust at the OBLs (calling his decision
to use them an RBM - Really Big Mistake), and strongly recommended a new
set of his Traditional MkII pickups, for which he'd just come up with
a custom stagger, which was not yet in production. I agreed to purchase
a set custom made to the new stagger, and have installed them in this
guitar. It is now, absolutely beyond doubt, the very best Strat® I
have ever played. Unbelievable!
This guitar plays and sounds fantastic, and is in remarkable condition,
with only the lightest of handling marks on it. This guitar has been cherished
and very carefully looked after for the last twenty-something years. The
guitar comes with a lightweight rigid polystyrene fabric-covered case.
Two private reviews of the Kinman Blueprint can be seen on the Harmony
Central website here.
This is
a long-term privately-owned instrument eventually sold to Mick.
The
original OBL pickups were in the guitar when we purchased it. These were
some of Bill Lawrence's earliest pickups that were made in Germany. Coco
Montoya's yellowish Strat clone has Bill Lawrence OBL blade pickups in
it. Deep Purple's Richie Blackmore was also a user of these pickups through
the late 1980s.
