Just pulled the trigger on a Ken Lawrence explorer...

[Tone Monster]

needless to say, I'm excited



went with the Ziricote top. Now I just have to decide what other specs I want (pickups, fretboard wood, etc.).

What specs would y'all choose? Let's hear em.

 

[rupe]

Beautiful top on that! I'd go with a Zirocote fretboard as well. Black hardware/knobs. Covered black pickups of your preference.

Or pink Dimarzios

 

[Pushead]

That's an amazing top.

TBH, I'm amazed at such a small neck pocket.

 

[VC4Ever]

Hey that's awesome man. Do you still have the Peters Gryphon? just wondering if you parted with it..I love mine.

 

[Tone Monster]

Hey that's awesome man. Do you still have the Peters Gryphon? just wondering if you parted with it..I love mine.

Yeah it's been gone awhile...

 

[steve_k]

Cool....you got in on the current build run. That Ziricote top is going to be killer and as far as aesthetics go, you can go dark or lighter on the fretboard. Ken has a good eye for mating up these massive tops with the right fretboard, so ask his opinion. I think a slab of ebony would great and if it were mine, I would go darker. Are you getting an inlay work done?

I would also go with black hardware. Main thing on the electronics package is to go with an active package, even if you decide not to stay with actives, you will have the battery cavity there if needed later. Or, you can have him route it with a battery cavity if you decide to go with passives. Don't forget to pick your LED color for the side markers. Red, green or blue are all cool and very visible.

 

[Tone Monster]

Cool....you got in on the current build run. That Ziricote top is going to be killer and as far as aesthetics go, you can go dark or lighter on the fretboard. Ken has a good eye for mating up these massive tops with the right fretboard, so ask his opinion. I think a slab of ebony would great and if it were mine, I would go darker. Are you getting an inlay work done?

I would also go with black hardware. Main thing on the electronics package is to go with an active package, even if you decide not to stay with actives, you will have the battery cavity there if needed later. Or, you can have him route it with a battery cavity if you decide to go with passives. Don't forget to pick your LED color for the side markers. Red, green or blue are all cool and very visible.

I was also thinking ebony for the board. I think I'm gonna pass on the inlays. Just seems stealthier. Steve, thanks for all the info!

 

[steve_k]

Cool....you got in on the current build run. That Ziricote top is going to be killer and as far as aesthetics go, you can go dark or lighter on the fretboard. Ken has a good eye for mating up these massive tops with the right fretboard, so ask his opinion. I think a slab of ebony would great and if it were mine, I would go darker. Are you getting an inlay work done?

I would also go with black hardware. Main thing on the electronics package is to go with an active package, even if you decide not to stay with actives, you will have the battery cavity there if needed later. Or, you can have him route it with a battery cavity if you decide to go with passives. Don't forget to pick your LED color for the side markers. Red, green or blue are all cool and very visible.

I was also thinking ebony for the board. I think I'm gonna pass on the inlays. Just seems stealthier. Steve, thanks for all the info!

You bet bro. No inlay will be a much quicker delivery too. Did you get an ETA yet?

 

[Tone Monster]

Cool....you got in on the current build run. That Ziricote top is going to be killer and as far as aesthetics go, you can go dark or lighter on the fretboard. Ken has a good eye for mating up these massive tops with the right fretboard, so ask his opinion. I think a slab of ebony would great and if it were mine, I would go darker. Are you getting an inlay work done?

I would also go with black hardware. Main thing on the electronics package is to go with an active package, even if you decide not to stay with actives, you will have the battery cavity there if needed later. Or, you can have him route it with a battery cavity if you decide to go with passives. Don't forget to pick your LED color for the side markers. Red, green or blue are all cool and very visible.

I was also thinking ebony for the board. I think I'm gonna pass on the inlays. Just seems stealthier. Steve, thanks for all the info!

You bet bro. No inlay will be a much quicker delivery too. Did you get an ETA yet?

Late spring at the latest. Not bad at all for a KL.

 

[snowdog]

I'd go with a Wenge or Rosewood neck..no finish. That is a great looking top.

 

[Tone Monster]

Thanks for the input fellas! Keep em coming.

 

[Hemi113]

3 single-coil pickups
6-screw vintage-style bridge with high-mass tremolo block
brushed block saddles
21-frets
9.5-inch radius
25.5" scale
medium jumbo fret wire
cyclovac nut
standard non-staggered sealed tuners
Strat body