K a s t n i n g - Instruments

2011 Roberts 14-string KK-Contraguitar C2

KK-Contraguitar C2 page

2010 Roberts 14-string KK-Contraguitar
Click the small photos at the left to view larger versions.

KK-Contraguitar page

Roberts Kevin Kastning Contraguitar
Cocobolo rosewood back and sides
Carpathian red spruce top
Nut width: 3.25 inch (82.5 mm)
Scale length: 30 inches (762 mm)
Bracing/voicing: double-tapered, highly knifed, scalloped tonebars
Mahogany neck
Ebony fingerboard and bridge
Bone saddle
Ebony nut and unslotted bridge pins
Tuners:
   Gotoh compact bass (3)
   Steinberger (3)
   Grover locking mini-Rotomatics (8)

2008 Santa Cruz KK-Alto
KK-Alto page

Santa Cruz KK-Alto
Back and sides: German maple
Top: Carpathian red spruce
Fingerboard and bridge: ebony
Nut width: 1 7/8"
Scale length: 24.75"
Bracing: double-tapered & arched
Tuners: Gotoh 510
Nut and bridge saddle: bone
Bridge pins: ebony

2006 Santa Cruz DKK-12 12-string Extended Baritone

DKK-12 page

Santa Cruz DKK-12
Back and sides: Cocobolo rosewood
Top: Sitka spruce (bearclaw)
Fingerboard and bridge: ebony
Nut width: 1 15/16"
Scale length: 28.5"
Bracing: double-tapered & arched
Tuners: Santa Cruz 18:1
Nut and bridge saddle: bone
Bridge pins: unslotted bone

2005 Santa Cruz DKK Extended Baritone

DKK page

Santa Cruz DKK
Back and sides: Cocobolo rosewood
Top: Carpathian red spruce (wide grain)
Fingerboard and bridge: ebony
Nut width: 1 13/16"
Scale length: 28.5"
Bracing: double-tapered & arched
Tuners: Santa Cruz 18:1
Nut and bridge saddle: bone
Bridge pins: unslotted bone

2008 Cervantes Rodriguez Concert classical

Cervantes Rodriguez Concert model
Back and sides: East Indian rosewood
Top: Western red cedar
Fingerboard: ebony
Bridge: East Indian rosewood
Nut width: 2"
Scale length: 650 mm
Bracing: 5-fan
Tuners: Gotoh
Nut and bridge saddle: bone

2010 Bartolex 11-string Alto classical

Bartolex 11-string Alto Classical
Back and sides: East Indian rosewood
Top: Western red cedar
Fingerboard: ebony
Bridge: East Indian rosewood
Nut width: 3.75"
Scale length: 600 mm
Bracing: 5-fan
Tuners: Schaller
Nut and bridge saddle: bone

2000 Santa Cruz D

Santa Cruz DC
Back and sides: Cocobolo rosewood
Top: German spruce (medium grain)
Fingerboard and bridge: ebony
Nut width: 1 3/4"
Scale length: 25.25"
Bracing: scalloped & arched
Tuners: Santa Cruz 18:1
Nut and bridge saddle: fossil walrus ivory
Bridge pins: unslotted bone

2000 Martin D-12-28*

Martin D-12-28-C
Back and sides: East Indian Rosewood
Top: Sitka spruce
Fingerboard and bridge: ebony
Nut width: 1 7/8"
Scale length: 25.4"
Bracing: X-braced
Tuners: Schaller mini
Nut and bridge saddle: bone
Bridge pins: ebony

1974 Ibanez Concord, modified as Fretless

Ibanez Concord
Back and sides: Curly maple laminate
Top: Sitka spruce laminate
Fingerboard and bridge: maple FB, rosewood bridge
Nut width: 1 11/16"
Scale length: 25.4"
Bracing: X-braced
Tuners: Ibanez
Nut and bridge saddle: bone
Bridge pins: slotted ebony
Strings: nylon, ball-end

The Santa Cruz Kevin Kastning (DKK) Extended Baritone guitar also has its own page, complete with photos, design details, and articles. This instrument is used extensively on the KastningSiegfried album from Greydisc Records entitled, "Scalar Fields."

The D was custom made for me by Santa Cruz; based on their models, but incorporating my specifications and modifications. The three KK (Kevin Kastning) series instruments were entirely new models, and both were unique collaborations between myself and Santa Cruz Guitars. The Santa Cruz DBB baritone was used extensively on the KastningSiegfried album release from Greydisc Records, "Bichromial." It was tuned to ADGCEA.

To hear these instruments, here are mp3 excerpts from some of my albums of my Santa Cruz D, Santa Cruz DBB, and the Santa Cruz DKK.

* I've had the Martin 12-string since before I became an artist endorser for Santa Cruz. It's an old friend with a strong emotional attachment, and a fine sounding instrument in its own right. Although SCGC makes wonderful 12-strings, this is why I play the Martin 12 instead of commissioning one from SCGC.