Made by the Rock Hero of Kuala Lumpur for his heir and all the shred glory in the world.

Body: Alder, '67 V-shape, rear-routed
Artwork: Nigel Kulasekaran
Neck: Maple, 24-frets, compound radius, 25.5" scale, Tung-oil finish
Pickups: DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge), Seymour Duncan Hotrails (neck); direct mount
Three-way toggle switch, 1 Volume, and 1 Tone
Hardware: Gotoh Locking Tremolo and Machine Heads
Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt Strings

Seven years in the making and finally ready to rock! This guitar represents a journey of exploration, patience, and pride, drawing inspiration from the artistry of George Lynch and Michael Schenker. The body design, based on Gibson’s iconic ’67 Flying-V, is crafted from Alder for durability and tone. The rear-routed humbucker-single pickup configuration provides versatility, while the striking artwork, hand-drawn by my son, adds a deeply personal touch. Multiple layers of semi-gloss clear coat ensure the artwork remains protected and vibrant.

The neck is a unique feature for a Flying-V, designed with a 25.5” scale and 24 frets for extended range and playability. The Tung oil finish enhances its smooth feel, making it a joy to play.

In May, I was honored to join the teaching artists of the Boston Music Project for their 10-year anniversary celebration. They requested a surprise addition to the evening’s set list, which became the perfect motivation to complete the KN-001 in time for this special event.

The pickups are direct mounted with a DiMarzio Super Distortion F-spaced in the bridge and an old Seymour Duncan Hotrails in the neck. DiMarzio's timely support was critical - they delivered on the custom color for the Super Distortion just in time for the performance. Both pickups, with their ceramic magnets, deliver rich, dynamic tones - perfect for everything from shred to smooth leads.

I may explore reworking the wiring in the future into a split-coil option.

The Gotoh locking tremolo and machine heads ensure stability and precision, though sourcing these components on a tight timeline was a challenge. With some ingenuity and a trusted Dremel, even the toughest hardware installations were managed with reasonable precision.

The current schematic of the wiring soldered for this guitar, June 2022

Creating the KN-001 without a dedicated workspace was a lesson in adaptability. Progress often happened during family vacations across New England, with tools in tow. Completing the guitar in time for the Boston Music Project’s event was a labor of love, culminating in an unforgettable performance: a high-energy take on Bach followed by a rendition of Michael Schenker’s Coast to Coast with the talented teaching artists.

Jamming with Sébastien Ridoré (viola), Christopher Schroeder (drums), Chris Hernandez (bass), Scott Ziegler (bass synth), and Rafael Nocedo (keyboard)\

Post Office Square, Boston, MA
Photograph by Kevin Trimmer

Grateful to Steve Morrill and George Lynch for their insipiration and thoughtful encouragement. A special thanks to Chris Schroeder and the teaching artists of the Boston Music Project for their dedication and support.