| Title: | GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion |
| Notice: | Discussion of the finer stringed instruments |
| Moderator: | KDX200::COOPER |
| Created: | Thu Aug 14 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 3280 |
| Total number of notes: | 61432 |
I haven't seen any notes about new acoustic guitars, so I thought
I'd add one.
I have been a Martin player for more years than I'd like to admit.
I have owned, thru the years, a 1967 D-12-20 (my first good guitar),
1970 D-28 (still own this one), 1920 00-28, 1938 D-28, 1941 D-28,
1921 000-28, and 1985 OM-45 Custom. I have also owned a Guild F-512,
F-412, and F-50.
Recently, I was in Staten Island for the first time in 10 years.
I visited an old friend, Stan Jay, who owns The Mandolin Brothers,
a music store that sells only stringed instruments, primarily acoustic
guitars. His shop is the second largest Martin dealer in the world.
He also carries Taylor and Santa Cruz guitars. Boy!!!! Are they
great.
I was knocked out by the Taylors. They have numerous models, of
course, with a line of dreadnauts, jumbos and 12 strings. The
workmanship was as good as any I've ever seen on production line
guitars and the sound was unreal. Their 12 strings look a lot like
the Guild F-series, but sound better and play like a dream.
Santa Cruz Guitar Company is also from California, and they have
dreadnauts, jumbos and a number of smaller bodied guitars, including
an OM model that is outstanding. Both companies build models in
many different woods - mahogany, maple, rosewood, koa and Brazilian
rosewood, and will build anything you can dream up if you want.
Taylor has been very successful lately, and seems to have Martin
worried. I can see why. Dollar for dollar, these two companies
are making outstanding guitars that are better than anything else
I have seen. They blow the average Martin out of the water.
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 337.1 | Jimmy's First Classical | BMT::COMAROW | Thu Sep 10 1987 18:07 | 3 | |
Jimmy D'Aquisto is considering making his first classical/archtop
guitar. For his *first*, he will only charge about 4 grand.
Chances are that it will be quite an investment.
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| 337.2 | Did you stutter? | CUJO::MALKOSKI | Fri Sep 11 1987 10:36 | 4 | |
An archtop/classical??? What's that?
Paul
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| 337.3 | Like a violin | BMT::COMAROW | Swapped Out | Tue Sep 15 1987 13:37 | 11 |
> < Note 337.2 by CUJO::MALKOSKI >
> -< Did you stutter? >-
>
> An archtop/classical??? What's that?
No, Jimmy D'Aquisto, the world's foremost archtop guitar maker intends
to make an archtop classical guitar. I believe he will stand
with the great makers of all time.
Jimmy was the apprentice to John D'Angelico. For curiosity, how
many people have played either of their guitars?
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| 337.4 | INK::FRISSELLE | Tue Sep 15 1987 16:06 | 45 | ||
> Jimmy was the apprentice to John D'Angelico. For curiosity, how
> many people have played either of their guitars?
Sorry, not me. Sure would like to, though, and I'm looking forward to
seeing this archtop classical.
Thanks for starting this note -- good choice. And funny you should
mention Mandolin Bros. I just heard of them for the first time
a few days ago, when a friend showed me the literature she'd received
from them. They have an incredible selection of old as well as
new instruments, and not only acoustics. They deal in just about
everything, as far as I could tell.
I'm mainly impressed with their wide selection of jazz guitars,
including collectibles and some real unusual pieces. And the pamphlets
they sent include pictures, descriptions, and prices. All of which
only served to whet my appetite for more, and I'm looking forward to
paying them a visit first chance I get.
Their brochures also include all the other major brands, such as
Ovation (which I happen to be looking into at the moment for an
acoustic-electric cutaway), and their prices are definitely
competitive. Come to think of it, maybe the prices look competitive
to me because I'm not up on the current New York market.
Their description of the Taylor got me interested -- I'd never heard
of it before. When I called for more info (and to get on their
mailing list), they told me that people are coming in to buy Martins,
but are walking out with Taylors. Now I can't wait to see the Taylor
catalog, which should make an appearance in my mailbox any time now.
Does anyone out there have any experience with or know anything about
the new Loudon line? I played some of the old ones at the Music
Emporium in Cambridge, but not the new ones that are currently being
made in Ireland. They appeared to be well crafted, for the most part,
and were beautiful to look at (great furniture!). I say "for the most
part" because one of them had a slightly warped neck. They sounded
pretty nice -- kinda mellow and sweet, if I remember correctly -- but
they just weren't what I was looking for in terms of playability in the
upper register of the neck (even the ones without the warp).
steve
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| 337.5 | This month's FRETS | NEXUS::DICKERSON | Fri Sep 18 1987 12:29 | 7 | |
For a pretty good review of what's new in acoustics, FRETS
has a rundown on the last NAMM show. Lots of pictures and
descriptions of the latest and greatest from all the major
manufacturers and the little producers too.
[That's in the latest (OCT) issue.]
Doug D...
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