tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62442182011-04-21T11:01:06.516-07:00Guitar Talk"And Yey, though I walk through The Valley of Guitars..."Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comBlogger771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1159454494665981302006-09-28T07:33:00.000-07:002006-09-28T07:41:34.680-07:00The good news is that Guitar Center has opened a new store in San Antonio. The bad news is that the store is very convoluted with all guitars in an upstairs room. You have to navagate a twisting set of stairs to get to there, then the high end Taylors and Martins are not in their usual place in the acoustic room where they could be played in comfort. They are on display near the registers where Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1153409051355608912006-07-20T08:20:00.000-07:002006-07-25T13:32:43.253-07:00I am very disappointed in Larrivee's newer D03's. They show some of the ugliest spruce tops I have ever seen on a solid top guitar. The grain is very pronounced, wide and uneven, almost like pine! Fortunately they still sound fine and are very playable, but I would hesitate buying a guitar that is that ugly!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1147106361245776572006-05-08T09:33:00.000-07:002006-05-08T09:39:21.256-07:00Took some photos of some neat guitars at Sam Ash. Will post. Played several. My favorite so far a Larrivee D03R which is your basic dreadnaught with Rosewood B&S, Sitga Spruce top. Enhanced treble, barking mids and bo0ming bass, more bass than the mahogany model, more mellow highs and mids. Still balanced though, very playable.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1146857456493583622006-05-05T12:21:00.000-07:002006-05-05T12:30:56.503-07:00The last few sessions have been at San Antonio's Sam Ash store. Last night was especially nice. A great selection of Larrivee's, not the Blackwoods like I played before at Guitar Tex, but the old fashioned mahogany D03 like I'm used to. Also a mahogany '000' with that same light tan south american mahogany. I sure do like the way Larrivee does their mahogany. It's a gorgeous caramel color with Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1144984033973012072006-04-13T20:00:00.000-07:002006-04-13T20:08:44.796-07:00I'm staying with Mike Romanyszyn in San Antonio, so today we dropped by Guitar Tex. Mark, the proprieter had a very interesting selection to offer and gave us free reign to play. One great deal was on a Taylor 714 CEL Rosewood/Cedar. Very playable, choice warmth and balance. For less than a thousand there was a Garrison guitar, very maple, very presentable. Another was from Larrivee, a Blackwood Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1143912800798970982006-04-01T09:28:00.000-08:002006-04-01T09:33:20.813-08:00I had to let the L09FM go. Guitar Center had put the price back up to $1500 instead of the $900 I thought I had to pay. That was more of a miscommunication than foot dragging on my part but totally understandable. I couldn't expect them to hold it out on Layaway when I had no money down on it. Guess I'll have to see what kind of deal I can get on a Collings when I get to Texas.I know where there Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1140293930760341272006-02-18T12:15:00.000-08:002006-02-18T12:18:50.773-08:00The L09FM is still at Guitar Center, hanging on by a prayer. If I pull off the job in San Antonio, I could send for it long distance. I guess it'll just hang there till I tell them yeah or neah. If I can save it, I will.Meanwhile, I ache for something to play. I love to sit in the gathering twilight, playing melodies and riffs, one into another, till is slowly gets too dark to see.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1137255418444590352006-01-14T08:06:00.000-08:002006-01-14T08:16:58.453-08:00If I get my Larrivee from Guitar Center, it will take almost a grand. That won't leave me with a whole lot of cash, but I really need to rescue it before GC sells it out from under me. They did that to another Larrivee of mine last year. My retirement check should be here in a couple of weeks.In the meantime, I visited Galaxy yesterday and they had a whole new shipment of guitars in stock, both Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1136400299740323232006-01-04T10:43:00.000-08:002006-01-04T10:44:59.750-08:00The Larrivee is in hock till I get my retirement check. Hopefully it's safe and sound. I should be able to get it out in early Feb. Meantime I'm playing at Guitar Center most days, keeping in shape.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1130469478599813742005-10-27T20:14:00.000-07:002005-11-16T19:47:12.730-08:00Bought the Larrivee L09 FM. Beautiful Maple back and sides, perfectly balanced tone. deep deep bass that just keeps on going. I also now have a Boss BR900CD dital recorder. Guitar, keyboard, all hooked up to the BR. Much fun now at my house.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1124894960986680402005-08-24T07:45:00.000-07:002005-08-24T07:49:20.993-07:00So now, the search for a new guitar moves from the LV05E to a Larrivee L09E! What an incredible insturment. Extremely playable and full of harmonic character, not to mention a bass that goes way down to here. The Maple binding around Rosewood back and sides perfectly frame this insturment. At $1400 @ Guitar Center.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1122905764676271922005-08-01T07:15:00.000-07:002005-08-01T07:16:04.683-07:00If you are contemplating purchasing a guitar and you are in a town with a Guitar Center location, I would definitely consider making your purchase there. I finally found the guitar I wanted but the cash wasn't here yet. So my sales associate, Goeff, took the $1400 Larrivee LV05E off the floor and put it on layaway for me, even though I didnt' put a dime down on it! I wouldn't do business anywhereTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1121713019793557462005-07-18T11:47:00.000-07:002005-07-18T11:56:59.800-07:00So I'm visiting my friends Pam and Don McMahon who live up in Green Creek, North Carolina. Don brings out his new guitar which I had heard about, a Martin HD40, Tom Petty Signature model. He talks about how he feels more comfortable playing his 40 year old Earthwood guitar. He says that when he plays his old guitar it feels like it's part of him. But when he's playing the new Martin he ends up Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1121436030132362562005-07-15T06:48:00.000-07:002005-07-15T07:00:30.140-07:00You know, I just can't believe it! I was all set for choosing my guitar, had narrowed it down the to the three below, had pretty much made up my mind for the Larrivee L09FM when I noticed a Larrivee LV05 at Galaxy Music. It was heavily discounted because of a cracked head stock which had been repaired. The price was $895 for a $2100 instument. Well I looked at it and couldn't see any crack. When Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1121277508559509672005-07-13T10:58:00.000-07:002005-07-13T10:58:28.563-07:00The time for purchasing a new guitar is rapidly approaching. Right now it's a toss up between a Martin Smartwoods Birch dreadnaught, the Gibson J-185,And the the Larrivee L09FMThe Martin goes for about $1200, the other two around $1600. The Larrivee is classified as a "blem" because of a slight curl spot on the on the spurce top. Otherwise this is a $2400 guitar with Flame Maple back and sides. Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1118410840335165142005-06-10T06:29:00.000-07:002005-06-10T06:40:40.340-07:00I've rediscovered Gibsons! My first guitar was an Epiphone Texan, a Gibson knock off (same as Paul McCartney's first guitar). In 1975 I bought a Gibson Gospel, a blonde maple laminate that I played for 20 years. It was fine accompanyment but just didn't have the spark that I wanted out of a dreadnaught. So I switched to Martin, then later to Taylor and more recently, to a Larrivee.Well, don't Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1115311933888704642005-05-05T09:14:00.000-07:002005-05-05T09:52:13.946-07:00I have been playing a Lakewood acoustic at Guitar Center over the past couple of weeks. It's a beautiful instrument from Germany, dark chocolate brown rosewood back and sides, very white European spruce top with double rosette, a wide outer circle of abalone, inner circle dark rosewood. It is light of weight, which probably means scolloped bracing. The bass is deep and mellow, treble is clear andTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1115053339748897482005-05-02T09:58:00.000-07:002005-05-02T10:02:19.750-07:00Didn't get the Birchwood. Still playing the D02. I shaved saddle a bit and improved the action.I played a Koa Martin at Maple Street Guitars. The very loudest guitar I have ever heard! Too loud! Each note overran the one before. No way to sing while playing this bruiser, it's just too overpowering.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1111593542318384222005-03-23T07:48:00.000-08:002005-03-24T08:38:22.016-08:00I will getting a performance based bonus at work in April. So I'm thinking about laying away either the Larrvee L09FM or the Martin Birchwood dreadnought. Both are right around $1250 at Galaxy, sound terrific and have similar looks: the Larrivee is Flamed Maple, the Martin blonde Birch. It's a toss up. The bass on the Larrivee just keeps on going with infinate depth, the bass on the Martin is Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1111005290611850272005-03-16T12:23:00.000-08:002005-03-16T12:34:50.613-08:00I played a 1977 D-35 ($1999) at lunch today. The place was a little crowded so I hesitated to cut loose. I'm not a show-off unless someone is playing mediocre and loudly. Then I' play with a bit more volume, just to let them know that I know what I'm doing. Then I usually get up and leave.The deep bass of the Martin dreadnaughts just goes and goes, you know. There's a raging debate between MartinTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1110220016358649412005-03-07T10:18:00.000-08:002005-03-07T10:26:56.360-08:00I just spent an hour at Guitar Center where I heard one of the finest ragtime guitar players ever. I didn't catch the name, but he played my style of fingerwork on a variety of vintage instruments. From a 1940's Kalamazoo, a 1942 Martin New Yorker, finishing up with a 1962 Gibson Southern Jumbo. The notes jumped of the strings, surrounded and lifted me. He played two songs that I have never heardTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1109868514547113012005-03-03T08:41:00.000-08:002005-03-03T08:48:34.546-08:00The Larrivee does play better, but not that better. I'm seriously considering moving on from it. Saw a D-28 for $1200 at Guitar Center. I mean you've just got to go for that. Also Augustino Dreadnuaght for $2500 but the neck is just a little too wide. The Sant Cruz VJ is still my favorite guitar @ $2900 (fat chance on the latter two).Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1108481111191417942005-02-15T07:18:00.000-08:002005-02-15T07:26:50.303-08:00I took my Larrivee back to Jeff at Guitar Center and he adjusted the neck. Now my action is much better. He said someone must have set it up for bluegrass picking, wanting high action. There may even be shims below the bridge. I'll check that out as well but it plays much better than before.Also the $100 computer recording system is up and running quite well. Using a boundary mike up close for Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1107185304773517662005-01-31T07:25:00.000-08:002005-01-31T07:28:24.773-08:00Starting to really like the sound of the Larrivee, especially strings 3, 4, 5, and 6. No sparkling treble but the bass has character. Can only play for a minute and a half without stopping right now. I can do 1/2 hour sessions, but can't play complete songs yet. I'm working on it.
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1106749012774122582005-01-26T06:10:00.000-08:002005-01-26T06:16:52.773-08:00I got my recording software working last night for the first time on the $100 computer. I had not been able to get a signal in to this point. It had to do with the compression ratios not being activated. I knew it was something buried deep inside Windows, not Sonar itself or my mikes or my sound card. By the time I staightened it out I was too tired to record anything. Will try to actually put Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1106238660341104152005-01-20T08:26:00.000-08:002005-01-24T07:48:08.260-08:00Finally brought home the Larrivee. I definately like the sound, mellow bass, but the action is high (knuckle deep in strings). I have played a number of tunes but the action is prohibitive up the neck. I'm taking it to Guitar Center and let their guy set it up. I feel sure that this guitar is a stepping stone. It'll hold me for now but I'm definitely setting my sights on a higher level. When Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1104925160387700052005-01-05T03:30:00.000-08:002005-01-05T03:39:20.386-08:00Yesterday I went to get my Larrivee but Jeff wasn't working. I'll wait till he's back tomorrow. I did play a Washburn Cheyenne yesterday for about $800. Played pretty good, better at least, than the corresponding Alverez's. Washburn makes some very interesting models. My favorite is the Cherokee which has feathers on the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 12th frets! Great headstock inlay too. I think they are Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1103723841129162582004-12-22T05:57:00.000-08:002004-12-22T06:03:56.126-08:00My guitar: It's a Larrivee D-02, very light tan Honduran mahogony back and sides, spruce top, all solid wood (no laminates). Clear tight bass, sparkly treble, brassy midrange. I'll be posting some clips soon.
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1102951742490270262004-12-13T07:26:00.000-08:002004-12-15T11:47:00.353-08:00Close to getting the Larrivee. I found a great deal on a computer, $100!!! A guy at work was upgrading so he sold me an e-machine Celeron for a hundred. Neat, huh. That's half my Christmas, now for the dreadnaught...
These new Smartwood Martins are unusually vocal! Played a D-16r last night, like to have scared me it was so loud.
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1102429124809053952004-12-07T06:11:00.000-08:002004-12-07T06:18:44.810-08:00I'll be purchasing a Larrivee D-02 in a couple of weeks. Next I'll be getting either an 8 track hard drive recorder or a Dell desktop with Sonar and I'll be set. That's my wish list right now. In the meantime I've been playing a Birchwood Martin at Galaxy ($1295) which has stolen my heart. If I were suddenly rich (or even solvent) I'd choose that one even over the Tony Rice Santa Cruz even thoughTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1100099026385810172004-11-10T06:58:00.000-08:002004-11-10T07:03:46.386-08:00I have honed my selection of my-favorite-guitar-if-I-were-to-win-the-lottery. And the winnner is the Tony Rice Special Edition, from Santa Cruz. One of the most playable guitars I've ever picked up. Sound is clear and strong, punchy if you want it, with great sustain. $3000 and it's mine.
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1099923703948930252004-11-08T06:16:00.000-08:002004-11-08T06:34:06.690-08:00I took a couple'a weeks off from playing, letting my shoulder heal but couldn't stand it any longer and dropped by Galaxy last Thursday. They have completely jumped over to the Martin line of acoustics. The Larrives are simply not selling, even heavily discounted. In the Martin room I played a birchwood dreadnaught that sounds as full and mellow as any guitar I've ever played. Martin is branchingTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1098213631234919572004-10-19T11:46:00.000-07:002004-10-19T12:45:49.976-07:00One of the songs I play called Columbia, Your My Home, has a very difficult section involving "pinching" on the treble and bass strings followed by an offbeat treble note followed by another pinch alternating the bass in very rapid and syncopated 4/4 time. Here's the tab for two measures in G:
1------3M---------------------3M----------
2------------0I---3I----OI--------0I--3I--0I
3--------------Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1097170433656763132004-10-07T10:19:00.000-07:002004-10-07T10:47:12.243-07:00I hadn't dropped by Galaxy (my 2nd favorite guitar store, link on the right) in a while so I gave them a look-see yesterday. Glad I did...Wow what a sale. First of all, looks like they are dropping their Larrivee affiliation and becoming a Martin dealership. All of their 2004 Larrivee's are on sale: Several D03's for $649. These are $1,000 guitars, very affordable, very playable, with a sound Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1096565249765381382004-09-30T10:17:00.000-07:002004-09-30T10:27:29.766-07:00I played the Martin MTV Special (with "Unplugged" inlayed down the fretboard) at lunch. I still really like this guitar. It's been sitting at the Atlanta Guitar Center for 18 months and still no takers. It's priced well, $1600, has the deep rumbling Martin bass, and sparkley treble. The split combination rosewood/mahogony back and sides makes for a great look and sound.
After being run out of Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1095871619106428802004-09-22T09:40:00.000-07:002004-09-22T09:46:59.106-07:00Playing the Cruz
I played a Santa Cruz dreadnaught at lunch, $3000. I'm always surprised at the light weight of the Cruz. It literally floats on air. Must be lots of very scalloped braces under that spruce top. It plays like a dream, action like butter, your entire body is married to it, wrapped around the neck and shoulders like a lover. Sweet music is the result, crisp treble, bright midrange Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1095271957793571922004-09-15T11:06:00.000-07:002004-09-15T11:12:37.793-07:00Music on the Cheap!
Well, I finally did it! Went and actually bought a guitar. Well, not exactly...I put it on layaway. It's a Larivee D-02. They don't make the 02 anymore because they lost money on it. It's the least expensive solid wood, dove-tailed, X-braced guitar ever made. The color of the South American Mahogony is that beautiful tan color (same as the D-03). The fret work is a little Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1092676922774236722004-08-16T10:19:00.000-07:002004-09-14T07:35:16.660-07:00I'm thinking about getting a part time job at Ken Stanton Music, nights and weekends. Surely that'll lead to a guitar purchase! Maybe I can get one at cost.
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1090875612523206452004-07-26T13:58:00.000-07:002004-09-13T08:15:42.520-07:00I'm still hanging there, no purchase yet. One deal in the works, but don't know if I'm going to get approved. It would surely net me the instrument I want. I have gone back to Millers Music (Alverez Heaven) and decided that if I get even a little ahead I will buy one of their discounted models. It'll be miked up anyway, so sound won't be an issue. I just plain need to have a guitar! The no name Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1090002965334968382004-07-16T11:32:00.000-07:002004-07-16T11:36:05.333-07:00We're in the money, We're in the money! So, looks like I may have as much as $1200 to play with!!! I'm now considering e-bay. There are some absolutely beautiful instruments there at great prices. A couple of Taylors caught my eye: a sunburst/rosewood 615 jumbo for about $1500 and a quilted maple jumbo for about the same price. Gorgeous! I could get my old 410 back for $900.
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1088772765525171762004-07-02T05:46:00.000-07:002004-07-02T05:53:55.146-07:00The Holy Grail (our real estate closing) was postponed again!!! I'm just going to forget about it until I get the money in hand. Meanwhile I'll throw in two new guitars: A 1989 Yari D61 for $650 with very woody base and excellent treble; A Takamini Sante Fe, $1600 also with an interesting sound all its own and stunning beauty. I mentioned these to the wife who listened intently to my description Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1088448827754633792004-06-28T11:47:00.000-07:002004-06-28T11:53:47.753-07:00This guitar search is getting crazier and crazier. I played a Larrivee D03E (with on board pre-amp) at Guitar Center for $549. That's up against a Taylor 110 at Ken Stantion for $399 and the Yari D38 for $699 also at Guitar Center. For a little more there's a the old 1989 Taylor 510 for a grand, and a fabulous Taylor 810 for $1300 on up to a Larrivee maple jumbo body for $1600 all at Galaxy or Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1088185356818883052004-06-25T10:36:00.000-07:002004-07-27T04:49:36.980-07:00Well a whole new instrument is now in the running. Guitar Center unwrapped two brand new Alverez Yari's at excellent prices...$699 for a maple model DY38 and $899 for the mahogony DY40. Both of these guitars are superior to their regular Alverez cousins and also superior to some of the older Yari's I have played. They project better, much more depth in all registers with a full bass presence Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1088000698029061102004-06-23T07:22:00.000-07:002004-06-23T07:24:58.030-07:00I played a D-35 yesterday which had that pure Martin Resonance and woody tone that I like so much. I played "One Dime Blues" and kept the octave E alternating bass line going just for the sure joy of hearing the woody thunder of the Martin. But it lacks the sparkle and power of the Taylors. It's just what you like, none better than the other at this level. Sometimes I like one, then the other. Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1087924501044510372004-06-22T10:08:00.000-07:002004-06-22T10:15:01.043-07:00You know, every time I go to Galaxy I have to put up with their blaring Rock and Roll broadcast over their store system. When you're trying to judge the quality of an acoustic and a 1,000 dollar purchase depends on the outcome, you really need some relative quiet.
Well I went back in this morning and low, they have built an acoustic room! It's small, but you can take one or two guitars in and Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1087895153647342842004-06-22T02:02:00.000-07:002004-06-22T02:05:53.646-07:00I had a play-off between two Taylors today at Galaxy: A 2000 rosewood 810 and a mahogony 510 from the 80's. It's real close. The 810 has always been my favorite, but this one lacks the volume that I have heard from others. The 510 has plenty of punch, clarity and playability. I'm leaning toward the 510. Plus it's $200 cheaper!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1087486462816041512004-06-17T08:24:00.000-07:002004-07-02T06:03:54.056-07:00It has been about a month since I visited Alverez Heaven to play on their vast array of discounted instruments. I have been playing Taylors and Martins exclusively for that period. Well, dropped into Millers' yesterday and found the sound of the Alverezes so lacking that they are out of the running altogether. Tinty, brassey, lacking any depth whatsoever, I am leaving these second tier guitars toTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1086094357169827882004-06-01T05:47:00.000-07:002004-06-01T12:46:37.193-07:00Nothing new here...I keep lobbying to spend some of our money on a guitar and the computer at Hilltop Pawn. My computer's there and the Pawn Guy has promised to sell me a 310 for his cost. I keep getting "Yeah, we can do that," yet I still don't have them yet. Nothing else going on...writing a new song;
It's been a year since you kissed me
Since I sang for you my songs
Since you said you missed Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1083698402928579532004-05-04T12:20:00.000-07:002004-05-04T12:23:54.920-07:00I bought a Doc Watson CD, mostly fingerpicking. Found that my version of Deep River is faster than his. Maybe if I slow it down, I can put in some of the flourishes he does. Also met an old timer at a guitar shop Saturday, he was playing resinator guitars and was cutting some mean licks. We struck up a conversation I played 'Laughing Dog Blues' for him. He then showed my a version of 'Trouble in Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1083089809170998752004-04-27T11:16:00.000-07:002004-04-27T11:21:03.670-07:00We're in the money, we're in the money! I don't know how long it will take to pry the guitar money from my wife's bank account, but that' one of the things we agreed upon. I get a guitar. So, let's see: There's the noname blonde jumbo for 5 bills, there's the used D-03E for $675, a Taylor 310 that my pawnbroker says he will give to me for what he has in it (probably 4 or 5). If I can get the Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1082988784464468642004-04-26T07:13:00.000-07:002004-04-26T07:17:17.466-07:00Soon to post some new .wav files. Still no guitar of my own. The IRS is going to take all of our money.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1081454068288012512004-04-08T12:54:00.000-07:002004-04-09T11:50:53.746-07:00I have been working on these wav. files all day and getting nowhere! Very frustrating.
Yesterday I revisited the Larivee D-03 at Galaxy and found a price of $575. Sound and workmanship clearly above the NoName Jumbo. I love the way they have stained the mahogony a very light tan color. At the same time, a used D-03E for $675 w/case. Help, I'm being pulled in another direction again. Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1080602606156895312004-03-29T15:23:00.000-08:002004-04-09T11:54:43.250-07:00My opinion and I'm sticking to it:
Latest pleasure, playing a Santa Cruz dreadnaught. I was wondering what the hoopla was about, as well as the $3K price tag. Now I know. A very sweet sound, superior high note voicing, easy to play, all in all a very mellow experience.
Also played around with my favorite Alverez MJ80 and 90 (jumbos) at Miller's Music as well as the MD80 and 90 dreadnaughts. I'mTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1079400425103267102004-03-15T17:27:00.000-08:002004-03-15T17:33:39.810-08:00I visited my old friends Pam and Don McMahon over the weekend. They are a husband and wife, singer/songwriter duo from Tryon, North Carolina. Don plays a One of a Kind guitar: Ernie Ball Earthwood dreadnaught acousitic. This guitar was crafted by the original Fender Brothers (that's right THE Fenders) in 1964. Only a couple of thousand were made and that was the only year of production. That's Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1079017847032834152004-03-11T07:10:00.000-08:002004-03-15T17:11:19.983-08:00My Favorite Martin
Dropped by Guitar Center yesterday and what do you know...the jumbo Larrivee from yesterday was gone. I don't think it was sold, they rotate their stock constantly and I think they just shipped this one out. So I decided to make it a 'Martin only' visit. I have forgotten how wonderfully deep and woody these guitars are. First on was a D16 GT, price $959. This guitar has been Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1078848671558622132004-03-09T08:11:00.000-08:002004-04-09T11:59:22.123-07:00Still having problems with my .wav files. Don't know what's wrong. When I first uploaded about a year ago, all of them played fine, but half of them have degraded with time. They are all uploaded through the FTP path in the same way, so I don't know what the problem is. Still working on it.
Meanwhile, I've fallen in love with a Larrivee' LH-09 Rosewood Jumbo for $1500 at Guitar Center. Lovely Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1078591287073611942004-03-06T08:41:00.000-08:002004-03-08T05:50:41.593-08:00My real estate deal fell through, wasted two weeks. Now, to plan B, already in motion, will take another two weeks, then it will be guitar time for me. Lots of beautiful instruments currently on e-bay. I seem to have fallen in love with maple jumbos! I use to have one, a Gibson "Gospel" model from 1974, a beautiful flamed maple dreadnuaght with a peculiar bowed back. It developed a crack, bridge Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1078358426039096762004-03-03T16:00:00.000-08:002004-03-08T05:49:59.623-08:00If you want a Larrivee, which in my opinion ranks right along with the other 5 or 6 high end luthiers, Galaxy Music on Hwy 78 in Stone Mountain, GA, is having an 'Aniversary Sale' and they have cut all of their new 2003 Larrivee's by about $400 off an already reduced price. There is a beautiful light colored Mahogony dreadnaught (D-03) for $640. Next to it hung a LH-09 (I think), Quilted Maple, Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1078192297037711362004-03-01T17:51:00.000-08:002004-03-02T09:08:50.623-08:00Went to Guitar Center on Sunday and played the usual group of suspects. Branched out to the main portion, full of electrics, all plugged into different amps, three or four different styles all being played simultaneously, most of them cranked, an unusual cacauphony. Met one chap in the acoustic room, we talked about the frammers who somehow equate slamming an acoustic guitar with passion. Ran Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1078098776995159812004-02-29T15:52:00.000-08:002004-03-02T09:00:09.903-08:00Ran across this site on Blogsnob. A bit on the electric side but a great site to catch news about guitarists and gear.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1077901035594377732004-02-27T08:57:00.000-08:002004-02-27T09:00:07.046-08:00After running around all day yesterday, gathering the proper documents needed to sell my Father-in-law's house (he died two years ago) I set up a contract signing meeting with the Russians for Sunday morning. Since I have single handedly nurtured this entire transaction along (if it weren't for my work we wouldn't be close to a signing) my darling wife promised me a new guitar!!! Now, which one Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1077753171480416212004-02-25T15:52:00.000-08:002004-03-03T17:18:48.106-08:00Besides my delight in handling, hagling, talking, and playing as many guitars as I can squeeze into a work day, I also love the curious guitar. That would be the ornately decorated, tasteless display of Mother of Pearl/Abolony inlay. I have found such a model on display at Galaxy Music. It's a "Dallas" model, made by Lone Star Guitars and it sells for around $450. The treble is tinty, the bass Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1076371034604891532004-02-09T15:57:00.000-08:002004-02-10T07:13:19.000-08:00I have discovered the center of the Alverez Universe. It is on Buford Highway, inside I-285, near the IRS. It's called Miller's Music and I have never seen so many Alverez Acoustic Guitars in my life, all of them Factory Seconds, all of them heavily discounted. I played and played to my heart's content. Played so many that I lost track of which one I liked best. There was a very ornate MD95 with Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1076171980555545532004-02-07T08:39:00.000-08:002004-02-07T08:42:04.843-08:00All of the high end guitars at Ken Stanton have "top hat" humidifiers in their sound holes now! Well that's all well and good for the hydrogological health of these guitars but that means you have to go through a whole lot of shenanigans in order to play one, much less compare several. You'd have to ask a sales person to take the top hat out of one, put it back in, take the top hat out of anotherTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1075908382780396262004-02-04T07:26:00.000-08:002004-02-04T07:29:07.466-08:00After work yesterday I stopped off at Guitar Center (it's right across I85 from where I work in Atlanta). They rotate their stock with other Guitar Center stores across the country, so there are always some new used. many times vintage, intstruments to play. First choice was the Martin Sunburst with the split top (from a previous post). Very impressive bass, sparkly treble. But played with the Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1075163792055226872004-01-26T16:36:00.000-08:002004-01-26T16:38:40.373-08:00Played one of those small bodied Gibsons today. Curly walnut back, lot's of Mother of Pearl inlay. I picked it off the shelf and said to my self, "I'll bet the bass is terrible." Guess what! The bass was terrible! Stay away from these gorgeously decorated, heavily discounted small bodies. They are awful!
For half the price, I played a auditorium sized Taylor 414. After a very few notes I forgot Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1074738227287727632004-01-21T18:23:00.000-08:002004-01-21T18:25:48.856-08:00Hopfully I will soon be the owner of a Nikon Cool Pix 4300. One of the things I want to do is post pix of the guitars I'm talking about on this site.
Or I could put the Nikon up for sale on e-Bay and buy a guitar with the money I get!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1074281664265837482004-01-16T11:34:00.000-08:002004-01-16T11:41:58.590-08:00Saw another clearance item at Guitar Center...a Martin Rosewood Sunburst cut from $1999 to $999. Problem was it had a tiny split down the front of the top, running all the way from below the bridge to the bottom binding. I'm sorry but I would never buy a guitar like this. Pooh Pooh on Guitar Center for trying to push this off on some unsuspecting player!
I decided to swallow my pride and go in Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1074129443300437102004-01-14T17:17:00.000-08:002004-01-16T11:37:18.623-08:00Played a couple of deeply discounted guitars at Guitar Center at lunch. First was a Taylor 910CE, regularly $3900, for $2900. Played beautifully, sounded wonderful. Taylor resonance is unsurpassed and on this model it was spectacular with midbass notes hanging in the air. Dave Matthews was on the overhead speaker so I started playing along with double stops in E. The Taylor held it's own volume Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1073566850092081662004-01-08T05:00:00.000-08:002004-01-08T05:01:10.226-08:00Galaxy is having a big Larivee clearance sale: prices from $665 to $970 on top of the line, brand new Larivee's. Hey, is my credit good?!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1073399969669999272004-01-06T06:39:00.000-08:002004-01-06T09:22:53.410-08:00Played a Gibson Songbird at Galaxy...$1295. Very comfortable, clear distinctive bass, not muddled like the old Kalamazoo Gibsons. The Montana guitars are truely worth the money. What a great story! Gibson had such a storied past and then hit the skids during the 70's. Poor quality, labor problems, corporate buy out to a European conglomerate.
Then, in the mid 80's I think, some of the original Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1072792448037943332003-12-30T05:54:00.000-08:002003-12-30T05:54:25.000-08:00Ken Stanton Music is a family owned chain which has been in business in the Atlanta area for many years. In an age of National superstore chains like Guitar Center, you might wonder if there is a place for the local music store. My experience with Galaxy and Dirt Cheap Music and Ken Stanton has been nothing but positive. Prices are usually in line with the big discounters, they all take used Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-107271913564609172003-12-29T09:32:00.000-08:002003-12-29T09:32:32.720-08:00Played several new models (new for me) at lunch today: Did a complete run of 'Laughing Dog Blues' on a Santa Cruz. Once again a surprisingly light guitar weight wise, very attractive looks (dark sunburst) pure deep base, even stronger mid strings (G on the 4th fret like a bell) clear trebel notes. This one was used at $2100, right where it should be.
Talked to the rep who said the Gibson 'Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1072707984890159982003-12-29T06:26:00.000-08:002003-12-29T06:42:18.193-08:00What is Alverez's problem with these buzzing strings, especially the high E?! I've always admired their pricing and now they are putting out solid tops in a variety of styles for under $400. But please, someone tell them to work on this fret buzz problem. I had a mahogony model from '89 till '98, a loaner (a long time loaner) and it had this same buzz problem. I tried everything: filing the 5th Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1072283582372320772003-12-24T08:33:00.000-08:002003-12-24T08:34:14.246-08:00Last night I braved the rain and last minute Christmas shoppers to check out new additions in the acoustic Room at the local Guitar Center. Guitar Center's prices on their used instruments are a bit on the high side, but their selection of vintage high end guitars is unbelievable. And they constantly rotate inventory from their other stores so the array changes almost daily. Usually I pluck aTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1072280553238338342003-12-24T07:42:00.000-08:002003-12-24T07:50:49.746-08:00AX
Brazilian Rosewood, Matched Split Back, Mahogony, Ebony, Mother of Pearl, Solid Spruce top, Cedar, Koa, Walnut, Graphite Fiber, X Bracing, Scalloped Braces, Neck, Dove Joint, Steel Strings, Pin Bridge, Bridge pins, Truss rod, Gold Plated Grovers, Head Stock, Pick Guard, Strap. Tone, resonance, sustain, voicing.
Martin D-28, Taylor 810, Gibson J 200, Alverez Yari, Takamine, Ovation, Larrave Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244218.post-1073400741789243002003-11-20T08:52:00.000-08:002004-01-06T09:23:46.346-08:00For what it's worth, I visited Galaxy Music yesterday. Galaxy Music is my favorite hangout-and-play-really-cool-guitars store. I told my good friend Dale about the 1982 Alverez Yari I had seen there for $550, an exceptional price. Dale once owned an old Yari, but traded it to Jim McMahon for a Chevy van. Now Dale can afford to buy back the Yari, but Jim (even though he is a great SOB to sit Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07642625908084938594noreply@blogger.com