Dean Nouveau CR (2001/2002)

Got my used UltraSound AG30 amplifier today as an early birthday present courtesy of my dad and Ebay.  It's the first chance I've had to plug in my first recent used guitar purchase that I got back last week from my go-to luthier.  He custom-cut and installed a new nut to bring the action high enough to eliminate the buzzing of the low E string.  He also cleaned up the electronics so the pickup works now.  I feel much better now that this guitar plays well, looks good, and is ready for a new home were she can be appreciated.  This guitar is now my first Craigslist listing for sale:  

"Dean Nouveau CR -acoustic/electric guitar:
Sweet acoustic-electric guitar with cool double cut-away body. Attractive abalone trim and sound hole inlay.  Tapered body makes for a very comfortable guitar. No longer commercially available as only made in 2000/2001.  Check out all the specs and a couple of online reviews here:  

http://www.deanguitars.com/content/imagelib/acoustics/NTA/2.htm 

http://community.musiciansfriend.com/docs/DOC-1927 

http://www.deanguitars.uk.com/articles/fran_rev.htm 

Recently professionally set-up with easy low action and clean electronics. New Elixir nanoweb light-medium strings.  Very clean with only three tiny dings on the top. Comes with new Dean hardshell case.  Ready to go and priced to sell."

We'll see if I can find her a good home.

Online Auctions (1984 Guild F-45CE)

Thanks to companies like Ebay and Paypal, anyone with internet access can now bid on guitars from beginner models at less than $50 to vintage and boutique instruments worth tens of thousands of dollars.  Valuable guitars are being bought and shipped all over the world at an unprecedented rate.  This is made possible by institutional sellers offering money-back guarantees if the instrument turns out not to be as advertised or wanted by the buyer, and - even in the case of individual sellers - by the threat of negative public feedback that very prominently affects the seller's online rating and ability to complete future transactions on a site like Ebay.

Still it is unnerving to plunge in and buy an instrument sight and sound unseen.  Even good close-up pictures can only communicate so much (although I have seen some sellers take the time to record a Youtube clip of the guitar being played).  My initial forays were on well-known models that usually hold few surprises, at least as to feel, playability, and tone, as long as their condition is accurately portrayed in the listing.  Predictably, however, the bidding reached well above my limits on these popular models by the time the auctions closed.  The advantage of greater access to a world-wide market is also a disadvantage when one is competing for a bargain-basement price against multitudes of other potential buyers who know the market value of these instruments.  So besides the need for lucky timing, it seems advisable to look at a niche of the market that is not too crowded, yet holds recognizable value.  So far, it seems that the vintage Guild acoustic-electrics that I like tend not to be bid up as much as similar model guitars by other premium makers like Martin, Gibson, or Taylor.

Today, in fact, I successfully won my first auction, out-bidding nine other buyers for a 1984 Guild F-45CE in very good condition with its original Guild hardshell case.  Like my F-47RCE it is a less well-known model that was in production for only a few years. The seller also noted that the battery pack for the pre-amp was corroded and would need replacement.  My luthier having assured me that this would be a minor fix, I bid aggressively in the final seconds and out-bid my closest competitor by $10! Here's a stock picture from Guild of the guitar I expect to be delivered to me within the next ten days from the individual in California who first bought the guitar in 1984.  Interestingly, Guild sold these guitars without a pickguard and the seller never added one so I will get to decide whether to add one and if so, what kind.  Fun!

Guitar Hero 3 RIP (Marcel Dadi)

My earliest guitar instructor, after my dad who showed me my first chords and arpeggios, was Tunisian-born French finger-picker extraordinaire Marcel Dadi.  In the mid seventies I was given one of his early French LPs and studied his tablatures for hours.  As far as I know, he was the first guitarist back then to provide tablatures for every album track he recorded.  This allowed mere guitar mortals like myself to slowly pick up complex and lightning fast licks without vast guitar knowledge and/or a practiced ear.  Those are still among the most advanced licks I have in my guitar repertoire, even if they are a bit rusty these days.

Marcel was a disciple and friend of Chet Atkins and recorded covers of American finger-picking standards by artists such as Chet, Merle Travis, and Doc Watson, as well as wonderful original compositions.  Here he is performing his new "Big Chief" in the mid-1970s on French television.



It's a great clip.  Marcel was barely in his mid-twenties then and among the other guests is the giant of French song: Georges Brassens.  Brassens is the guy looking on while smoking a pipe on the set! Next to him is Maxime le Forestier, another famous French singer/songwriter/guitarist (also smoking).  Marcel self-deprecatingly introduces his new composition, explaining that it only has three chords -  Too Funny!!  Then he shows them how it's done, fingerpicking-style, on his run-of-the-mill Ovation guitar.

Having been mostly away from all things guitar for the past two decades, I wondered what he had been up to since I studied his charts back in the seventies, so I looked him up.  I was saddened to find out that on July 17, 1996, while returning to France after being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville TN, he was on TWA flight 800 when it exploded over the Atlantic off of Long Island, minutes after its takeoff from JFK international airport, killing all 231 people on board.  He was 44 years old.  I feel like I just lost an old friend...

Here he is the year before his death during the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society (CAAS) convention playing another one of his compositions - "Je Te Veux" - for American friends in a hotel room on what looks like a museum-quality Gibson Archtop.  We have lost a special person and musician. Merci Marcel.

1980 Fender FJ-70

Here's my new vintage 1980 Fender FJ-70. It has a rich tobacco sunburst finish with an aged solid Sitka Spruce top, Rosewood back and sides, ivory style trim around the body and up the sides of the fretboard, and deluxe crown position markers.  It is in nearly mint condition and was recently professionally set up.  These guitars were only made in 1980 and 1981 according to Fender and are therefore quite rare. Originally sold for $360, they are now coveted for significantly more because of their playability, sound, and classic look. Fans of this guitar believe it is one of the best acoustics that Fender - better known for its electric guitar line-up - has made.  Makes you wonder why they discontinued this model. Even the original Fender case has a classic vintage look with its metal trim along the entire top and bottom.  The blue interior lining also nicely accentuates the guitar's finish.

Taking this guitar out for a spin is a joy.  It is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and ear, with a bright tone that is not tinny.  Being a jumbo size it also has good volume.  This is a very solid flatpicker/folk guitar with noticeable style.

Guitar Obsession

This past weekend I met a neighbor and fellow guitar enthusiast through my Craigslist listing: "Wanted Vintage/Fine Acoustic Guitar: I'm looking for that special instrument that needs some love. Most interested in acoustic-electric mid-level Taylor, Martin, Guild, Breedlove, or similar. Higher-end Ovation also possible. Price must be right."

It turns out it was the same local guy I had noticed the week before with an impressive track record of buying and selling vintage acoustic guitars on Ebay.  As I strummed a beautiful 1980 Fender FJ-70 acoustic with a sunburst top that he was offering for sale, we compared notes and our shared obsession for vintage guitars.  Having grown up on much the same music and having similar tastes in guitars, I was happy to meet someone local bitten by the same bug.  Even better, he was generous with good tips and leads from his experience buying and selling online and locally, even hooking me up with his local luthier just one town over for any needed repairs and adjustments.

I ended up leaving with the Fender and a new friend.  Nice!

2001 Guild F-47RCE (2)

Yesterday, I was excited to pick up my recent acquisition, a Guild F-47RCE.  I had brought it in to the Music Emporium for professional set-up and maintenance because the action was too high, some trim was unglued, and there seemed to be some buzzing in the body of the guitar.

The Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts, is a Boston-area mecca for high-end acoustic guitars, but you would not know it from the outside.  It's easy to miss its strip mall location on Mass Ave right across the Arlington line next to a bank, a dry cleaner, and a pizza place, among other pedestrian businesses.  Belying its unassuming storefront, however, the Music Emporium is a Santa Clara 2011 Top Dealer and is also well-stocked in new Taylor, Martin, Bourgeois, and other fine guitars. Inside, the store is well-organized with multiple spaces to sit and give the various guitars a try.  A large livingroom-like space up front with a sofa and rug makes the store feel less institutional than most.  It's best to have done a little research prior to your visit so you won't be in complete sticker shock though.  They do carry used guitars as well, but the ones of this caliber that they purchase or take in on trade-ins get snapped up almost immediately so they have few on display.  Best to let them know if you are in the market for a particular used guitar and they can add you to their list of waiting customers.

I was anxious to play the Guild again, this time with a proper set-up, cleaning, and new set of Elixir light medium strings.  The technician had also re-secured some of the pre-amp wiring inside the body and that took care of the buzzing problem.  It played like a dream and it does have a big crisp sound with nice sustain.  One of the other customers who was picking up his new Martin even commented on how great the Guild sounded.  Can't wait to put this guitar up against my brother's Taylor 514CE.  Welcome to the family Guild F-47RCE...

Guitar Hero 2 (James Taylor)

I've grown up with sweet baby James Taylor.  The man is a master song craftsman and guitar lyricist.  His albums are classics, and at least a couple good JT covers are a must for any serious singer with an acoustic.  Now you can take personal guitar lessons for free from the man himself at his website!  Besides getting to admire his gorgeous post-and-beam barn rehearsal space, the production of his lesson videos is fantastic. He uses up to four simultaneous video angles so you can see exactly what he is doing.  The best part is the right hand is visualized from inside the guitar (yes, there is a camera mounted in the body of his guitar!).  The view angle of his left hand on the fretboard from above is equally helpful.  With closeup frames of both hands available simultaneously, an intermediate player should be able to pick up some classic JT riffs in one sitting. Thank you Mr. Taylor!

By the way, that's a Gibson J-50 he is playing in this 1970 performance and it still sounds great whenever it gets pulled out of Mr. Taylor's guitar vault! See the short clip below (a guitar collector's dream!):