[bert]

Thanks all, that is one impressive guitar.  For what ever reason I’ve never seen an FS in the wild, what a sound.

bert

[bert]

Just trying to give an idea of how I sync the El Rey 4 archtop with the VJ. There’s a good bit of acoustic crossover but they tend to stay in their two separate tracks.

SCGC VJ – recorded clean Shure SM81 small diaphram mic, tiny tad of reverb added in post.
El Rey 4 – is running through the Roland JazzChorus40 amp output jack to audio interface.
(the JC40 effects could be tweaked for the better on this one.)

2mins clip starts with a short El Rey 4 riff, followed by the same riff on the SCGC VJ (should make it easy to follow which is out front or in the background as it goes along, they blend at times. This demo is taken from an old tune I wrote in the early 80s. Hope you enjoy. bert

https://soundcloud.com/bertramd-1/er4-jc40-scgc-vj-micd

[bert]

For some strange reason I forget to check this section. Thanks Zorro from Nov 2019, my former John Pisano archtop on that tune, my son has that guitar now days.

Little update on the El Rey 4 archtop:

I pulled my hair out trying to find the right strings, too light… too something, on and on. Finally hit the light switch and figured out that it wasn’t the strings but my 40watt tube amp was just too powerful for what I do. (note… no distortion pedals use my electricity).

3-4mos ago I picked up a (solid state) Roland Jazz Chorous 40… bingo. (Think Sting/Police, they used the 120watt model on all their recordings). In a dark room it’s good when you find the light switch. The JC40 has made all the diff with the El Rey 4, plus.. my SCGC VJ has a K&K, bingo again.

I’m just putting together an idea for a rhythmic arpeggio using the VJ and adding a little lead from the El Rey 4… hope for a sample to post soon. Saying this should get me off my butt maybe.  btw, yea.. they’re shacking up out of wedlock:

[bert]

Thanks Tad, Rich and Mr Hoover. Finally got a chance to give a listen, you guys have got it going. What a treat to hear so much depth on the subject.

For years I’ve heard the classical guitar descript of student, intermediate, and pro level guitars. Your conversation made me think of what I call ‘cookie cutter’ guitars from the big factories which are in the stores in mass. Some of their ‘pro’level products don’t really hunt (shutup bert). Warranty issues are huge. I read Bob Taylor describing his Mexican made models that have to be made absolutely perfect because warranty issues can kill the limited profit.

Anyhow, the tradeoff between factory and luthier made is huge in my mind, enjoyed this very much.
thanks again, keep them cards and letters coming.  bert

[bert]

These are the Gotoh SXN510V Nickel, they are the Rotomatic (racoon eye washer) replacement set. The Gotoh washer covered enough of the shaded racoon eye to make me ok.

[bert]

The previous owner only had it for a year but he did a great deal of research on the model talking to Martin, UMGF, etc. He listed it as 1 3/4″ at nut but it’s actually 1 23/32″. These guitars were built before CNC, necks do vary a little. Martins were mostly handmade from this era, have a trussrod, dovetail neck joint, vintage bracing, etc. The satin finish helps give it antique look which is like a ~2k upgrade on a lot of new guitars. (shutup bert)

It came with a new K&K installed, I gave the previous owner 1095
+ 80 for the Gotoh 510sx tuners
+ 700 for the luthier
1875 total…. I’m good
Previous owner said he was going to use the money to buy a new Taylor, should send Bob Taylor a thank you note. bert

[bert]

3

former – Tony Rice and VS

current – VJ

 

[bert]

oops, forgot to say that looks just great.  Can smell the aroma from N Georgia.  bert

[bert]

Years ago, Bill Collings used to put vanilla extract pods in his wood curing room.  Made for a fresh smell that lasted a good while…. (if I remember right).  I could be out of school but…. won’t be the first time.  bert

[bert]

Fellow I know says that buying/selling guitars is like a sport to him.  ?#?  say what

[bert]

Steve is and always has been:  a wild and crazy guy.

[bert]

I had a Goodall Standard, nearly the air space of a 17″ jumbo. A few months after the AC630 arrived in 2014, the Goodall was sold.  AC630 is 17″ lower bout with flame maple and engelmann top. Just put new string on last week, has gotten better all along the way. Great balance across the registers.

[bert]

BB King – ‘How Blue Can You Get’

I gave you a brand new Ford, you said you want a Cadillac
I let you live in my penthouse, you said it was just a shack
I gave you seven children and now you want to give em’ back

[bert]

Not to make light of this David’s passing, a guitar brother, in good humor…

I’m reminded of an article I read long ago by the late humorist/journalist, Herb Caen, San Francisco Chronicle.

Herb wrote:
“Old journalist never die, they just pitch forth at their typewriter.”

[bert]

Congratulations Jeff, SC did not just start building great guitars.  I’ve owned a couple from that era, my current VJ is a 2001 model.  how sweet it is.  🙂  bert

[Author]

Posts