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Chris,
What a great story involving your home with the furniture, and so many beautifully constructed instruments, all from the same source. They must be so “happy” to be there together. I can only imagine the feeling of harmony that results when you pick up any one of them and make beautiful music surrounded by your Koa cousins! Muy simpatico.
Would you consider posting some “family” photos of your collection?
Thanks for sharing.
Walter
Weird1963,
I do my own maintenance and fretwork falls within my capabilities, however PLEKing is another story. If you want that service performed, then back to SCGC she goes. The VA is worth the TLC. I agree with Hank.
Walter
Weird1963,
That catch is too funny. Very strange to wonder how they used that # and not VA 724. Not normal for Stan Jay!
Still lovin’ my ’90 TR
Walter
Watching this new direction podcast is refreshingly different. Early in the discussion, Jeff Traugott was mentioned as having worked at SCGC. Years ago I sent a picture of the signatures on the underside of the soundboard of my ’90 TR to Richard. I could easily identify the Otis B one, but had a difficult time trying to decipher the second one. Richard confirmed that it was Jeff’s, alongside of his, as he and Richard were the ones that were tuning the tops at the time mine was built. 8/90.
Now, back to the podcast!
Best, Walter B.
Hank,
Will do . I’ll play that tonight on my Cruz, but will be hearing the bagpipes in my mind…with tears in my eyes.
Walter
Natural finish will be awesome. Let the honesty of the wood do the talkin’. No need for eyeshadow or lipstick for that pretty lady.
#1 in the series may have been made to show at NAAM. Those are always specially appointed. Just a thought. Richard may reveal the answer in due time.
Walter
That is too weird,..Weird!
Awesome though. The Tree. Another SCGC treasure. Now we need to hear from the owner of D-722, the Norman Blake model. They rarely show up in the used market. Only seen a couple in all these years.
Walter
Whoa Tad, that is too cool.
I remember well that series of Tony Rice Anniversary models as well as the 12 fret N. Blake model, also the Doc VA one. I drove from SE Pa up to Staten Is. in the fall of 1990 to try out and purchase my ’90 Tony Rice from Mandolin Bros. I remember the experience like it was yesterday. I dealt with Larry Wexer. There were pre-war Martins on the wall that were available to play. Amazing times! I still have some copies of Stan Jay’s Vintage News. His descriptions of the instruments were classic!
He would “wax rhapsodically” about guitars “made with cortisone Brazilian, with an ebony fangabow” and one could pay with “samolians”.
Ah, the memories, along with the joy of playing a 30+ year old SC. We are a fortunate group of pickers.
I really identified with James Nash in the latest podcast as he described the feelings he has every time he picks up his ‘Cruz, examines it and then plays it. Such a pleasure.
Walter
Hank,
My wife did the same to acquire the ’83 HD-28 for me. I was deeply moved by her gift, and the trauma of the break in and theft still brings back so many different emotions.
Your story typifies the American Dream that so many honest, humble and hardworking folks strive to achieve. You benefited from an idea for a product that can make many lives better and at the same time make life more comfortable for both of you. Well done friend!
Thanks to your wife for her service to those who she helped in the OR.
W
Hank,
My TR does indeed sound amazing. It is IRW with Sitka. Voiced by Richard and Jeff Traugott in 8/90. I did buy it new from Mandolin Bros. on Staten Is. Played several while there including a couple of Braz. ones. Not in my budget at the time. It replaced a 1983 HD-28 (150th anniv. yr.) that had been a 10th wedding anniversary gift from my wife. The Martin was stolen during a burglary at our home. Heartbreaking event. Sitting next to my HD was an early ’70s D-28s that I was performing repair work on for a friend. Fortunately they left that one. Fortunate because it had belonged to his father who was a well know bluegrass musician, Ted Lundy.
I like to alternate between Martin Monel (TR signature series) and SCGC medium tension. They are a bit tonally different, but I leave them on for months to enjoy the tone as the strings mature. The other key is that I use a Blue Chip TP 1R-50. It becomes “tacky” after it warms up making it easy to maintain a grip. I prefer the BC because it creates very little pick noise, instead, just brings out the sound of the wood reacting to the string tension, etc. AHHH, so sweet.
Red Breast single pot still is my go to Irish. The Irish brought whiskey to the colonies, just changed the mash to a corn based one. All good.
Hank, your collection is amazing. One that I can only dream about. Has to be super gratifying to be able to pick up any of those instruments and enjoy the unique output that each one produces.
My faulty reference to your “armada” was a brain slip related to your sailing experiences!
All the best,
Walter
Oh Man, gotta love auto correct or lack of proof reading…. just noticed I said armada, obviously should have read ramuda!
humbly re-submitted,
Walter
I prefer Blanton’s bourbon, however, when sipping Irish I really enjoy Red Breast. It’s merely a barley/corn dilemma.
I also don’t have to “agonize” over which steed to cut out of the armada and play, as I only have one SCG, my beloved ’90 TR.
All in jest, of course. I actually look forward to your submissions about each of your collections. Carry on! Enjoy your sippin’ and stay safe.
Walter
Beautifully stated Richard. Hard to put in any better words the impact that Tony had on many generations of pickers and listeners over multiple genres of music.
Hoping that many of you watched the Bryan Sutton tribute on Sunday..”Me and His Guitar”. Almost 3 hrs. It was a wonderful tribute.
Walter
PS; good to see you here again Peter! I strung up a set of Tony Monels on my ’90TR, in his honor.
