|
|
Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4238
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I've been drooling...er...I mean waiting for this a long time. Last summer I snagged a damaged 1537 off Craig's list and had it sent straight home to mother. John Budny, prescient soul that he is, tells me it needs a new top and bowl...pauses for a second...and asks what am I up to now.
So I ask him, "Got any redwood left?
And the rest is history.
The only minor mistake is the carved ebony bridge. It was supposed to be walnut, which is unusual for me. I don't care though. Instead of picking up the color in the fretboard, it just matches the color on the headstock. So it all flows just fine.
And speaking of fine....
The tone is unlike any other O I have. It doesn't fill the room with volume like a spruce deep bowl. But this redwood deep-bowl surrounds the space with the warmest, almost comfortable feeling, timbre I've ever heard in a guitar. Regular 1537's are acoustic cannons that command attention with their voice. This one just sings to you and you can't help but listen.
All in all, I may have taken a little bit of a gamble with this top, but it's paid off in spades...and kept the hearts, clubs, and diamonds because it can.
What a guitar!
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 2793
Location: Atlanta, GA. | Wow!!! Mighty Fine, Mighty Fine!
I'd like to see the back of the neck, if you have a pic of it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Ya done good, Patch!  |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Now, That is a Fine-Looking Creature! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | I like it!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4238
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by cholloway:
I'd like to see the back of the neck, if you have a pic of it. Thanks Colin. these were just some quick pics I took inside because of the steady, cold drizzle falling outside. When I have time and weather permitting, I'll get some nice photos in natural lighting.
In the meantime, the neck is the original from the damaged 1537 which was a burst. So it's finished like any other burst neck from that time. I think it goes very well with the walnut binding and the RW figuring. :cool: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | HOLY MOLY, IS THAT SWEET!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Nice guitar!
What's with your yard? What's all that white spoo all over the grass? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | What's it sound like? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2008
Posts: 1281
Location: Ohio | Kowabunga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful grain pattern. Bet it sounds as good as it looks.. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by Beal:
Nice guitar!
What's with your yard? What's all that white spoo all over the grass? Was just thinking the same thing.
Very pretty Patch! (the guitar, not the yard) ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Now That Is BooFull .. bet it sounds accordingly .. the word " Envy " .. , comes to mind ..
Vic |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
What's it sound like? Originally posted by Patch:
The tone is unlike any other O I have. It doesn't fill the room with volume like a spruce deep bowl. But this redwood deep-bowl surrounds the space with the warmest, almost comfortable feeling, timbre I've ever heard in a guitar. Regular 1537's are acoustic cannons that command attention with their voice. This one just sings to you and you can't help but listen.
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Oh, I skipped right over it to see the photos. Thanks. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2010
Posts: 21
Location: chattanooga | va va voom...touche! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 497
Location: California | Patch- Nice guitar! What type of electronics was installed? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2009
Posts: 79
Location: So Cal | That is a looker. Nice, very nice Patch.
Jim E. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Originally posted by hwebster:
Patch- Nice guitar! What type of electronics was installed? Looks to me like one of the newer FET systems they came out with for the reissues. Unless those are original knobs in that good of condition.
Gorgeous guitar Patch. That has to be the purdiest 1537 I've ever seen. You're right about the bridge...I actually think the ebony is a plus on that one. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Wooooooo!
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Now thats something you don;t see every day...but very pretty...not sure why the factory can't get the triangle vol/tone pointers the right depth (about half of what they are now)...I've noticed that on several of the Adamas II rebuilds/repairs they did for me...but other than that, really nice (and forgive me for being picky...it it stunning!)
Now, Play It! :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | Patch,
Very nice! I really like the purfling - walnut? Looks great with the abalone.
And the bridge is great - it does balance the dark tones of the headstock nicely.
The Mothership has turned out some pretty spectacular guitars recently! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Well, whoever made the call to match the bridge with the headstock was right: it's beautiful! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | as with every redwood I sold I will give the same advice
buy a soundhole humidifier and detune the strings every time the guitar is not in use
enjoy |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | That is beautiful, Patch. Don't remember ever seeing a beautifully grained redwood top with the abalone purfling. Outstanding. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4238
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by alpep:
as with every redwood I sold I will give the same advice
buy a soundhole humidifier and detune the strings every time the guitar is not in use
enjoy Way ahead of you Al. I had a humidifier waiting and couldn't wait to hear it in open-D.
I'll answer all the other questions soon.
It's all good!
MAN, it's all good! :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4238
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Question and answer time, but first...
Thank you for the many kind comments!
Originally posted by cholloway:
Wow!!! Mighty Fine, Mighty Fine!
I'd like to see the back of the neck, if you have a pic of it. Here you go...and some close ups of the headstock as well.
Originally posted by Beal:
Nice guitar!
What's with your yard? What's all that white spoo all over the grass? Considering what's been hammering down all day today, apparently it was just the beginning.
Originally posted by hwebster:
Patch- Nice guitar! What type of electronics was installed? I don't recall asking for them, but they're the upgraded FET's mentioned earlier. I had to look to be sure though. See?
Originally posted by Mitzdawg:
Patch,
Very nice! I really like the purfling - walnut? Looks great with the abalone.
And the bridge is great - it does balance the dark tones of the headstock nicely.
The binding is walnut. I wanted to keep several of the features of an original 1537, but I figured a RW top would really bring out a tone different from other O's. (I was right.)
Also, regarding the bridge, I wouldn't want anyone to think I was displeased with the ebony one. Though I typically prefer them, I meant to match the fretboard on this one. But it still looks great as it is. I couldn't be happier with it (unless it was free).
Now for a couple of nifty side notes:
I didn't realize inlaid eppis look even MORE different on the inside.
Also, unlike a traditional 1537, this one does not have the backboard on the upper bout. Not sure why, but with the way it sounds, I don't really care that much.
And I just thought this was a really cool picture. I need to find someplace to use it I think.
Originally posted by Gallerinski:
What's it sound like? And finally, I've loaded a 90 second clip onto my ning page. Click my link, scroll down on the left. Look for Redwood Sound Clip. It's not much, just a quick Zoom H4 recording (not plugged in). Also, I'm really just strumming chords as they strike me. (I couldn't think of a song. Oh well.) Hopefully it will give you an idea, but it surely doesn't do the tone of this instrument justice.
Patch\'s Ning |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 1565
Location: Indiana | Beautiful Patch.
My wife just looked over my shoulder and said "nice porn!". What a gal. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Some walnut buttons would be nice.
Well done Patch. |
|
| |
I told you I'd replace my old 1537. (I just played loose with the details is all.)