Been thinking about one lately.

Jeff

Jeff, I've kept a close eye on his geetars over the past few years. He came to Montreal and to Healdsburg last year. He's a very gifted builder who has a lot of respect.

Dream has had numerous of his guitars over the past couple of years. Some recently sold, as you are probably aware.

Schoenburg is his mainstay so to speak, as you are probably also aware (www.0m28.com), but you seldom see his guitars at a discount at Schoenburg. I seldom see Eric drop his prices.

Mike Joyce's place may also have the odd one of his. He posts a fair bit on the 13th fret also. I doubt if he discounts either of course. California is what it is when it comes to prices.

Wish I had played one to offer some insite, but have listened to many of his recordings and he builds a mean guitar.

Stuart

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Stuart,

Let me begin by saying I'm a huge Collings fan. Further, I own several Collings varnishes with more on the way. I won't be PC and claim that lacquer is equivalent, just different. Varnish is something very special. I was drawn to Bruce, in part, because he is one of a growing cadre of luthiers who have abandoned nitro lacquer in favor of varnish. Bruce states he will actually charge extra for lacquer, if you insist on it. The reality is, however, that he won't do it. As well, a couple of friends who really know guitars (far better than I) and who have played his instruments are both awed by the tone and volume that he creates.

So, I purchased a D-18ish dread that Bruce had available. Carpathian top, gorgeous beeswing moahogany back and sides, brazilian rosewood fingerboard, incredibly confortable neck, snakewood binding everywhere and Bruce always ships in Calton (always wanted one of those). Extremely light weight and the tone is from heaven, easily in the top couple of dreads I have ever played. I cannot imagine ever giving up this instrument and hope to have a Sexauer OMish (15-style) guitar built sometime. Sheesh, alien-shmalien...this guitar is the bomb.

Looks awesome.

Sure wish I could hear it live. Sounds like a wonderful wood combo from Bruce.

I put down a deadly dreadly some time ago because of size, but I see many fingerstlye players use them and could be convinced back in for the right tone.



Stuart

Around here we don't even get a coffee break!

Beautiful guitar, though!

I've only played a few, some at the Schoenberg shoppe, and some at a guitar show in San Rafael. It's hard to hear decently at a guitar show, one of several reasons I no longer bother with them (the main on being that the odds of finding something better than what I already have are lottery low). The Schoenberg ones were very impressive. I didn't walk out with one. They were watching me. Seriously, I think they're about as well made as anything out there, but the price reflects that elite perspective. I'm unfamiliar with the term schmalian, but I've a feeling I've been taunted. I can live with that.

quote:

Originally posted by sonoman:
I've only played a few, some at the Schoenberg shoppe, and some at a guitar show in San Rafael. It's hard to hear decently at a guitar show, one of several reasons I no longer bother with them (the main on being that the odds of finding something better than what I already have are lottery low). The Schoenberg ones were very impressive. I didn't walk out with one. They were watching me. Seriously, I think they're about as well made as anything out there, but the price reflects that elite perspective. I'm unfamiliar with the term schmalian, but I've a feeling I've been taunted. I can live with that.

I wouldn't say taunted, more like "hazed" in a friendly, schmoozing way. In the spirit of one day passing the Sexauer over half-drunk beers in temporary and reciprocal trade for the BH, only to play for a time and realize that we are both holding and picking a couple examples of stunning playable art. Life is good and full of daily opportunities for expressing gratitude. All the best.

I knew, really, that anyone with the sense to live in the Rockies (except for segments of Colorado Springs I shall not mention) would only be kidding. I can easily imagine a Sexauer varnish mahogany being a world beater. I'm betting, not the entire farm, but a fair amount of acreage, that the Collings CJMSBSS varnish I have on hold (due in May) is what I anticipate. Note, please, that not once has anyone riffed on the comedic possibilities of Sexauer. I do know he's community minded enough that he came to our youngest son's high school music class to talk about luthiery (that was about ten years back, when our now 28 year old son was a senior. Time doesn't fly; it evaporates. I was just 40. In two weeks I'll be 61. I lost a decade somewhere along the line. No, it wasn't the sixties. Pharmacopia notwithstanding, I still remember almost all of it quite vividly. Seeing the Rockies for the first time is one the most cherished of those memories. It's not for nothing it's called the spine of America. I miss is almost every day. My friends think I'm looney tunes for missing winter. I am, of course, certifiable, but that's not the reason.

quote:

Originally posted by sonoman:
I knew, really, that anyone with the sense to live in the Rockies (except for segments of Colorado Springs I shall not mention) would only be kidding. I can easily imagine a Sexauer varnish mahogany being a world beater. I'm betting, not the entire farm, but a fair amount of acreage, that the Collings CJMSBSS varnish I have on hold (due in May) is what I anticipate. Note, please, that not once has anyone riffed on the comedic possibilities of Sexauer. I do know he's community minded enough that he came to our youngest son's high school music class to talk about luthiery (that was about ten years back, when our now 28 year old son was a senior. Time doesn't fly; it evaporates. I was just 40. In two weeks I'll be 61. I lost a decade somewhere along the line. No, it wasn't the sixties. Pharmacopia notwithstanding, I still remember almost all of it quite vividly. Seeing the Rockies for the first time is one the most cherished of those memories. It's not for nothing it's called the spine of America. I miss is almost every day. My friends think I'm looney tunes for missing winter. I am, of course, certifiable, but that's not the reason.

If, after I receive my new CJMahASbSS-Varn in a few weeks, I see any reason to move it, you will have ROFR. On the other hand, what would it be worth to abate the wait?

I'm not sure he has to come out fighting, and I'm not sure why folks take such shots. The fact is, it is not Tom Martin who has said the Alien is the best guitar he's ever heard, it's Jim Baggett, owner of Mass Street Music in Lawrence, Kansas. Jim happens to know a thing or two about guitars. He's been repairing them for 30 years or more, and is in the same league, albeit different state, as George Gruhn. Gruhn may own MayBelle Carters arcthop, but Jim has a "few" vintage Martins in his shop, and when Antique Roadshow needs an opinion on a guitar, it's Jim they call. I think his bona fides speak for themselves, and since I've talked to Jim personally about Tom's guitar, I know that Tom is not hyping Jim's opinion at all. Jim has told me it's the best modern built guitar he has ever heard, any body style, any builder.

And, Jim is a big fan of Collings guitars as well, so in my book, he must be OK .

So, unfortunately, the gauntlet has been thrown down to everyone else, and until some external authority, Mr. Baggett or someone of his caliber, is willing to A/B some guitars and declare something else the winner, well, I'll take his work that the Alien is probably one of those instruments that is unique for whatever reasons of magic and mojo that happen on certain guitars. What I know above all else is that it certainly gives our Mr. Martin a reference point from which to compare guitars, and if all of his are picked out from that standard, I'm certain all of his guitars a stellar.

So, how did I do with the gauntlet on Sonoman's behalf?

PS: Of course, when Jim hears my new varnish CJ in a few months, his opinion will no doubt change.

When I hear the bell, I think it's time for recess. Homer, it would appear that you are getting exactly the same model I am- deviant that I am, I am deviating by having tortoise binding with that ultra classy purfling line that goes all the way around the top, neck, and headstock. I've also been as specific as I can about the kind of burst I want- essentially the same color (hue) as the one that sold at AMW a couple months back, only slightly lighter. And no stripe guard, just the stock tortoid. But, if you do get yours and don't want it (begging the question of why I should want it when you don't), I actually would be interested, especially if a minor price break for being "used" were attached thereto. Let me know. I would like the ROFR, just in case. This causes to rise in me just a hint of paranoia: if you get the same model and don't think it's all that, knowing what you know about guitars, it might make me a little jumpy about throwing 6400 at a UVO (unidentified varnished object). I'd be interested in any details you'd care to share about how and what you ordered, and why. And where. Inquiring minds, etc. thanks tom

quote:

Originally posted by sonoman:
Homer, it would appear that you are getting exactly the same model I am- deviant that I am, I am deviating by having tortoise binding with that ultra classy purfling line that goes all the way around the top, neck, and headstock. I've also been as specific as I can about the kind of burst I want- essentially the same color (hue) as the one that sold at AMW a couple months back, only slightly lighter. And no stripe guard, just the stock tortoid. But, if you do get yours and don't want it (begging the question of why I should want it when you don't), I actually would be interested, especially if a minor price break for being "used" were attached thereto. Let me know. I would like the ROFR, just in case. This causes to rise in me just a hint of paranoia: if you get the same model and don't think it's all that, knowing what you know about guitars, it might make me a little jumpy about throwing 6400 at a UVO (unidentified varnished object). I'd be interested in any details you'd care to share about how and what you ordered, and why. And where. Inquiring minds, etc. thanks tom

I can't remember if I asked for anything special beyond the CJ, the Mah, the A, the SB (tobacco), the SS and the Varnish. Pretty sure the rest is Chef's choice. I'm sure I'll love it, but I thought I'd at least have someone (almost an anagram of "sonoman") in the will just in case. If I don't like it, it will say more about me (fickle) than the guitar. Why did I order it? I have a Varn in most other models and I've never owned a CJ. Played a couple nitros and loved them, however. Coming from my favorite Collings-dude, Steve M. I'd never be reluctant to buy a varnish, no matter the model. I've only moved one (D2HA) that found its way into the hands of a very happy fellow.