Anyone try one of these? I'm interested by what I've seen and heard so far. He has a model called Crescendo that looks like a cross between a ooo an an OM.
It is actually Tippin. The fellow's name is Bill Tippin. He makes guitars with just one or 2 assistants in Marblehead Mass. Most of them are 10 grand and up.
I had never heard or played one until recently. Dream Guitars put one up on eBay with a quote from Al Petteway in which he said "Reminiscent of the old Martin OMs, this guitar has a great voice and plays like a dream." I thought well hey, that's exactly the sound I'm looking for, having grown up playing old Brazilian Martins in the 60's and remembering one ancient OM that was an accidental work of genius, like Louie Louie. So I put in a modest bid and ending up winning it.
When it arrived I was amazed. It sounded very much like that ancient Martin (if my memory can be trusted). It is now, by far, my favorite guitar. The reason people pay 20 grand for guitars by people like Somogyi, Traugott, Olson and Walker and wait 5 years for delivery is not an accident. Although I have played guitars by these guys that I didn't love, in my humble opinion I think they are in a completely different class from guitars made in a small factory, even our beloved Collings. If you are a great master luthier and make 50 guitars or fewer per year, you can spend the time voicing them; you can be more choosy in wood selection, etc. And you are going to wind up with guitars that are beyond what can be made in a small factory. I noticed that first in the 60s when I was a junior apprentice guitar maker and used to get sent over to John D'Angelicos's shop to borrow stuff. That is certainly the case with this Tippin - a guitar that is one of the most delightful surprises of my life.
Congrats on the guitar Nick. I played a recent Tippen at Dream Guitars not too long ago. It was very impressive even among some other Tippens. If it's the same one you got a great guitar.
I've owned two Tippins, still have one, a 1999 OMT EIR/Alpine spruce -41 style (more or less). Wonderful guitar. I've had it since it was new and it has matured into one of the finest OMs I've ever played. Martinesque, actually more like a Collings than a Martin, but even more precise and articulate.
Posts: 123 | Location: Portland, OR | Registered: May 10, 2002
I may be getting a 12 fret Tippin Dread in trade in the next week or so. Looking forward to playing it - I've only played a small body Tippin to this point.
Bill made me an OM just about three years ago now. Living in the Boston area, I was able to drive up to Bill's shop with an outline and four guitars to discuss tone and playability. It was great being able to pick out the woods -- red spruce and some beautiful quilted Cuban mahogany -- and spec out all the trimmings.
Bill did a great job on the guitar, and it only seems to sound better each time I take it out. I visit his shop often to have work done on my other guitars, and it's really neat to play new guitars as they come off the setup table.
He's really a fine builder, and one I recommend unreservedly.
Posts: 42 | Location: Cambridge, MA | Registered: January 20, 2005
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