the new chelsvig
jeff liaw
Here's my review of my brand new Chelsvig. First, the specifications:
sitka spruce, indian rosewood back and sides, flamed maple binding,
abalone rosette, blank ebony fingerboard, b-band dual source system, and
ebony buttons on gold tuners. Relatively tame stuff. No cutaway.
Aesthetics: the guitar isn't ugly. I saw a couple of pictures of Jim's
guitars that he e-mailed me, and I fully expected my instrument to be
hideous. It's not at all; in fact, it's quite handsome. But it's like
a Monet--it looks cool from afar, but you get closer and it starts
lookin' a bit funky, if you know what I mean. I notice small things like
finish blemishes, and sometimes I find them on the best of guitars.
even my collings OM has a few defects here and there. But the Chelsvig
is another story: there are scores of cosmetic flaws. Unfinished
binding. Epoxy fills where the cuts were less than precise. Uneven
finish on the top, back, and sides. Poorly installed pickguard, etc.
If you need a super-pretty, Goodall-like instrument, don't call Jim.
He's not your man. He's relatively inexperienced, and it shows in some
of the precision details--for example, the intonation is less than
perfect.
On the other hand, if you want a guitar that just explodes the room, you
might want to think about it. The sound is incredible. It's much,
much, much louder than the Goodalls, Collings, Langejans, Thompson, and
Larrivees that I have access to, and the sound isn't just loud; it's
really, really rich. Thunderous bass notes, but a real shimmery high
end also. I'm not sure how to explain what I'm hearing, but it doesn't
sound like any other guitar I've ever played. He builds his guitars in
the fashion of Bozo, so the bracing is super-heavy. I'm not sure how
all this stuff works, but the sound is enormous anyway.
I'm keeping my Collings for fingerstyle. the action on the chelsvig is
fine, and it's very playable. But I think the size of the guitar makes
the response of the top a little slower than I expect from a fine
fingerstyle instrument. But if your flatpicking, and especially if
you're strumming, this guitar is IT. Monstrous. Beautiful tone.
Better than the Langejans that I used to own, and Langejans are
well-known for their volume and tone.
Please ask if you have any other questions. There's a wait now for
Jim's instruments, but they're very, very generously priced. I don't
regret my purchase at all. A delightful instrument at an unreal price.
jeff
Hojo2X
I have to admit that "Chelsvig" is not the most inspiring-sounding brand name
I've ever heard - it doesn't ring like "Martin," "Gibson" or even
"Rickenbacker."
It sounds, instead, like a small, biting insect. "Omigod, you been rompin'
through the tall timber agin! Look at the size of that chelsvig I just pulled
out from behind yer ear!!"
But I'm sure it's a terrific-sounding guitar.
Have fun with your new guitar. Try to avoid keeping the neighbors awake....
Wade Hampton "Chelsvig-Envy" Miller
JChelsvig
Geez Wade, I don't make fun of people with 2 last names!<g> It's the only one
I've got, through an accident of birth at that, but it certainly won't be
confused with anyone else's And if a Chelsvig were a biting insect, it would
strike in a much more painful location than behind an ear!
In response to Jeff's review of his new instrument, yep. I'm glad he likes the
sound. I do too. Yes, I hae a long way to go on my cosmetic details. Keep in
mind that Jeff got #7. I'm still learning. I built 3 for myself, all with
plenty of errors. I want to build more but can't afford to build more for
myself. The alternative is to build for somebody else.
Being unknown and unproven, I don't expect to charge big $. I've tried to
offer custom guitars at prices comparable to mid-priced production instruments
to get further experience building and to make back some of my investment in
tools and training. Each guitar has shown improvement in some aspects and new
mistakes/flaws in others.
I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't disappointed in Jeff's review. But I
appreciate his honesty and am glad he plans to keep it. I guess that it is
true that "You get what you pay for". Right now, people getting a guitar from
me are paying a modest price but are also helping to fund my luthiery
education. Assuming that someday my craftsmanship is on a par with the many
fine luthiers discussed on rmmga, my prices will correspondingly increase. For
now, I'm content to learn and make a couple bucks. Many thanks to Jeff and the
others who are taking a chance on me.
Jim Chelsvig
Larry Pattis
(JChelsvig) wrote:
> In response to Jeff's review of his new instrument, yep. I'm glad he
likes the
> sound. I do too. Yes, I hae a long way to go on my cosmetic details.
Keep in
> mind that Jeff got #7. I'm still learning. I built 3 for myself, all with
> plenty of errors. I want to build more but can't afford to build more for
> myself. The alternative is to build for somebody else.
>
> Being unknown and unproven, I don't expect to charge big $. I've tried to
> offer custom guitars at prices comparable to mid-priced production instruments
> to get further experience building and to make back some of my investment in
> tools and training. Each guitar has shown improvement in some aspects and new
> mistakes/flaws in others.
>
> I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't disappointed in Jeff's review. But I
> appreciate his honesty and am glad he plans to keep it. I guess that it is
> true that "You get what you pay for". Right now, people getting a guitar from
> me are paying a modest price but are also helping to fund my luthiery
> education. Assuming that someday my craftsmanship is on a par with the many
> fine luthiers discussed on rmmga, my prices will correspondingly
increase. For
> now, I'm content to learn and make a couple bucks. Many thanks to Jeff
and the
> others who are taking a chance on me.
>
> Jim Chelsvig
AND meanwhile some folks are getting REALLY GREAT SOUNDING, very well
structured guitars at what I consider to be ridiculously low prices.
Keep up the good work, Jim, and don't be disappointed in Jeff's review. I
think he wanted to present an honest picture, and while I think he could
have said considerably more about the sound of this guitar, he IS keeping
it, you know!!!!!! To me, that says it ALL.
Larry Pattis
Lpattis "at" xmission "dot" com
Liberal Palette Records
http://liberalpalette.com
"Music Without Borders"
LeachGuitars
JChelsvig wrote in message <19990121155210...@ng05.aol.com>...
Yes, I have a long way to go on my cosmetic details. Keep in
>mind that Jeff got #7.
My #7 had plenty of things that needed work too, 150 guitars later and I
still need to be ever vigilant. If you can find a "positive attitude" from
the negative comments you'll be there (wherever "there" is...) sooner than
you think. I once had a guitar that was complete, I was marking for the nut
space when the pencil behind my ear (...see, I used to be a cabinetmaker...)
stuck in the top of the guitar...Often this is the difference between
success and failure (I no longer keep a pencil in my ear!) Mistakes happen
and shouldn't be considered a problem...until you do them the second time!
And if a Chelsvig were a biting insect, it would
>strike in a much more painful location than behind an ear!
Don't worry about the name thing, anyone who saw "Stand by Me" knows where
us "Leaches" get you if you're not careful!
Assuming that someday my craftsmanship is on a par with the many
>fine luthiers discussed on rmmga,
The bar is indeed set very high for acoustic guitars, I have a set of
kitchen cabinets in my house that are very nice, every time I get a glass I
see a screw that is attaching them to the wall that is striped, if this were
a guitar it would be a reject. The hardest thing to obtain as a luthier is
"vision"... being able to see your mistakes through the eyes of the buyer.
Best soultion is a wife who says nice things about your work like "...is
that little spot supposed to be there?" As a craftsman you sometimes can
convince yourself you've done your best, but secretly know better.
Keep up the good work.
Harv (you know where..) Leach
gh...@hot1.net
>I have to admit that "Chelsvig" is not the most inspiring-sounding brand name
>I've ever heard - it doesn't ring like "Martin," "Gibson" or even
>"Rickenbacker."
>
>It sounds, instead, like a small, biting insect. "Omigod, you been rompin'
>through the tall timber agin! Look at the size of that chelsvig I just pulled
>out from behind yer ear!!"
Oh, I don't know.
Langejans - what you wear from September to April if you live in AK
Breedlove - I can't shake the association of this name with the land
speed record guy. Their guitars should have fins and a jet engine.
Lowden - what I wish my guitars would do when near a banjo.
I'm sure there are others.
>Wade Hampton "Chelsvig-Envy" Miller
Gary "gettin' mine in May - neener neener" Hine
>
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
John Boston
>
>Wade, in a jealous but frisky mood spat out :
>
>>I have to admit that "Chelsvig" is not the most inspiring-sounding brand name
>>I've ever heard - it doesn't ring like "Martin," "Gibson" or even
>>"Rickenbacker."
>>
>>It sounds, instead, like a small, biting insect. "Omigod, you been rompin'
>>through the tall timber agin! Look at the size of that chelsvig I just
pulled
>>out from behind yer ear!!"
>
>Oh, I don't know.
>
>Langejans - what you wear from September to April if you live in AK
>
>Breedlove - I can't shake the association of this name with the land
>speed record guy. Their guitars should have fins and a jet engine.
>
>Lowden - what I wish my guitars would do when near a banjo.
>
>I'm sure there are others.
>
This does suggest a motif when Mr. Chelsvig develops his line
a little bit: the Chelsvig Gnat (0000), the Chelsvig Mosquito (OM), and
maybe the Chelsvig Vampire Bat (dreadnaught). It also suggests an
interesting line of inlay designs when he starts upgrading the cosmetic
aspects of his product.
John Boston
George4908
>>speed record guy. Their guitars should have fins and a jet engine.
They do.
Paul Wieland
>I don't regret my purchase at all. A delightful instrument at an unreal
price.
>
>jeff
>
Hey Jeff,
It's my busy time at work and I haven't been keeping up with things
around here as much as I like too, but I'm glad to see you got your
guitar.
As you know, Jim brought your guitar over and I played it for a good long
while a day or so before he shipped it off to you. I agree with you.
It's an incredible sounding, thunderous instrument and its playability is
outstanding. You say it's best for flatpicking, and I agree it certainly
works well for strumming. Personally, I like Jim's instruments even more
for fingerstyle and single line playing too. I believe it will grow on
you for these styles and your Collings may even start to sound a little
thin after awhile when you start switching back and forth.
Anyway, as much as you love the sound (understandably so), I'm a little
surprised at how strongly critical you are of the guitar's appearance.
Like I mentioned in an e-mail, I looked the guitar over pretty closely.
I simply don't feel it deserves the harsh criticism you leveled at it.
The way I see it, you took a very wise gamble by ordering one of Jim's
very first production guitars and, in return, got an incredible
sounding/playing instrument at what I'm sure was an incredible price.
You now have a wonderful, unique, handmade instrument with its own
character which was also an outstanding value...and #7 to boot!
I still strongly believe if you want unbelievable sound and the
opportunity to custom order your guitar on a production line guitar
budget, you're simply not going to find a better value than working with
Jim.
And Jeff, wait until your guitar starts to open up a little. It's only
going to get better and better.
Paul
ronch...@gmail.com
I kinda like it, actually.
-Ron Chelsvig