Interesting Guitars on eBay
Lutester
might have missed.
First, a pair of Monch guitars that still has not gotten a nibble for
only $15,000. Their claim to fame seems to be that they were owned by
Gen. Omar Bradley's young widow and were hardly ever played at all.
This is a no reserve auction so the first $15,000 might take them
both.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=909270068
Second, the Abel Carlevaro Contreras special no sound hole and no bend
on top model guitar is back for a second trip. At a "buy it now
price" of $5500 this might be the steal of the year. What was that
guy thinking?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=909903649
Another real oddity is the Dieter Hopf classical that is presently at
$651 (reserve not yet met) with a strange arrangement for the bridge
and string routing. Maybe the luthiers here could comment on this
construction?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=909551012
I enjoy browsing through eBay's offerings. Where else could you come
across a Ramirez 1a 10 string for less than $3k? Or even see that
cool Carlevaro Contreras (I've only heard about it before).
Of course, you sometimes have to control yourself or you might bid on
something you don't really need. Like a pair of vintage NOS Taktell
wind up (no batteries at all) metronomes for $9.95. Or a mysterious
peg head flamenco guitar with the label torn out and really fine
dolphins carved into the headstock..............anybody know who might
have made this jewel? I can send pictures.
Happy window shopping!!
Robert
Richard Jernigan
<big snip>
> I enjoy browsing through eBay's offerings. Where else could you come
> across a Ramirez 1a 10 string for less than $3k? Or even see that
> cool Carlevaro Contreras (I've only heard about it before).
I played a Carlevaro Contreras at Guitar Solo in San Francisco long
enough ago that Dean Makei still hung around the store--sometime in
the '80s. Seeing my quizzical expression, Dean said it had a
'lute-like' tone. I've heard lutes that were as loud.
RNJ
sa
Sounds like you are very knowledgeable about the classical guitar genre, so
I was hoping I could bounce this off you:
I am looking into buying an ebay classical, which is made by a German
luthier living in Granada named Henner Hagenlocher (great luthier name
huh?). I found a few blurbs that his guitars WERE carried by Guitar salon
and Zavelata but he seems to have disappeared. I found he has a website,
which only mentions those two sellers as agents, so it doesn't look like
he's doing very much now. I'm hoping someone might know or have heard a
few things about his guitars? His method is a Small inspired lattice brace
and that's what has me worried. I am intrigued and tempted by the clarity
and separation between notes that style is known for, but do not wish for
the strong, pinched, nasal tone that lattice braced guitars are also known
for. Of course his guitar is supposed to be inspired by Smallmans design,
not a copy and from what little I could read about, he's done some dedicated
study and come up with his own ideas. I do like a certain amount of "woody"
tone however, as I don't like a of today's loud, "sucked out", colorless
(read soul-less for my taste) classicals. Anyway, if anyone has any input
or comments for me, I would be very, very grateful! I will have to buy that
guitar based on faith, as I won't have the luxury of playing it before I buy
it. Thank you all!
--
Max
"Lutester" <ses...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:o36kpu0dusu9jhep8...@4ax.com...
Lutester
>Anyway, if anyone has any input
>or comments for me, I would be very, very grateful! I will have to buy that
>guitar based on faith, as I won't have the luxury of playing it before I buy
>it. Thank you all!
Actually playing a guitar, or at least hearing it played before buying
is not a luxury, IMHO. Unless you can take the financial gamble, it's
practically a necessity.
You could wind up with exactly the kind of instrument you don't like.
Robert
Greg M. Silverman
>On Tue, 08 Oct 2002 06:09:48 GMT, "sa" <m...@you.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>>Anyway, if anyone has any input
>>or comments for me, I would be very, very grateful! I will have to buy that
>>guitar based on faith, as I won't have the luxury of playing it before I buy
>>it. Thank you all!
>>
>>
>
>Actually playing a guitar, or at least hearing it played before buying
>is not a luxury, IMHO. Unless you can take the financial gamble, it's
>practically a necessity.
>
Such is the risk though when you purchase an instrument from a well
renowned luthier without first playing the intrument. In this case,
reputation is all you have to go on in your decision. However, at least
in this case, you get a trial period in which you have the option of
returning the instrument if you really don't like it, and all you really
have lost is the time it took for receipt of the instrument.
>You could wind up with exactly the kind of instrument you don't like.
>
For used instruments though, there usually isn't a trial period when
buying from a private party and thus you could wind up with something
that you really don't like.
Greg--
Lutester
<gmsN...@no.umn.edu> wrote:
>Lutester wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 08 Oct 2002 06:09:48 GMT, "sa" <m...@you.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Anyway, if anyone has any input
>>>or comments for me, I would be very, very grateful! I will have to buy that
>>>guitar based on faith, as I won't have the luxury of playing it before I buy
>>>it. Thank you all!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>Actually playing a guitar, or at least hearing it played before buying
>>is not a luxury, IMHO. Unless you can take the financial gamble, it's
>>practically a necessity.
>>
>
>Such is the risk though when you purchase an instrument from a well
>renowned luthier without first playing the intrument.
That is something I have learned *not* to do. I would never, never
spend more than the usual deposit before playing the instrument. If
the maker refuses to go along with that (and I haven't had one do it)
then no deal. Find a luthier that will stand behind their
work...IMHO.
>In this case,
>reputation is all you have to go on in your decision.
I wish I had a nickel for every lousy Fleta, Ramirez, or Nico van de
Waals that I've played. I would be able to afford a good one.
>However, at least
>in this case, you get a trial period in which you have the option of
>returning the instrument if you really don't like it, and all you really
>have lost is the time it took for receipt of the instrument.
>
And the hassle of packing and shipping and getting a replacement. Not
to mention the disappointment of having the instrument you've been
anticipating for so long turn out to be a dog. Some folks will just
accept it and hope it gets better.
>>You could wind up with exactly the kind of instrument you don't like.
>>
>
>For used instruments though, there usually isn't a trial period when
>buying from a private party and thus you could wind up with something
>that you really don't like.
>
Here's one point I think you haven't figured in.......at least at some
point in the used instrument's life someone thought it was worth
buying and using. Of course, the older, the better for this idea.
Buying a "used" lute or guitar from a respected artist is a more
reliable deal than buying a new instrument from a respected
luthier...again, IMHO. First, they are not in the business of
selling instruments and usually just try to get back what they paid
for it. Second, you can be assured that it has been played in and
sounded good enough to work with.
Of course, the emptor should always be caveated.
Robert
sa
simply demanding that I buy on approval only, or I won't take the risk. I'm
picky, and don't like either the feel or the sound of the majority of
guitars that I try. And this one is made by a young looking no-name (though
being German is a plus for me!) who may not even be building anymore. It's
also of what seems to be a very controversial design, the lattice braced
method, which people seem to either love or hate. And lastly, since the
seller is selling it, and he is an active classical player, then it's
obviously not the proverbial "holy grail" anyway. So thanks again, nice to
get your input.
Sincerely,
--
Max J Kreifeldt
www.SilverAudio.com
in...@SilverAudio.com
"Lutester" <ses...@erols.com> wrote in message
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