wthurman
03-20-2005, 08:29 PM
Well, it was a small but wonderful gathering yesterday, with our gracious hosts Jim and Alicia...
We were Mike (mdunn), Sandy (Chicago Sandy), Jim (Jim W) our host, his wife Alicia, and yours truly. We also had a visit from some neighbors who were truly amazing players. Between so much food and music, and an amazing collection of guitars, it was something that those who didn't come definitely missed.
Highlights for me were playing Mike's guitars - he has a beautiful collection including one of Ian Anderson's cocobolo TaylorStock 810's, a 2003 Fall LTD Braz 814CE, an 855 that simply blew me away, an Alvarez Dread that had to be played and heard to be believed, and some selections from Ganz Music - a 615CE, 414CE, and 510 L7 Short Scale. All of them sounded wonderful, and it was good for me to reconnect with why I've loved Taylors.
Sandy brought her 2002 814CE coco and her dulcimer, and I brought along my Hamblins and my XXX-MC. Alicia had her Brazilian 914CE lefty, along with one amazing collection (you ought to SEE this closet!) The archtop she showed us has to have some of the most amazing quilt I've ever seen. We got to do more socializing than playing, but we did finally get around to playing a few tunes, thanks to Sandy just stepping in and starting.
It always amazes me what a great group of people we have on this Forum, and Jim and Alicia were such incredible hosts - they could have fed an army... and that's what ought to come next time. I knew I was in trouble when Jim said, "Other than the lasagna, do you want grilled porterhouse, a filet, t-bone, ribeye, salmon, or something else???"
They've definitely set the bar high for anyone who wants to do this kind of thing!
Soooo - on with the pictures!
Mike and Sandy talk while Sandy anxiously awaits the Great Espresso Adventure (long story):
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-05.jpg
Mike shows off the dulcet tones of his 855:
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-01.jpg
Sandy, the Dulcimer Diva, tunes her 814CE in preparation for a song:
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-02.jpg
Mike gives me the chance to hear my XXX-MC from where it really matters:
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-08.jpg
Alicia lets me snap a pic of the back of her amazing archtop(!!!):
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-03.jpg
The collection in all its glory (and quite glorious indeed):
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-06.jpg
The collection of players here gathered:
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-07.jpg
And finally, Jim looks with satisfaction at the what he's created in his house... thanks, Jim!!!:
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-09.jpg
Thanks Jim, Mike, Sandy and Alicia, for making this wandering Forumite feel so very welcome!!!!
Take care, and thanks again!
Wade
We were Mike (mdunn), Sandy (Chicago Sandy), Jim (Jim W) our host, his wife Alicia, and yours truly. We also had a visit from some neighbors who were truly amazing players. Between so much food and music, and an amazing collection of guitars, it was something that those who didn't come definitely missed.
Highlights for me were playing Mike's guitars - he has a beautiful collection including one of Ian Anderson's cocobolo TaylorStock 810's, a 2003 Fall LTD Braz 814CE, an 855 that simply blew me away, an Alvarez Dread that had to be played and heard to be believed, and some selections from Ganz Music - a 615CE, 414CE, and 510 L7 Short Scale. All of them sounded wonderful, and it was good for me to reconnect with why I've loved Taylors.
Sandy brought her 2002 814CE coco and her dulcimer, and I brought along my Hamblins and my XXX-MC. Alicia had her Brazilian 914CE lefty, along with one amazing collection (you ought to SEE this closet!) The archtop she showed us has to have some of the most amazing quilt I've ever seen. We got to do more socializing than playing, but we did finally get around to playing a few tunes, thanks to Sandy just stepping in and starting.
It always amazes me what a great group of people we have on this Forum, and Jim and Alicia were such incredible hosts - they could have fed an army... and that's what ought to come next time. I knew I was in trouble when Jim said, "Other than the lasagna, do you want grilled porterhouse, a filet, t-bone, ribeye, salmon, or something else???"
They've definitely set the bar high for anyone who wants to do this kind of thing!
Soooo - on with the pictures!
Mike and Sandy talk while Sandy anxiously awaits the Great Espresso Adventure (long story):
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-05.jpg
Mike shows off the dulcet tones of his 855:
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-01.jpg
Sandy, the Dulcimer Diva, tunes her 814CE in preparation for a song:
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-02.jpg
Mike gives me the chance to hear my XXX-MC from where it really matters:
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-08.jpg
Alicia lets me snap a pic of the back of her amazing archtop(!!!):
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-03.jpg
The collection in all its glory (and quite glorious indeed):
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-06.jpg
The collection of players here gathered:
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-07.jpg
And finally, Jim looks with satisfaction at the what he's created in his house... thanks, Jim!!!:
http://www.clefwerks.com/chicago/chicago-09.jpg
Thanks Jim, Mike, Sandy and Alicia, for making this wandering Forumite feel so very welcome!!!!
Take care, and thanks again!
Wade