Quote:
Originally Posted by Carbonius
Hello Gregg. I want to chime in as I am also looking at jumping into the harp realm. First, big thanks for all you do in the harp guitar realm. I have been researching the realm a great lengths and your name comes up often.
I am very glad you posted this as I had nearly written of Timberline. I saw Jamie Dupuis is an endorsee and plays one, but could really find nothing else. I have generally not had good experiences with guitars made in Indonesia. However I am a firm believer in that it all comes down to how a factory or shop is run. If run well, there's no reason why any country couldn't put out a great guitar.
Can you provide any further information about the Timberline Harp Guitar or point me in the right direction? There's almost nothing on their website as of now. My main inquiry is;
-string spacing at nut and saddle?
-lower bout width?
-depth at the endpin?
I love the cutaway, that's a must for me. Thanks, I am very interested!!
|
My pleasure, Dylan. Glad my reputation continues to proceed me (you wouldn’t think so, if people actually scrolled through some of our after-hours Gathering photos).
I suspect Rob Smith (Timberline owner) will have specs up before long, but the ingredients you list are the same as the T20Ac 6-string.
My involvement in this is for the exact same reason I do everything. Because someone
should, and, as “Sir Gregory,” I often have the means, so jump in (I’m not compulsive, only obsessive). Also, I needed
something to offer on my web site mentioned above. I gave Rob the same challenge I’ve given everyone. Give me a good thousand-dollar harp guitar and we can blow this thing wide open. Much to my surprise, he did! I’m thrilled, as I was getting tired of all the “Doolin-rip-off” HGs selling like hotcakes on Amazon (and even getting good reviews from some owners…but then again, look at their aftermarket turnaround).
I wasn’t worried about Indonesian instruments – I just needed to know they weren’t going to use green wood that caused so many problems out of China. They actually have stiff penalties for any wood product coming back, so they go overboard in protecting their investment. Quality should be first rate at this price point. Rob busts their chops and I bust his!
Check my Testimonials page or ask anyone on this Forum about my singular combination of passion and bluntness. If a client’s Dyer sucks, I won’t say as much, but anyone reading between the lines of my listing will know what they’re getting with no surprises. Same here. This will kick Amazon, but will never be sold there, as it would have to be marked up to 2-3 grand. Rob calls this a “loss leader” and that apparently includes me!
The upshot: I sold Rob strings for a prototype HG for Jamie, then checked it out at NAMM last January. It sounded OK, was no beauty contest winner, but was an impressive first attempt from a small factory that had never touched one. Knowing that Rob was serious about the project and confident that I could improve it, I had an hour+ meeting with the head luthier and owner of the Indonesian firm. We hit it off, they (and Rob) agreed to let me re-design it from the ground up, and I did 50% of it right there. The final design and tweaks took a while, but I got 95% of exactly what I intended – pretty amazing, frankly.