Thoughts on Circa guitars - Page 2

Bevelsnob · #16 10-08-2012, 09:31 AM

I had the chance to have one of John's 7/8th size sloped dreads in my home for a few months. Size wise, it was comfortable (at least compared to a normal dread). I made a video of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HbD9...layer_embedded

Audio wise (and certainly playing wise) vastly inferior to the videos made of Steve Baughman! But at least it gives you another bit of information. If I were to get a dread from John, it would be the 7/8th dread. But having played both, I much prefer my OM.

Scott

JoeCharter · #17 10-08-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevelsnob

I had the chance to have one of John's 7/8th size sloped dreads in my home for a few months. Size wise, it was comfortable (at least compared to a normal dread). I made a video of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HbD9...layer_embedded

Audio wise (and certainly playing wise) vastly inferior to the videos made of Steve Baughman! But at least it gives you another bit of information. If I were to get a dread from John, it would be the 7/8th dread. But having played both, I much prefer my OM.

Scott

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the posting the link to your video. Nice playing!

How would you describe the differences with your OM? Is your preference mostly objective or sentimental?

Howard Klepper · #18 10-08-2012, 01:50 PM

John's guitars sound great and his workmanship is second to none. Any equivalent vintage specialist charges quite a bit more, so get them while you can.

If you want something different and a dreadnought, Joe, I suggest you think about a 12-fret Martin style dread (slope shoulder). I played one that John built a few years ago that had just massive bass without being muddy.

Bevelsnob · #19 10-08-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

Hi Scott,
How would you describe the differences with your OM? Is your preference mostly objective or sentimental?

The OM size is much more comfortable for me than the 7/8th's dread, and more aesthetically pleasing to my eyes. Tonally my OM is extremely satisfying. I don't know if it's the ADI top itself, how John voiced it, the mysterious hide glue, etc....but this guitar is very responsive and immediate.....even more so than the sloped dread I had the chance to borrow from John.

And it's very light in regards to weight. I've been using Elixer nanoweb pb lights on it, and they sound great. I marvel at it each time I play.

usb_chord · #20 10-09-2012, 01:07 AM

Yeah, John's guitars are serious business. I auditioned a couple of his 00s recently along with guitars by Kim Walker, Lynn Dudenbostel, B&H, Somogyi, Traugott, and quite a few others. My takeaway was this - If you have the means and interest, you need to get on the wait-list ...NOW.

JoeCharter · #21 10-09-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usb_chord

Yeah, John's guitars are serious business. I auditioned a couple of his 00s recently along with guitars by Kim Walker, Lynn Dudenbostel, B&H, Somogyi, Traugott, and quite a few others. My takeaway was this - If you have the means and interest, you need to get on the wait-list ...NOW.

I'm currently choosing the wood from John's stash. Getting close...

jeastman · #22 10-09-2012, 01:19 PM

What is the current wait?

MikeD · #23 10-09-2012, 01:23 PM

Last time I spoke with John in the spring he was about 2 years out.

revive · #24 10-09-2012, 10:07 PM

Has anybody compared Circa vs. Tippin?
I think these two are among the most reputable luthiers of traditional ("Martin") style.

MikeD · #25 10-10-2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revive

Has anybody compared Circa vs. Tippin?
I think these two are among the most reputable luthiers of traditional ("Martin") style.

I own guitars from both builders and have spent a lot of time in each one's shop. Bill's guitars are not at all built in the Martin tradition these days, as he now specializes in fingerstyle guitars. His tone still has a traditional edge to it, but there are a lot more in terms of overtones, bass response & timbre than one would associate with a vintage or traditional tone. I own a Bravado from Bill that I would say is closer to a Traugott in tone than it is a Martin. Great guitars for sure, just not what I would personally call a traditional Martin sound or feel.

John's guitars are built much more in the vintage tradition, from bracing to body shape to voicing to feel to sound. John does get his own signature tone out of his guitars, but the overall vibe, feel and character of the note is definitely more traditional... more fundamental than overtones, a bit on the dry side with snappy trebles & mids. I love what John is doing in his shop these days.

Trevor M · #26 10-10-2012, 08:13 AM

I just heard from John that my first from him is 4-5 weeks away. I am very excited after seeing his work at Healdsburg.

I have a few Tippins I can compare with.

revive · #27 10-10-2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeD

I own guitars from both builders and have spent a lot of time in each one's shop. Bill's guitars are not at all built in the Martin tradition these days, as he now specializes in fingerstyle guitars. His tone still has a traditional edge to it, but there are a lot more in terms of overtones, bass response & timbre than one would associate with a vintage or traditional tone. I own a Bravado from Bill that I would say is closer to a Traugott in tone than it is a Martin. Great guitars for sure, just not what I would personally call a traditional Martin sound or feel.

John's guitars are built much more in the vintage tradition, from bracing to body shape to voicing to feel to sound. John does get his own signature tone out of his guitars, but the overall vibe, feel and character of the note is definitely more traditional... more fundamental than overtones, a bit on the dry side with snappy trebles & mids. I love what John is doing in his shop these days.

THanks for the insight!

It's interesting that Tippin is still very popular among folks over at UMGF. Perhaps they are talking more about older Tippins.

Your description about the Circa tone actually reminds me of my own Mayes MJ-55 which is loosely based on Gibson. I can't imagine a better sounding traditional style guitar than my Mayes, but I sure 'd love to try a Circa one day!

anton · #28 10-10-2012, 04:56 PM

I've often thought if I had the funds for another hand made guitar John would be at the top of my list. I've had the chance to play Steve Baughman's slope shouldered dread a fair amount and its an awesome guitar. Big, round, warm tone, comfortable body size. I remember it being a bit stiff when he first got it but then a year later, wow. An ideal fingerstyle guitar.

drcmusic7 · #29 10-10-2012, 05:57 PM

It sounds like you're going to have some wonderful guitars on the way, Joe. Although I have never played a Circa guitar, several luthiers I've asked whose guitars they like say John is one of their favorites. And that's coming from some already established luthiers. He must be good.

Hope you get something you enjoy for years to come.

Kindly,
Danny

MikeD · #30 10-10-2012, 08:09 PM

[QUOTE=revive;3205536
It's interesting that Tippin is still very popular among folks over at UMGF. Perhaps they are talking more about older Tippins.
[/QUOTE]

They most likely are. Bill used to build a lot of OM's, 000's and dreads (both 12 & 14 fret), but about 6 or 7 years ago he decided to branch out and start doing his own thing in terms of body shapes & bracing. His crescendos & bravados are quite a departure from OM's and dreads.