Playing Eric Clapton's Monteleone

Howard Emerson · #1 03-25-2017, 03:03 PM

I had the pleasure of playing a pair of matching John Monteleone Eclipse guitars that he made for Eric Clapton last year.

I hope you enjoy it!

HE

Glennwillow · #2 03-25-2017, 03:48 PM

Pretty cool Howard! Sounded good! Are you in his work shop?

Have you heard Mark Knopfler's song about Monteleone?

- Glenn

Howard Emerson · #3 03-25-2017, 03:57 PM

Hi Glenn,
Yes that was shot in the shop.
H

Glennwillow · #4 03-26-2017, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

Hi Glenn,
Yes that was shot in the shop.
H

Here is a photo that Howard sent me with him holding Mark Knopfler's guitar in John Monteleone's shop. Pretty awesome picture! What a beautiful guitar! Nice hat, too!

- Glenn

TBman · #5 03-26-2017, 10:03 AM

Great stuff Howard.

Howard Emerson · #6 03-26-2017, 10:09 AM

Hi Glenn,
Thanks for posting that!

It's really a gorgeous looking thing, isn't it? I know that Mark showed it to Eric at some point, so how could he ignore a recommendation like that, right?

What I liked best about Eric's, though, was that it immediately felt 'right' in my left hand. John's 'standard' neck profile is fairly low with a 1 & 3/4" nut.

When I picked up Eric's I knew instantly that he had asked for a deep V, with a 1 & 13/16" nut.

Ahhhh.......comfortable.

Ergonomics. Everybody's different.

HE

marty bradbury · #7 03-26-2017, 11:15 AM

Sounded great Howard

WildwoodGuitars · #8 03-27-2017, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

Hi Glenn,
Thanks for posting that!

It's really a gorgeous looking thing, isn't it? I know that Mark showed it to Eric at some point, so how could he ignore a recommendation like that, right?

What I liked best about Eric's, though, was that it immediately felt 'right' in my left hand. John's 'standard' neck profile is fairly low with a 1 & 3/4" nut.

When I picked up Eric's I knew instantly that he had asked for a deep V, with a 1 & 13/16" nut.

Ahhhh.......comfortable.

Ergonomics. Everybody's different.

HE

Beautiful playing, Howard! Are you on the books for a Monteleone yet? SURELY you qualify for the family discount! ;-)

Howard Emerson · #9 03-28-2017, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildwoodGuitars

Beautiful playing, Howard! Are you on the books for a Monteleone yet? SURELY you qualify for the family discount! ;-)

I actually owned one of John's very, very early instruments, an OM-42 style with a slot head. It was his 5th guitar, and he was still learning, but so was I.

I sold it to a close friend eventually.

I occasionally threaten to have another made, especially since I've long since understood exactly what I like, and don't like. I had #5 made with African Blackwood because I hadn't figured out that I preferred mahogany or maple, but that happened fairly soon thereafter.

I know that I, along with a player named Billy McEwan, had a large part in affecting the way John voices his archtop guitars. We both owned 16" Gibson L-5's, and we both played fingerstyle & bottleneck on them. It was that realization that lead John to build his instruments with a totally different voicing that had a much broader tonal spectrum & more sustain.

Fretboard Journal #12 has a great interview with John which delves into this.

Of course John's friendship is far more valuable.

Regards,
Howard Emerson

HHP · #10 03-28-2017, 04:25 AM

Does he still make mandolins? I think I first heard his name in association with mandolins and David Grisman.

Howard Emerson · #11 03-28-2017, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHP

Does he still make mandolins? I think I first heard his name in association with mandolins and David Grisman.

Hi Harry,
I think so.

On his contact page he makes it pretty clear that if you can stand the wait, he'll build what you want.

I first met David Grisman at John's second shop location on Degnon Blvd, probably around 1978 or so. It all seems to melt together after a while, ya know?

HE

WildwoodGuitars · #12 04-04-2017, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

I actually owned one of John's very, very early instruments, an OM-42 style with a slot head. It was his 5th guitar, and he was still learning, but so was I.

I sold it to a close friend eventually.

I occasionally threaten to have another made, especially since I've long since understood exactly what I like, and don't like. I had #5 made with African Blackwood because I hadn't figured out that I preferred mahogany or maple, but that happened fairly soon thereafter.

I know that I, along with a player named Billy McEwan, had a large part in affecting the way John voices his archtop guitars. We both owned 16" Gibson L-5's, and we both played fingerstyle & bottleneck on them. It was that realization that lead John to build his instruments with a totally different voicing that had a much broader tonal spectrum & more sustain.

Fretboard Journal #12 has a great interview with John which delves into this.

Of course John's friendship is far more valuable.

Regards,
Howard Emerson

Very cool, Howard - I had no idea that John made some Martin-esque flattops at one point. His Hexaphone is just outrageously gorgeous. I'm gonna track down FJ #12 and check out that interview. Thanks for the tip!