NGD - Claxton OM, Chapter and Verse

[Cocobolo Kid]

Originally Posted by colins

I'm surprised you didn't mention sustain!

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!

[steveh]

Originally Posted by Deft Tungsman

Steveh, who unlike me has sampled quite a few Claxtons over the years, may chime in to reiterate what he's said before, to wit, that Ed is so consistent that you'd have a hard time telling which woods he's used on any given instrument.

Yup; that's how I've heard it.

I don't think I've ever played two Claxtons that had the SAME back and sides, but all have sounded uncannily similar. IIRC I compared Deft's walnut guitar to one in Macassar Ebony and both sounded far more similar than they did different. TBH, I'd expect that - they were built by the same Master. Nothing I've ever played from Ed has been anything less than A+. I don't think I can say the same about any other individual luthier. There are some extremely well-known luthiers (who command even higher prices) who have said exactly the same to me.

Extraordinarily refined, balanced, and with impressive but not overwhelming overtones. The first time I ever played a Claxton, it reminded me of a Traugott. These days, all of the Traugotts I play remind me of Claxtons!

I have a cuban mahogany OM that sounds much more like a "typical" rosewood guitar from a high-end luthier. Don't know how he does it.
Perhaps the single best steel-string I've ever played was a Claxton Malabar.

Cheers,
Steve

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by steveh

Yup; that's how I've heard it.

I don't think I've ever played two Claxtons that had the SAME back and sides, but all have sounded uncannily similar.

Ed's certainly consistent! There are some different sounds, tho. My Maple Malabar is a totally different sound than my rosewood Malabar. So I'd say that within certain limits, he gets the same sound. The Maple model is so different, it seems like a completely different design.

[Deft Tungsman]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

Ed's certainly consistent! There are some different sounds, tho. My Maple Malabar is a totally different sound than my rosewood Malabar. So I'd say that within certain limits, he gets the same sound. The Maple model is so different, it seems like a completely different design.

Ah, Doug, I’d love nothing more than to spend an afternoon listening to you play all your Claxtons in no particular order while I sit there, not thinking about anything, just feeling all sorts of things. In the evening, we could take Ed out to dinner and beg him to tell us stories about old wooden sailing vessels. One can always dream...

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by Deft Tungsman

Ah, Doug, I’d love nothing more than to spend an afternoon listening to you play all your Claxtons in no particular order while I sit there, not thinking about anything, just feeling all sorts of things. In the evening, we could take Ed out to dinner and beg him to tell us stories about old wooden sailing vessels. One can always dream...

Sounds like fun! Come on over (once we're allowed to be within 6 feet), and we'll take Ed captive for an evening!

[Deft Tungsman]

Oh, I’d love nothing more! Just send me an airline ticket and I’ll fly right out, haha!

[Ukulele_Eddie]

Must be music to any luthier's ears to read that their instrument helped unlock somebody's writer's block.

May the muse continue to flow creatively for you!

[justonwo]

Killer playing and songwriting. Very impressive! That Claxton sounds fantastic for that song. Resonant and sustain-y.

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by justonwo

Killer playing and songwriting. Very impressive! That Claxton sounds fantastic for that song. Resonant and sustain-y.

I second Justin! Glad your writers block is over. Both you and the Claxton sound FINE!

Have fun

Paul

[Deft Tungsman]

Originally Posted by Ukulele_Eddie

Must be music to any luthier's ears to read that their instrument helped unlock somebody's writer's block.

Indeed! I wrote to Ed immediately to tell him about how transformative my new guitar was. He said that there can be no higher compliment for what he calls his “labor of love” and what I think of as his gift to the world!

[Deft Tungsman]

Originally Posted by justonwo

Killer playing and songwriting. Very impressive! That Claxton sounds fantastic for that song. Resonant and sustain-y.

Thanks, buddy! I’m glad you like the tune. And while this song also sounds good on my other guitars, it blooms into something truly special on the Claxton. I’m surprised you’ve never hunted one down, actually. Maybe now that will change, haha! (Of course, you’ll soon have to move into a larger house with all the amazing guitars you’ve now got lying all over the place...)

[Deft Tungsman]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

I second Justin! Glad your writers block is over. Both you and the Claxton sound FINE!



Have fun



Paul

Thanks, Paul! This guitar has given me a real education in what it means to bond with an instrument. Lucky me!

[mountainguitar]

Thank for the video!! This guitar sounds amazing! And you play and sing well too.

Thanks for sharing!!!

beth

[Deft Tungsman]

Originally Posted by bmh1

Thank for the video!! This guitar sounds amazing! And you play and sing well too.



Thanks for sharing!!!



beth

Thanks, Beth! It was a long time coming, but I always felt I owed it to you to get around to sharing this song [emoji4].

[cbjanne]

Your Claxton sounds exceptionally beautiful and expressive. Also, I find your songwriting and playing soothing and ethereally touching. You're able to convey a great deal of emotion with your music. Just wonderful!