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Gage Halland African Blackwood Greenfield Apprentice Kevin Ryan and Wingert content
I've been eyeing Gage Halland's work for quite some time. Many might know that he apprenticed with Michael Greenfield for 2 years. At the Greenfield shop, Gage help build 62 guitars for Greenfield! When building at the Greenfield shop, the shop motto was "Perfection is acceptable!" Gage says he still hears that in his nightmares!
My favorite wood combination used to be Brazilian/Cedar. When I played my first Somogyi, it opened my eyes to Brazilian/German. However, there is a special place in my heart for African Blackwood/Euro Spruce. Since the Cathedral, ABW/Euro has been in my top three wood combinations. I've been in touch with Gage and he has a guitar fresh off the bench that piqued my curiousity. He just finished a DC-H which is his dread and also his biggest model. This guitar is African Blackwood paired with a European Spruce top. In 2004 when I was speaking with Kevin Ryan to commission my Ryan Cathedral, I commissioned a Braz/Cedar Nightingale. When the guitar arrived, I received an African Blackwood/Bosnian Spruce Cathedral! During my wait for the guitar, I was able to play a few dozen Ryans and when I got my hands on an African blackwood Cathedral, I called up Kevin and changed my order! We changed it to African Blackwood and went European Spruce for the top! I absolutely loved it then and it continues to amaze me each time I play it, even over 13 years later! Earlier this year, I acquired an African Blackwood/Euro Spruce Kathy Wingert F. This guitar is truly amazing in every way. It is fully loaded with cutaway, bevel, soundport, and a beautiful blackpearl rosette by Jimmi Wingert. And here are the pictures of the Halland coming my way soon! I can't wait to play this guitar and compare it with two other world class African Blackwood guitars. How often can you have a Greenfield apprentice guitar side by side with a Ryan and a Wingert that are not only similar sizes, but the same woods! I hope to have more pictures, sound clips, and videos soon to compare the three!
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Eric Omega Braz MJ, 2011 Omega MJ Braz Baritone Ryan Cathedral ABW/Bosnian Build thread: 2011 Kostal Mod D Brazilian/German Build thread: 2019 Kostal MDW Brazilian/German Build thread:2019 Bigfoot Mod D Last edited by ericcsong; 12-10-2019 at 08:04 PM. |
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Congrats Eric. I hope that is everything you hope for (and the some)... I also have an African Blackwood guitar (ABW/Italian Spruce OM by luthier Howard Klepper). ABW definitely does its own sonorous thing distinct from BRW in my view.
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… Last edited by iim7V7IM7; 12-11-2019 at 04:03 PM. |
#3
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Oh wow, that is one stunning dread! Congrats Eric, can't wait to hear your impressions of it.
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Keystone Mod D - German/ABW Doerr Mod D - Swiss/BRW Benavides D - Torrefied Adi/Madi RW Lindsay Marcus D - Sitka/Madi RW Gone But Not Forgotten Tom Sands Model S (Crystal) - Italian/Fiddleback Hog |
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Hope to pick a few on this one! Agree that euro/ABW is a wonderful combo...I have a super soft spot for BRZ with German/Italian just as much though.
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Dustin Furlow -Award-winning songwriter/guitarist, Visual storyteller -D’Addario, G7th and K&K Sound Artist -Music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube: www.youtube.com/dustinfurlow -New album "Serene" (Oct '23) and tablature available at www.dustinfurlow.com |
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There is something very special about ABW, and I’ve come to that conclusion with just one guitar in that wood. Congratulations on having three and all by superb builders!
Love the subtle use of the sapwood on the back of your new one. Looking forward to more images, particularly of Jimmi’s inlay work. And if you ever get tired of that Wingert F……! Col |
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As another agf member who is on Gage Halland's build list, I have been waiting for that dc-h to get the fancy video clip treatment. How nice it is that you are its new owner! I believe it is a dreamguitars commission so I look forward to Paul's mandatory clip. And of course you need to post some comparison clips between the halland and the new wingert and your cathedral!
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In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference... |
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Looks great Eric, and I know you NEED another guitar (like hole in the head)!
I'd not come across Gage Halland before. Just been to his website but no indication of his base price at all, nor any price on his available builds. That's unusual these days. Does he keep his base price a secret or are you at liberty to divulge it here? In any event, I know it will be a great guitar given his credentials. Cheers, Steve |
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I happen to own Halland #007 and it is the finest guitar I’ve ever played. Wild.
Gage’s base price is $10,500. |
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I have a love for ABW as well and am lucky to own a Charis (Bill Wise) ABW/Carpathian and a Simon Fay ABW/Sinker Redwood, and they are both fantastic sounding and beautiful guitars.
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Jeff Mark Hatcher Pina Parlor Torrified Maple/Cedar Stephen Kinnaird 00 B&W Ebony/Engelmann Spruce Simon Fay African Blackwood/Sinker Redwood Wolfgang Jellinghaus Torres Modelo 43S Maple/Spruce K Yairi CYTM Maple/Cedar |
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Only amazing instruments from you, Eric. ABW is an incredible tonewood, in every way.
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Benjamin Paldacci Guitars: "I strive to build my instruments with the finest Tone, Ergonomics & Aesthetics" https://www.benjaminpaldacciguitars.com/ |
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Interesting and timely post. Not sure if it’s just me, or is ABW/Euro becoming very popular lately? I’m a woodwinds player and have been using “grenadilla” clarinets forever. I’ve been interested in Keystone guitars in that combo. I would love to hear your impressions on the new guitar and anyone else’s take on the ABW/euro combo
Mike
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2014 Applegate SJ Adi/Coco 2017 Bourgeois Fully Torrefied Aged Tone D |
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Eric Omega Braz MJ, 2011 Omega MJ Braz Baritone Ryan Cathedral ABW/Bosnian Build thread: 2011 Kostal Mod D Brazilian/German Build thread: 2019 Kostal MDW Brazilian/German Build thread:2019 Bigfoot Mod D |
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Eric, i see now - Gage and Paul are giving you the first preview to the new dc-h model? What a great opportunity! By all means you must get Dustin to play his tunes on the Halland and record it as well. I am looking forward to watching your clips soon.
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In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference... |
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Strong work there Eric! Congratulations!
I love what I've seen so far from Gage.
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www.michaelwattsguitar.com Album Recording Diary Skype Lessons Luthier Stories YouTube iTunes Guitars by Jason Kostal, Strings by Elixir, Gefell Mics and a nail buffer. |
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Eric, I misunderstood your initial post (hence my congrats). I thought you had just bought Gage’s guitar. You were simply enthusiastically promoting an up and coming new luthier and recalling your love of a tonewood combination.
African Blackwood is indeed a wonderful tonewood! When paired with a Euro Spruce top, It’s high mass and low internal damping definitely favors long sustaining notes. However, I find it to be a wonderful, yet somewhat different animal than BRW:
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… |