Flammang Appreciation Thread

downtime · #1 03-01-2018, 10:42 AM

David Flammang is a very well respected and talented builder that seems to fly under the radar a bit.
Do you own or have you played a Flammang? Please post your thoughts and pics if you have them.

I own build #051
Grand Concert body style
Engelmann Spruce
East Indian Rosewood
Ebony fingerboard, bridge and faceplate

This guitar is just outstanding in every way and is truly a pleasure to play. It's the one that I can't wait to get home at night and take it out of the case.

downtime · #2 03-01-2018, 10:43 AM

Howard Emerson (among others) is vocal about the quality of David's guitars.
Here is Howard playing his Flammang L-40

cjsmithley · #3 03-01-2018, 10:55 AM

I had the privilege of playing an LG-35 and an EL, both in Sitka/Mahogany, at The Podium in Minneapolis before it closed. Not quite what I was looking for in a fingerstyle guitar, but magnificent sound for blues and flatpicking. And he pulls off the vintage aesthetic really well. Would love to try one of his Grand Concert models he designed for fingerstyle some time - I'm sure they're incredible.

Definitely an under-the-radar luthier who deserves more publicity!

downtime · #4 03-01-2018, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjsmithley

Would love to try one of his Grand Concert models he designed for fingerstyle some time - I'm sure they're incredible.

cjsmithley - agreed, my GC definitely excels at fingerstyle

downtime · #5 03-02-2018, 08:49 AM

Would love to try David's small body EL35 model inspired by the Gibson L-1 presumably.
Anyone have experience with this model?

sayheyjeff · #6 03-02-2018, 10:30 AM

Fell in love with the sound and beauty of David Flammang guitars since I saw/heard Howard Emerson play one at a house concert a few years ago. Finally got my hands on one at Hoink's a couple of weeks ago, and couldn't pass it up. What a joy this RS35 is to play. Certainly one of the nicest guitars I have had in my hands. Hoink's has another one for sale that is just as nice but I picked the 12 fretter that is among my favorite shapes to play. It is so nice my wife has suggested I don't sell a guitar to 'make room', but just keep me all for a while. New definition of an inspiring instrument. Given how much I love this new guitar and how much I have liked the sound of the others I have now heard played, I am very surprised to see a few Flammangs for sale here on the forum right now. The parlor and the Br Rosewood would be at the top of my list if I didn't already have as many as I can play. There are far better photos than I can take of my new guitar on the Dream Guitars website (same guitar), and a fine clip of Al Pettway playing it I could never ..... If there is an opportunity to play one of David Flammang's guitars to see what they are like, I highly recommend taking advantage of it.

Jeff - cult of Flammang?

jt1 · #7 03-02-2018, 11:14 AM

I own one of David's earliest guitars, a lovely 1990 (or thereabouts) koa/spruce parlor guitar.

Chedeng88 · #8 03-02-2018, 02:42 PM

Wow that's a pretty Flammang, OP!

I used to this German/BRW Flammang and it was quite special.

niko · #9 03-02-2018, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by downtime

Would love to try David's small body EL35 model inspired by the Gibson L-1 presumably.
Anyone have experience with this model?

About Ten years ago, I attended a workshop with Catfish Keith, I had an EL-35, we all tried it. As far as I remember It left me with a very good impression !
Here's a picture of Catfish and Penny siniging "Satisfied and Tickled too" after the dinner :

downtime · #10 03-03-2018, 08:44 PM

It's just not fair John Thomas, you have all those banner Gibson's and this great Flammang parlor?

I took the liberty of adding a picture of the back of that great Koa parlor

Quote:

Originally Posted by jt1

I own one of David's earliest guitars, a lovely 1990 (or thereabouts) koa/spruce parlor guitar.

jt1 · #11 03-04-2018, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by downtime

It's just not fair John Thomas, you have all those banner Gibson's and this great Flammang parlor?

I took the liberty of adding a picture of the back of that great Koa parlor

Not fair, indeed! Sorry about that.

But, if you're ever in southern New England, you're welcome to drop in and play them all.

Bix58 · #12 03-04-2018, 07:02 AM

I palyed Jeff's RS35 and it is an amazing guitar. I am now on the hunt for a Flammang J-style.

fitness1 · #13 03-04-2018, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by downtime

I own build #051
Grand Concert body style
.

Is that the one that was on Reverb recently? I nearly bought it myself.

jt1 · #14 03-04-2018, 04:55 PM

Oh, and my guitar and I are featured in the "Flammang Guitars ... and some folks who play them" CD.

godfreydaniel · #15 03-04-2018, 05:17 PM

I have an EL35. I bought it from Acousticmusic.org (2005 I think). Great guitar, Adi/hog with a burst. Nice bass for a fairly small guitar probably due to the depth of the body. Similar in size - but not shape - to a Martin 00. Mine is a 14-fret model. Short scale, 1 3/4” nut, 2 1/4” saddle spacing. I play mostly blues and rags, which sound great on the EL35.