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Mayes Guitars - anyone played or owned one? Opinions please.
I've not had the pleasure of playing a guitar built by John Mayes but have heard they are well built. John worked with Dana Bourgeois for a time and branched out on his own in 1996.
I'm interested in hearing about how they compare with other boutiques. Anyone with some first hand experience out there?
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Life is like a box of chocolates .... |
#2
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I met John at Dana's shop sometimes in the early 2000's. I played an Cuban Mahonany OM at Guitar Gallery 5 years ago that was spectacular.
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#3
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Well built is definitely an understatement. His and John Slobod's guitars are some of the best I've ever played.
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#4
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/1282962...7632501194884/
This is his Black & White build that I own... It's one of the finer instruments I've ever played... There was a very cool build thread here on the AGF as well... Very special tone and amazing craftsmanship...
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onedayatatime |
#5
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Life is like a box of chocolates .... |
#6
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I still build "normal" or more vintage style guitars. In fact I get as many, or more, orders for those styles as the more modern stuff. My Onyx guitars have started to take off pretty well as the value, and vibe are hard to beat. Now there is no question my guitars over the past 4 years are VASTLY better than what I made before. That is not to say the guitars before were not good, or had issues, just I have grown significantly as a builder. The ones with the modern features like the scooped bridges, ect are not all I build. Just one style that I have been working on for a long time before releasing. Tone, and construction have improved drastically over the years as one would expect with any person honing their craft. In all honesty I started selling my guitars much quicker than I should have. I was in a rush to get somewhere I should have taken my time with. I think many new builders do this. So in a general reference my guitars today are much "better" than they were just 5-7 years ago. That is not to say someone might like the tone of an old one better as that component can be very subjective. But in terms of playability, craftsmanship, artistry, ect they are leaps and bounds better, and I strive to continue to improve each one. Thanks for the nice words fellas. I'll butt out of the conversation now! |
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Life is like a box of chocolates .... |
#8
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When I got to play John's guitars at Healdsburg in 2011 I was very impressed with all aspects of the build quality, playability and sound. He is on my list of builders who at some point I love to acquire a model from.
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https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-T...56266954411686 http://www.reverbnation.com/jayhowlett http://www.jayhowlett.com Guitars: I'm really happy to have a few nice ones. |
#9
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Nicely stated, John!!! Thanks for weighing in on the thread!
Fred
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1993 Bourgeois JOM 1967 Martin D12-20 2007 Vines Artisan 2014 Doerr Legacy 2013 Bamburg FSC- 2002 Flammang 000 12 fret 2000 McCollum Grand Auditorium ______________________________ Soundcloud Spotify |
#10
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I made a "Pyramid Belly" bridge for it that was copied from a bridge Dana Bourgeois makes. I'm sure I didn't do his work justice on it, but I tried. The Madagascar is very nice. 4 piece back if I can recall that I cut up from large bass fingerboard blanks. The neck is very slim. Much slimmer and flatter than I would think is ideal and what I build today, but I suppose it has held up well. From the pictures I saw recently of it for sale I saw a multitude of little flaws that most builders would notice, but I suppose the main thing is if it plays and sounds nice. I honestly can't remember what it sounded like. I think that guitar sold new for around $2,000 when I built it almost a decade ago. I would think one of my new Onyx guitars (which would cost almost identical price as this one is being offered used) would be far and away better, but then again a totally different vibe. |
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Pics soon. |
#12
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Many thanks, John!
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1993 Bourgeois JOM 1967 Martin D12-20 2007 Vines Artisan 2014 Doerr Legacy 2013 Bamburg FSC- 2002 Flammang 000 12 fret 2000 McCollum Grand Auditorium ______________________________ Soundcloud Spotify |
#13
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The several John Mayes guitars I've had the pleasure of playing for sure compete with the best of the best. I had the chance to compare a Petros and a Mayes a while back and the Mayes held its own with no sweat. Petros guitars are $18,000-$22,000.
John also built guitars at McPherson for a couple years.
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Crazy guitar nut in search of the best sounding guitars built today and yesterday. High End Guitar Review Videos. www.youtube.com/user/rockinb23 |
#14
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I'm biased, because John is a good friend - but that friendship was born over the last few years as I got to know John and his builds. My first "wow" moment was hearing him play one of his L32 (1932 L0 Gibby type) across the room. I was looking for where he'd hidden the microphone - really. Top tone, in your face volume, clarity, and they played very well. Very light and responsive.
When John built my OO he used the Eureka bracing, and slightly changed the L32 body shape to a more "modern" shape that I love. There are guitars with a broader tonal range than my "little" OO (which is why John has a set of wood set aside for a Eureka OM when I'm ready) but it is a go to guitar which I play weekly in a ~40 person open seating setting. Very comfortable, very "trustworthy" tone, softly picked or aggressively strummed. Very strong encouragement to consider a Mayes! Best, Phil The OO in "action" a week ago Friday accompanying an aging "Paddy McFee" (me) at a pre-St. Paddy's day party:
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Paragon RW/Macassar Ebony Baritone Rainsong S OM1100-N2 Woolson LS RW/30s African mahogany LG 12 Baranik LS RW/"tree" mahogany OO Baranik Blue Spruce/"tree" mahogany OM Boswell RW/koa OO Baranik Retreux Parlour Adi/Pumaquiro Baranik Blue Spruce/Coco Meridian "Geo" Baranik Blue Spruce/Kingwood OO Woolson T13 RW/Walnut SIG Last edited by riorider; 03-25-2013 at 10:00 AM. |
#15
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Thanks for the perpsective Phil. I've been checking out John's L-32. Sounds interesting, maybe the short scale 13-fret version. One of his early builds is already on it's way to my place. A 2004 Jumbo Parlor (an oxy moron if I ever heard one). We'll see how it has weathered it's nearly 10 years of existence. I have high hopes.
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Life is like a box of chocolates .... |