PSA...Luthier John Greven moving to Washington State Shop will be down for a bit

[llew]

"Sometimes Just the Sky" recorded at Paste Studios NYC...what tuning she's using is anyone's guess? But a beautiful haunting song very well executed. This is the guitar...

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by llew

"Sometimes Just the Sky" recorded at Paste Studios NYC...what tuning she's using is anyone's guess? But a beautiful haunting song very well executed. This is the guitar...

I believe that is one of the Grevens. (She has two)

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Okay, thanks, guys. Somehow I missed that.


whm

There were several threads about Ms. Chapin Carpenter and her Grevens (She has two) last spring during the early days of the pandemic when she was doing her "Songs From Home" series playing in her kitchen.

[Wade Hampton]

I saw a couple of those song videos, but missed any stories about how she got the guitars.


whm

[llew]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

I saw a couple of those song videos, but missed any stories about how she got the guitars.


whm

Wade click the link to John's website and then on "the story"? at the bottom on the picture...
http://www.grevenguitars.com/jumbo.html

[AllThumbsBruce]

I had the chance to meet John at his workshop some 9 years ago (nearly to the day). He was incredibly generous with his time. I also got to play and evaluate his two holy grail guitars that were meant to come as close as possible to a prewar D-28. They were amazing guitars. We did an frequency analysis and compared them to a 1941 D-28. It was remarkable how close they were.

[min7b5]

I'm sorry to hear John is leaving us here in Portland. John and I have picked a few fiddle tunes together in his living room, and he's just a wonderful guy in every way. I'm glad their plan is coming together perfectly, and that'll he continue to do what he loves to do in his new home.

[Jimmy Caldwell]

I know this has been in the works for a couple of years and I’m glad to hear it’s coming to fruition. John has always been generous with his time and knowledge. I consider him a friend and wish him and Celia the best of luck in their new adventure.

[6stringpickin]

I am also glad John and spouse are moving on with their plans and goals. I was lucky enough to have John build me a j-35 several years ago (turned out to also cure GAS).
Hopefully no more descending and climbing those basement steps to and from the shop anymore.

[DanLaFortune]

Does anyone know the latest regarding John Greven?. Last posting I saw he moved to Tacoma, WA, however, his website is either down or I may have the wrong link (posted earlier in this post).

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by DanLaFortune

Does anyone know the latest regarding John Greven?. Last posting I saw he moved to Tacoma, WA, however, his website is either down or I may have the wrong link (posted earlier in this post).

Hi Dan

John and his wife are living up in Lacey Washington in a wonderful retirement community called Panorama...a truly lovely and huge multi-living abode community. Check it out on Google.

He is building, at a much slower, what he calls "semi-retired" state and pace, way down from his 40 to 50 guitars a year clip for most of his career, but building he is, and has orders a plenty from the Orient, thanks to Kotaro Oshio. If anyone is still interested in having him make you a guitar, then the best ways to get a hold of him are via telephone at 503-233-8525, generally best to call between 2pm and 4pm Pacific time...or...email him at his email address: [email protected]. If you have any trouble connecting with him then just contact me here at AGF, and I will help get you hooked up no problem. You can even just call me at 503 349-8017, and we can chat about what you are looking for and I will help get you two guys together.

His website is sort of dormant now, as he really does not need it to drum up any work. So just call or email him..or me...if you are interested. I kind of suspect that he will build for 2 or 3 more years and then call it a day. As of this month, he has made 2,512 guitars, plus a handful of banjo's, and 3 harpsichords...way back in the early days. A pretty remarkable output for one guy...and...you rarely see them come up for sale on the used market. There is a reason for that...{;-)


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

I don’t know the story about how Ms. Carpenter got her Greven guitar, so if any of you can provide a link to it, I would be grateful.

Thanks in advance.


Wade Hampton Miller

Originally Posted by Stevien

The story is in the link 2 posts above. See "The Story" @ the bottom of the page.
Steve

The link isn’t working for me, I just get a message “Looks like this domain isn’t connected to a website yet”. Can anyone help?

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

The link isn’t working for me, I just get a message “Looks like this domain isn’t connected to a website yet”. Can anyone help?

The story about her Greven #1 guitar, the J-185 jumbo that has been her primary guitar for more than 30 years now used to be on MCC's website, but I don't know if it still is. There are also some written reports of the story, or used to be, online, taken from various stories about MCC over the years. Again, John's website is down and dormant, and I suspect that he is not likely to bring it back up online again, as he is slowing down and preparing to retire in a few years from now.


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[JayBee1404]

Apologies Duff, I hadn’t realised that this is a zombie thread!

[DanLaFortune]

Duff - I was referred to John Greven as a good source for pickguards, The few that I have seen online look rather unique. Do you know if he is still doing pickguards?

BTW - I have an old family friend who lives in Panorama, beautiful location.