TAMCO UK: June newsletter.

[Trevor M]

There's three new guitars in since the last Newsletter. Don Gallagher makes Dreadnoughts in the old fashioned way, with the old fashioned sound and old fashioned prices. These are great Dreads and unbelievable prices.

There’s seven new arrivals on the used wall. From a 50s Gibson to two fantastic parlours. I have a Baranik Retreaux Parlour myself and wouldn’t sell it for the world, tho’ some have tried to tempt me. Ralph Bown’s parlour is a more traditional approach and equally wonderful. I have to say I was a little sceptical about the Villette but after listening to it being played for half an hour I changed my mind. In the right hands its capable of sounding like a mandolin or a sitar or producing dreamy tones that remind me of prog rock from my miss-spent youth.

Talking of prices I think Bill Wise/Charis guitars is one of the most under-priced luthiers around. His finishing is flawless, the tone and playability are incredible. Many luthiers would be charging at least half as much again for work of this quality. I have another GC on order in walnut with a cutaway and a few other goodies.

I will be receiving my second OOm from Mike Baranik next week. The first sold in a few days so get yourself here quickly if you want to see and hear it. This one is in Carpathian Spruce and Higuerilla aka Sacha rosewood. Its another of the environmentally sound woods from Lance and Belinda Peck at Terra Tonewoods.

Regular readers and visitors will know that I have always avoided Brazilian rosewood . I am now working with Terra Tonewoods to encourage all the luthiers I work with to use their woods. Over the next few years many of the usual species are going to become restricted or unavailable. As Mike and others have demonstrated there is no reason to be cutting down rainforests when great alternatives are available. I see it as great and exciting adventure.

There are quite a few arrivals expected over the next few weeks. Those that have seen Kent Chasson’s maple jumbo on the AGF might just be queuing up at the door for its arrival. There’s also a concert in wenge that I am very excited about.

Its been a long wait but I am sure it will be worth it for my first two from John How. John specialises in ladder braced guitars and spectacularly beautiful finishing. The concert and grand concert are in the final stages of finishing and will be here soon. You can see a build thread on the AGF.

I haven’t had a new guitar in from David Berkowitz for a while. I now have on order an F6 for delivery next year. It will be my first guitar in Padauk. David says it is one of his favourite tonewoods and I am sure in his hands it will be remarkable.

Its also a while since I had a guitar from Ray Kraut. Due towards the end of this year is a modified dreadnought in wenge. Ervin Somogyi’s former apprentices are taking up the modified dreadnought with great enthusiasm. I can’t wait to hear Ray’s take.

The next one from John Osthoff will also be here soon. Its an OM in cedar and ziricote. Not an obvious combination but one of the most memorable guitars I’ve had was a cedar/ziricote Petros that is now owned by a great local player Terry Lees. Terry has traded a few guitars since he bought that one but never mentioned trading it. John’s OM can also be seen on the AGF. I also have an OO-12 on orders from John in quilted pommele sapele, my personal favourite B/S wood.

I’ve had the two Sexauer guitars in for a while so I have reduced them both by £2500!! I have an all Koa OO on order from Bruce that I am very excited about.

Two new recruits since the last newsletter. Both begin with K and both are from Kanada! I have a sitka/rosewood MJ due in a couple of months from Trevor Kronbauer and a OOO-12 from Dennis Kwasnycia.