Old school tooled leather covers

[RTR]

Hank Snow had a leather covered Martin, some claim that his was the inspiration for Elvis. Very likely as they were associated somehow through the Colonel, in Elvis early days. Very strange choice for Snow who really could play, indeed developed a unique style which influenced a lot of players. I don't think I ever saw anyone playing with a cover, it defies common sense to pay the price for a fine Martin and cover it with leather. But, some did at least for a while. And when I did see Snow he was playing a D-45 and he certainly didn't have a cover on it.

[hubcapsc]

Originally Posted by OKCtodd71

I have read that Eivis's guitar playing was so bad that they put the leather cover to lessen the change of any sound produced being heard by an audience.

He can play, sing and make faces at girls all at the same time...



-Mike

[jt1]

Originally Posted by BillyMays

I was at the Metropolitan Museum last summer and happened to be there during the rock'n'roll display
and saw something that really sparked my interest on Buddy Holly's J-45.

Do you or anyone you know have or use a leather cover. From what I understand, it was big in old-school
country music and Elvis liked them too. What exactly is the purpose? Why isn't it done anymore?

I'm rather fond of that guitar:

[JKA]

Originally Posted by jt1

I'm rather fond of that guitar:

Suits you sir. Can't think of anyone more fitting to be playing it.

[KevWind]

Even though I have done a fair amount of tooled leather myself, I can't think of a more gaudy and or useless thing, to put on a guitar but I suppose it's on par with Nudi suits YMMV .

[L20A]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Even though I have done a fair amount of tooled leather myself, I can't think of a more gaudy and or useless thing, to put on a guitar but I suppose it's on par with Nudi suits YMMV .

Yes, back in the day, those suits and the flashy guitar covers were all the rage for some Country Artists.

I liked the look and thought it was classy back then.

[Silly Moustache]

whilst I tend to agree with Kevwind,



British luthier Alister Atkin makes these guitars - the image is hand painted on :

[gfirob]

If you listen to those old youtube videos of early country and rock singers, you almost never hear the lead singer's guitar, you hear the amplified rhythm players. And nuance was never a big part of those recordings anyway.

[jt1]

Originally Posted by JKA

Suits you sir. Can't think of anyone more fitting to be playing it.

Thank, you. As you know, that guitar and others of the era motivated me to begin a journey that resulted in my book about WWII Gibsons. Along the way, I got to inspect Buddy's guitar and interview the fellow who accompanied Buddy to the leather shop in Lubbock, Texas, where Buddy both the material from which he built that cover.

[BillyMays]

Originally Posted by jt1

I'm rather fond of that guitar:

Woah! That's awesome! Does that guitar belong to you? It really sparked my interest, enough for me to continue to be thinking about it over a year after seeing it in person. Did you go to the display at the Met? I got to see Frankenstein too, I couldn't stop oogling over everything. Elvis' Martin was there along with Wanda Jackson's guitar.

How does it sound?

[Wade Hampton]

I think I like Wanda Jackson’s guitar the best out of all these instruments....

Ever listen to any of her recordings? She was a real spitfire.


whm

[BillyMays]

The queen of Rockabilly, why yes I have. It was awesome to see her guitar.