#31
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Rory,
I’m completely impressed with you and your work. The thought you put in is inspiring, and the skills are breathtaking. I’m officially a fan. |
#32
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Wow! What a super story, and what an impressive instrument. I admit to walking away with one of Rory's guitars - the "Mad Taran" - after the same meeting last summer. I am so sorry to have missed seeing him and this instrument this summer. Maybe Steve will send it to me when he's finished with it...
Peter
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Northamptonshire, UK Guitars by: Tom Sands, Michael Bashkin, Turnstone Guitars, Taran Guitars, Jeff Bamburg, Marchwood, Fylde, C F Martin, Patrick James Eggle, John Kinnaird, Yairi, Yamaha, National, Gretsch, Fender, Recording King, Camps |
#33
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Just posting to find out what was your conclusion, Steve? Did the taran pas the gauntlet successfully to earn the right to stay in your stable of guitars?
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In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference... |
#34
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I’ve had a long-standing love-affair with Sobells – they were the first truly great luthier instrument I owned and pretty much revolutionised my approach to playing overnight: They taught me that a really superb instrument was very difficult to put down, and my enjoyment grew exponentially. Sobells are pretty idiosyncratic though – impossible to overdrive, loads of separation, powerful, and bright. They can also be a bit shrill and cold, and some demand a firm right hand. Some good players I know can’t stand them. Ultimately, I also wandered off in search of something more mellow and forgiving but I’ve returned periodically to Sobells. After having the Tirga Mhor for the last few weeks my initial impression has been confirmed in spades – this guitar combines (at last!) the best Sobell attributes with a sound that is not at all shrill or “clangy” (as a very well-known luthier once said to me of Sobells), and which is very responsive. That’s a very, very desirable instrument IMHO. The clincher is its exceptional comfort: The extreme back arching nestles into you, and the 12-fret position makes it feel relatively small. Man, it’s comfy! I had a Kostal MD that I loved but it was a big, big handful, and comfort matters when you’re getting older. I’ll say again, this choice is really, really difficult. I have two fabulous steel-strings and don’t want another but Rory’s new model sounds exceptional and the wood-working, and fit and finish is up there with Ralph Bown (which is pretty much impossible!). However, there is one elephant in the room – I like a very wide nut and fretboard, and this instrument is just a touch too narrow for me to play easily without tripping over. If I had better technique, it wouldn’t be an issue but I need some extra space to land those wayward digits. If it were wider, I’d buy it unhesitatingly. So, I’ve told Rory to get me on his list for a “post-Simpson Tirga Mhor” with wider neck. This will buy time to sell one of my two guitars to fund this unexpected commission. I will keep whatever contrasts most with the nascent Taran, so probably the Sands; the Claxton sort of sits between them both. If you'd told me a few weeks back that I'd be getting another steel-string, I'd never have believed it possible. That's GAS for you I guess. Cheers, Steve |
#35
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Glad to hear that you liked the taran that much! I have found your previous posts on your experiences with the kostal and traugott very helpful which in fact helped lead me on a similar journey as yours - I had a somogyi and traugott, found them spectacular but ultimately too expensive to keep and I have also ended up with much more fiscally manageable guitar that provides me with a guitar as responsive as the traugott but with it's own tonal pizzazz. I am going next for a more mellow guitar that will contrast with my poljakoff and I will then try to retire from the GAS mill!
I would just suggest that rather than selling rhe claxton, there is enough space in your collection for you to keep it to complement the incoming taran? Of all your clips that you posted, the most memorable to me has been of your Claxton OM and the way you have described it in the past, it clearly is a special guitar to you... Quote:
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In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference... |
#36
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I've decided to hang onto it and see how I feel after having Rory's guitar for a good while. Rory has taken a lot of new orders recently so the Taran won't be with me for a couple of years, so there's no need to rush things. Sometimes the excitement around a new guitar combined with the pragmatics of how to get it into the house without breaking the piggy-bank can lead to snap (for which read "silly") decisions. An independent opinion is no bad thing - Thanks for making me see sense. Cheers, Steve |
#37
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In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference... |
#38
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Patience is a virtue and you are a wise man. No guitar is perfect, but my OM sometimes tricks me into thinking it is. Thanks for sharing, it’s been fun following along. Enjoy!
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____________________________________________ 1922 Martin 0-28 1933 Martin 0-17 1974 Alvarez/Yairi CY120 2010 Baranik Parlor 2013 Circa OM-18 2014 Claxton OM Traditional 2014 Blackbird Rider Last edited by Deft Tungsman; 08-26-2019 at 01:03 AM. |
#39
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This has been a highly enjoyable thread to read through and I thought I'd make my own contribution. I introduced Rory to Martin Simpson a few years ago and it has been fascinating to see what has emerged from their collaboration in terms of a new Taran model, the Tirga Mhor.
The guitar that steveh ultimately decided not to go for is now with me. It is unquestionably one of the best guitars I've played so I've decided to acquire it. There is a special resonance here as I was responsible, indirectly, for the model coming into existence owing to my introducing Rory and Martin to each other. Rory is quite naturally delighted that I shall have it - and so am I ! Cheers, Ian |
#40
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www.michaelwattsguitar.com Album Recording Diary Skype Lessons Luthier Stories YouTube iTunes Guitars by Jason Kostal, Strings by Elixir, Gefell Mics and a nail buffer. |
#41
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Best, Jayne |
#42
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Congrats from me as well, that is a great story and a very happy ending.
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PS. I love guitars! |
#43
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What an excellent and fitting closure that Ian should end up buying the guitar then. Play it in good health!
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In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference... |
#44
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Dear all,
Thank you all so much for taking the time to read and comment on this thread, your words and thoughts mean a great deal! It has indeed been quite the journey. I can't express how delighted I am that the story has come full circle and the guitar has found a home with the very person who instigated this whole process. Thank you Ian, it gives me great pleasure knowing the guitar is in your hands. All the very best and until next time, Rory |
#45
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Congratulations to all on a fantastic journey well told!!
The guitar must be utterly inspirational. I hope to hear it one day.
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____________________________________________ 1922 Martin 0-28 1933 Martin 0-17 1974 Alvarez/Yairi CY120 2010 Baranik Parlor 2013 Circa OM-18 2014 Claxton OM Traditional 2014 Blackbird Rider |