Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

kiramdear wrote:Paul,.......... is it possible to "tighten up" a flabby old timer?

I can't wait for Paul's response................

winston wrote:

kiramdear wrote:Paul,.......... is it possible to "tighten up" a flabby old timer?

I can't wait for Paul's response................

Oh that should be rich!
JimK

Kira's setting me up...we're going on tour as a comedy team. Laurel and Hardly, maybe?

The flabbiness that I perceive, has to be due to a combination of factors; one being old wood, another possibly the scale length of the shorter-scale Martins, possibly string choice, and so on. One of the biggest factors affecting the construction and sound of a Martin, is, simply put, long tradition. It's true that lots of innovation goes on there, but lots of the things they do are, frankly, done that way because that's how they've always done them. (Nuts cut at an angle on their bottoms because there's no flat area for them at the headstock end of the neck, for instance...) This would also apply, it would seem, to construction details, as well.

Just as, when shopping for a quality acoustic, you should try many, as sound will vary from unit to unit, the way that guitars age also varies from unit to unit. There are a lot of $2K Martins out there in dealers, that don't sound as good as one or two very special $1200.00 Martins, and Kira can attest to this phenomenon personally, too. And a lot of wonderful Martins go a bit sour in later life for certain reasons, while others get better.

I think that, besides demonstrating many things about refining real mass-production technique in large-scale acoustic production, Taylor has demonstrated that the type and degree of control that is maintained over the production of an instrument, leads to a greater consistency in the sound and playability. Taylors simply vary less than other makes, model to model.

Is this good? Depends upon whether you like Taylor's sound profile.

jingle_jangle wrote: There are a lot of $2K Martins out there in dealers, that don't sound as good as one or two very special $1200.00 Martins, and Kira can attest to this phenomenon personally, too.

Yes indeed. I had the opportunity to A-B my current D-16 RGT against a roomful of other Martins, Taylors, Guilds and more before I bought it. It's the cheapest non-laminate model from Martin but it blew the pants off all the others for projection, tonal balance and classic Martin goodness . Everyone who plays it tells me don't ever sell it.

Good thing I'll probably die before it gets flabby, if that happens..

kiramdear wrote:Good thing I'll probably die before I get flabby..

I wish I could say that. Oh wait, I've already lost that battle....

Paul
Finally got a chance to see those three acoustics they are fantastic looking forward to seeing mine
Talk to you soon Merry Christmas
Chuck

I wonder whether Paul's going to unveil anything during the NAMM show ...

doctorwho wrote:I wonder whether Paul's going to unveil anything during the NAMM show ...

I can't see why not...............

Just so long as the 'unveiling' doesn't involve the removal of clothing..........

ozover50 wrote:Just so long as the 'unveiling' doesn't involve the removal of clothing..........

I gots my camera ready, I hope you're not right, Aitch!

As I've mentioned, I finally got around just pre-NAMM, to installing a pickguard and pickup onto the Jazzbo. The guard was handmade using acrylic, Tortis sheet, and transparent adhesive. The electronics are installed to the back side--thumbwheel pots for volume and tone, a 1/8" mini jack, and a handwound Kent Armstrong "Johnny Smith" mini-humbucker, installed right under the phantom 24th fret sweet spot.



I thought this setup had nice sound until I heard this:



A D'Angelico New Yorker, fitted with a Tom Short-built, Steve Bistrow Jazz/Swing single coil. Steve playing "Over the Rainbow".

Man, oh man! This is the sweetest-sounding jazz pickup I've ever heard, and note--he appears to be playing through a Fender Hot Rod (not a great jazz amp...

Now, where to find some 250K thumbwheel pots to fit under the guard?

I ordered me one this afternoon. Tom says he's back ordered a couple of weeks. I should be so lucky!

Looks great Paul. Thanks for the link to the vid too. Great tone and the guy can play.





This one really hops!

Steve has a lovely touch,a great player and he's one of lifes gentlemen.

Sadly he no longer has that guitar.

Golden tone from Steve. Can't wait to hear your Jazzbo sound like that, Paul!

PW,

That's very nicely done. Function and form all wrapped up in one sweet package.

Manta