1974 MARTIN D-12-20

1974 MARTIN D-12-20

The Martin guitars of the seventies were being produced in higher numbers than ever imagined by the elder Martins.

By looking at some of the detail picture, quality of workmanship was never compromised. 
This old beauty was played hard at many gigs.

 

1956 GRETSCH FIREBIRD JET

1956 GRETSCH FIREBIRD JET

THE COLOUR ON THIS GUITAR IS SPECTACULAR.

It plays like a dream, due to the fact it just had a complete rebuild.

Neck re-set, frets, etc, are just what these old Gretsch's need to get them back into playable condition. I don't know if the wood was not completely dry or they were just susceptible to weather change.

Block fret markers, back natural mahogany wood colour.

I was told, after I purchased this guitar, that it was played by Stella McCartney.

1958 545 Hofner Mandolin

1958 Hofner 545 Mandolin

I know that you are thinking to yourself  "this guy accidentally posted his picture of the old mandolin upside down".

Not so.....I just thought it was cool the way it looks like an extraterrestrial when viewed like this.

 Splendid workmanship and quality materials add up to a beautiful sounding instrument. It still looks like new.
It sounds "OUT OF THIS WORLD"
Sorry I couldn't help myself.........

EDGAR MONCH TORONTO 1967

EDGAR MONCH TORONTO 1967

1967 TORONTO, was an exciting time and place, it was Canada's centennial year. 

Canada had been a country for 100 years and the whole country was in a great partying mood.  

Toronto was a hot spot for musical talent, the Yorkville scene was home to what would become Canadian icons in the music world.

Edgar Monch had been living in Toronto for a few years and was very generous in sharing his talent for building superior quality guitars. 

FAST FORWARD 40 YEARS.......

I an always Looking for Vintage Instruments; Today I am at a yard sale just around the corner from my house and stopped because there was a twenty foot aluminium ladder on the front lawn.

I soon forgot about the ladder when I spied a couple of guitar cases in the corner by the garage.

I love yard sales because you get to meet the nicest people. They love to talk about their stuff and it is a great way to get the history of the items you purchase. 

Knowing the history and keeping it with the instrument has always been an important part of being the custodian of the instrument.

This lady had been a folk singer back in  the day, and classical music study was the norm for learning music.

She never made a name for herself and gave up on the instrument years ago. That was obvious by the amount of dust caked on the case. The guitar inside was immaculately clean though.

I had never heard of Edgar Monch before this day, but I could tell from the quality of the workmanship that this was a fine instrument. Her price was reasonable so I took a chance and bought it.

Once at home and after some research, I was pleasantly surprised to fine out just how well revered Edgar Monch was. His lists of students and guitar users are quite impressive. 

EDGAR MONCH TORONTO 1967

1984 LES PAUL FLAME TOP BURST ---1959 REISSUE

1984 LES PAUL FLAME TOP BURST

The original 1959 Gibson LP's are so fantastic and of course expensive, many reissues have been made.

This 1984 Les Paul 59 reissue is one of the earliest comparable.  

Gibson outdid themselves with the quality of this beauty. It has the Tim Shaw pickups in both positions.

This guitar came up from Texas and was played hard in a smokey, blues bar just the way a vintage guitar should be played. The Mojo is just dripping off of this rock Comet.

1956 REISSUE LES PAUL BURST

1956 REISSUE LES PAUL BURST

1959 GIBSON GA-80 AMP

WITH VARI-TONE SELECTOR

 The P-90 pickups in the 56 burst sound awesome, 

with the genuine tubes in the authentic 59 Gibson GA-80 amp.

A good friend gave me her father's 1959 Gibson amp.

He played a keyboard through it in  the 50's while attending dances at his social club.

I had the wiring updated to a grounded 3 prong plug and the tubes and caps tested and now it kicks.

1964 Rose Morris Rickenbacker model 1997 Jet Glow

1964 Rose Morris Rickenbacker model 1997 Jet Glow

How weird is it that in 1964 someone thought to name a model of guitar a 1997. 

Could be confusing after 1997, good thing for the serial numbers.