Sgt. Pepper Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 (edited) 13 minutes ago, kidblast said: last time I saw a photo of Mr Howe he looked quite a bit like Sméagol.. this aint that.. I thought he looked like one of our founding fathers, and looked just as old as they would be, if alive. Edited February 1, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Sgt. Pepper said: I thought he looked like one of our founding fathers, and looked just as old as they would be, if alive. I can almost imagine Franklin, Jefferson, Washington & Adams (Cool Band name) with Guitars strapped on in Rock poses.... LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 I came to the acoustic guitar a bit late, at the age of twenty in 1971. I was immediately interested in the construction of the instrument, and the quality names were Martin, Gibson, and Guild - in that order. Beyond that, it was the decade & rise of pacific rim imports. The big three suddenly found themselves trying to recapture market share, and for my money, Guild was providing the highest quality product at affordable price points. I ended up owning four Guilds during the ‘70s, along with a number of Gibson’s & one Martin. Today, those three makers remain at the top of my list, but their preferential order has changed. Now it’s Gibson & Guild, with Martin a distant third. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 18 minutes ago, bobouz said: I came to the acoustic guitar a bit late, at the age of twenty in 1971. I was immediately interested in the construction of the instrument, and the quality names were Martin, Gibson, and Guild - in that order. Beyond that, it was the decade & rise of pacific rim imports. The big three suddenly found themselves trying to recapture market share, and for my money, Guild was providing the highest quality product at affordable price points. I ended up owning four Guilds during the ‘70s, along with a number of Gibson’s & one Martin. Today, those three makers remain at the top of my list, but their preferential order has changed. Now it’s Gibson & Guild, with Martin a distant third. I’m pretty sure the other 2 forums would have their brand of choice in a different order than yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 I look at Martin as being a musical /quasi-religious symbol as well as a banner of Americanism that cannot be seriously criticized because...well, it's Martin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 24 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: I’m pretty sure the other 2 forums would have their brand of choice in a different order than yours. Speaking of Forums, I was trying to put together a list of guitar forums and note if they display a Brand in their name if they Builder or fan sponsored. Here's some with my interest and I am a member on quite a few of them, I'm sure there are more. Very few are builder sponsored. I could not find anything on a few of the brands mentioned on this forum but quite a few of them sponsor a Face Book page (not wild about that). I think my biggest surprise are the absence of company sponsored forums from Martin (I have a few), Taylor (I've had a few - down to one), Fender ( I belonged to one when it was active) , Gretsch and Guild. https://forum.gibson.com Gibson sponsored https://www.collingsforum.net/forum/ Collins sponsored Fender.com Fender sponsored (closed down this past year) https://www.gretsch-talk.com/ ?? http://gretschpages.com/ https://www.guitarforums.com/ https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/ https://www.thegearpage.net/ https://umgf.com/ https://umgf.com/ https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ?????? http://www.takamineforum.com/forum3/ looks like Takamine sponsored http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Sgt. Pepper said: I’m pretty sure the other 2 forums would have their brand of choice in a different order than yours. I’m only referring to my personal preferences, which of course is based on what works best for me given my playing style, and the instruments I’ve had the pleasure to play. Indeed, today we have many great builders to choose from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) 26 minutes ago, bobouz said: I’m only referring to my personal preferences, which of course is based on what works best for me given my playing style, and the instruments I’ve had the pleasure to play. Indeed, today we have many great builders to choose from. Best acoustic guitar I ever played was a Preston Thompson. Edited February 2, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 I only ever aspired to play a Gibson. When I was a kid, I remember seeing pictures on my parents' LP sleeves of Dylan holding an SJ200 (Nashville Skyline) and Emmylou doing the same (Blue Kentucky Girl) and thinking "that's what the greats use". Further viewings of Johnny Cash, Waylon, Elvis, Townes, Little Jimmy Dickens (and so many more) playing them totally solidified that preconception. I respect Martin and Guild, and have owned and enjoyed a few of both. Three of the Martins I owned live in the "ones that got away" folder, I liked them so much, but it's always Gibsons that make my heart leap, even after all these years. There is a certain caché that comes with stepping onstage with a Gibson, and they all make different statements about the artist, to my mind at least. SJ200=country and storytelling, Dove=alternative Americana, Hummingbird=blues rock, J45=hard bitten workingman anthems, L-00=blues and folk. What the AJ says is anyone's guess, but it's usually something equally wonderful. I enjoyed every Martin I owned, but I never felt that sense of identity when stepping onstage with one. Gibsons make such a visual and sonic impression on an audience, which to many artists may be a bad thing, but to me it's a big part of who I am and what I do. Perhaps it's imaginary, or perhaps it's the weight of bringing my childhood dreams and ambitions to life, but for as long as I can remember, when I have stepped onstage with an SJ200, I've felt a sense of responsibility, the weight of greatness that all of those seminal artists who played an SJ200 brought to us as listeners and players, a duty and obligation to bring my A-game. To know that the guitar in your hands is capable of far more than the player holding it is a powerful thing...it makes you reach up, push towards the light and aspire. That aspiration is like lightning in a bottle, and can pull out of your soul the extra 2% that makes the difference between goodness and greatness. THAT is why I'll always be a Gibson player. These guitars gave me a license to dream, then a license to make that dream a reality. Through all of the insane ups and downs of my life and career over the last 23yrs, from playing arena gigs to being dropped by a label, penniless and living in my car (and a million other stations in between), the one thing that has sustained me through even the bleakest of times is the dream that lives inside the hard-shell case right next to me. My tireless travelling companion, the tool that gives voice to my inner dialogue, the key to the Tower of Song. Good enough for Townes, good enough (arguably TOO good) for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 32 minutes ago, Jinder said: I only ever aspired to play a Gibson. When I was a kid, I remember seeing pictures on my parents' LP sleeves of Dylan holding an SJ200 (Nashville Skyline) and Emmylou doing the same (Blue Kentucky Girl) and thinking "that's what the greats use". Further viewings of Johnny Cash, Waylon, Elvis, Townes, Little Jimmy Dickens (and so many more) playing them totally solidified that preconception. Ah yes, the Nashville Skyline cover. I bought that album when it first came out, and immediately there was something about the angle of the shot & Dylan's smile that made you want to jump right into the scene & hold that guitar. To this day, I Threw It All Away & One More Night are still two of the best country songs I've ever heard. Add some Norman Blake, and you had magic. So fifty some odd years later, I'm sitting here looking at that same shot on the cover of my CD copy - and still want to jump in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) 12 hours ago, olie said: I look at Martin as being a musical /quasi-religious symbol as well as a banner of Americanism that cannot be seriously criticized because...well, it's Martin. Really. There is are reasons people play them and are reasons people don't. Same with all the other brands. Martin like Gibson and Taylor and Guild ect all make well made quality instruments. Its just what sound are you looking for. The one in which a company was stared by a guy named Orville may be your cup of tea or perhaps it was started by a guy named Christian ect. We all use the word best when it comes to stuff. Best can't be proven. But if you use the word favorite, no one can debate that. Edited February 2, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 What I was attempting to say is that Martin guitars have been placed upon a pedestal occupied by no one else. The name has become almost a patriotic and religious symbol, and as such, is almost above criticism. I wasn't implying that they are not of high quality - they enjoy their reputation for good reason; but there is an air of sanctity about them that seems unassailable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 36 minutes ago, olie said: What I was attempting to say is that Martin guitars have been placed upon a pedestal occupied by no one else. The name has become almost a patriotic and religious symbol, and as such, is almost above criticism. I wasn't implying that they are not of high quality - they enjoy their reputation for good reason; but there is an air of sanctity about them that seems unassailable. I only have a Liberal Arts degree and had to look up the meaning of that last word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 7 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: I only have a Liberal Arts degree and had to look up the meaning of that last word. Funny. But you knew the difference between 'best' and 'favorite'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) 14 minutes ago, fortyearspickn said: Funny. But you knew the difference between 'best' and 'favorite'. You may but some use it interchangeably and think it means the same thing. Oh the word Greatest too. Yet some how Jimi Hendrix is always voted as the best guitarist of all time in any poll. Go to #1 I'll bet its Jimi. Edited February 2, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 4 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: You may but some use it interchangeably and think it means the same thing. Yet some how Jimi Hendrix is always voted as the best guitarist of all time in any poll. Yep. An un-assailable opinion. Wait - is that an oxymoron? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) 3 minutes ago, fortyearspickn said: Yep. An un-assailable opinion. Wait - is that an oxymoron? Not another word I have to look up? No wait like Military Intelligence. Edited February 2, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 9 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Not another word I have to look up? No wait like Military Intelligence. Yep. Like Federal Bureau of INVESTIGATION ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 For a high school dropout I'm feeling right at home here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 As much I appreciate Martin and Taylor . Gibson is the brand that makes the sound I hear in my head when I think of the sound of guitars . All the boutique stuff is incredible but it’s not for me . Gibson has an aspect to its guitars that I can’t really describe but that I really enjoy. JC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 On 2/1/2021 at 3:32 PM, bobouz said: I came to the acoustic guitar a bit late, at the age of twenty in 1971. I was immediately interested in the construction of the instrument, and the quality names were Martin, Gibson, and Guild - in that order. Beyond that, it was the decade & rise of pacific rim imports. The big three suddenly found themselves trying to recapture market share, and for my money, Guild was providing the highest quality product at affordable price points. I ended up owning four Guilds during the ‘70s, along with a number of Gibson’s & one Martin. Today, those three makers remain at the top of my list, but their preferential order has changed. Now it’s Gibson & Guild, with Martin a distant third. Those old U.S . Guilds are workhorses. There great guitars. And Well built. They may have not had the popularity But out of the three brands. The Guilds had the least issues. I like Gibson , Martin , Old Guilds brands. Myself. As well as the Franklin Acoustics at one point from Sandpoint ID . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 On 2/2/2021 at 10:25 AM, Jinder said: I only ever aspired to play a Gibson. When I was a kid, I remember seeing pictures on my parents' LP sleeves of Dylan holding an SJ200 (Nashville Skyline) and Emmylou doing the same (Blue Kentucky Girl) and thinking "that's what the greats use". Further viewings of Johnny Cash, Waylon, Elvis, Townes, Little Jimmy Dickens (and so many more) playing them totally solidified that preconception. I respect Martin and Guild, and have owned and enjoyed a few of both. Three of the Martins I owned live in the "ones that got away" folder, I liked them so much, but it's always Gibsons that make my heart leap, even after all these years. There is a certain caché that comes with stepping onstage with a Gibson, and they all make different statements about the artist, to my mind at least. SJ200=country and storytelling, Dove=alternative Americana, Hummingbird=blues rock, J45=hard bitten workingman anthems, L-00=blues and folk. What the AJ says is anyone's guess, but it's usually something equally wonderful. I enjoyed every Martin I owned, but I never felt that sense of identity when stepping onstage with one. Gibsons make such a visual and sonic impression on an audience, which to many artists may be a bad thing, but to me it's a big part of who I am and what I do. Perhaps it's imaginary, or perhaps it's the weight of bringing my childhood dreams and ambitions to life, but for as long as I can remember, when I have stepped onstage with an SJ200, I've felt a sense of responsibility, the weight of greatness that all of those seminal artists who played an SJ200 brought to us as listeners and players, a duty and obligation to bring my A-game. To know that the guitar in your hands is capable of far more than the player holding it is a powerful thing...it makes you reach up, push towards the light and aspire. That aspiration is like lightning in a bottle, and can pull out of your soul the extra 2% that makes the difference between goodness and greatness. THAT is why I'll always be a Gibson player. These guitars gave me a license to dream, then a license to make that dream a reality. Through all of the insane ups and downs of my life and career over the last 23yrs, from playing arena gigs to being dropped by a label, penniless and living in my car (and a million other stations in between), the one thing that has sustained me through even the bleakest of times is the dream that lives inside the hard-shell case right next to me. My tireless travelling companion, the tool that gives voice to my inner dialogue, the key to the Tower of Song. Good enough for Townes, good enough (arguably TOO good) for me. To me, the post above is the best and most eloquent one on this forum for a long, long time. It really moves me, and Jinder manages to channel EXACTLY how I feel about music, my guitars, and life in general when I hold a Gibson. Jinder is a musician at a level, which is not realistic for a hack like me to ever reach, but I can still relate to the feelings he describes so well. Gibson guitars are way to good for me, at least if my ability for making music, is the only standard of evaluation. However, Gibson brings intangibles into the equation in a way no other brand can match for me. I was playing "I'll Be Here in the Morning" by Townes van Zandt the other day, and I was sounding horrible (no surprise there), but when I closed my eyes, played and sang the song, at least in my dreams I could sound like I wanted to. If I had done that, then opened my eyes, looked slightly left and found a headstock saying "Taylor", that dream would have been shattered in an instant. Luckily the headstock read Gibson, and the dream thankfully lasted at least a short while longer... Lars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretplay Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Yes I remember the Ovation years, everyone had one even Paul McCartney, you don't see him or anyone else for that matter with one now! can't say I liked them they would slide off your knee if you were sitting or roll around if you were standing. A pal in my band had one bought it in NY red, nice to look at but not for me. I wonder where they all are now. Guitars like everything go in fashions in the sixty's and seventies in was dreadnoughts now it's back to the guitar shaped guitars like the old days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul14 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 My first guitar 1964, was a Stella. $10. My first “good” guitar was a Gibson B-25, that I got from a pawn shop, “$90.) 1967. Never looked back. I like martins, & guilds, though I’ve owned more Guilds than Martins, I like them both. I just feel a connection to Gibsons, that I just don’t get with any other brand. I’m not a “my guitar is better than yours” kind of guy. Whatever floats your boat, is fine with me. I don’t agree that Gibsons were somehow under appreciated, seems like most of the people I listened to played Gibsons. Not all, but most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 2 hours ago, Paul14 said: My first guitar 1964, was a Stella. $10. My first “good” guitar was a Gibson B-25, that I got from a pawn shop, “$90.) 1967. Never looked back. I like martins, & guilds, though I’ve owned more Guilds than Martins, I like them both. I just feel a connection to Gibsons, that I just don’t get with any other brand. I’m not a “my guitar is better than yours” kind of guy. Whatever floats your boat, is fine with me. I don’t agree that Gibsons were somehow under appreciated, seems like most of the people I listened to played Gibsons. Not all, but most. Here's some of my guitar highlights leading up to my first Gibson. 1960 - first guitar, don't remember brand, Dad bought it from a pawn shop. Lasted 3 days. My older brothers crushed it playing El-Kabong 1962 - Kay guitar. Mom got it with Top Value stamps acquired from Kroger's Grocery (still have it). I've since added the black blocks to the fret board. 1964 - First electric - Teisco (hanging on the left) 1970 - Ovation Tornado. Just like Glen Campbell. What I considered my first quality guitar. Played out in the bars for about 6 years with it. Hanging on the left. 2003 - My first quality acoustic. Taylor 315CE LTD 2008 - First Gibson. Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. Far right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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