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speechless


j45nick

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I know I've talked about this a bit, but I picked up two of my Gibsons today from Ross Teigen, who has had them for the last couple of months. I am absolutely speechless at the quality of his work. It was sort of like Christmas for me.

 

First, I pulled out my '68 ES 335-12 which was in for a neck re-set. Prior to my buying it, this was a one-owner guitar that sat under the bed for 40 years. Its condition is extraordinary, but the bridge was cranked all the way down, and the action was still a bit high for my taste. 12-strings do not take well to sitting with full string tension for 40+ years.

 

Now, it is perfect, and the sound will just make you laugh out loud. Think the Stones "As Tears Go By". Think Roger McGuinn (yeah, I know that's a Ric 360-12, but the ES 335-12 has it all over that guitar, with the right pickups). Think "Eight Days a Week". Think the We Five doing Sylvia Fricker's "You Were on my Mind". Think Ian and Sylvia's Canadian version of the "wall of sound", with six-string, 12-string, and autoharp. Thinks bells. Think chimes. Think I'm kidding?

 

What an absolute trip!

 

Then, it was time for the main course. I was one of those kids who ate the "cake" of their chocolate cake first, and saved the chocolate icing for last. Ross had sent me a couple of pictures of my 1948 J-45, so I sort of knew what to expect. But I opened the case, and my hands just shook. I couldn't even take the guitar out of the case, I was so afraid I would drop it. I had a lump in my throat as big as an apple. How can you cry over a piece of wood and steel, even if you've owned it for almost 50 years?

 

It is absolutely beautiful. I just turned it over in my hands, and stared at it from one end to the other. I know Ross must have thought I was absolutely nuts, but I could barely bring myself to play it, she was so beautiful.

 

He warned me it would take some time for the guitar to re-open, as the new nitro top finish would slowly lose mass while it fully cured. But I can tell you, she sounds really sweet already.

 

I have to wipe the grin off my face, and take pictures to post them. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to photograph a guitar?

 

More when I can pry myself away from it.

 

In the meantime, I can vouch for the fact that Ross Teigen, luthier, is an absolute genius.

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Congratulations - it is great to hear someone does good work when we often hear lots of problems.

 

With photographing the guitars - try not to use a standard flash. That is a killer. Put them on a stand near a window in the early morning to catch some natural light perhaps?

 

 

BluesKing777.

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It isn't hard to imagine the enchanted moment when you opened the 45 case. The reunion must have been, , , almost holy. Especially when you picked it up and strummed the first chords or notes (what were they).

This is a very unique journey – did you ever read The Little Tin-Soldier by Hans Christian Andersen. I'm not kiddin', it's that kind of romantic tale.

 

Thanx for sharing and hep for the new incarnation.

 

I sense we gonna hear more – and new chapters will be welcome. . .

 

 

 

 

- yes it's almost impossible to get both dimensions and surface right when trying to take pictures indoors. I just shot over 50 attempts to capture my '63 SJ.

The absolutely right-tuned angle will do

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- yes it's almost impossible to get both dimensions and surface right when trying to take pictures indoors. I just shot over 50 attempts to capture my '63 SJ.

The absolutely right-tuned angle will do

 

 

Yes - it is useless - I have taken many, many many shots to try and show my unusual bridge pins to make everybody a bit jealous, but so far the photos look like a bad advert in eBay...

 

BluesKing777.

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Nick,

 

If that ain't just the "purdiest" sunburst!!! The thrill of an old pal & a new guitar all in one, what could be better. Did it ever look that great? Happy Old Guitar Day would be in order for sure. Nothing like when a best ol' friend comes back home to stay.

Yes, lets us know contact info for Ross. I may have some work for him in the future. Great photo's BTW. Hope I can shoot some like that on my gits sometime.

 

Aster

 

If you've had that guitar for 50 yrs hope you can still appreciate the card and her, er-uh, guitar! :rolleyes:

HNGD.jpg

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Beautiful work! Where is Ross located?

Ross is in Naples, Florida. His contact information is:

 

Teigen Guitars

830 11th St. NW

Naples, FL 34120

 

email: teigenguitars@comcast.net

 

phone: (239) 455-5724

 

He no longer maintains a website: says he just doesn't have time.

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