Had a little fun today - Gryphon and Sylvan

[tadol]

Went down to Santa Cruz, and brought #1 son back home to spend some time with the family for the weekend. On the way down I took a little extra time to stop and play a few guitars -

First stop - Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto. Wonderful shop, had heard alot about it but never been there. They have some wonderful vintage instruments, but since I can't get a third on the house I just admired them behind the glass. I did play a couple Collings, one marked as "used" but I couldn't find any indication of it. Really beautiful, ringing tone, nice bottom - Definitely something I would trade a couple of my Larrivees for -  Also a nice H&D, a couple nice Martins - much fun. They had some beautiful mandolins, and ukes, as well as some classicals and electrics that I didn't spend much time looking at. Had to keep going -

Next stop - Sylvan Music in Santa Cruz. Ran into a couple of very talented luthiers who work for SCGC while I was there, and had the wonderful opportunity of hearing their opinions of a few different instruments, plus hearing some very decent playing - you get such a better idea of the sound of an instrument when someone else is playing. A couple very nice R. Taylors ( which I actually liked, even though I'm not a big fan of regular Taylors ) and some wonderful Santa Cruz Guitars and some nice Larrivees. I got a little time on the BT-60, and on a SCGC baritone - love those baritones! Played a nice OM 12 string, made me more anxious for mine to arrive, and spent a little time playing ( trying at least ) some ukes - They have a beautiful Larrivee mahogany uke that looks like a doll-house accessory, but sounded incredible (to me - non-uke player).

Would have spent more time, but had to get son home, and we had a long drive in the rain.  These are definite must visit places if any of you find yourself in this area !

Tad

[teh]

Sounds like you had a great day and anytime you can mix family with guitars is time well spent.

I would be interested in hearing a little more about the two baritones you played. In all my travels, I haven't found one anywhere to play and as close as I can get to it is tuning my dread down to open C.

Enjoy your weekend. Last Saturday, I took my son to a private guitar lesson with Ernie Hawkins at his house in Pittsburgh (ErnieHawkins.com) and two days later my son had a lesson with Scott Ainsle who was playing at the Penn State campus a mile from my house. Check this out.

http://cattailmusic.com/

[gluve1]

Now that sounds like a great day.

[tadol]

Private lessons - Your son is very forunate - and good for you to encourage him.

I know what you mean about the baritones - Sylvan is the only place I've found that has them, which is why I make it a point to play them every time I go in. They are very deep voiced (as you'd expect ) and have a wonderful, sonorous tone. The heavier strings, wider neck, and longer scale make them a little more awkward to play, but the sound more than makes up for it. They also do not seem to do heavy strumming well, but light strumming and fingers make nice noises. I still haven't decided exactly what my infatuation with these is, but its held on for some time. Unfortunately, not only are these scarce, they are not inexpensive.  I think I'll be searching for a decent deal on a used one for many years to come.  Of course, the BT-60 they have on the floor is looking pretty well used, maybe if my fortunes change -

Unclrob posted about using 14s on his guitars. I've been thinking of putting a heavy set on my LV and tuning it down low to see if I can approximate the sound - maybe next time I need to do a string change -

Tad

[Randy_R]

The Tacoma baritones seem to sell used on ebay in the $800 range. Just a thought.

[tuffythepug]

Hey Tad
Sounds like a near perfect day.  Have you had the opportunity to tour the Santa Cruz Guitar shop yet ? It's pretty cool.   Very small shop compared to the Larrivee factory.   Richard Hoover is happy to give you a tour if you call ahead.


Being a lefty, I can never walk into one of those stores and try out more than one or two guitars.  I'm jealous.

On another note altogether:    I'm sending you a PM to discuss something that doesn't need to be aired here.   


Tuffythepug

[magictwanger]

Tad,I know what you mean by "that" kind of nice day.No hassles,and family,with hobby stuff involved...on a day off from work...

  I had a similar experience(four Saturday afternoons,on subsequent week-ends)when recently shopping at Mandolin Bros,for some new gits.Came home,and took the wife and daughter to dinner afterwards.I loved those Saturdays.

  I also had played a Baritone,from Goodall while there.I'd never encountered one before.Really a viable addition to anyone's stable....Loved it,but I'm now tapped out of cash after finding a few nice instruments.

  Whoever said it was "the simple things in life that are the best",was definitely right,in my book!!

  Best of luck

[Safricanplayer]

Tad,

Sounds like a great trip. It's always fun exploring different instruments from different builders. I had a chance to play a couple of R. Taylors about 2 years ago at Buffalo Bro's on a trip to Callie, and found them to be in a different league to the regular Taylor line up in my opinion. I actually was quite impressed, although once you get into their price range, it opens the door to so many other builders and luthiers. I'm toying with the idea of going to Healdsburg again this year, which is the ultimate "acoustic guitarist in a candy story" type of experience

~ Ray ~

[tadol]

Ray - after talking to those luthiers, Healdsburg is on my calendar. I've decided that even if I can't afford those guitars, I can still go drool, and as I get older, drooling may be a major part of my existence.   

Tad

[markyboy]

Wow. That does sound like a fun day. I'm off of work this week due to the economy,and since I live a stones throw from both of those shops, I just might have to plan a trip myself.. It would be a nice little "no cost" day trip. Just need to make sure I don't bring my wallet.. I might do something crazy
All kidding aside, those are two great shops..

[Zohn]

Tad,

Sounds like a great trip. It's always fun exploring different instruments from different builders. I had a chance to play a couple of R. Taylors about 2 years ago at Buffalo Bro's on a trip to Callie, and found them to be in a different league to the regular Taylor line up in my opinion. I actually was quite impressed, although once you get into their price range, it opens the door to so many other builders and luthiers. I'm toying with the idea of going to Healdsburg again this year, which is the ultimate "acoustic guitarist in a candy story" type of experience

~ Ray ~

Hey Ray!!, hey Tad!!
Boy, how do I dream of doing an US guitar-tour, starting down south, and going up the west and into Canada, an coming back east past Mark and Jim towards Florida... a single visit to Gryphon and Sylvan (and Mandolyn) would be nice indeed, and the Heraldsburg: well that speaks for itself. Mervyn (the guy who's building my Smoothtalker) was there for two years running, and I think he said he's going this year too. (lucky bugger...)