- Special Custom “Goodfellow” for sale – SOLD
- Second hand Oberon for sale – SOLD
- Ben Robertson
- Ben Walker
- Used Walnut Mandolin for sale – SOLD
- Archie Fisher. Borderlands
- Gemma Hayes. At Constant Speed
- The Dave Clark Six
- Second hand Oberon for sale – SOLD
- Ben Robertson
- Ben Walker
- Used Walnut Mandolin for sale – SOLD
- Archie Fisher. Borderlands
- Gemma Hayes. At Constant Speed
- The Dave Clark Six
Special Custom "Goodfellow" for sale
I think this is the most exotic guitar I’ve ever put on sale. It’s not the most exotic we’ve ever made, but it’s close. Wonderful Exotic Brazilian Rosewood with first grade Cedar Top. A “one off” shape, slightly larger than a Goodfellow, laminated custom neck and extensive Abalone inlays. Plus, it’s fitted with a Baggs Anthem pickup.
We made this for Chris Difford in 2019. It’s the third custom guitar that Chris has had from us, he loved it and straightaway took it on tour to the USA. But the timing could not have been worse.
COVID. Remember that? The tour was cancelled before it got started. Chris and the band had to return to the UK, leaving all the gear behind. What a nightmare, he wasn’t the only one this happened to of course. This guitar was then caught up in difficulties with CITES regulations and was stuck in New York until that was sorted out. I’ve told the story in previous newsletters
By the time it was returned, Chris had ordered another one, almost identical, which he still has, and he sold this one to make room.
It’s in almost perfect condition. I can supply CITES papers.
It has come to me by way of the collector I mentioned last month and I was intending to make it my headline exhibit at Ullapool but I think I need to reach as many people as possible so I’m offering it now. It’s very difficult to value it because there is nothing to compare it with, I’m constantly being told we don’t charge enough.
I’m going to suggest a price of £10,500. if you are interested contact me. – SOLD
More new guitars on show at Ullapool:
Smithcaster / Bog Oak Alexander / 8 string / Maple Ariel
Bog Oak and Sinker Redwood Leonardo
A Smithcaster, or Juliet as John calls her.
A Bog Oak and Cedar Alexander
A Guitar bouzouki based on an Ariel Body
Maple Ariel
A Bog Oak and Sinker Redwood Leonardo
There will be more pictures, and prices available as soon as we can, and of course , don’t forget the four other very special guitars we featured in last month’s newsletter. It’s going to be an amazing display.
We are exceptionally proud of all the guitars we’ve made for this year’s show. This is not the nice relaxing job that you might imagine, it’s hard, physical work, but alongside that is the stress of keeping to the highest standards at every single moment. At this time of year, I don’t sleep much. When it’s done, we always feel exhausted but justifiably proud.
We have so much to show you, and really keen to get your reactions. It’s very nerve wracking having to wait until we get to Bonny Scotland. I expect there will be a certain amount of “relaxing” taking place
It's Ullapool in 2 weeks time!
Some of the professional players have worked together to produce this video and start a fund raiser to keep the festival going, that’s how much they all care about, value and enjoy that special weekend in October. It’s the annual “meet” of so many wonderful musicians, we mere mortals get to watch them play, and if we behave, we might even be allowed to speak to them and buy them a drink.
Ullapool Guitar Festival Website
Thelma is for sale
Tris recorded this while on holiday in Devon. I thought the term was ” Busman’s holiday” ?
Tris has been hard at work finding videos from Ullapool over the years, and I’ve found some myself.
Adam Bulley and Chas MacKenzie. Ashokan Farewell
Two of the best ever musicians, and the backbone of the whole Ullapool weekend. They also have proper daytime jobs. Who’d have thought?
Gordon Giltrap and Hugh Burns
Gordon, of course, was my first ever professional customer, here he is playing his Leonardo alongside the very very famous Hugh Burns
Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo
Watching these two is probably the most fun you can have while sitting in a dark room on uncomfortable seats in another country. There are other things I could say, but I’m not allowed. They have been known to include innocent passers-by in their stage antics. I think my favourite night was when Seonaid Aitken joined in on jazz violin and song in the early hours. Astonishing.
Richard Lindsay would love to have them back again, but of course having become famous by playing the unique Ullapool Festival, they are now far too busy and expensive. Maybe one day.
Second hand Oberon for sale
This is another guitar from the collection I’ve mentioned. Made in 2019 and I can’t see any marks etc anywhere.
The Oberon was the basis of Fylde in the 1970’s. It’s just about the only model we made for quite a long time, and it’s become well known for its association with “English” guitar playing styles. That’s a bit unfair really, there were plenty of Scots, Welsh and Irish players involved as well. It just means I happened to be around when so many UK players were adapting every style of music for steel string guitar.
Lucky me.
To be fair to myself, it wasn’t luck. I was playing a lot myself at the time, and meeting all those people, it was obvious what was needed, so that’s what I made. A smallish body that was suitable to be played sitting down, and a wider fingerboard and shorter scale than was generally available. Soon it seemed everybody wanted one. And here I am, fifty odd years later. Sigh.
For sale at £4,100. Grab one now. Oh, sorry, there is only one – SOLD
Ben Robertson
Ben is a young advocate of the Oberon. He has owned an old one, and a new one. Here he is, playing the new one, although it isn’t quite that new anymore. He’s good, isn’t he? That’s what happens when you play an Oberon.
Ben Walker
Another Ben, that’s the only link here, apart from that Ben has just sent me this video.
I’ll forgive the addition of electric guitar, just because its Ben. Anyway, it’s a Gretsch, they used to be the preeminent advocate of the zero fret idea and they have always had a lot of engineering in them, which is fun.
Ben’s a great player and we don’t hear enough of him. I keep telling him to get to Ullapool.
Used Walnut Mandolin for sale
A second-hand mandolin, made in 2020. It came to us in excellent condition, and we’ve made it even better. I could sell it as unused if I were unscrupulous.
Complete with case, for sale at £1250 – SOLD
Archie Fisher. Borderlands
Archie was probably my first Scottish musician friend. He’s massively well connected, and I was reminded of that when Billy Connolly referenced him in ” In My Own Words” on TV this week. We’ve always referred to Archie as “The man with the brown velvet voice”. and he is at least partly to blame for my interest in the finest Malt Whiskies. A contemporary and friend to Billy, Davy Graham, Bert Jansch, John Martyn, Hamish Imlach, Barbara Dickson, and many others , he has been my connection to many people and many things.
He’s playing his old Orsino here in a very interesting stage setting and singing about my part of the world.
Gemma Hayes. At Constant Speed
The video I shared last month had some nice comments, so I found another one.
Gemma’s guitar sounds lovely, she’s a great singer and I really like the cheeky look she gives to the camera at the end of her video.
The Dave Clark Six
What fun!
That’s it for this month.. For those of you who can’t get to the festival, watch out for the next newsletter with guitars for sale, videos and doubtless lots of stories.