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Post by hh1978 on Jan 9, 2018 21:55:11 GMT
That's a very interesting thread! Any further infos the last days ?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2018 7:46:54 GMT
Well done. Probably would look better with a pickup stuck in it! TT
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 10, 2018 8:29:21 GMT
The story hasn't gone any further, apart from Ian and me commenting on his Facebook page....
IAN>>God, what a sad state it's in. It was pristine gleaming nickel silver when it left me, no scratches. So, so sad to see. If it wasn't for standard musician poverty it would still be with me (like my lovely Guild 12-string and a few other things I could never afford to keep, even though I played them) and would still be in good nick. And a pension!
IAN>>Whoever was in the Tremeloes in the early '70s, could we announce a muso fatwa?
MM>>I agree about its condition, but in the right hands it could be restored to its former glory. Even the shiny nickel, I think it just needs a good polish. The hole could be repaired, but not completely invisibly. I have seen a pickup hole in a Tricone patched up by master resonator luthier, Mike Lewis of Fine Resophonic Guitars in Paris, and it looked great. The neck and fretboard could be restored. I have seen Mike restore Nationals in far worse condition than this guitar is in. Bloody Tremeloes, if they'd stayed with Brian this would never have happened!
It would be great see the guitar in more detail.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Jan 10, 2018 9:07:17 GMT
"Even The Bad Times Are Good".
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2018 9:33:29 GMT
At least they're trying to be contrite!
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Jan 27, 2018 9:46:02 GMT
Any news of Don?
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 27, 2018 9:56:40 GMT
This one seems to have gone quiet. Dons do that sometimes! Shine On Michael
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Post by kristo on Jan 27, 2018 11:52:15 GMT
The guy I know with one doesn't think his is the Ian Anderson due to the fret markers. There must be (at least) 2 butchered Don's in the UK.
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 27, 2018 12:05:54 GMT
I think that is highly unlikely because National Dons are very rare and valuable guitars. The probability of two butchered ones, both with similar butcher's scars, does lead me to believe it's the same guitar, fret markers or not.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Jan 27, 2018 13:42:01 GMT
The guy I know with one doesn't think his is the Ian Anderson due to the fret markers. There must be (at least) 2 butchered Don's in the UK. Kristo, just an idea, can you put Michael in touch directly with the guy who owns the Don? Between the two of them they may be able to solve the riddle.....
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Post by washboardchris on Jan 27, 2018 15:49:11 GMT
I used to busk with a shiny National type guitar . At least once a month someone would come up to me and say "we have one of those in the loft,used to belong to my Dad or Grandad. There used to be a lot of US airbases in the area (East Anglia) so I suppose that's where they came from( not one of them wanted to sell ,RAT'S !!!!)
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 27, 2018 17:41:00 GMT
I have also had those things said to me and am aware of the US bases and various ways that National guitars came into the UK, but this is a Style 2 National Don and we only know of less than thirty Dons in existence the world. To have two style 2 Dons in England, both with similar butchery, is not impossible, but is unlikely.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2018 12:49:11 GMT
I realised I still had an email address for an acquaintance of mine,Karen Poole,daughter of Brian the former Tremeloes singer,so contacted her with a pic of the Don taken from Facebook and a request for any information. She kindly forwarded it to her Dad who circulated it among Rick West,guitarist and Len'Chip'Hawkes the bass player from the Trems. The following came back from Rick:
'Hi Brian,
I think the guitar is a National or a Dobro & it's all metal.Anyway, Alan B had one for years.I don't know where his ended up & maybe Lin has still got it.I've always fancied one cos they are SO loud.
Hope all is well.
Cheers,
Rick'
Alan B would be Alan Blakley,rhythm guitarist who unfortunately died in 1996. It's probable that he wasn't completely aware of what he actually had in his possession (assuming it was the Don).So while nothing conclusive can be drawn from this in all likelihood his wife disposed of it after his death.
PS As a footnote I discovered during my research that when Decca were looking for a 'beat group' to sign in 1962 they chose Brian Poole & the Tremeloes over the Beatles on the grounds that they were conveniently located closer to London!
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Jan 29, 2018 14:52:18 GMT
Slightly off thread but related: Chip Hawkes, The Tremoloes bass player, had/has a Fender Precision 1966 "Slab Bass" - these too are rare. So, this little beat group from darn Sarf had two rare and unusual beasts. OK, back on subject......
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2018 15:24:09 GMT
Quite apart from famous offsprings/wives. (Oh google it)!
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