Post by melp on Apr 25, 2010 13:57:15 GMT
Hi Michael,
Re your intrigue on Wiessenborn copies. In this case, and it has happened to me in others, it was really access, did I know what I was getting and risk.
As for musicians I had not come across either David Lindley & Ben Harper, the only people I had seen/listened to playing them were, Bob Brozman, Fred Kinbom and Growler!
I did actually have a look on ebay for old squarnecks, as it happened the Oahu I found, the guy was really honest, and informed that the neck was a bit iffy and the body had a couple of splits.
Hence my comment to Fred, in another thread, I thought that I could be spending money on something that may need a lot of work, or a the worst case would be unplayable, with no chance to return it.
Also, I have never heard a Oahu, so I don't know what they should sound like, given that you and Fred are fans they must be good, just don't know what the sound is like.
On the other hand I had played Growlers Wissenborn copy and both the form of the guitar and the sound was, to me, good.
Given that the guy who sold me my Wissenborn copy gave me a good price, and was OK with a return if I hated it, and there was no import tax to pay, it was a good risk.
Like when I got my first resonator, my MM Blues, it was no risk as I had played yours at Bluesweek, so I knew what I was getting - I actually got a lot more than expected as it opened up over the first year.
I also played listened to and played several NRP's and even listened to a vintage National Duolian at Bluesweek. All very good, but, value for money, for what I need?
Of all the ones I played I would still pick my MM Blues, for me its just fine, even over the vintage National (I would be scared of damaging it on my bench by the sea).
Especially now that I have spent a couple of hundred hours engraving it - would not have done that on a NRP or vintage, because of the re-sale value. Not an issue with my Blues - I am never selling it!
Having done a bit of marketing in my time I think that access (knowing what you are getting), and buying risk, are the real issues.
I know, initially due to Bluesweek, that MM instruments and Busker are NO RISK - I now have three (Blues, Canon and Deco) and they are all, in my view, excellent, both in terms of sound and value for money.
The Wiessenborn was a bit more of a risk, but not much given the conditions. I guess, for me, buying a vintage instrument on ebay will probably never be a good option, because I don't know what it should sound like!
I guess, in the end, it all depends on what you know, and of course on what you think you want!
Mel
Re your intrigue on Wiessenborn copies. In this case, and it has happened to me in others, it was really access, did I know what I was getting and risk.
As for musicians I had not come across either David Lindley & Ben Harper, the only people I had seen/listened to playing them were, Bob Brozman, Fred Kinbom and Growler!
I did actually have a look on ebay for old squarnecks, as it happened the Oahu I found, the guy was really honest, and informed that the neck was a bit iffy and the body had a couple of splits.
Hence my comment to Fred, in another thread, I thought that I could be spending money on something that may need a lot of work, or a the worst case would be unplayable, with no chance to return it.
Also, I have never heard a Oahu, so I don't know what they should sound like, given that you and Fred are fans they must be good, just don't know what the sound is like.
On the other hand I had played Growlers Wissenborn copy and both the form of the guitar and the sound was, to me, good.
Given that the guy who sold me my Wissenborn copy gave me a good price, and was OK with a return if I hated it, and there was no import tax to pay, it was a good risk.
Like when I got my first resonator, my MM Blues, it was no risk as I had played yours at Bluesweek, so I knew what I was getting - I actually got a lot more than expected as it opened up over the first year.
I also played listened to and played several NRP's and even listened to a vintage National Duolian at Bluesweek. All very good, but, value for money, for what I need?
Of all the ones I played I would still pick my MM Blues, for me its just fine, even over the vintage National (I would be scared of damaging it on my bench by the sea).
Especially now that I have spent a couple of hundred hours engraving it - would not have done that on a NRP or vintage, because of the re-sale value. Not an issue with my Blues - I am never selling it!
Having done a bit of marketing in my time I think that access (knowing what you are getting), and buying risk, are the real issues.
I know, initially due to Bluesweek, that MM instruments and Busker are NO RISK - I now have three (Blues, Canon and Deco) and they are all, in my view, excellent, both in terms of sound and value for money.
The Wiessenborn was a bit more of a risk, but not much given the conditions. I guess, for me, buying a vintage instrument on ebay will probably never be a good option, because I don't know what it should sound like!
I guess, in the end, it all depends on what you know, and of course on what you think you want!
Mel