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Post by Jefferson on Jan 8, 2013 13:54:19 GMT -7
just happened to stop by a local mom and pop music store this afternoon to browse around. its one of those kinds of stores that has a lot of stuff crowded in there and most of it isnt worth taking off the rack/shelf. however today, i noticed an older 12 fret acoustic parlor guitar in a faded tobacco burst finish and decided to play it...wow, really wish i hadnt of played that guitar! It sounded amazing! The only id on the guitar is the headstock label which says May Bell. The shop owner told me he got it in trade from an old guy who told him it was from the 30's. This matches up with what i have found online. The neck was pretty darn straight and the tuners still kept the thing in tune for the 45 minutes i spent playing it. Not a lot of info available on the guitar so far, but it plays and sounds awesome. Spruce top and i think birch back/sides. I know he did some fretwork to get it to play and he is asking $450 for the guitar. As a collector piece i think that is probably the high end for its value, but as a player, i have played lots of guitars that sounded worse for a lot more money... Anyway, i may try to go back by there and take a few pics to see what you guys think. If anyone has any info on may bell i would love to know about it. thanks, UPDATE: after a little checking around, i decided that i could create a good home for this fine, old instrument. So, $360 later and she will be on my wall tonight!!! JR
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Jan 8, 2013 17:00:14 GMT -7
never seen or heard of it but a quick google shows they were made as a less expensive "consumer" brand by the Slingerland company. Enjoy your new couch machine!
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Jan 9, 2013 8:22:43 GMT -7
If it speaks to you bring it home. Works for dating as well..
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Post by Jefferson on Jan 9, 2013 8:55:33 GMT -7
Went back and played it more yesterday afternoon. Boy does it sound good with a slide and open G...
Probably going to send the pics to Gruhn to see if they can give me more info on it.
Stay tuned...
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Post by Jefferson on Jan 9, 2013 10:42:18 GMT -7
sent pics to Gruhn. their view is that it was built Circa 1935. Maybe i will just watch and see if this sits around for a while and then make an offer...
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Post by Maddog on Jan 9, 2013 10:57:43 GMT -7
Man, it looks to be in great shape!!!!!
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Post by Jefferson on Jan 9, 2013 11:29:29 GMT -7
pretty darn good for a guitar that is nearly 80 years old! I was blown away by how well the tuners kept things in tune!
Just got a call from Glen Tracy at Gruhn who basicly said that it was a prime example of the early delta blues players type of guitar and that they played them because they were cheap but had good tone woods and many of them had a fair amount of mojo. not to mention that they may begin to see a bit of value as time goes by and good examples become more and more rare. think im gonna offer the guy 375 and see what happens.
JR
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Post by Jefferson on Jan 10, 2013 14:53:25 GMT -7
the more i play this guitar the more i love it! Rich, balanced tone across all the strings. has that kind of sound you can only get from an 80 year old spruce top! I know it isnt an old martin or gibson, but you can sure tell that whoever put this thing together did it with a lot of pride and skill.
cant wait to use this at our next "Bluegrass Sunday" church gig...
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Post by markT on Jan 10, 2013 15:59:46 GMT -7
Nice one JR! Enjoy~
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2013 6:57:08 GMT -7
Couch machine!
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Post by kjv02 on Jan 17, 2013 17:52:00 GMT -7
pretty cool. i've always wanted one of those old guitars like this or kay, harmony, etc
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Post by waynelawkid on Jan 17, 2013 18:01:06 GMT -7
Invariably when I "wait" on a guitar, the guitar doesn't wait long enough for me.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jan 17, 2013 22:24:53 GMT -7
...cant wait to use this at our next "Bluegrass Sunday" church gig... So jrudder, did you make the deal and bring her home?
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Post by Jefferson on Jan 18, 2013 8:49:40 GMT -7
oh yeah! $360 for killer tones and vintage mojo...
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