Big Mike's Campellone Special 17" Blonde

[DawgBone]

I think maybe I've been given too much credit here - I do try to achieve a reasonable level of accuracy and symmetry on the top and back plates, but mostly just by sight and feel - and as Archie implies, perfect symmetry isn't necessarily a goal - I'm sure a larger sampling would reveal a few things off by "a micron or two"

But Archie posted a random sample of a guitar he got his hands on so it's not like you rigged it by sending him your #1 choice for analysis so I think you must have a pretty good set of eyes in your head. I've done enough woodwork from framing and sheathing buildings to basic guitar repairs to fitting barreled actions into gunstocks to building a couple amp/speaker cabs to know that wood and perfection can never co-exist 100 percent. There will always be some level of movement, twisting, warping, or a tear out, or unwanted curvature, or swelling, or inconvenient knots, or random spot that keeps sopping up finish when the rest of it doesn't, etc. Of course you can head a lot of that off at the pass with quality materials but even that isn't a 100 percent guarantee. Some pieces of wood have a mind of their own sometimes. I know I'm probably preaching to the choir here but your work makes it look way easier than it is. I'd be committed to an institution if I tried to build an archtop from scratch. Heck no!!!

[Archie]

But Archie posted a random sample of a guitar he got his hands on so it's not like you rigged it by sending him your #1 choice for analysis so I think you must have a pretty good set of eyes in your head. I've done enough woodwork from framing and sheathing buildings to basic guitar repairs to fitting barreled actions into gunstocks to building a couple amp/speaker cabs to know that wood and perfection can never co-exist 100 percent. There will always be some level of movement, twisting, warping, or a tear out, or unwanted curvature, or swelling, or inconvenient knots, or random spot that keeps sopping up finish when the rest of it doesn't, etc. Of course you can head a lot of that off at the pass with quality materials but even that isn't a 100 percent guarantee. Some pieces of wood have a mind of their own sometimes. I know I'm probably preaching to the choir here but your work makes it look way easier than it is. I'd be committed to an institution if I tried to build an archtop from scratch. Heck no!!!

It’s a 2000 year model so now 24 years old. I’d say it's holding up well.

[jim777]

I have had binding discoloration on a couple of guitars in the past. Rather than replace the cases, I just wrap each guitar in an old piece of a white bed sheet inside its case. Never had the problem since I started doing this.
Keith

I'm going to do this as well. I hadn't factored in get a new 18" case for the Special I got from Big Mike, and this is more cost effective in the short term. I'll look for a newer case when the last kid graduates next year

[Gitfiddler]

I'm going to do this as well. I hadn't factored in get a new 18" case for the Special I got from Big Mike, and this is more cost effective in the short term. I'll look for a newer case when the last kid graduates next year

An oversized white, long-sleeve T-Shirt coddles my archtops inside their cases. No binding stains in over 20 years.

[2bornot2bop]

An oversized white, long-sleeve T-Shirt coddles my archtops inside their cases. No binding stains in over 20 years.

Now that’s thinking outside the box!

[floatingpickup]

I'm going to do this as well. I hadn't factored in get a new 18" case for the Special I got from Big Mike, and this is more cost effective in the short term. I'll look for a newer case when the last kid graduates next year

If I were you, I wouldn’t bother replacing the case “when the last kid graduates”. I have also experienced dye stains to the binding of guitars from other brands of cases and even from clothing, so replacing the case doesn’t guarantee that it won’t happen to you. Wrapping the guitar in a white sheet will do the trick, and the Cedar Creek case is a very high quality case which provides excellent protection for your guitar. My only complaint is that they are heavy.
Keith

[jim777]

My guitar doesn't have any stain on it, and the binding is still completely bright white. Mike wrote "2007 Special" on a little tag attached to the case, so I assume it's been fine all these years. But as a precaution it now wears a Hanes undershirt as well

[Don6200]

Hi,

Ray Chesna suggested I look into Mark Campellone when we both lived in the Atlanta area.

Mark and I hit it off and I ordered it.

I recognize the flame maple back.

Enjoy and love it.

My friend, Tom Fowler played it and was very complimentary.

...Don6200

[Don6200]

My guitars are not kept in cases. The Special I sold to Big Mike was in a stand. My Cameo is on a stand also.

The J-50 is in the original Gibson case. All the Super-400's and L-5 never had issues in the Gibson cases either.

I sold them through Gruhn.

Don6200

[RealDavidW]

S'up?