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I plan to retire in 2 years and I’m mostly done playing gigs. I’m generally playing for an audience of one at this point, and occasionally with one or two other players. My taste in music that I like to play is fairly eclectic: jazz, blues (delta, Chicago, hill country, piedmont, etc), soul, flamenco, and classical. I am also trying to learn to play the piano. So, I have been collecting instruments that will meet these diverse musical needs and still be great instruments that are satisfying to play.
All of this brought me to the conclusion that I couldn’t justify two fine archtops and I decided to sell my Trenier Model E that was purchased by a member of this forum. By carefully watching Reverb and local stores, its sale allowed me to add a Gibson ES 330 ‘62 RI VOS, a National Style 1 tricone, a MIM Fender Jazz Bass, and two amps. I think I did pretty well. While it was hard to let the Trenier go, my Campellone fills my archtop needs very nicely and I am much closer now to having instruments that cover all my musical interests. Here are the latest pictures of the herd:
On the wall L to R: Martin OM-16, Martin 0000-28/45 Gruhn Special. On the floor L to R: Graciliano Perez flamenca negra (previously owned by Fareed Haque), Jose Gonzalez Lopez flamenca negra, Mijail Kharash flamenca blanca, Mijail Kharash cedar/RW classical.
On the wall L to R: Fender Road Worn Telecaster, Mark Campellone 17” Standard Custom w/ Biltoft floating CC p/u, 2018 Gibson ES 330 ‘62 RI VOS, Fender MIM Jazz Bass. On the floor L to R: 1935 National Duolian (tuned to open G), recent National Style 1 Tricone (tuned to open D). Amps: Henriksen Blu 10, Fender Blues Junior, Fender Rumble 15W Bass amp.
I think I am close to having everything I might need when I retire and have all the time in the world to enjoy them, but, it’s likely that a few more things might catch my eye before I get there.
*Try as I might, I couldn’t get the piano pic to upload correctly. Sorry.
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01-01-2025 12:08 PM
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Enjoy them!
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Mark, 12 guitars and 3 amps would be so much more manageable than my 21 guitars and 4 amps. I am going to retire next year from playing out (at least for a bit) and I might downsize. I hope you do have not regrets about selling any of the guitars that you let go. I have a few regrets and that keeps me from downsizing. You have a really nice collection. Enjoy that retirement!
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Beautiful collection, Mark - and congrats on getting close to retirement!
[I would, however, suggest you get one more amp - maybe a boutique tube amp - to round out the herd!]
Enjoy!
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Congratulations Mark! There’s nothing like a Grand Piano in the room.
So, what’s your game plan to learn piano, and does your Wife play? What type of piano music interests you?
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2b, Mostly I am just opening the Real Book and playing through some standards, figuring out the harmony as I go along. It’s slow going but I enjoy it. I also subscribe to Open Studio and they have an excellent piano method that I am (slowly) working through. My wife played piano pretty well as a teenager and is getting back to it. We have a goal of playing a duet (her on piano, me on guitar) of the Adagio from Concierto de Aranjuez together, but it will take us awhile to get there. I find that sitting down at the piano and working out some tunes from the RB is really relaxing and fun.
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Fun!
Originally Posted by Mark M.
Idea: get a copy of Mick Goodrick's "Voice Leading Almanacs" and play through them on the piano -- such gorgeous sounds (some of which can't be easily played on the guitar, but work quite easily on piano)!
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I did the exact opposite. I retired 6 1/2 years ago and bought more guitars. I manage to sell one but picked up another 6. The net is 5 more. I am glad I did because some were quite a deal, or I would not have done it. These have kept my playing as active as it has in my 52 years of playing.
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I’m finding that my collection is growing in the process also. Twelve guitars in the most I have ever owned at the same time. Originally Posted by deacon Mark
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I am trying to prevent the accumulation of more instruments in my retirement. I already have enough that it is a dilemma as to which one to play...
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3 volumes of 500 pages each! Man that’s a lot of work. Most times solo piano has the bass in the root. Although it would be interesting to hear how 4 note voicings in those pdf manuals sound. Originally Posted by marcwhy
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Mine would not be where it is except for Big Mike. He sold me a couple of guitars and I am very grateful for that they are wonderful. Then I manage another one of his after he sold his collection. I would probably have not done that, but it is a stellar guitar. I went about 16 years before all this and never bought or sold and guitar. Maybe that is my excuse.
Some people retire to travel and see the world more and I just don't have that urge or make up. I justify it by playing the guitar. As a widower I find travel just not to be fun. There really is no one to share the experience as such and so I avoid it mostly. Given religious vows I am a celibate at this point and the good thing is you cannot "catch" any STD's playing the guitar.
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That’s one of my absolute favorites! I’ve worn out Jim Hall’s CTI version from 1975. Originally Posted by Mark M.
Open Studios Peter Martin is an absolute favorite of mine!
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So Mark, I’m going through Open Studios guided practice sessions. Is that what you’re doing? And if you’ve completed it what were your impressions as a new player?
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I’m doing that too, but I’m not very far along and my piano practice is not what it should be right now. But, I’m very impressed with the lessons and the guided practice sessions. The teachers are excellent and the lessons are broken into short, easy to digest sessions. Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
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