The next Campellone batch

[vinnyv1k]

Mark has cut his batches from 6 to 4 as Father Time takes no prisoners but as usual a sweet batch. Love the Brazilian rosewood he gets from some guy in Brazil.

[vinnyv1k]

[andrew]

We hadn’t seen any pictures in a while. I was begging to wonder what was going on up there! Looks like this batch is nearly completed. Beautiful work, as always. An interesting mix too: an EP, two Deluxes, and a non-cutaway Special. Also a few other restoration projects lurking in the background.

[DawgBone]

Blondie on the left looks like a serious winner. Tailpiece pictured is the most beautiful in the business as usual. Looking great all around. Thanks for sharing!!!

[MCampellone]

Yup, only four pieces per batch from now on - the last batch of six I did was a enough of a strain to convince me that it's time to slow down. Plus, I would like to spend some time doing selected restoration projects (something I really enjoy). As seen in the pics, the current projects are a '63 Gretsch 6120DC and a Gibson ES-130 from the mid 50's - the ES-130 is a rare model (in fact, even I'd never heard of it till now), and this one is particularly mysterious in that it has an apparently original 22 fret neck (as opposed to the stock 20 fret neck). I have a couple more projects lined up after these.

[DawgBone]

Yup, only four pieces per batch from now on - the last batch of six I did was a enough of a strain to convince me that it's time to slow down. Plus, I would like to spend some time doing selected restoration projects (something I really enjoy). As seen in the pics, the current projects are a '63 Gretsch 6120DC and a Gibson ES-130 from the mid 50's - the ES-130 is a rare model (in fact, even I'd never heard of it till now), and this one is particularly mysterious in that it has an apparently original 22 fret neck (as opposed to the stock 20 fret neck). I have a couple more projects lined up after these.

No one will like this and maybe I should keep my mouth shut but perhaps you should raise your rates. Everyone else has. I don't have the insider's view but I don't see many of your instruments sitting in your shop waiting to be sold long. And there are relatively few for sale used and those that are seem to be from the 90's and early 2000's which means it's highly likely to be a dead man's guitar rather than someone who doesn't want a Campellone anymore. You look early-mid 50s in your photos but I am told you are older than that. The latter years of a master luthier ought to command more money for his cumulative lifetime experience and I think your guitars appearance, and reports from users here on the tonal qualities, reflect that. Just my two cents. It appears demand exceeds the supply....

[MCampellone]

No one will like this and maybe I should keep my mouth shut but perhaps you should raise your rates. Everyone else has. I don't have the insider's view but I don't see many of your instruments sitting in your shop waiting to be sold long. And there are relatively few for sale used and those that are seem to be from the 90's and early 2000's which means it's highly likely to be a dead man's guitar rather than someone who doesn't want a Campellone anymore. You look early-mid 50s in your photos but I am told you are older than that. The latter years of a master luthier ought to command more money for his cumulative lifetime experience and I think your guitars appearance, and reports from users here on the tonal qualities, reflect that. Just my two cents. It appears demand exceeds the supply....

Point well taken DB, and you're not the first person to voice this opinion. Actually, over the years, many people have said (either secretly or overtly) that I should raise prices. When I started out, I felt that pricing my guitars in the same range as factory made instruments would be a sound policy, and I guess I've stayed with that way of thinking - it's allowed me to get more guitars into the hands of more people, which was my aim for many years. Of course, our priorities can change with age, and your comments have not fallen on deaf ears - I suspect, though, that I'll continue to be pretty conservative when putting a value on my work.

[Hammertone]

...You look early-mid 50s in your photos but I am told you are older than that. ....

I like this part.

I see another EP. Cool.

[MCampellone]

Point well taken DB, and you're not the first person to voice this opinion. Actually, over the years, many people have said (either secretly or overtly) that I should raise prices. When I started out, I felt that pricing my guitars in the same range as factory made instruments would be a sound policy, and I guess I've stayed with that way of thinking - it's allowed me to get more guitars into the hands of more people, which was my aim for many years. Of course, our priorities can change with age, and your comments have not fallen on deaf ears - I suspect, though, that I'll continue to be pretty conservative when putting a value on my work.

Btw DB, thanks for your flattering estimation of my age (lol) - I'll turn 71 in August - some days I feel like 30, some days like 90 : )

[vinnyv1k]

1954 was a good year for guitar lovers - Doyle Dykes - May, Me - June, and Mark - August.

[bluenote61]

Love the Brazilian rosewood he gets from some guy in Brazil.

Importing Brazilian Rosewood? Did the USA also leave the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species beside some more international agreements?

[vinnyv1k]

Importing Brazilian Rosewood? Did the USA also leave the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species beside some more international agreements?

I believe it is very old rosewood that was saved from a demolished building many years ago.

[Max405]

Mark, the tailpiece with the wood insert is my favorite tailpiece ever.
You will never be replaced. Pace yourself. You got another 30 years and 360 guitars left in those powerful hands of yours.
JD

[floatingpickup]

1954 was a good year for guitar lovers - Doyle Dykes - May, Me - June, and Mark - August.

April 1954 for me.
Keith

[213Cobra]

1954 was a good year for guitar lovers - Doyle Dykes - May, Me - June, and Mark - August.

Just turned 71 on Friday, myself. Eventually I'll find a 1954 guitar. -Phil

[m1austin]

1954 was a good year for guitar lovers - Doyle Dykes - May, Me - June, and Mark - August.

April 1954 for me too! What is they say about birds of a feather?

[Gilpy]

Nice to see another EP in the works! I was wondering if mine, from 2023, might be the last one.

It's the most practical archtop I've owned. 15 frets clear of the body, side jack, and the smaller size makes it the one that's easiest to pick up and play. Sounds huge plugged in, but high resistance to feedback. And the acoustic sound, while not that of a 17" guitar, is very satisfying. I mostly play mine unplugged.

The neck, fretwork and playability are all perfect!

[DawgBone]

Nice to see another EP in the works! I was wondering if mine, from 2023, might be the last one.

It's the most practical archtop I've owned. 15 frets clear of the body, side jack, and the smaller size makes it the one that's easiest to pick up and play. Sounds huge plugged in, but high resistance to feedback. And the acoustic sound, while not that of a 17" guitar, is very satisfying. I mostly play mine unplugged.

The neck, fretwork and playability are all perfect!

Man, that's a beauty!!!