1996 Campellone Special

[metis]

Caught a bad case of GAS over the past couple months, and when I came to, I’d acquired a 1996 Campellone Special. I bought it off the web having never played a Campellone and wasn’t totally sure what to expect, but I’ve been completely blown away.


It’s 17” x 3” and x-braced with a vintage DeArmond 1100 floater. My “dream tone” is Roost/1950’s Johnny Smith, and setting aside my terrible playing, this thing seems to get pretty close! Very responsive and lively acoustically, open and engaging amplified. Currently strung with Newtone double wound phosphor bronze, though I’ll probably switch over to a set of Galli bronze flats eventually.


Bought from Dennis Lee at Essential Guitars - I don’t think he’s been around long but he was a pleasure to work with.


Attaching the glamour shots from the seller, because he’s a better photographer than me.


Now, back to the woodshed…

[rrbasic]

My first thought when I saw the picture was "Oh, I like It".
I hope it does you well.

[Stringswinger]

Congrats and welcome to the Campy club. If you know, you know. And now you know. May she inspire your playing for many years to come.

[Freddels]

I'd like to suggest that you try a set of Stringjoy Broadways 12-52 before you jump to flats.

I tried a set and my guitar just came alive after having flats on it.

[deacon Mark]

Yes, welcome to the club, it is the modern day D'angelico guitar. A beautiful guitar play the frets off it.

[vinnyv1k]

Welcome aboard the Campy train. A very enjoyable ride. Congrats !

[andrew]

Congrats! I think you’ll soon discover what so many of us around here already know: Mark’s guitars are truly special (even the ones that aren’t “Special”)

[Woodstove]

Congrats! I think you’ll soon discover what so many of us around here already know: Mark’s guitars are truly special (even the ones that aren’t “Special”)

True that. I ran into a used 16" thinline standard Campy last month. I'll get to the NGD, but wow, what a great, great guitar! Congrats to the OP, it's a beauty!!

[Baldoza]

Wow!!! That´s some guitar

[bmw2002]

Congratulations on the beautiful new Campy (I have a 2016 thin line standard Mark made for me).

Essential Guitars is one of my daily GAS stops on the internet, along with Dream Guitars and a few others. I believe the proprietor is a member here and on a few other guitar forums.

[Bob_Ross]

I got drool on my laptop.

[bluejaybill]

Welcome to the Campellone Club!

That is a nice score. The quality of the wood is exceptional, and was probably easier to source back then. It is pretty hard to find now.

[Mark M.]

Absolutely stunning, and like all great archtops it is more beautiful as it ages. Enjoy!

[jim777]

Wow, she's a looker! Play her in health!

[skykomishone]

Mark's guitars are beautiful. Yours is particularly so. It’s a feast for the eyes. Richly beautiful! Congratulations and thank you for sharing the joy of owning such a nice instrument. I can only imagine what it must play and sound like.

[pilotony]

Proud Campy owner here.

The more you play it, the more you will like it.

Tony D.