Mark Campellone’s latest batch

[vinnyv1k]

Mark is my age (71) and has scaled down to batches of 4. He says he still has 40 on his wait list and is hoping he can finish his list. He is taking some time off to do restoration work that he really enjoys. As always superb builds.

[vinnyv1k]

My favorite guitar maker and player

[vinnyv1k]

Doyle Dykes now rides the Campy Train also.

[Llewlyn]

Great guitars and great pics Vinny

Ll.

[jads57]

Didn’t realize he offered a sharp Florentine Cutaway now!

[Jabberwocky]

Didn't realise Mark's bald as a cue ball. I always imagined him with a lion's mane of golden curly locks.

[Hammertone]

Didn’t realize he offered a sharp Florentine Cutaway now!

This was a special case. Part of the story was a desire to surprise the customer, who really wanted a Florentine-cut Byrdland-style guitar but thought he would be getting a Venetian-cut version. I'm not sure if he was actually surprised with the completed guitar, but I kept my mouth shut when I saw it under construction.

[vinnyv1k]

Mark told me that he has made a jig now to make Florentine cuts.
Now if I can only squeeze one more guitar out of him.

[andrew]

Is that guitar a full on Byrdland spec complete with the extra short scale?

I see some restoration projects lurking in the background. Looks interesting. I would love to see some more photos of those too.

[Hammertone]

Is that guitar a full on Byrdland spec complete with the extra short scale?
I see some restoration projects lurking in the background. Looks interesting. I would love to see some more photos of those too.

The guitar does not have a Byrdland scale - regular scale.

[jim777]

The guitar does not have a Byrdland scale - regular scale.

It's absolutely stunning!

[Hammertone]

Mark told me that he has made a jig now to make Florentine cuts.
Now if I can only squeeze one more guitar out of him.

Of course! Mark makes a jig to prepare a grilled cheese sandwich.

[MHeld]

Is his waitlist closed?
How many batches of 4 does he do in a year?

[andrew]

Is his waitlist closed?

Hopefully Mark can chime in if anything has changed, but I know as of the recent past, the waitlist was “officially” closed. But there are some spots on the waitlist that are reserved for dealers and an individual can get one of those spots by purchasing through the dealer. The price is generally the same; the only differences being a deposit is required and the store may charge sales tax (depending on your location).

[Hammertone]

Six two-pickup guitars out of over 600 guitars built - under 1% of total output. Two from his latest group. I find this sort of thing interesting.

[guildx500]

I love the florentine cutaway.

[MCampellone]

Is that guitar a full on Byrdland spec complete with the extra short scale?

I see some restoration projects lurking in the background. Looks interesting. I would love to see some more photos of those too.

The customer originally wanted the 23.5" Byrdland fb scale, but a friend of his and I were able to talk him out of it : ) So this guitar has the standard 24.5" short fb scale.

And yes, lots of interesting restoration projects lined up - on the rack from left to right:
- 1962 S-400 (originally acoustic) with a late 50's neck (factory original) -
- 1984 S-400
- 1970 L-5 CES (orange label)
- 1964 and 1966 Chet Atkins 6120DC
- 1956 ES-225T
- 1955 ES-130 (rare model, plus it came from the factory with a 22 fret Les Paul fingerboard)
- 1957 L-4C
- 1949 ES-150
- and on the stand, a '69 Byrdland with a long scale neck - likely the only one known to exist - needs a ton of work.

I am documenting these restorations with photos - figure they might be of interest to some folks, so I'll probably post the photos here eventually.

[MCampellone]

This was a special case. Part of the story was a desire to surprise the customer, who really wanted a Florentine-cut Byrdland-style guitar but thought he would be getting a Venetian-cut version. I'm not sure if he was actually surprised with the completed guitar, but I kept my mouth shut when I saw it under construction.

Hammer seems to have a knack for taking the most unflattering photos of me

[MCampellone]

Hopefully Mark can chime in if anything has changed, but I know as of the recent past, the waitlist was “officially” closed. But there are some spots on the waitlist that are reserved for dealers and an individual can get one of those spots by purchasing through the dealer. The price is generally the same; the only differences being a deposit is required and the store may charge sales tax (depending on your location).

Fact is, I'm kinda backing off from building large batches - it's too much of a grind for me now at my age. For the present, I'm taking a break from building to work on restorations (and having a ball) - planning to continue restoration work, but will eventually work some new builds into my schedule, too - needless to say, my output of new builds will be much less than it's been for the past 35 years.

I'm working with only one dealer now (The Music Emporium) and the current arrangement is that I build whatever I feel like and they will purchase it for resale.

[lawson-stone]

I really can't complain since I have a nice L5ces hanging on the wall nearby, but I about drown in my own drool when I see the guitars Mark builds.

[Hammertone]

Hammer seems to have a knack for taking the most unflattering photos of me

Sheesh, I thought they showcased your charmingly whimsical side. I can always swap in something all serious and frowny if you prefer.

[Hammertone]

...a '69 Byrdland with a long scale neck - likely the only one known to exist - needs a ton of work.
I am documenting these restorations with photos - figure they might be of interest to some folks, so I'll probably post the photos here eventually.

That one is nuts. IIRC, I think there are a few more out there - I got really interested in these awhile back and will check my files.

More recently, Gibson has done a few. These two belonged to Danny W., although, technically, the dark one is an L-5CESTFL. Both cool AF.

[MCampellone]

That one is nuts. IIRC, I think there are a few more out there - I got really interested in these awhile back and will check my files.

More recently, Gibson has done a few. These two belonged to Danny W., although, technically, the dark one is an L-5CESTFL. Both cool AF.

Thanks for the correction, Hammer - hadn't ever heard about these other long scale Byrdland models - Oh well, I guess the one I have is at least the only Byrdland from 1969 with a long scale neck

[jads57]

Gibson made a few thin line L-5CES with Florentine Cutaways in the 1960’s. Jeff Hill from Knut Koupe Music Mpls,Mn was a collector and had one is Sunburst that I played . Back in the 1980’s.

Maybe Danny W. Could elaborate more on this for all us?

[Hammertone]

Here's a neat 2012 Byrdland in Cobalt Blue with a 24 3/4" scale, vintage-style 3-piece neck, double stingers, and AlNiCo V pickups. Gimme.