Wilkie Jimmy Bruno Model

[AKA]

[garybaldy]

Very Nice.

[GuyBoden]

Very, very nice sounding Archtop guitar, acoustically.

I had to watch on YouTube:
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37a7qbAO93o"

[Aiq]

Hard to tell for real but that instrument really seems to be balanced across the strings.

[SierraTango]

Didn't you recently take delivery of one of his guitars?

[Cunamara]

That sounds and looks *really* nice. $12k is right out of the ballpark for me so it's not even remotely a consideration, but that seems to be the economics for a carved archtop these days. For some luthiers that'd be the bargain basement price, even. I love seeing and hearing them when someone else can afford 'em, though!

And we should talk about the price of concert grade string instruments, $12k would barely be the down payment! Guitarists have it pretty good, by comparison, even at the higher end for archtops.

[ccroft]

... And we should talk about the price of concert grade string instruments, $12k would barely be the down payment! Guitarists have it pretty good, by comparison, even at the higher end for archtops.

Yeah man. $12K is a half decent bow for a pro violinist. It gets you an intermediate bassoon. Pianos? Top end is a house.

And we complain about the cost on Infield Swings and picks!

[garybaldy]

Did Jimmy commission it for himself or endorse it as a production model. It sounds amazing.

[jads57]

While I can appreciate the finer points of higher priced Archtops. Like anything else it has diminishing returns in terms of an actual musical tool to make a living.
Same can be said of all of the orchestral instruments as well,unfortunately!

The good news is there are plenty of excellent used Archtops in an affordable range for actual musicians. Who are lucky to make any kind of living nowadays,Lol!

[FourOnSix]

While I can appreciate the finer points of higher priced Archtops. Like anything else it has diminishing returns in terms of an actual musical tool to make a living.
Same can be said of all of the orchestral instruments as well,unfortunately!

Here we go again. Last I looked, this wasn't exclusively a trade forum. Making a living is one thing. Enjoying life is another. For some folks, the latter might involve playing a fine instrument.

[Aiq]

I’m way past gigging and I’m satisfied with my modest instruments, thankful really.

Rest assured should I come into an unexpected windfall I would absolutely use the opportunity to get something like this instrument.

I did receive a little something from my departed auntie but…a bit short. I’ll let herself decide where to apply that resource.

[AKA]

Didn't you recently take delivery of one of his guitars?

Yes - a bit over a year ago. (He helped Benedetto build Cremonas and other flagship models for a while.)

AKA

[Cunamara]

Here we go again. Last I looked, this wasn't exclusively a trade forum. Making a living is one thing. Enjoying life is another. For some folks, the latter might involve playing a fine instrument.

If you can afford it and it makes your heart sing, why the heck not?

The Wilkie is a beautiful guitar and sounds wonderful in Jimmy’s hands. I’ve heard Jimmy sound good on quite a few different guitars, but he sounds particularly good on that one.

The fact that I couldn’t afford to spend that much money for a guitar is nobody’s problem but mine.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

While I can appreciate the finer points of higher priced Archtops. Like anything else it has diminishing returns in terms of an actual musical tool to make a living.
Same can be said of all of the orchestral instruments as well,unfortunately!

That's a very personal decision. There are certainly many production guitars out there for under $1k that serve working pros well for many years. Most of us (including me) could have gotten through decades of gigging with an Ibanez AF archtop set up by a skilled luthier and well maintained. I'd just replace it when it needed new frets because the work would cost as much as another new one.

But top quality luthier built archtops (like Monette trumpets, Yanigsawa and Keilworth saxophones, Haynes flutes etc) are things of beauty and joy as well as tools with which professionals can achieve their best. Some pros consider their instruments to be nothing more than tools. They derive little or no pleasure from having them and feel nothing toward them. But those who love and appreciate fine instruments get intense personal pleasue from them in addition to using them as tools. There is an argument that playing an instrument you truly love and admire for its sound, feel, craftsmanship, beauty, responsiveness, etc lets you be a better player, and I think that's true.

If an instrument really pleases you, you form a firm and enduring bond with it. If it's within your reach and you value it enough, the return on its cost will be well worth any sacrifices you choose to make to have it. Not all feel this way. But there's a reason so many $100k musical instruments are sold. Some go to status seekers for sure . But many (and hopefully most) are bought by accomplished artists whose careers are enhanced by them, who treasure them, and who achieve greatness because of them.

[wintermoon]

This guy goes from forum to forum, thread to thread, and poops on what he perceives as expensive instruments that aren't working guitars and can't possibly pay for themselves over the course of ownership, so what's the point of owning them.
Yet he also claims he's had every expensive vintage guitar and amp known to man.
It's some sort of weird wet blanket parade rainer obsession that has gotten so old that when you see one of his posts, especially in NG threads, it's invariably to state that it's foolish to own anything that isn't strictly a utility instrument.
It's almost as if he had a traumatic experience w an expensive guitar and can't help but post that he can't understand why anyone would want one.

[ccroft]

I can't help but post what I've said before on the tool thing. What's wrong with buying the best tool you can afford? That's how I tend to roll.

On the tool thing: we have a $50K table saw in the shop I manage. Could we build with a less expensive saw? Of course! We have, and we do when the big saw is in use. The Altendorf is much more efficient, quieter, easier on the body, smoother running and looks better too. This is actually quite important for client tours: 'ooooh... what is THAT?!"

So don't discount looks. And that thing has paid for itself a few times over in 10 years. It still looks and runs just as it did when we got it.

[SierraTango]

While I can appreciate the finer points of higher priced Archtops. Like anything else it has diminishing returns in terms of an actual musical tool to make a living.
Same can be said of all of the orchestral instruments as well,unfortunately!

The good news is there are plenty of excellent used Archtops in an affordable range for actual musicians. Who are lucky to make any kind of living nowadays,Lol!

Oh boy! Another "rich guys who own expensive guitars aren't acutal musicians" opinion. Humm...I gotta push back on that one.
I was intoduced to Benedetto guitars by Jimmy Bruno over 30 years ago when I took some lessons from him in Philly. At the time I was gigging with a Gibson Howard Roberts, a fine guitar. But the Benedetto was on a whole higher level. I could't afford one at the time, however it was a goal to find one. Rule one was this-whatever Benedetto that I bonded with was going to play out with me and gig. It also had to be built by Bob himself. My opinion was and still is he hit his golden stride late 80's to mid 90's
I auditioned as many as I could when I came into a position to afford one. I was saving for a new car when mine came up it was love at first play.
I emptied my savings account and drove my old car for a few years. Best decision I ever made.
Am I a "autual" musician? I sure like to think so. I am wealthy? Not by any stretch. Does it inspire me to do my best on every performance?
Hell Yes! This photo has been taped to the inside cover of my chart book forever..It also inspires me.

[jads57]

While I can certainly appreciate finer things like bespoke Archtops.
I was born in the late 1950’s and while Archtops from Gibson,as well as D’Angelico and later D’Aquisto were never inexpensive. But they were more affordable to working musicians.
In fact I remember a used D’Angelico at Gruhn Guitars in the mid 1970’s was $750. A 1940’s Gibson L-5 non cut was about $500 and I could buy a newer Johnny Smith for $1200.

And I don’t begrudge fine luthiers making a living either. I find it funny other than people with deep pockets,are the ones who these are made for.
Certainly most of these fine luthiers deeply discount their instruments to the well known players for endorsements. But nowadays as well as in the past ,playing these guitars to make one’s living would make no Cents at all,Lol!

[garybaldy]

Oh boy! Another "rich guys who own expensive guitars aren't acutal musicians" opinion. Humm...I gotta push back on that one.
I was intoduced to Benedetto guitars by Jimmy Bruno over 30 years ago when I took some lessons from him in Philly. At the time I was gigging with a Gibson Howard Roberts, a fine guitar. But the Benedetto was on a whole higher level. I could't afford one at the time, however it was a goal to find one. Rule one was this-whatever Benedetto that I bonded with was going to play out with me and gig. It also had to be built by Bob himself. My opinion was and still is he hit his golden stride late 80's to mid 90's
I auditioned as many as I could when I came into a position to afford one. I was saving for a new car when mine came up it was love at first play.
I emptied my savings account and drove my old car for a few years. Best decision I ever made.
Am I a "autual" musician? I sure like to think so. I am wealthy? Not by any stretch. Does it inspire me to do my best on every performance?
Hell Yes! This photo has been taped to the inside cover of my chart book forever..It also inspires me.

That's a wonderful photo!

[wintermoon]

While I can certainly appreciate finer things like bespoke Archtops.
I was born in the late 1950’s and while Archtops from Gibson,as well as D’Angelico and later D’Aquisto were never inexpensive. But they were more affordable to working musicians.
In fact I remember a used D’Angelico at Gruhn Guitars in the mid 1970’s was $750. A 1940’s Gibson L-5 non cut was about $500 and I could buy a newer Johnny Smith for $1200.

And I don’t begrudge fine luthiers making a living either. I find it funny other than people with deep pockets,are the ones who these are made for.
Certainly most of these fine luthiers deeply discount their instruments to the well known players for endorsements. But nowadays as well as in the past ,playing these guitars to make one’s living would make no Cents at all,Lol!

again, what does this have to do w someone that just might want to own a great instrument and isn't necessarily going to you use it to "make a living"
and are you aware that many D'Angelico, Stromberg etc guitars were ordered and made for working musicians?
it just sounds like you're either jealous or have some weird point of view that every guitar made has to be used to make a living.
frankly you're the one doesn't make any 'Cents'

[garybaldy]

I spent all my gig money on a Squier affinity strat and an Ibby AF55 (used ofcourse).

[jads57]

Just pointing out that guitars as a collection is a more recent phenomenon in the last 20 years or so.
And I remember pre vintage craze in the late 1970’s. I even remember when it was Michael Bloomfield and Eric Clapton creating the market for these guitars.

There is a lot of good this craze has created especially with Gibson and Fender. I actually think many of these fine current replicas are as good and way more consistent than the originals.
Im sure this due to current technologies.

As far as jealousy,I guess sure a bit for sure. Would love to try out the newer high end offerings. But again I come at it from a players perspective first and foremost.
Im not looking to impress others with my acquisitions. And I’ve found usually those with these collections are not very skilled at playing music. Especially since it takes a lot of work to play Jazz well or any music in a live setting.
Im not saying that as put down, but rather if I was in any other profession that I made my living at for 50 years.

[Stringswinger]

Just pointing out that guitars as a collection is a more recent phenomenon in the last 20 years or so.
And I remember pre vintage craze in the late 1970’s. I even remember when it was Michael Bloomfield and Eric Clapton creating the market for these guitars.

There is a lot of good this craze has created especially with Gibson and Fender. I actually think many of these fine current replicas are as good and way more consistent than the originals.
Im sure this due to current technologies.

As far as jealousy,I guess sure a bit for sure. Would love to try out the newer high end offerings. But again I come at it from a players perspective first and foremost.
Im not looking to impress others with my acquisitions. And I’ve found usually those with these collections are not very skilled at playing music. Especially since it takes a lot of work to play Jazz well or any music in a live setting.
Im not saying that as put down, but rather if I was in any other profession that I made my living at for 50 years.

A few things:

Older people rarely factor inflation into their thinking. Those of us who remember an $800 L-5 sometimes cringe at the thought of paying $8,000 for an L-5, but today that is where they start. Some guitars due to increased demand (more people on the planet) and reduced supply exceed inflation over time. Some guitars depreciate like a car and are worth less and less over time.

While some guitars are clearly status symbol art collection pieces, other high end guitars do get used by pros. I saw Anthony Wilson playing a Monteleone archtop on a gig. While I am unsure as to what that gig paid, in no way was that pay commensurate with a 75K guitar. He wanted to play that guitar on that gig. Good for him! I have used a 15K D'Angelico to play $300 gigs. Had I brought a 3K 175, the audience and the client would not have known the difference. I did though and that is what counts.

It takes about 100 hours to hand craft a carved acoustic archtop. Top notch tone wood is expensive these days. Sure, Eastman can bring a hand carved archtop to market for 3K, but that would mean fast food worker wages for the American or European luthier who charges that much.

@Jads: We get it. You are a well seasoned, retired pro who doesn't have the coin for some of these high end guitars (most pro musicians from our generation have not retired well off ). And you are correct that many if not most collectors of high end guitars lack pro level skills. But you should refrain from raining on the parade of cats here who want to spend their hard earned coin on some functional art. It is great that talented luthiers can sell their wares (and make a living) and it is great that there are people who buy them and enjoy them, no matter their skill level.

Me ? I just like looking at them. I am retired from professional performance (mostly) and I have kept 18 guitars that I have about the same money invested into as someone does with a nice SUV. When I croak and my wife and daughters sell off my guitars, they will have way more funds coming their way that the heirs of the guy with that nice SUV will.

[Cunamara]

There's been a bump in the price of archtops, it seems. I'm too lazy to do the math for inflation, but I bought my archtop in 2006 and the current base price by the luthier was about $3000. I got a bargain because it was an experimental finish and he didn't like the results. It's a great playing and sounding guitar, some areas of the finish are definitely a little rough.

Lots of other luthiers at the time seemed in that ballpark of $3-4000. Since then costs have gone up: wood, shop equipment and tools, rent (commercial rent is amazingly high) and other materials not to mention health insurance, taxes, website and marketing costs, etc. Hopefully the price bump for guitars translates into a decent living for luthiers and better than "fast food wages."

[garybaldy]

Not everyone who isn't a pro considers their 'high end' (whatever that means) guitars to be a status symbol.