New Small-Batch Campellone Build

[John Owen]

I won’t speak for anyone else but, one of my favorite things about retirement is that it allows me to decide how to spend my own time by prioritizing activities that amuse me or, in one way or another bring me fulfillment, rather than feeling a need to only apply myself to things that someone else has deemed to be ‘worthwhile’.

[Rickco]

If you can make that guitar whole again "talent" wouldnt be descriptive enough...mabey magician, cant wait to see it!

[John Owen]

If you can make that guitar whole again "talent" wouldnt be descriptive enough...mabey magician, cant wait to see it!

How about ‘supreme master of the 4th dimension’?

[j.l]

I've been delayed in posting by a trip to Ireland, where I was lucky enough to attend a bunch of stellar trad sessions and succeeded (?) at not buying a Lowden. Getting some build updates from Mark steeled my resolve (and reminded me I don't have any extra disposable income)! I'd asked Mark for a slightly thicker neck than his standard profile, and just eyeballing it, the curve looks perfect.

Whoa I'm getting excited about this; we've entered the "have I picked the right finish?" phase of the process... (So far, I remain committed.)

[John Owen]

I've been delayed in posting by a trip to Ireland, where I was lucky enough to attend a bunch of stellar trad sessions and succeeded (?) at not buying a Lowden. Getting some build updates from Mark steeled my resolve (and reminded me I don't have any extra disposable income)! I'd asked Mark for a slightly thicker neck than his standard profile, and just eyeballing it, the curve looks perfect.

Whoa I'm getting excited about this; we've entered the "have I picked the right finish?" phase of the process... (So far, I remain committed.)

Sweet!

[MCampellone]

I just think your talent is wasted on such an abomination, Mark.

I appreciate the implied compliment, Mick, but a '59 ES-175 isn't 'just another laminate guitar' - it's been decades since Gibson built guitars the way this one was built - that makes it kinda special, so it seems a shame to let such a guitar waste away in limbo - bringing it back to life will be both rewarding and fun for me - and my talent and skill won't be wasted......they will be challenged!

[skykomishone]

Mark,
I'm really looking forward to it. Of all the guitars in the universe, the Joe Pass version of the 175 really rings my bell on the list of favs.
I've only owned the 2 pu version, but have rarely, if ever used the bridge pu, except in a small, jam packed little bar with a sextet that had a baratone sax and electric piano. Had to blend some in to cut through the jungle.

[andrew]

Will the patching on that 175 be done with laminated or solid wood?

[j.l]

Will the patching on that 175 be done with laminated or solid wood?

Definitely solid wood—experimenting with carefully placed "tone zones" to increase resonance and sustain. Brilliant, when you think about it.

[Rickco]

Mark, I think you could sell tickets to this 175 restoration!

[MCampellone]

Mark, I think you could sell tickets to this 175 restoration!

LOL! Warner Bros. has already asked me for rights to the movie

[MCampellone]

Will the patching on that 175 be done with laminated or solid wood?

I'll probably use solid maple so I can carve it to blend with the contours of the surrounding area.

[vinnyv1k]

Since we are talking about 175’s - Jim Culbertson at the Crimson shop built me this single pu in 2010. He added a heel cap and old school neck shading. Back then it was $3K brand new.

[213Cobra]

Since we are talking about 175’s - Jim Culbertson at the Crimson shop built me this single pu in 2010. He added a heel cap and old school neck shading. Back then it was $3K brand new.

Beautiful, Vinny. I always say, the best 175 is a 165. These two were made 19 years and 18 years earlier than your splendid 165-configured Crimson 175. The one on the left is a 1991; the one on the right is a 1992 that was shipped with a Bigsby, which I replaced with an L-4 tailpiece. Then, followed by a 2009 custom-ordered L-4CES, Wes-style.

Phil

[vinnyv1k]

Beautiful Phil ! As Joe Pass used to say about 2 pu archtops - ( too much hardware! )

[John Owen]

Speaking of beautiful…Mark sent me birthday suit photos this morning of my soon to be new guitar. Behold!

[vinnyv1k]

Beautiful woods !

[j.l]

John, I've been meaning to say: the snakehead headstock, with the backplate and the one-piece neck is just *chef's kiss*. Such a classic and wonderful look!

[j.l]

I had my update today from Mark, too. Whenever I get one, I know that I'm going to get to see John's guitar as well—two for the price of one! Can't believe how this is coming together, it's so exciting to see.

[John Owen]

John, I've been meaning to say: the snakehead headstock, with the backplate and the one-piece neck is just *chef's kiss*. Such a classic and wonderful look!

I agree! Likewise, your guitar looks exquisite. I love the skunk stripe, multi-ply binding and the great abalone inlay. They are two different versions of amazing elegance. I always agree that it has been fun to watch them emerge in tandem. We are fortunate indeed.

[j.l]

As I told Mark, I knew that the sealer was going to make the flame explode and was trying to imagine it, but it looks even better than I'd been able to imagine! I really love the combination of the depth of the flame, with some real character coming from the irregularity of it.

[John Owen]

As I told Mark, I knew that the sealer was going to make the flame explode and was trying to imagine it, but it looks even better than I'd been able to imagine! I really love the combination of the depth of the flame, with some real character coming from the irregularity of it.

That is truly a thing of beauty!

As you might expect, I also got some photos from Mark today. Since the wood looks so nice as it is, with figure of the maple and color shade matching so well all around, he wanted to give me the chance to consider changing my finish selection from ‘antique natural’ to just straight ahead natural. I was very tempted and, as I told Mark, my wife said “…go with his suggestion, he’s smarter than you are.” She’s right of course but I decided to stick to my original plan and go with the slight amber tint. I certainly appreciate the fact that he took the time to suggest I consider that option though. It says a lot about his thoughtfulness and the pride he takes in his work!

[skykomishone]

That's what I went with!
When you have wood that beautiful, you want to see it.
The guitar wood and finish will naturally age on its own. Your guitar is beautiful!

[vinnyv1k]

Natural is the way to go. Mark is correct. It will mellow yellow with age. When Antique Natural ages it looks unnatural and more like a yellow submarine. Listen to your wife and Mark.

[John Owen]

Natural is the way to go. Mark is correct. It will mellow yellow with age. When Antique Natural ages it looks unnatural and more like a yellow submarine. Listen to your wife and Mark.

Thanks for the advice Vinny. Trust me, I very much value both Mark’s and my wife’s opinion. I also trust your opinion - if anyone knows what a beautiful Campellone guitar looks like it is you! However, as I told Mark when he mentioned that it will color up with age, I am taking into consideration my family's lifespan history and my current age. Based on those factors there is a greater than zero probability that I’ll only get to watch that guitar age for a few years. I’ve done pretty well with respect to living a lifestyle that should put the odds a little more in my favor than they were for my dad and his dad (among other ancestors) but still…

Here’s a link to our own floatingpickup’s NGD post from 2024 showing what his Campellone Special in antique natural looked like 17 years after it was born:

Campellone Special

Maybe that isn’t what everyone is after but it looks pretty great to me.