Gibson Solid Formed 17" Venetion Cutaway

**lawson-stone** · 05-21-2016, 02:31 PM

I have played a lot of guitars in my 61 years, and pretty much loved every one of them.

But archtops, especially (for me) electrics, are such a sensual delight to handle and play, it's hard to describe.

One thing I love about Joe D.'s playing, is that while the music is superb, the technique and playing is tasteful and perfect, Joe conveys also the sheer sensual pleasure in handling such an exquisite instrument as a well made archtop guitar. Even when I'm just playing thread-bare standards with shop-worn chord-melody cliches and lame arpeggio runs, the feeling of pleasure playing these guitars is simply intoxicating.

Joe reminds of this every time he posts a clip of his own playing--except of course, he leaves out the "shop-worn, thread-bare, lame cliche" parts!

**GNAPPI** · 05-21-2016, 04:43 PM

Well Joe you managed to illustrate the meaning of "warm" tone.

You also as usual managed to understate (actually leave it out completely) your contribution in the equasion by giving all the credit to the git :-)

I saw a video where Brian May's roadie was finished setting up for a gig and let another famous player try Brian's entire rig... and said he sounded NOTHING like Brian.

Yup hands make tone... and I remember that little red git Tal Farlow used on TV.

**Max405** · 05-21-2016, 05:14 PM

Thanks Gary.
I love playing this guitar because it's acoustic sound mixes well with its amplified tone. It also makes these types of arrangements a little easier to play because of its 24-3/4 scale and it's such a "player".
Any guitar was little in Tals hands. I could have used a little bit of those hands in this one. The 1st chord was a 6 fret stretch, starting at the 2nd fret. Needless to say, I wasn't playing a ukulele so I substituted that chord with an easier one.
thanks again.
JD

**TonyD** · 05-21-2016, 05:38 PM

Awesome playing as always Joe. I love the low end of this guitar. Is the neck very big?

Tony

**neatomic** · 05-21-2016, 05:39 PM

beautiful tune, beautiful playing...johnny smith arrangements are like mazes..will you make it out alive?!!..haha...joe D, you always do! with ease and beauty

but i'm with stringswinger...a luthiers carve is for you..if not for sound, then soul

let somebody else have some fun with this one

cheers

**Max405** · 05-21-2016, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by TonyD

Awesome playing as always Joe. I love the low end of this guitar. Is the neck very big?

Tony

Thank you Tony. The neck is comfortable. It's basically a 175 neck. Mahogany, perfect. It's the ideal chord melody machine..

Originally Posted by Neatomic

beautiful tune, beautiful playing...johnny smith arrangements are like mazes..will you make it out alive?!!..haha...joe D, you always do! with ease and beauty
but i'm with stringswinger...a luthiers carve is for you..if not for sound, then soul
let somebody else have some fun with this one

cheers

You ain't kidding Neatomic. I really believe Johnny set the bar so high, HE even hit a point where he couldn't keep up. Nothing is routine, nothing is simple. He was amazing.
I have an ugly muscle between 1st and 2nd finger that is deformed because of Moonlight in Vermont. It doesn't hurt so I keep going with my little hands..
i have no intension to sell this guitar. I want to be there when it opens up. LOOKOUT!
thanks buddy.

**neatomic** · 05-21-2016, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

Nothing is routine, nothing is simple.

exactly!!!

(and on every level)

the artist (of whatever discipline) pushes to put his particular stamp on it..prevents routine, prevents submitting to the simple

nice thing to always keep in mind...

cheers

**QAman** · 05-21-2016, 06:16 PM

Joe,
Wow ! Awesome playing throughout. You look real comfortable with the guitar and the tone is very rich - .....so much for the critics of formed plates. I remember playing that guitar at TMZ and thought it was a great guitar - very warm.
But then again like Lawson stated you can make any guitar sound good - I just love your arrangements - they are very musical and always have nice movement.
Thanks for providing us with these great videos of your enormous talent.

Your buddy,

Steve L

**Max405** · 05-21-2016, 06:35 PM

Thank you Stevie.
yeah the guitar fits well. The depth is perfect for the bout size. Only thing.. The pickguard needs some trim. It's just wrong on this guitar. Put trim on the PG and sell them for $4,000 new. Simple.
I am thinking my next arrangement will be something easier, maybe Twinkle twinkle little Star, MelBay, book 1..
these take a lot out of you.
Your Friend, Joe D

**QAman** · 05-21-2016, 06:57 PM

Joe,
I know exactly what you mean with the arrangements. I know how long they take to compose and play smoothly - and I really admire your dedication to learning these pcs.

As the complexity increases it becomes more difficult to remember all the chord structures.

I learned Tuck Andress " Over the rainbow and if you only had a brain" and had to play it at least 3 times a week to remember the eight pages- which I have since forgotten - but could get it back in about 3 hours.

Now that I play classical guitar as well , I'm having to play the Tarrega repertoire often to remember things- but it's what we do ..... and I now enjoy remembering what I can - and having fun with the moment.

Roger Borys , Bryant Trenier or Chris Marabella can make you a nice pick-guard. I was actually at Rogers shop Thursday talking about the good old days with Jimmy D.

Steve L

**mr. beaumont** · 05-21-2016, 07:09 PM

Bright and stringy for my tastes, but your playing is absolutely gorgeous, and that's waaaay more important than something subjective, like tone.

**citizenk74** · 05-21-2016, 08:10 PM

Excellent job as always, Joe. The GSF sounds just lovely in your hands. Keep playing all of your fine instruments in good health!

**Max405** · 05-21-2016, 08:12 PM

mr B,
I like it the way it is, but I hear what you are saying. The guitar is midrangy. Vinny thought it was the string gauge. I am using TI jazz swing 13's. In person it's a bit richer across the board than it is in the video. Not sure where the tone knob was set. I'll check when I get home.
Thanks for the comment about my playing. That's high praise coming from one of the best we got here. Thank you Jeff.
Joe D

**Max405** · 05-21-2016, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by citizenk74

Excellent job as always, Joe. The GSF sounds just lovely in your hands. Keep playing all of your fine instruments in good health!

Thank you C74. I will keep doing it as long as you guys think it's ok.
By the way, my son gave me a 93 on that take. I love it. He doesn't pull any punches. No BS..

**Marty Grass** · 05-21-2016, 09:46 PM

Joe,

I think you found your guitar. I don't know what the point of searching further. You got the tone nailed.

You could spend more and you might get a sound that a few would claim is better. But you wouldn't get any more joy, just worry about somehow damaging or losing the guitar over time. It's not worth the trouble, believe me.

Your job is the hardest one of all- living happily ever after in satisfaction. The quest is over and you did it.

**vinnyv1k** · 05-21-2016, 10:07 PM

I agree with Mark. The tone is gorgeous. The bright and stringy comment just wasn't heard in my ears. Beautiful note definition is what my ears detected.

**Max405** · 05-21-2016, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Marty Grass

Joe,

I think you found your guitar. I don't know what the point of searching further. You got the tone nailed.

You could spend more and you might get a sound that a few would claim is better. But you wouldn't get any more joy, just worry about somehow damaging or losing the guitar over time. It's not worth the trouble, believe me.

Your job is the hardest one of all- living happily ever after in satisfaction. The quest is over and you did it.

hey MG,
i need to thank you one more time for your generousity over the past year.
You've been a good friend.
you know how the quest goes for the perfect guitar. If you can play, then Most of the differences are in your own mind.
I can't understand them and I couldn't expect anyone else to either.
thanks Buddy.

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

I agree with Mark. The tone is gorgeous. The bright and stringy comment just wasn't heard in my ears. Beautiful note definition is what my ears detected.

hey bro. He likes what you like. No different. Different strokes for different folks. I wouldnt have this guitar if it was thick and deep. I wouldn't have this guitar if it wasn't for you.
Joe D

**vinnyv1k** · 05-21-2016, 11:09 PM

OK I can live with that. Joe you are a X man and I am a P man.

Mr.B I apologize Sir ! It sounded like a attack on my man. No one is allowed to be mean to my friend JD.
Sorry for being overly protective.

**mr. beaumont** · 05-21-2016, 11:27 PM

Yeah, no slight on Joe, floating KA style minibuckers are just not my bag. Never have been, and I'm guessing never will.

Now Joe, go record this on that good guitar you own

**silverfoxx** · 05-22-2016, 04:20 AM

Joe my friend,
I have striven for many years in order to accomplish Chord Melody playing,
my particular Forte'. There is one word to describe your efforts..... Masterly ,
it has little to do with the guitar as other luminaries have quoted.
Just keep on making it look simple, most of us know it is not.

**skiboyny** · 05-22-2016, 07:05 AM

Very nice sir! I am a huge Johnny Smith fan and that's an ambitious tune to take on indeed! You do the tune and the guitar proud....

**JazzNote** · 05-22-2016, 08:37 AM

Hi Joe, the sound of any guitar reflects mostly the the players touch, imho more than the specific sound of the instrument itself. Thus i suspect that any guitar would sound good in your hands. What counts most to me is the players opinion (in this case your opinion) of the particular instrument.

Thanks a lot for sharing this - i believe i can even hear a bit of Tal's wit in it - very enjoyable!

**lawson-stone** · 05-22-2016, 09:32 AM

I don't know about the "touch" thing. Yes it's the most important thing, but when I play my Herb Ellis, my 175, or even my Aria PE180 my "touch" seems to get better! Something about the guitar brings out a different way of playing for me. The responsiveness of the instrument can have a big impact on the player's technique.

**Max405** · 05-22-2016, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by silverfoxx

Joe my friend,
I have striven for many years in order to accomplish Chord Melody playing,
my particular Forte'. There is one word to describe your efforts..... Masterly ,
it has little to do with the guitar as other luminaries have quoted.
Just keep on making it look simple, most of us know it is not.
Kindest regards,
Alan

Alan, I've always thought solo chord melody playing is the pinnacle of guitar playing.
what I've found is the only people who appreciate it are, other guitar players. Unless the melody is catchy, most people won't even listen to it. I am greatful that I have my bro's here who understand what goes into it.
I have reached a point in my life where I only want to play what appeals to me. What challenges me. I have been approached by other musicians who know me and want me to work with them on various projects. But unless I like the songs, I don't want to do it. The only thing I want to do is play challenging pieces. It's a life's accomplishment.
Thank god for you guys. Without you, my sorry ass wouldn't have anyone to share this with.
thanks buddy.

**JazzNote** · 05-22-2016, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

I don't know about the "touch" thing. Yes it's the most important thing, but when I play my Herb Ellis, my 175, or even my Aria PE180 my "touch" seems to get better! Something about the guitar brings out a different way of playing for me. The responsiveness of the instrument can have a big impact on the player's technique.

I believe that one unconsciously strives for the sound he has "imprinted" in mind. Some instruments allow this naturally, others you have to fight to get close. The partial inability to get there, this fight initiates the individuals "different" way of playing.