The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #76

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    Mikey,
    The 17" Unity is just as beautiful as I remember it. Just count the layers of bindings on the side of the Fretboard!! Along side of the Citation, it is one of the most extravagantly built guitars I've ever seen. And its not a copy of a Citation either. ITS MADE BY THE SAME GUY!!! That might represent the greatest value in Archtop Guitars. Every top notch technique has been employed in your guitar. And there are only a handful of them on the planet. I remember the 1st time Patrick put the 18" in my hands. Wow.
    The right strings for that guitar are the TI's with the light Green threads. Still not 100% sure what they are. When I struck a chord on the 18", the sound of the chord swirled around the inside of the body and created an almost natural Chorus Effect.
    I can easily imagine that Guitar could, should and will ruin you for any other guitar in your lifetime. Sort of like your 1st date being with Grace Kelly. Like, where the hell do you go from there??

    JD

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  3. #77

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    Quote Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ
    Like the 18 incher, you gotta walk into the room a certain way...
    Don't forget to have "Bolero" playing in the background..
    JD

  4. #78

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    Quote Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ
    Chris just texted me this picture of a picture, he's including it with some other things of Patricks. This photo will be hanging in my office/music room... Patrick and Kevin Cowles and a Unity, can't tell if it's mine yet. Will know when I see the photo in person.


    That's your 17" Unity!

  5. #79

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    I like the Natural Maple Pickguard too.
    (Kevin??) looks like a ghost in the background in that picture. Either that or he absolutely did NOT want his picture taken that day.
    JD
    Last edited by Max405; 07-22-2016 at 01:59 PM.

  6. #80

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    Quote Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ
    Chris just texted me this picture of a picture, he's including it with some other things of Patricks. This photo will be hanging in my office/music room... Patrick and Kevin Cowles and a Unity, can't tell if it's mine yet. Will know when I see the photo in person.

    Attachment 33747
    not sure how accurate the color is in the photo, but looks like it ambered out considerably over the yrs.

  7. #81

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    Nobody was listening to me when I asked them to contact Chris directly, so I deleted the thread. I was trying to help Fran out but I don't want to be in the middle of the deal. The guitar is on it's way back to Chris and he's shipped the correct guitar to me today also. Deal with Chris

    origmotz@aol.com

  8. #82

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    So I got the guest room cleared out of all the guitar boxes. My wingman Ken is on his way therefor a 2 day visit - he's not a guitar player, so I got the Unity, the HDA and the Super Patrick all tuned up. First impressions: the neck on the Super Patrick is chunky and would take some Aleve and renewed strength in the hands to master, I got plenty of time. The necks on the Excel and Unity are really easy for me, not Ibanez thin, a bit more like a good Eastman neck - really easy to play.

    Now remember I was futzing around with 3 new guitars and a brand new (to me) amp - I
    definitely blew out the wax in my ears when I found the standby switch on the Fuchs. I can see being buried with the Unity and Excel - THREE WAY !! Very anxious to get the correct Heritage Golden Eagle, a lovely blonde with a stunning back and neck. These were Patrick's guitars, he had very discerning taste and enough juice with Heritage and dealers to get what he wanted. I'm feeling very Blessed here guys.

    Big


    BigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13718659_10153858639657239_5883798705592241954_n-1-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13775432_10153858640292239_7293816643598174176_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13781731_10153858640242239_5101753282375102483_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13716162_10153858640222239_8582632392631377830_n-jpg

  9. #83

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    I saw the wood in it's raw state in the 18 inch Unity thread and the finish is like nothing I ever saw before. Yeah it's a burst but you can see the wood anywhere on it. Love it... I'll shoot some porch pictures before my buddy arrives. I was so jazzed to play them I was up at 4am raring to go.

  10. #84

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    The back on the D'Angelico is stunning !!!

  11. #85

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    I need Greg out here with his rig(s) !!! I just took the Super Patrick on my porch before the afternoon glare hits it. On the porch while shooting it I could see ALL the figure on the top and back and neck, especially where the neck meets the body. For me the thing that turned me off to bursts is they tend to hide flaws in wood with the dark areas. On the SP you can see the flames and patterns. My apologies as my iPhone doesn't do it justice. Greg can come on out and I'll put 20 pounds on him cooking, he can play them and take great photos too... Anyway these pictures do NOT do them justice.

    BigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13781988_10153858675517239_6871147804460939001_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13731649_10153858675497239_8500055539853332934_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13707634_10153858675477239_2941115379788618897_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13754205_10153858675462239_3519043733780358477_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13728961_10153858675397239_8898767938182867133_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13707692_10153858675377239_3957886414015872546_n-jpg

  12. #86

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    Quote Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ
    I need Greg out here with his rig(s) !!! I just took the Super Patrick on my porch before the afternoon glare hits it. On the porch while shooting it I could see ALL the figure on the top and back and neck, especially where the neck meets the body. For me the thing that turned me off to bursts is they tend to hide flaws in wood with the dark areas. On the SP you can see the flames and patterns. My apologies as my iPhone doesn't do it justice. Greg can come on out and I'll put 20 pounds on him cooking, he can play them and take great photos too... Anyway these pictures do NOT do them justice.

    BigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13781988_10153858675517239_6871147804460939001_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13731649_10153858675497239_8500055539853332934_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13707634_10153858675477239_2941115379788618897_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13754205_10153858675462239_3519043733780358477_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13728961_10153858675397239_8898767938182867133_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13707692_10153858675377239_3957886414015872546_n-jpg
    Big Mike, I'd be happy to shoot it for you. But I've got the dark room here; UPS?

    Seriously, if you ever decide you can't live with that one, I'd like to call dibs on it. It was number two in the collection that I most coveted. I can still hear Patrick waxing poetically about how happy he was how well the guitar turned out.

    edit - is the binding shading a creme to simulate aged binding?
    Last edited by 2bornot2bop; 07-22-2016 at 03:45 PM.

  13. #87

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    ​Under the flood lamps in the office, you can see why I love it - the flames and patterns show up even right where the neck meets the body, the top is the same way, all easy to see. Such special wood. Doggone.

    BigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13775784_10153858690502239_265829206643104491_n-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13769412_10153858690457239_3084256861389902574_n-jpg
    Attached Images Attached Images BigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13781988_10153858675517239_6871147804460939001_n-jpg BigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-13731649_10153858675497239_8500055539853332934_n-jpg 

  14. #88

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    The binding is white, like you see in the office shots. And yeah you got first dibs on it, but frankly I don't think you'll be hearing from me. But yeah if I wanted to sell it you have first rights. Fair enough ??

  15. #89

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    2B and I must have similar taste. The New Yorker (which I ended up with) and the Florentine GE were the 2 guitars of Patrick's that interested me the most as well. Congrats again Big Mike! You scored some fine guitars.

    Query? Is the Excel a D'Angelico II, or is it a Masterbuilt built by Heritage for the Ferolito family organization?

  16. #90

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    Having so much fun with this thread! Hope it continues with more pics, technical details and anecdotes...

    Thanks Big Mike and JGF for sharing all this!

  17. #91

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    Quote Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
    The right strings for that guitar are the TI's with the light Green threads. Still not 100% sure what they are. When I struck a chord on the 18", the sound of the chord swirled around the inside of the body and created an almost natural Chorus Effect.
    I can easily imagine that Guitar could, should and will ruin you for any other guitar in your lifetime. Sort of like your 1st date being with Grace Kelly. Like, where the hell do you go from there??

    JD
    The only TI strings with "green threads" I'm aware of are the TI Bebop rounds, my go to for acoustic playing.






  18. #92

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    I'm getting my threads crossed here maybe, and I got company here so I'll be quick. I believe it's this thread or the 18 inch Unity thread where the topic of the Heritage ghost built D'Angelicos comes up. Someone recently quoted Patrick but Heritage only made 14 or so (this is in the mid 90s)


    Root around using the SEARCH function, this place is a gold mine of info. All the guitars I got so far far exceed anything I ever owned. The necks on the Unity and the HDA are amazing and fast. Not Ibanez skinny but easy and comfy for my old hands. Can't wait to get the Blonde Golden Eagle next week. Greg you will have a PM shortly.

    Big

    enjoy the weekend fellas, I'll see you on the flip side.

  19. #93

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stringswinger
    Query? Is the Excel a D'Angelico II, or is it a Masterbuilt built by Heritage for the Ferolito family organization?
    SS,
    My guess it's the later.
    The "New York ll" is absent from the ribbon. It only says "New York". I can't see the logo on the tailpiece.
    JD

  20. #94

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    Quote Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
    SS,
    My guess it's the later.
    The "New York ll" is absent from the ribbon. It only says "New York". I can't see the logo on the tailpiece.
    JD

    That would be telling as all the DA2's had the II after New York in the headstock. Marty Turman did that intentionally to distinguish them from the real deal. The proof would be the label. The DA2's all have a D'Angelico II label and the Heritage built examples are signed by all 4 Heritage Owners. I have not seen the label's on the Ferolito Masterbuilts. I think that the Masterbuilts have been done by Victor Baker, Gene Baker, Bill Comins and Heritage. The DA2's were only done by Heritage (12 carved, 25 Laminates) and Triggs (3, all carved). Then there were the Replicas built by Arturo Valdez and Michael Lewis.

    Big Mike, what does the label say in the Excel? (I guess we will hear back from you next week. Have a fun weekend)

  21. #95

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    BigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-img_8131-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-img_8132-jpg

    I remember more of the details that Patrick mentioned, he had to twist Jay Wolfe's arm to sell him the HDAs. Darned if I can remember where I saw that thread. Give me time.

    Last edited by BigMikeinNJ; 07-23-2016 at 07:52 AM.

  22. #96

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stringswinger
    Big,

    The D'Angelico II that is coming your way was written about on this forum by Patrick last year. Here is what he wrote:

    " I bought the guitar from DiFiore's Music in Cleveland. Lanne was the lady I dealt with (just checked my records when I read your post). There was a plastic plaque on the pick guard and I couldn't quite make out the writing on it. She sent me a better photo. It had the inscription "Sugar Ray" engraved on it. She said she was selling it to help settle this artists estate. I assumed the guy kicked. But, maybe it was a settlement of property in a bankruptcy or divirce or something. Maybe it's not the same Sugar Ray? I thought it was permanently glued onto the plastic PG and that I'd have to get Mirabella to make me a new guard. But, when I brought it up to Ronaldo for a string change and set up . . . he pulled out some dental floss and slid it under the plaque . .. pulled it back n forth a bit and it came right off. Polished up the guard and it left no marks what so ever."

    Joe D. and I did some research on the other Heritage built D'Angelico II of Patrick's. If I were you, I would try to contact the gal at the music store and "Sugar Ray" while they might still be around and remember what they can.

    In my conversation with Marty Turman, the man behind the D'Angelico II enterprise, he told me that only 15 carved D'Angelico II's were made, 3 by Jim Triggs (one of which is owned by a fellow forum member) and 12 by Heritage (you and I own 2 of these and a third is for sale at Gruhn guitars). If you don't have the book by Frank Green, you should get it. It has a chapter on the D'Angelico II enterprise.

    Marty Turman told me that the reason he selected Jim Triggs, Marv Lamb and JP Moats to build the D'Angelico II guitars is that he wanted these replicas to be as good as a Gibson, which in his mind is the best. Somehow, I can't help thinking that John D'Angelico would approve.


    Fellas, here is the info we were trying to find/remember.

  23. #97

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    Big Mike, it is seven serial numbers away from mine and is a D'Angelico II even though the II is not on the headstock. According to Jay Wolfe, JP Moats carved these thicker than a Heritage to go for a warmer tone. While Heritage built the body, final assemly was done by Ron Marino. Your guitar is a rare bird for sure. May it inspire your playing for many years to come.

  24. #98

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    For those who are wondering who Ron DeMarino is, look him up. No he's not "Ron of the ocean".. He was John Lennons personal luthier here in the USA. He also spent a lot of time with the great John D'Angelico. Another Great luthier involved in the build was Cris Mirabella. He was a young apprentice along with Steven DeMarino (Rons Son) in Rons Coppiage L.I. Shop. You guys have an incredible amount of talent and lineage in those guitars..
    Joe D

  25. #99

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    I started showing Bubba my wingman the guitars, he got very interested in what was rattling around in the Excel and the Unity. Turns out it was styrofoam peanuts which he fisted out with a fork. I told him Bubba don't hurt the guitar, I'd have to kill you... LOL !! So shooting the label of the Excel I decided to shoot these photos of the Unity. It's great Marty started his thread, it's like dueling Unity's today !! LOL...

    enjoy

    BigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-img_8148-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-img_8150-jpgBigMike's Mega Heritage NGD...-img_8143-jpg

  26. #100

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    Since we're talking about Unitys, let me mention a couple of things.

    Aaron used thinner f holes than some, which adds to the brightness and ability to cut through a horn section when played acoustically. Guild and Epiphone did the same thing. I'm not sure that matters when using a pickup. Maybe.

    Aaron was a perfectionist in a new guitar build. He tried hard to line up the tuning gear boxes just right. More telling, the joints on the binding, where the angles are, had to be sharp, not rounded. The pic above demonstrates that.

    This is the wrong forum to discuss flattops. But Aaron's were under the brand Jubal and are equally well made.

    And then there were the mandolins.