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Originally Posted by bmw2002
Nice
If I ever do decide to order a Campellone new .. I'd probably go with the top mounted neck pup as opposed to a floater ... maybe even go for a two pickup version if he offers it ... like Gibson's CES or WES models
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03-02-2018 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by bmw2002
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Mark's marketing approach is different from most of the other custom builders, in that he has none. He decided a long time ago to focus on keeping his head down, building guitars, and letting reputation and references take care of business. Mark is happy to accommodate customer requests and direct interaction with customers. He also sells through the dealers listed on his simple website: Murch Music (no longer a dealer, I guess - now the Long & McQuade store in Cambridge ON), The Music Emporium, AcousticMusic.org, Liberty Music and Exxbox Guitars, but, these days, he is also happy to sell his guitars directly to customers. He's at:
MCampellone.com | archtop guitars
Also listed on Mark's site are his specifications and prices. Dead simple. He has a simple menu that allows customers to choose between nut widths, scale lengths, body sizes, trim levels, pick between rosewood or ebony, and select among a wide range of finishes. One can get fancier maple at an upcharge. He used to offer more options for customization, but really prefers to keep it simple, and chooses not to offer too much customization these days.
I've played dozens of Campellones over the years since first playing one and being thoroughly impressed with it back in @1990. I have a 17" Campellone acoustic with some custom features (built for the same guy who ordered the one now owned by Bluedawg), as well as a wonderful 16" Standard with some intriguing custom features. I played Bluedawg's guitar extensively when it still belonged to its original owner, and it plays and sounds great. In terms of build quality, his guitars are superb - clean, neat work, excellent finishes, beautiful wood, top-notch hardware, and so forth.
Mark builds on his own and has a very limited (but steady) output. His guitars are designed to be very close to what Gibson built in the 1950s, but have a few specific "signature" design features that he has developed over the years. His pricing reflects the way he builds them - he does not whisper the guitars in a zero gravity chamber to coax acoustic tone out of them, or tweak and adjust the recarve of each instrument by the light of a full moon while monks chant, to achieve optimal individualized performance. He does, however, know what he's doing. In that way, his guitars are similar to acoustic archtops built by Heritage and Gibson - they are what they are.
Used Campellone archtops have very predictable values, much like used Gibson archtops, which makes them very easy to buy/sell in the used guitar marketplace, if the $$$ are in the right place. Like other fairly priced, used, carved archtops, they do not fly off the shelves, so sellers simply require patience.
At a more personal level, Mark is a really nice person and a credit to the human race. If I was interested in having an archtop built for me, I would be thrilled to have him build it.
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I've posted this before, but here are two very different guitars:
-a Campellone Standard with a few interesting custom features - one of two built in this style. Note the petite bouche soundhole, snakehead, and @1 27/32" nut width. The guitar has asymmetrical parallel bracing, 3 1/8" rims, 17" width, 21" length, and 25 1/2" scale. More pix of it on Mark's website.
-a 16" Standard with various custom features - narrow f-holes, snakehead, @1 55/64" nut width, no volute, Deluxe tailpiece. The guitar has X-bracing, 3 1/4" rims, 16" width, 19 3/4" length, and 24 3/4" scale.Last edited by Hammertone; 05-17-2020 at 03:34 PM.
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His "Cameo" model looks gorgeous!
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For the money that 18 inch Special is really a very nice guitar, a real value if you ask me at that price.
I know I've said it before and been wrong, but I'm done buying. If I saw that last year before some of my major vintage purchases I'd think about getting it. But really I've got 2 18 inch guitars that are all I could ever want: the 18 inch Unity that was Patrick, and the 18 inch 100th Anniversary I got via Marty...
But for someone wanting a truly grand 18 incher that Special is The Bomb...
This place is SOOOOO GASSY !!!!
LOL and good luck to whoever goes hog wild and grabs it.
Big
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Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Keith
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Originally Posted by floatingpickup
Keith
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Originally Posted by floatingpickup
Keith
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Keith, You are absolutely an esteemed member. An outstanding player who knows his stuff and is an absolute gentleman.
About your guitar.. The back is killer and the tailpiece tells me something.. When a builder takes the time to Finish off a guitar with a tailpiece like that, it’s a cut above. The nicest tailpiece on a modern guitar.
Joe D
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That guitar is insanely beautiful.
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Originally Posted by floatingpickup
I am overwhelmed by the acoustic tone quality of your beautiful Campellone,
playing this clip over to my wife, from an iPhone ( out of necessity) she
recognised the song from the first two chords and was also mightily impressed
by it. Thank you for posting and congratulations on your playing of it.
kind regards, Silverfoxx
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Originally Posted by Max405
Keith
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Originally Posted by floatingpickup
I questioned the choice of one of the other Dealers ( still ) representing Marc's guitars. A few years ago I was interested in a Campellone they had in stock. I wasn't asking crazy technical questions, but once the answers got past : " Yes, it is here " , and " yes, it is available " and " yes, it is hanging on the wall ", any chance of a sale was gone. It was ( is ) a ( high-buck ? ) flattop store, so that may explain it. There was even a question about the size itself -whether it was 16 or 17 inches, which should have been an easy answer, but wasn't.
Had I been within driving distance, I'd have probably just gone there and most likely would still own it .
All the best Keith.
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Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ
An 18 inch Campellone with a floating pickup is something I've wanted for quite a while
And I'm still paying off my latest crazy Guitar Center purchase ....
and trying to sell off some stuff to help with that
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oh man come on !!!
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Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
That is the understatement of the year. in the UK currently, there are
Gibson ES335's at dealers with an asking price of £4700, I say through
gritted teeth, by comparison, the Campellone is a steal, it would be
snatched up in a heartbeat IMO, no contest.
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I could not be happier for Vinny! I can't wait to hear about the incoming Campellone! Right on Vinny, you only live once
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I've owned two Campys: A blonde Deluxe (which I sold) and bought on the 2nd market, and a Standard 18" non-cut, also blonde. The latter was built with flamed maple. The nitro is super thin and, after six years, some nice checking is beginning (I also travel a lot with it so maybe some temp changes did it; plus I play it in the sunshine and the top is a deep amber now. Lots of people really dig it and the box is opening up nicely).
Mark's guitars are good. I have a S 400 and a '34 L5. Different beasts. Someone compared his Campy to a Benedetto. I've never played one.
Here's the point: for the price they are top shelf and Mark is an approachable guy. They go well on the second market and the prices for them there have come down a little over the last decade.
Good luck with the purchase.
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Originally Posted by Dennis D
Too bad that dealer was not helpful. I don’t actually “represent” Mark’s guitars; I am just a happy customer. My brother was a Campellone dealer for many years, but I was never associated with his business. Through my brother, I had the chance to play many of Mark’s guitars, so I have some experience with them. I also attended the Long Island Guitar Show many times and got to know Mark there. I have no business affiliation, I just love nice guitars.
KeithLast edited by floatingpickup; 03-05-2018 at 08:49 AM.
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I was going to be quite happy with a deluxe but my wife said to get the special. She likes the abalone bling.
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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I'm glad you pulled the cord on that one. Can't wait for your in hand review.
Happy Landings!!
Tony D.
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Vin, See if he can do the Cameo treatment on the back of the headstock.
Does it remind you of anything in particular..
It couldn't hurt to ask, right?
Joe D
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but the Cameo inlays are exclusive to the Campellone Cameo guitar not the Special
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The 18” Unity is the only guitar I ever held in my hands that had the binding on the back of the headstock like that. I had it in my house for a weekend before I packed it and sent it to Vinny. I remember waking up In the middle of the night and taking it out of the case and just staring at the bound rear of the headstock. Between that and the carved shape of the hips, the Unity was the most beautiful guitar I’ve seen.
16" 1920s/30s L5
Today, 08:44 PM in For Sale