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I am thinking about having Mark Campellone build me a Archtop. I never played or seen one. Can anyone advise me on the fit, finish, sound, and quality of a Campellone ? How do they stack up against a good L5 ?
The reason I ask is the wife says 1 must go for 1 to come in which means me selling a L5. No more closet room. Advise appreciated my friends.
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03-01-2018 06:02 PM
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?Someone was just asking me about guitars I'd recommend to a guy wanting to get his first SERIOUS archtop and Campellone was on the list. There's a number of used ones out there. The models are in order of ornamentation on the fingerboard, tailpiece and headstock: Standard, Deluxe, Special. Any of the demos I've heard (I've listened to countless on YouTube) it sounds a lot like a Gibson L5. I'd really wait and hunt for a used one. I've seen some great deals over the years.
Big
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I have said here and elsewhere - -if I lived closer to a dealer, I'm pretty sure I'd have owned one already. I read his bio in the Blue Guitar book, and he cut his teeth on my all-time favorite guitars - -'30's L-7's.
Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
I'm almost positive there are no fit & finish rumors circulating about his instruments. If you can fit your needs into what he builds, for what he charges, I don't think you'll do any better.
An awfully good idea Vinny. Good luck !
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Played one recently and it was great, but closer to a Benedetto (mellower) vibe than that of an L5. Don't remember the exact model though, it was a 16' or 17' hollowbody
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Just looking at his Models on his website he's now got one fancier than The Special, it's The Cameo and has a decidedly Citation or Unity vibe to it. Really very nice...
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Vinny, I've owned a Campellone Deluxe, acoustic w/ floater. Its fit and finish were every bit as good as any archtop I've owned, including Gibson's. I loved that guitar, and only sold it to purchase the Campellone Special, his top model, which only differs from the Deluxe in a few visual additions.
I've seen some 6 or so other Campellone owners on this forum. Member Bluedawg owns an 18" Campy acoustic, a base model, but still a very nice guitar.
I'd not hesitate in ordering a new Campellone. And for Campellone's fit and finish to a Gibson, they are no different. Campellone's are first class all the way, imo.
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And the price for a Cameo is $100 less than what Vinny was recently quoted for a new L5CESN. I think I like what Vinny is thinking! Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ
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$6500 built to my exact specs for a Deluxe that would be ready in July. 25 scale, 17x3, 1-11/16, built in humbucker, dark cherry sunburst. Basically what you would pay for a new Wesmo. I really like 25 inch scale length but do not like 1-3/4 nuts. Plus 17x3 like a Tal is super comfy for me. Never seen or played one. The ones I see on YouTube look really nice. He seems like a great guy. 2 months younger than me. He does batches of 6 at a time.
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Our esteemed member Keith Murch owned a "Special." $6500 for a new build seems like a great buy.
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?There was a gorgeous 16" Standard with the upgraded woods package on Reverb just until the other day (Tuesday) for $3400.00 OBO... It had the most amazing wood. Gone now... Perhaps a NGD thread will pop up soon here.
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I had a 16" Standard with a floater and can also attest to the excellent fit and finish. The guitar was flawless. Ironically, I sold mine in order to get an L5CES. I have no regrets, yet I wish I hadn't had to part with the Campellone. I agree that the sound is more open, brighter, and more like Benedetto than an L5. But, I realize I'm making an apples/oranges comparison here. They are lovely guitars. I'd like to own a 17" Deluxe someday.
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I don't recall if anyone else mentioned it above, but a Campellone is built much lighter than a Gibson archtop. I know people have made comparisons to an L5 (and that was the IP's inquiry here), but they are truly very different, even if accounting for body size and pickup mount type.
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Mark Campellone is a great guy. He's reliable and a pleasure to work with. Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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I know you can find them for $4K used.. but $6.5K built to your specification doesn't seem like a bad deal. Especially given his reputation. How can it be built so quickly? Is this more like a boutique shop?
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I owe a Deluxe 18 inch with KA floater. Got it in about 2002 was Rich Raezors guitar made in 1998. Has 1 3/4 neck tremendous basically a refined super 400. It is beauty with tremendous neck. You cannot go wrong i know mark good guy.
Him and Hollenbeck did not get ask to make the Blue Guitars for nothing quality pure.
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Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Yeah ... my 18 inch acoustic is well built ... great fit and finish ... IMHO
I've grown to love the sound ... bright crisp old fashion archtop tone with the extra bottom end of an 18 inch ... someday I'll try some flatwounds and see if that adds some mellowness
Mine is a standard model ... original owner even ordered everything with rosewood appointments including the fingerboard ... and 1 13/16" nut width
I like the unadorned look of standard models myself ... then again the Cameo looks great on the web site
The top 3 guitars I'd love to add to my collection are a Campellone standard with a pup (17 or 18 inch), Heritage Super Eagle, and a Gibson Tal Farlow ....
and maybe fit a PRS 594 in there somewhere .. but that's a solid body
Someday a used Campellone will probably find it's way to my house ... nothing wrong with ordering a new one, though
Not sure if he does new 18 inch guitars anymore
My case is a cool faux gator skim as well ...
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Hi, Vinny.
I have played a number of high-end "boutique" builder guitars over the years. The Campellone I played is the one that stuck with me as the one I would want to get some day.
I have a Wesmo that I love, so it's all good. But that Campellone was outstanding in every way.
Larry
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Vinny,
Ive had three Deluxe 17" Campellones and all were very good - and quite consistent. To my ear they did not sound like a heavier built post 2000 Gibson L5, but more like a post war lighter Gibson L5/ L7. More acoustic and open voiced and less throaty - with excellent responsiveness . Fit and finish will be superb.
At the time of my Campellone ownership - I also had Monteleones and D'Aquistos and unfortunately the Campellones didnt see much play, but they were better sounding then my 96' Benedetto Cremona and 97' Buscarino Monarch. If your going custom , ask for an Adirondack top.
In a short period of time I will be posting many guitars for sale from the estate of Ted Krause. One of the guitars is a "Blue Special Campellone" made with the Chinery builds- its in unplayed condition. I know you only like to buy new , but Teds guitars were unplayed - .....and he bought the best.
You cant go wrong with a Campellone. In fact, in the last issue of "Just Jazz Guitar" , Tom Van Hoose wrote a nice article on his thoughts about Campellones - stating they are one of the best values in hand made luthier built Archtops.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk
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I do not think one can go wrong with any of the "Blue Guitars" luthiers. Scott Chinery picked the best.
I have played one Campellone many years ago (at Blue Note Music in Berkeley, CA). It sounded more L-5C than Benedetto to me. IIRC, it was parallel braced. I remember liking it a lot (and I am usually underwhelmed by "boutique archtops") His prices are quite fair as well.
A 25 inch scale is pretty nice to play on. My 37 D'Angelico Style A has a 25 inch scale with a 1 11/16 nut. Vinny, let me know if you would like to play that guitar. (my 35 D'Angelico Excel has a 24 3/4 scale with a 1 11/16 nut and my 48 D'Angelico has a 24 3/4 scale with 1 3/4 nut. John D'Angelico mixed it up according to his client's wishes.)
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I borroewd my freinds Campellone Deluxe some years ago and had to return it the next day. I told him if I keep it another day you won''t get it back, and I don't have $5K, LOL!
That freind also had 2 wonderful Ted Megas Archtops, which he has since sold and kept the Campellone. My recollection is the guitar was X braced and had a floater. But it was built heavier in the Gibson L-7C style and tone. You won't go wrong with Mark Campellone's guitars!
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There was a Campellone deluxe on Archtop.com for many months for $5100. I kept looking at it, and a Triggs on Reverb until they eventually both vanished.
2013 Campellone Deluxe
Campellone Previously on Archtop.com 17"/3"depth
Triggs previously on Reverb
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Mark Campellone has slightly shortened the bodies of his latest builds. They are not only shallower in depth, the body is also shorter by an inch or so. He used to offer 3 body sizes but I think he has standardised on one, the 20.5" body length.
It is its own thing and I won't buy a Campellone expecting it to replicate the Gibson sound. It is clearly in the Gibson family though. It is more of a modern archtop sound with Art Deco looks. Mark said that he didn't set out to replicate the Gibson sound.
The closest Gibson to the Campellone today might be the LeGrand in size and sound. Vinny, I recall now that you sent a Lemon Burst LeGrand back to The Music Zoo because "the top was carved thin like a potato crisp". If you do not like that, be sure to let Mark know because his tops are carved kind of thin.
Strictly my opinion only.
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Sounds very exciting Vinny.
Have fun and get the most out of this!
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Campellone. I've tried a lot of guitars in my day and some I could never have afforded but only one of them do I consider the one that got away. I had saved my money in a fund to be ready to buy the Gibson Johnny Smith that was my eternal fantasy. I finally found one in a little shop in Amherst, a real stunner. But next to it was a Campellone that I tried and actually was more impressed with. It had a response that I liked and resonated with even more than the Gibson. It had that modern response and pianistic woody resonance the JS didn't have. BUT.... the Gibson was a promise made to myself a long time ago. It was a really really hard decision.
Well I have the Gibson and it's got it's own mojo, no denying.
These days I relate to guitars as a player, and not a collector looking to fulfill a fantasy, I'd go with the Campellone.
The Campellone will always be the one I had to let go before I even owned it. They're real gems and even more so because they're under a lot of peoples' radar.
David
Real advice though, have an addition put on the house with a bigger closet. Your wife says not enough room for another guitar? You're just not looking at it the right way! (Secret floorboard?)
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Another happy Campellone owner here. I ordered the standard 16" model from Mark in 2016, about a year before I retired, as a present to myself. I wanted a thinner 16 inch archtop with a few slight changes from the standard set of features Mark offers (e.g. a slightly fancier pick guard, under pick guard controls with a buit-in Lollar humbucker). He was great to deal with and it was a thoroughly pleasant experience from start to finish. I will say that I think value drops more quickly on these than on a comparably priced Gibson, but if you're buying it to keep and play like I did, that wasn't a huge concern. It's now part of my all-New England one-guitar/one-amp rig (Gries 5 amp from Massachusetts and the Campellone from Rhode Island).
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Originally Posted by bmw2002
Another happy Campellone owner here. I ordered the standard 16" model from Mark in 2016, about a year before I retired, as a present to myself. I wanted a thinner 16 inch archtop with a few slight changes from the standard set of features Mark offers (e.g. a slightly fancier pick guard, under pick guard controls with a buit-in Lollar humbucker). He was great to deal with and it was a thoroughly pleasant experience from start to finish. I will say that I think value drops more quickly on these than on a comparably priced Gibson, but if you're buying it to keep and play like I did, that wasn't a huge concern. It's now part of my all-New England one-guitar/one-amp rig (Gries 5 amp from Massachusetts and the Campellone from Rhode Island).
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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Thank you for sharing a great story about a great guitar. She's a beauty! 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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Wow, esteemed member? I still own that Special. It is the second Campellone I have owned. The first was a Deluxe with the exact dimensions of an L5. I sold that one when I ordered my Special. The Special has the Johnny Smith dimensions, shorter body, 25” scale. They are both beautiful instruments. I think the larger Deluxe had a little more of an acoustic voice, which makes sense. I miss that guitar. All of the Campellones I have seen were absolutely perfect in terms of fit and finish. I have an ‘89 Benedetto Fratello (built by Bob), a ‘63 L5C and a ‘47 L7 to compare. It doesn’t really sound like my Gibson’s or my Benedetto. The Gibsons are much brighter than the others. It might be a little closer to my Benedetto, but it has its own voice, quite warm and mellow. Mark is a gentleman and a pleasure to do business with. He is very skilled and his guitars are gorgeous. I highly recommend them. Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Keith
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Here’s a shot of the three guitars I referred to above. Originally Posted by floatingpickup
Keith
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A couple more shots of my Campellone Special. The back is outstsnding. 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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Hi Keith, Originally Posted by floatingpickup
Here’s a shot of the three guitars I referred to above.
Keith
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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Thanks Joe. Mark’s tailpieces are really attractive. The Standard has a fairly simple one with a single band of metal, the Deluxe has two and the Special has three. He uses a very artistic common Art Deco theme throughout the guitar. The Speical has five piece inlays including abalone) and the Deluxe has three. I have l lot of respect for Mark’s talent. Originally Posted by Max405
Keith
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Don't sell yourself short Keith ! I am pretty sure you do a very good job representing Marc's instruments. 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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You guys are torturing me ... LOL .. that sounds awesome 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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2bop 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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Dennis D.: 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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I am generally a fan of non-inlaid necks, but the five piece abalone/MOP deco style inlays on the Special are a thing of beauty. 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.
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