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02-10-2021 03:43 PM
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Note the 175 inlays on guitar 4
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looks like a lefty too
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I like the non-cutaway full-bodied Natural.
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It's a cutaway lefty.
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Mark again at it with precision. His red sunburst is just the best and I treasure mine. I am glad I am not waiting for one of these because it is a terrible sickness. We just sit around and wait till it shows up on the door step. I just have to go upstairs and open the case. Funny yesterday I was playing my Deluxe (I had not for past 2 weeks-18 inch) and what strikes me is not anything specific but the combination. Mine has a 1 3/4 neck and just allows my hand to glide over the fingerboard. The sound is very Gibson-ish but Mark's guitars at least mine, has a smooth sound over the entire neck. It does not ping in the high registers but maintains the full sound. This tells me he carved the guitar for response and the guitar is not heavy. It is certainly patterned after a Super400 but maintains a very distinct voice that is different.
I hope Mark gets to enjoy some more relaxing and less work but sure hope he keeps making a few once in awhile, I think retirement might be on his mind but complete guess.
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He is 2 months younger than me..... 66. I know I will be pulling the retirement plug very soon.
I do have big plans for another version of the V1K model.
He cut his batches from 6 to 5.
In 30 years I am sure his guitars will fetch a pretty penny.
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I did it 66...Best thing I ever did! Go for it)
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I am fortunate in owning four Custom Gibson Archtops, a Collings Eastside Jazz.
plus two excellent Ibanez guitars, but the Koh -I -Noor Diamond among them is
my Campellone Deluxe, perfect in every respect, flawless and plays like butter.
I can well understand other owners wanting more than one of them , they are
the best built I have ever seen,., and worth every penny of your hard earned,
and IMHO extraordinary good value for the money even taking into account
the high Customs duty and VAT incurred on importing.
regards 007
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agree with the deacon...gotta love his cherry bursts...look true vintage spectacular
thanks vinny!
cheersLast edited by neatomic; 02-10-2021 at 10:26 PM. Reason: sp-
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Oh man, what a picture! Just a few days ago I got on the list for a future build - a 16" thinline with a floater. Hammertone here was my enabler.
The waitlist is long, so I still have time to finalize specs.
I was thinking of dual parallelogram inlays and I see someone already thought of that! I wonder if the fingerboard is rosewood or ebony on it?
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Your choice.
Originally Posted by GuitarJay
Oh man, what a picture! Just a few days ago I got on the list for a future build - a 16" thinline with a floater. Hammertone here was my enabler. The waitlist is long, so I still have time to finalize specs.
I was thinking of dual parallelogram inlays and I see someone already thought of that! I wonder if the fingerboard is rosewood or ebony on it?
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Basically a Campellone is a better mousetrap for a Gibson lover. Much better QC with laser straight necks. Finish like melted glass. No Gibson orange peel.
A Wesmo on steroids.
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Sorry, what I meant was I wonder which fingerboard wood was on the blond lefty in the picture. Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
I'm a Gibson lover, so I can hardly wait.
Maybe someone in the next batch will sell me their spot, lol!
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Appears to be ebony. Originally Posted by GuitarJay
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I’m late to the Campellone party. Only one day and 14 posts drooling over the Campellone guitars, lol great stuff!
It feels great that this stuff still excites me.
The 16”x 3” antique blonde non-cut away w/P90 has been nothing short of glorious for that old world jazz sound and feel. Everything I hoped for..
I am on the list for another one but not exactly sure where in the timeline..
Thanks for posting pictures Vinny!!
Keep us in the loop!!Last edited by Nick71; 02-11-2021 at 06:34 PM.
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People in the know, know a C on the headstock trumps a G. This coming from the biggest G fanboy.
Not to say that the L5 is one of the greatest guitars ever period, just that the quality is better on a Campellone and almost half the price now too. Best bang for buck carved archtop period.
A Cameo (like a Citation) is even cheaper than a L5 these days.
Customer service is a big factor too. Try and get a replacement tailpiece for your L5....LOL
Hey Mark I need a new tailpiece......OK
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Mark is the best. Here’s my Special...
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Yes me too. I got on Mark's build list about 6 weeks ago maybe? It's a long 2 year wait but it's something to look forward to!! Originally Posted by GuitarJay
Oh man, what a picture! Just a few days ago I got on the list for a future build - a 16" thinline with a floater. Hammertone here was my enabler. The waitlist is long, so I still have time to finalize specs.
I was thinking of dual parallelogram inlays and I see someone already thought of that! I wonder if the fingerboard is rosewood or ebony on it?
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You are not the only one, muahahahahahaha!!!! Originally Posted by GuitarJay
...Hammertone here was my enabler....
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Vinnie’s very special guitar is probably the loveliest L5 style guitar I’ve ever seen on these pages
Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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We might be in the same batch! Originally Posted by PaulW10
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I'll bet we are! It's going to be a lot of fun to compare notes once it gets rolling. It does give us time to mull over all the choices, which is tough for me as I'm not the most decisive person! Originally Posted by GuitarJay
However right now, subject to change, I'm planning on a 17" deluxe, 25.5" scale, 1 11/16 nut, and a sunburst. My present main guitar is a blonde which made me decide on a SB. Although I'm not sure yet on the color for the SB, I am in love with the one on his home page which looks to be the traditional.
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Hey Vinny - Can you elaborate on this please? In other words "straight" how? Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
I have noticed that my archtops vary in terms of how much they angle into the body in the upper fretboard area, which of course forces the action to be higher on the higher frets, which I don't care for. Some guitars are better/worse in this regard. Is that what you are referring to by "straight"?
If so, that sounds pretty darned good to me.
Thanks.
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Perfect neck angle with a dead straight neck with a perfect amount of fall off on the tongue which equates to feeler gauge action with zero buzz and spot on intonation. His fret work is absolutely the best with perfect crowns. Originally Posted by Donplaysguitar
Best fretwork I have seen except Matt Cushman is pretty darn good too.
Even better than Frank Ford IMO.
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Once had a choice. Gibson Johnny Smith and Campy. I'm happy with the Gibson I got but I remember the C from the hours I spent A/B-ing them. In all honesty, I think I would have wound up playing the Campy more than I played the Gibson.
Lots of things go into a decision of what to buy. The Campy's I've played all have the quality that makes me want to play. If that makes any sense.
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Originally Posted by Jimmy blue note
I wanted a Gibson Johnny Smith for a long time and just couldn’t find a nice one, so I asked Mark to make a Special for me, built to the same dimensions as the JS (17” short body, 3” deep, 25” scale, 1.75” nut). Recently, an opportunity came up to acquire a really nice Gibson JS, so now I have both. I have spent many hours A/B-ing them and I have to say it would be tough to choose one over the other. They are both amazing guitars. The the fit and finish is probably a little better on the Campellone and the wood is also nicer. They both sound great, although slightly different. FWIW, Campellones are parallel braced, while the Gibson JS is X-braced.The Campellone is more ornate and has a number of improvements over the JS (end pin Jack, optional tone control, dual action truss rod, etc.). The Gibson has a really nice feeling neck and is such a classic design, with vintage vibe. In my opinion, unless you are obsessed with vintage guitars, a Campellone is probably the best option out there today.
Keith
Last edited by floatingpickup; 02-12-2021 at 06:19 PM.
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It's also a lighter body and I think for me, a fingerstyle player, the Campy is just a little more punch and bloom off the attack at the lighter end of the spectrum, which is what I'm keenly aware of. I am sure that once they become unobtainable, they will join the ranks of "investment guitars". For now, I'm glad they have a devoted following among working players. Those, and Guild Artist Award guitars; the hidden treasures under the radar of the collectors' realm. Originally Posted by floatingpickup
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My Campellone weighs 6 lbs 9.5 oz. My Gibson JS is about 5 oz heavier, at 6 lbs 14.6 oz. Originally Posted by Jimmy blue note
Keith
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Gorgeous photograph Keith! Oh, and here’s a video! Originally Posted by floatingpickup
I wanted a Gibson Johnny Smith for a long time and just couldn’t find a nice one, so I asked Mark to make a Special for me, built to the same dimensions as the JS (17” short body, 3” deep, 25” scale, 1.75” nut). Recently, an opportunity came up to acquire a really nice Gibson JS, so now I have both. I have spent many hours A/B-ing them and I have to say it would be tough to choose one over the other. They are both amazing guitars. The the fit and finish is probably a little better on the Campellone and the wood is also nicer. They both sound great, although slightly different. FWIW, Campellones are parallel braced, while the Gibson JS is X-braced.The Campellone is more ornate and has a number of improvements over the JS (end pin Jack, optional tone control, dual action truss rod, etc.). The Gibson has a really nice feeling neck and is such a classic design, with vintage vibe. In my opinion, unless you are obsessed with vintage guitars, a Campellone is probably the best option out there today.
Keith
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Oh no! The video!
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Keith, where did you get those nice guitar stands Sir ?
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That's a wonderful sounding guitar. I don't think it could get much better than that.
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A local guy built a few of them and put them in a music store for sale a number of years ago. I got his contact info at the time and asked him to build me four of them. It was just a short-lived project for him and he is not doing it anymore. They really are nice. Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
Keith
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Currently I'm planning a 16", thin depth, 25" scale, 1 11/16 nut, beefy neck, floating pickup, and probably natural, though his bursts are also incredible. I'm leaning toward dual parallelogram inlays, but I also like dots. Originally Posted by PaulW10
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Keith nice playing and wonderful sound. From someone who never really liked acoustic sound)))
I do not need a Campy. I do not need a Campy.....
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Customer for this blonde lefty ordered it with rosewood fingerboard - Originally Posted by GuitarJay
Oh man, what a picture! Just a few days ago I got on the list for a future build - a 16" thinline with a floater. Hammertone here was my enabler. The waitlist is long, so I still have time to finalize specs.
I was thinking of dual parallelogram inlays and I see someone already thought of that! I wonder if the fingerboard is rosewood or ebony on it?
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Hi Mark, Originally Posted by MCampellone
What is your current backlog for a new build.
Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk
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Wow, beautiful JS, Keith! - you were lucky to find that one - Originally Posted by floatingpickup
I wanted a Gibson Johnny Smith for a long time and just couldn’t find a nice one, so I asked Mark to make a Special for me, built to the same dimensions as the JS (17” short body, 3” deep, 25” scale, 1.75” nut). Recently, an opportunity came up to acquire a really nice Gibson JS, so now I have both. I have spent many hours A/B-ing them and I have to say it would be tough to choose one over the other. They are both amazing guitars. The the fit and finish is probably a little better on the Campellone and the wood is also nicer. They both sound great, although slightly different. FWIW, Campellones are parallel braced, while the Gibson JS is X-braced.The Campellone is more ornate and has a number of improvements over the JS (end pin Jack, optional tone control, dual action truss rod, etc.). The Gibson has a really nice feeling neck and is such a classic design, with vintage vibe. In my opinion, unless you are obsessed with vintage guitars, a Campellone is probably the best option out there today.
Keith
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Hey all - got my nose to the grindstone getting this batch finished up, but taking some time to relax and checked out VK's post on the new batch (thanks, Vinny) - so nice to see everybody chiming in with comments, too (at times I get so wrapped up in work, I forget there's a world out there - lol).
The blonde lefty is my first ever ordered with the split parallelogram position markers.
The bright cherry SB finish (alla Barney Kessel) is actually one of my favorites - I get very few requests for it, but got three of them in this one batch, which is a first!
Stay well, guys : )
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Originally Posted by floatingpickup
I wanted a Gibson Johnny Smith for a long time and just couldn’t find a nice one, so I asked Mark to make a Special for me, built to the same dimensions as the JS (17” short body, 3” deep, 25” scale, 1.75” nut). Recently, an opportunity came up to acquire a really nice Gibson JS, so now I have both. I have spent many hours A/B-ing them and I have to say it would be tough to choose one over the other. They are both amazing guitars. The the fit and finish is probably a little better on the Campellone and the wood is also nicer. They both sound great, although slightly different. FWIW, Campellones are parallel braced, while the Gibson JS is X-braced.The Campellone is more ornate and has a number of improvements over the JS (end pin Jack, optional tone control, dual action truss rod, etc.). The Gibson has a really nice feeling neck and is such a classic design, with vintage vibe. In my opinion, unless you are obsessed with vintage guitars, a Campellone is probably the best option out there today.
Keith
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I always try to build a slight "fall-off" into the fingerboard extension area - granted, this does make action a little higher at the top end. However, if you make the entire fingerboard straight and the "free" part of the neck (nut to 14th fret) pulls up over time, you end up with a ski-jump in the extension area - then you have to raise action to avoid buzz created by low fret clearance in the extension area - I figure it's better to tolerate stiffer action in frets 14 thru 20 than risk poor action in frets 1 thru 14. Originally Posted by Donplaysguitar
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Thanks Mark. This same JS was available many years ago and I didn’t manage to get it at that time. That was the guitar that inspired me to order the beautiful Special that you made for me in 2011. Surprisingly, the same JS became available again and I moved quickly and secured it this time. I love both guitars and feel very lucky to have them. I don’t take the Special out of the house and it looks as good as the day it left your shop (and the sound keeps getting better as time passes). Originally Posted by MCampellone
Keith
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[QUOTE=QAman;1098965]Hi Mark,
What is your current backlog for a new build.
Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk[/QUOTE
Hey Steve - right now, the number of names on my wait list adds up to about two years worth of work - however, since I don't require a deposit to get on the list, I expect that not all of these reserved slots will end up being confirmed orders, so wait time could end up being less than two years for orders placed now -
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Glad to see your Special so well maintained, Keith - that back is absolutely killer! Originally Posted by floatingpickup
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great to see the maestro in the house again!
all the best in 2021!
cheers
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Gibson's build standards have been all over the place. There have been some VERY heavy Johnny Smith's I've tried. Johnny himself specified an extended neck block in the upper bout below the fingerboard. Some of Gibson's builders took that to be an entire block of mahogany that filled the internal upper bout including the cutaway area. That's a LOT of mass. I don't really get why they built this way but it's what JS himself wanted and that's the way Gibson made them (some of them anyway). Guild once built Johnny's namesake but they didn't follow his specs, especially when it came to the cutaway carving, and that's why Guild didn't carry JS's endorsement. Originally Posted by floatingpickup
If you got a Johnny Smith that was comparable to the Campellone in weight, consider yourself in possession of an extraordinary one.
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I think the idea of the massive neck block (and fingerboard extension in full contact with the guitar's top) was to give the JS guitar better sustain in the upper register - Originally Posted by Jimmy blue note
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I really appreciate your dropping in to the forum and participating in the discussion. You are a very respected luthier and your voice is a welcome one. Originally Posted by MCampellone
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Thanks, LS - it's fun for me - wish I had more spare time for it : ) Originally Posted by lawson-stone
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