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Hi All,
I am new to the forum, but let's be honest I have been lurking for a while taking in all of the wonderful information shared here. Thanks for the education!
I am about to make my first archtop purchase and based on the information here and elsewhere on the internet I cannot find a bad thing said about Campellone, so I am headed in that direction.
I am in the Northeast and not too far from a brand new Campellone Standard and also a 2004 Special. I believe the build is the same, but the Special adds better wood choices, more inlays, bindings, etc. It would seem to me that owners take pretty good care of these guitars, so I am thinking used is no issue. However, is there anything to look out for when buying a used Campellone (16 years old)?
Would love your thoughts - would you buy new or used? Thanks for the help!
Wattie
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03-04-2021 09:40 AM
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depends on the condition of the special.. if the frets are full, the price is right, the size and dimensions fit you, I would go for the special.
either way, you wont go wrong with a Campellone
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Thanks for the help!
Originally Posted by limjaz
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I believe all of his models can be ordered with choice of either 16" or 17", two different rim depths, two different nut widths, and two different scales. Check all 4 things in both guitars, then decide which you prefer. (And of course the finish, if that matters to you.) I love both looks, the minimalist Standard and the fancy Special. Keep us apprised of your progress!
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I like guitars with “bling”. The Special has lots of it, so that would be my choice, as long as the dimensions, scale, finish, etc. is to your liking.
Keith
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If it is a fine specimen, I would go for the used 2004 Special for one thing: time. A seasoned archtop guitar sounds better than a newly constructed one, all things assumed to be nearly equal. I would always pick the older archtop if it is well looked after.
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If either has a built-in pickup as opposed to a floater, I'd go with that one, assuming all other spec's are to your liking. I ( finally ) own one MC acoustic and would have had one years ago if I'd have been closer to one of his dealers.
Depending on your age, you'll probably own a built-in at some point anyway. And if that one is a Campellone, it'll be a tough act to follow.
Good luck with your decision.
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16"? I'm very curious about what other folks think about them. Especially with a short scale. The sound is really focused and rings nicely, and with the 12 pole KA it's pretty hard to find a better 16", IMHO. I own a 17" Standard with KA floater, and it's a fantastic guitar, and a permanent member of the lineup. Also, I don't think bling adds a thing to the ring (sound of the guitar), unless we're talking about really great wood, everything else aside. And Jab's comment about age is right on. Originally Posted by Dennis D
Last edited by skykomishone; 03-08-2021 at 01:37 PM.
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The Music Emporium had a couple Standards for sale. I live close by and was thinking I might go and take a look, But, they didn't last long. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used one if I could see and play it first. But that's unlikely.
I live a little over an hour from Marks shop and being a nooby when it comes to archtops, and all the different spec's to chose from, I decided to get on his wait list and when I get the notice from Mark, I plan to make a trip down and go over my options in person. I figure for the investment being made I want to be 100% sure I made the right choices, ie. this could get really expensive!
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If the specs meet your needs - you will be better off buying the “Special”. With some respectful negotiation, and a purchase outside of Reverb - your likely to get a good deal.
Have a discussion with the Buyer and see if you get a good vibe.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I ordered a 16 in. and long scale, similar to my L-7's. This was the first winter and like my others the low humidity has them buzzing. I didn't amplify the Camp. at all. The response is right there and full range, and I like that it'll take to some hard picking once in a while. Originally Posted by skykomishone
As far as a 16 in. goes I had an L-4 CES and that had the shorter scale, but you can notice the weight.
That's sort of my reason for mentioning a Camp. w/ a built-in p/u. I'd never before paid much attention to what a guitar weighs, because through the years, I've never gigged - - but even so, as I get older 'heavy' gets heavy. : )
Hope that makes some sort of sense.
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Choosing between a close-by Special and a a new Standard (the one at acousticmusic.org?), I'd go for the Special, contingent on checking it out. If it's close by, it's worth the drive. Originally Posted by Wattie
AFAIK, there is virtually no difference in the way Mark built these guitars 16 years ago and today. He figured out his recipe yers ago and has stuck to it.
Another Special for sale to consider, perhaps a bit further away:
Campellone Special
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I play a 16" as well as a 17" Campellone. My 16" has a short scale and Mark built it to optimize its acoustic response. It is an excellent-sounding 16" acoustic archtop guitar, but different from my excellent-sounding 17" long-scale, big body, acoustic archtop Campellone. Originally Posted by skykomishone
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Hi All,
Thank you all for the information, it is very helpful.
Having not seen it, my only concern with the Special is the scale length of 25.5". I am a long time tele player and like the 25.5" scale length there, but some chord fingerings are a bit too much of a stretch for me. I am thinking a 25" or even a 24.6" (I think that is what Campellone offers) would allow me more options when playing. I did get myself added to Mark's waiting list, but not sure I can wait 2 years. Maybe buy one now and when my ticket comes up get the wife to buy into a second.
Planning a road trip this weekend to check out the Special, we'll see how it goes.
@Hammertone - The Standard is indeed at Acoustic Music, which is only a couple of hours away. Might need to work that into the road trip as well.
Also, since posting a '54 ES-175 is now on the list, but we will see how the Campellones go first.
Thanks again for all the help!
Wattie
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Go for the SPECIAL. It's Special! With today's prices of the Standard going for $4500 the Special is only $2k or so more. And the woods and extra bling far justify going for the Special if it's within your budget. Take care!
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Love the color of your Standard, that is fantastic! What is it called? Cherry Burst? Originally Posted by Hammertone
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Thanks for the advice! I have heard the $4500 price before. Is that selling price? The standards currently list at $5500 USD. Sorry if this is a dumb question, am I correct in thinking they sell for $1000 under list? If so, you just saved me money! Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Thanks again!
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I know it sounds crazy, but the few here and on Reverb have sold for $4300 and above. Crazy I know, but Campellone is in demand and even on the used market there aren't many of them to be found. Originally Posted by Wattie
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Makes sense, I fully expect to pay List Price if buy new. Used, I will make an offer, but new - not sure if there is any room to move. - Wattie Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
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The Standard at Acoustic Music is new, listed at $5,500. They presumably commissioned it from Mark. If it was ordered by and sold directly to an end user by Mark, based on the pricing that is listed on his website, it would cost $5,200 +shipping +applicable sales tax. In this case, a fancier wood upgrade increases the cost by a few hundred dollars.
Used Campellones hold their value extremely well, as noted above. Mark's reputation for building excellent guitars has made them a very safe buy, and enough have been made (550 and counting) and sold as used guitars to establish identifiable resale pricing. My guess is that owners treat their Campellones very well, and that most of these guitars offered for sale as used instruments are in excellent condition.Last edited by Hammertone; 03-22-2021 at 08:19 PM.
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It's Cherry Sunburst. That picture is kind of soft. These are a bit better: Originally Posted by Wattie
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Gorgeous! I was leaning towards Chestnut Sunburst on an order, but that might change. Originally Posted by Hammertone
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In Mark's Gallery are examples of chestnut sunburst as well as cherry sunburst. I prefer the chestnust sunburst, but I'm the second owner of this guitar, and didn't have much say in selecting the finish colour.
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Hi All, Is a patina normal on the pickups and tuners of these guitars at 16 years old? Compared to my mid-90s telecaster and early 2000s acoustic (no patina) one of the used Specials seems to have a pretty heavy patina on the hardware - at least to me. Would love your thoughts.
Will be checking it out in person this weekend, so maybe not an issue - we will see. Thanks again! - Wattie
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That's about what I would expect on gold after 16 years, it gets a patina pretty quick. I remember I put nearly that much on the gold on a '68 LP Custom in one night at an outdoor gig at the Jersey shore, tons of damp salt air! Originally Posted by Wattie
Hi All, Is a patina normal on the pickups and tuners of these guitars at 16 years old? Compared to my mid-90s telecaster and early 2000s acoustic (no patina) one of the used Specials seems to have a pretty heavy patina on the hardware - at least to me. Would love your thoughts.
Will be checking it out in person this weekend, so maybe not an issue - we will see. Thanks again! - Wattie
The main thing to look for is how the neck looks after that time, is it straight, and cracks. Mark's guitars are very well built and the neck should be stable. Good luck!
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