Mark Campellone the Archtop building machine

[pilotony]

I'm the proud owner of a Campellone thin-line which I ordered in March, 2020 and was delivered to me in July, 2021. Mark told me the guitar had a substantial un-amplified sound and he was correct..

In 1963, at the age of 15, I received my first "good guitar" an Epiphone Casino (actually a Gibson ES-330). Since then, I've, seen, played and owned many other "good" guitars. Mark's thin-line
is the standout.

Tony D.

[vinnyv1k]

Birthday suits

[Gregc57]

Vinny:
These post make me want to order a guitar I don't need..........
but want none the less!
Greg

[Mick-7]

Vinny:
These posts make me want to order a guitar I don't need.........

And you've never felt that way before, right?

[vinnyv1k]

Sealer on Cameo no.11

[vinnyv1k]

Only 1 blonde in this batch. Lots of binding scraping.

[2bornot2bop]

Only 1 blonde in this batch. Lots of binding scraping.

I see I’m not the only one who loves bursts!

[Max405]

Sealer on Cameo no.11

I really love the figure on this guitar. The angle of what’s going on in the wood make this an incredible back. Sort of like a Chevron.
This guitar needs to be viewed from all angles to really be appreciated.
Amazing planning and craftsmanship.
Joe D

[MCampellone]

Day number three of binding scraping - two more to go : )

[vinnyv1k]

Binding scraping = nerves of steal and one steady hand.

Nobody does a better burst than Mark…..IMO

He turns 70 on 8/29. He is 2 months younger than me.
We both share the same aches and pains.
My skills though have diminished but his have not.
My Cameo from the last batch is absolutely flawless in every way.
Long may you run MC !

Certain talents cannot be learned. They are God given talents.

[Artichoke]

I love these updates! And that burst looks incredible with that wood.

What's next after binding scraping?

- AC

[MCampellone]

I love these updates! And that burst looks incredible with that wood.

What's next after binding scraping?

- AC

Once bindings are all scraped, the build-up clear coats will be sprayed - then some dry sanding, another couple of finish coats of clear, then some wet sanding, and at that point, the finish application will be completed.

[MCampellone]

Binding scraping = nerves of steal and one steady hand.



He turns 70 on 8/29. He is 2 months younger than me.
We both share the same aches and pains.
My skills though have diminished but his have not.

Ha - yeah, maintaining my skills (so far), but my stamina sure ain't what it used to be

[andrew]

Gorgeous stuff as always!

Out of curiosity, does Mark completely finish one batch before beginning the next one or is there some overlap (i.e. while waiting for the finish to dry)?

[bluejaybill]

Gorgeous stuff as always!

Out of curiosity, does Mark completely finish one batch before beginning the next one or is there some overlap (i.e. while waiting for the finish to dry)?

He definitely works on one batch at the time, there may be overlap as he starts to set up the next batch while the final finishing is done, I'm not sure.

What I do know is there isn't much of a break between batches, you might expect Mark to take time off but I've never seen it!

Hopefully you are taking off the 4th Mark!

Happy holiday!

[vinnyv1k]

Mark takes a little time off on Sunday to see his Mom (good son).
Other than that he is a building machine.

He is a big Chet fan and plays Gretsch’s. He used to make YouTube videos. He is a very good guitarist also. Also a big Gibson fanboy.

[Gregc57]

The back and neck on that burst are gorgeous. What fine woods!

[MCampellone]

Gorgeous stuff as always!

Out of curiosity, does Mark completely finish one batch before beginning the next one or is there some overlap (i.e. while waiting for the finish to dry)?

I have a very linear production process and each batch is completely finished before I begin the next run. The finishing process really doesn't include much down time (i.e., while lacquer dries) - and if there is any downtime, it's easily filled with other batch related stuff.

[DawgBone]

Mark is a workaholic, but he will be 70 in August and Father Time takes no prisoners.
He is very customer committed and hates falling behind schedule but......
He told me recently that he wants to start building guitar designs that he wants to build.
I think if you are a younger player a Campellone is a very wise investment.
In 20 years they will be the new D'Aquisto value wise.
Even when he retires, they will go way up in price in the used market. Look at the price of a used 175 now that they are no longer made. A great guitar and solid investment IMO.

SLIMLINE DOUBLE CUT SOUND POST TUNE O MATIC CAMPELLONE JAZZ BLUES PIMP MACHINE BABY IN A RICH PURPLE BURST C'MON!!!!

If I could afford it, I would have one and I would gig some heavy relic'ing into that puppy, believe that, Then when I was dead it would be the most affordable Campellone on the market because it would look like someone carried it in a gunny sack in the back of a pickup truck.

He always is super nice here and gave detailed responses to my questions about his beautiful tailpieces and who the heck am I? Not even really a potential customer at this stage. Who knows maybe I'll get rich which means he just laid away a customer for later with his kindness and professionalism. I saw a picture or two of Mr. Campellone, he looked 55 or 60 to me. Hopefully he can make it to 90-95 and build all the guitars he wants until he doesn't want to build guitars anymore kinda like I hope to be able to gig until I am dead. May God grant him many years!!!

[MCampellone]

Mark takes a little time off on Sunday to see his Mom (good son).
Other than that he is a building machine.

He is a big Chet fan and plays Gretsch’s. He used to make YouTube videos. He is a very good guitarist also. Also a big Gibson fanboy.

Actually, I haven't picked up any of my Gretsch guitars in a while. My current favorites are two early 60's ES330's (originally single PU models which I modified) - my first "good" guitar was a 330 which I got brand new in 1966, so I guess I've come full circle. I've owned lots of older Gibson archtops - a bunch of L7's, a couple L5's - but like a lot of us older guys, I'm more comfortable with smaller body guitars these days, so the 17's are all gone.

I also have a couple of really nice early 60's ES125TC's - great guitars - really comfy, slick necks, very woody sounding. The guitar I pick up most often, though (because it stays out on a stand) is my late 50's L50 which I restored about 30 years ago - just a honey.

[MCampellone]

SLIMLINE DOUBLE CUT SOUND POST TUNE O MATIC CAMPELLONE JAZZ BLUES PIMP MACHINE BABY IN A RICH PURPLE BURST C'MON!!!!

If I could afford it, I would have one and I would gig some heavy relic'ing into that puppy, believe that, Then when I was dead it would be the most affordable Campellone on the market because it would look like someone carried it in a gunny sack in the back of a pickup truck.

He always is super nice here and gave detailed responses to my questions about his beautiful tailpieces and who the heck am I? Not even really a potential customer at this stage. Who knows maybe I'll get rich which means he just laid away a customer for later with his kindness and professionalism. I saw a picture or two of Mr. Campellone, he looked 55 or 60 to me. Hopefully he can make it to 90-95 and build all the guitars he wants until he doesn't want to build guitars anymore kinda like I hope to be able to gig until I am dead. May God grant him many years!!!

Thanks, Dawgbone - and while we're at it, let's hope we're all granted many years. And if you do ever get one of my guitars, I hope you won't be TOO rough with it - lol.

[DawgBone]

Thanks, Dawgbone - and while we're at it, let's hope we're all granted many years. And if you do ever get one of my guitars, I hope you won't be TOO rough with it - lol.

Indeed!!!

All my babies get names but get gigged hard or I don't wind up keeping them. I wouldn't be too rough but I use a metal fingerpick so it tends to dig in where the pickguard meets the body underneath the high E and they definitely get some buckle rash. I do like honest gig wear. Probably the only retirement package I'll get, haha!!!

Lettuce know how much the deposit is gonna be when you come out with your version of a 330. "Campellone 33" has a nice ring to it. Multi piece neck, plenty of dressage, some mouse ears, and especially good high fret access. If and when the day comes I'd buy your guitar over the Gibson without a thought as long as I can get the 'buckers and a adjustable bridge in there. I promise to only string it with LaBella flats.....

[Hammertone]

Seems like a reasonable request, not without precedent.

[vinnyv1k]

The refin’s on those 125’s are gorgeous.

[MCampellone]

The refin’s on those 125’s are gorgeous.

Surprisingly, the finishes on both the 330's and 125's are ORIGINAL! Luckily, they were all in good shape when I got them - just a few nicks to fill here and there - I did overspray the lighter colored 330 with a couple of clear coats, but aside from that, just some TLC got all those guitars looking like new!