-
I've been thinking about this for months, and decided it's best to move it on to someone who will play it than to hold on to it for any number of reasons. It doesn't get played very often because it's just a bit too big for my right elbow. Thankfully I can still play my 17" Special, so this isn't as heartbreaking as it could be.
The guitar, "Big Red" as Big Mike called it when he owned it, is I believe a 2007, and one of maybe 40 18" guitars Mark made. Not sure how many of those 18s were Specials, so it isn't something that comes along too often. The guitar is in excellent shape, though there does appear to be some slight greening of the binding inside the cutaway (see pics). That always struck me as odd, as that part of the guitar, inside the cutaway, doesn't touch the case. Maybe it came from a vinyl strap years ago or something else, I don't know and I haven't tried to remove it because that would have certainly ended in spectacular failure.
The guitar has spent all of its cased life in one of those dreaded 'green on inside' Cedar Creek cases, but I have gotten a brand new Canadian case for her, which is what she will ship in. The case arrived today, and there is a picture of it (still in the box) in the pics.
It plays absolutely beautifully, honestly nicer than any other guitar I've ever played or owned, and I've owned in the neighborhood of 100 and played a few hundred more. It is honestly spectacular with the TI 12s on her. I doubt anyone is even a little surprised by that, but I throw it out there anyway.
I'm asking $8500 for her.
I know that's a lot, so we may be able to get that down a bit. If you live within say 3 1/2 hours of Philadelphia in any direction (except East) we can meet up in person and take $250 off for the shipping. Shipping and insurance are going to be high. If you can pay for the guitar in a fashion that doesn't incur a 3.5% cut to the seller (like a bank check, maybe there's another way I honestly don't know) we can take another $250 off. I don't want any 'friends and family' type BS here, that's just a tax on you, besides asking you to give up your rights as well. Now that I think of it, if you are ok with doing what Big Mike and I have done, just keeping the guitar in the Cedar Creek case but also inside an old undershirt, you can have the new case as well. They run $400+, so it should bring something. Just throwing that out there. Also, you'd likely have to pick it up or get it dropped off for that, she's heavy.
If you, as already noted, live within driving distance and want to come kick the tires yourself, by all means come on by!I've got 4 different guitar amps here you can try her through, and a great big dog dying to meet you as well. (I'm very serious, if you're around please come and see it if you'd like. You don't even have to be serious about buying it, you can just pretend and we'll hang out for a bit lol.)
I haven't really done any business here with anyone other than Joe D (Max405) so my references are slight. I invite you to check my feedback out on Reverb (The Marketplace for Musicians | Reverb.com) if you wish.
The link to pics is Index of /images/Campellone/18Special4Sale/
If you'd like more, or a specific shot, or pics of the case, or the big dog dying to meet you, just let me know.
Have a great weekend!
P.S. In case the title didn't give it away, she's red
Last edited by jim777; 06-19-2026 at 04:58 PM.
-
06-19-2026 02:18 PM
-
Gorgeous instrument!! GLWTS!
-
Man, wish I was close enough to pretend I could afford to stop by and admire it in person.
-
40 is correct, of which 25 are Specials, 8 are Deluxes, and 7 are Standards or Standard Customs.
Originally Posted by jim777
-
As the owner of one of the eight 18” Deluxes, I find that very interesting information! Maybe one day we’ll talk about the Campellone ledgers in the same hushed tones that we use when we speak of the ledgers of certain other Italian-American archtop builders. Originally Posted by Hammertone
-
Those are really interesting stats, Hammer.
Since Mark is here on the forum, I wonder if we might be able to persuade him into opening the books a little bit for the public record as he winds down his builds. It would be really interesting to see what's out there, and how trends in specs have developed over the course of his building career!
-
Thanks for that! Originally Posted by Hammertone
-
Mark and I are friends. I have most of his production information in a little database, and it's easy for me to provide simple information about how many of these or how many of those he has made over the past few decades, with his blessing.
-
Mine is an 18 inch Deluxe reddish sunburst. Was made for Rich Raezor in believe in1998. If I did not have this then this one would be on my mind for sure. Mine has a 1 3/4 inch neck what a guitar!
-
A little blast from the past...
Incoming: 18 inch Campellone Special
-
Glwts!
-
Awhile back I got on Mark's waiting list and I asked him to do an 18 inch guitar. He told me that he was no longer doing those. I canceled my spot as 1) I already have a 17 inch Campellone and 2) with six 17 inch archtops, I could not justify another.
At this point I am retired from buying, but if I wasn't, this guitar would be on my radar screen. It is a rare bird built by one of the best. GLWTS!
-
Thanks guys
Someone here will get it if it sells. If it doesn't, it will stay with me. This one isn't going to Reverb or eBay or anyplace similar (at least not from me). It's only right, and fitting I think, that it stays here in house, so to speak. 
-
Originally Posted by jim777
Thanks guys Someone here will get it if it sells. If it doesn't, it will stay with me. This one isn't going to Reverb or eBay or anyplace similar (at least not from me). It's only right, and fitting I think, that it stays here in house, so to speak.
Big Mike would want it that way.
-
I'm about $8480 dollars short of your asking price right now otherwise this guitar would be mine because that is the most beautiful Campellone I have ever seen. GLWTS Jim
-
Looks like Red is going to be staying in house
-
I'm interested if you're still willing to sell it. Originally Posted by jim777
Looks like Red is going to be staying in house
-
You're a day late my friend Originally Posted by marcelodamon
-
Welcome to the forum Marc Damon. It has been a minute since you and I last jammed at Djangofest NW (like about 20 years to be exact). IIRC, you became a doctor. That professional income might get you in trouble here as a lot of high-end tempting guitars are advertised here and nowhere else. This is a fine and collegial place for all things jazz guitar. If you stick around and get a few posts under your belt, you may find the members here to be less "suspicious". And as a Campellone owner, I think you are on the right track in pursuing one. Originally Posted by marcelodamon
That said, I think the OP has made a wise choice deciding to keep this one.
-
I'm confused—does "staying in house" mean that it's being sold to a forum member, or that you've decided not to sell it? (Congratulations, either way!)
Since it sounds like Big Red's unavailable, can't help but note that the similarly-gorgeous "Cognac" Cameo was just listed for sale...
The Marketplace for Musicians | Reverb.com
-
No, it sold to another member here, sorry. I was paraphrasing my earlier post that said, "This one isn't going to Reverb or eBay or anyplace similar (at least not from me). It's only right, and fitting I think, that it stays here in house, so to speak." So, it has both sold, and stayed in house
-
There’s great merit of many kinds in that philosophy, Jim. I shipped my AF207 to its new owner yesterday. He’s an old friend of Jim Soloway, who put us together. He’s also a long time forum reader, although he hasn’t interacted much. But he’s a serious player and dealing with him has been great so far. Originally Posted by jim777
No, it sold to another member here, sorry. I was paraphrasing my earlier post that said, "This one isn't going to Reverb or eBay or anyplace similar (at least not from me). It's only right, and fitting I think, that it stays here in house, so to speak." So, it has both sold, and stayed in house
The sale post was up for many weeks. I politely declined further interaction with the usual flakes after some very odd inquiries and offers, and I ignored the most outrageous. Fortunately, none of them was a forum participant. Eventually, a straightforward buyer emerged from our little community. I hope he’s happy with it, and I’m thrilled that one of my babies remains “in house”. I haven’t bought or sold anything from an outside individual except one speaker cabinet in a long time - and I sleep much better since adopting this philosophy
-
I would have given it serious consideration if I were in the US.
So many nice guitars come and go here!
I guess not being able to buy saves me money
Reply With Quote
Gibson ES-175 Hollowbody Electric Guitar 2013 w/ Original Hard Case
Yesterday, 06:06 PM in For Sale