Just arrived home from a trip to Kings Lynn this morning after collecting my 1913 Regal Parlour from Mike Savage.
Mike had re-set the bridge and repaired a crack in the fretboard, dressed the frets, cleaned and oiled and applied plenty of TLC. Also of note: most old guitars smell a bit like the bottom of a parrott's cage, including my Regal. Now it smells of linseed oil and fresh beeswax. Not a small detail I would say!
Considering the guitar is 100 years old, I was expecting some sort of compromise in terms of what could be done. But delighted to say the workmanship is first class, everything is still original and it sounds pretty amazing. Dare I say, makes my 00028 seem a bit dull.
While there, I had the privelige of playing on several Stellas, Washburns, Lyon & Healeys, Harmony's etc. All of which Mike had restored to their original condition. Some of the original artwork-decal on the bodies in excellent condition.
It occurred to me that since a large part of the music the members of this forum love, was originally played on these instruments, its worth bearing Mike Savage in mind when Guitar Acquisition Syndrome
hits next. The prices are nowhere near those I've seen recently on "foreign" sites!
You dont need to look for a vintage ladder braced guitar abroad, we have a specialist right here in Norfolk. I'll post some pics of Mike's guitars in the next day or so, when I've sussed out how to upload them.
In the event this posting creates an overwhelming desire to know more about how you can sound just like your blues heroes, Mike can be reached on: 01553 768 372
PS: Mike also makes excellent tea.
