Author Topic: Playing Big Bill Broonzy's 1946 000-28 (Read 5121 times)

outfidel · « **on:** February 19, 2010, 05:37:08 PM »

Yours truly having a "we're not worthy!" moment yesterday at Old Town School of Music in Chicago:

Mr.OMuck · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2010, 08:14:36 PM »

O'Muck is green with envy!

banjochris · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2010, 09:46:38 PM »

cool.

Stumblin · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2010, 01:12:56 AM »

That's Big Bill's guitar?
Wow

Bunker Hill · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2010, 05:48:01 AM »

Here are photos taken in London 1951 (bottom) and 1957 (top) of the guitar he was using on those occasions. Click on images to greatly enlarge.

outfidel · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2010, 06:57:06 AM »

Here's Big Bill showing us how it's supposed to be played --

outfidel · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2010, 06:59:19 AM »

Playing the guitar was a great thrill, and totally unexpected. I asked the guy in the store if I could see the guitar, thinking it was behind a glass case somewhere. He picked up the phone & called someone else in the building, brought the guitar case out, pulled out the guitar and handed it to me. I played it for a 1/2 hour & they never rushed or bothered me.

High point for me was when another customer in the store called out his recognition of my playing "Diddie Wah Diddie".

btw Old Town School of Music is generally a great place run by very cool people -- highly recommended for Weenies!!!

Johnm · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2010, 09:14:00 AM »

Normally I'm not a believer in instruments once owned by famous people retaining any kind of spirit value, but on the other hand . . . that's really great! It must have been quite a thrill to play that guitar. Congratulations on that experience, Michael.
All best,
Johnm

poymando · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2010, 02:56:53 PM »

I know someone else who played that guitar (and is a big devotee of Broonzy's music). He said it was really spooky to hear Big Bill's sound come out of that guitar when he played it.

unezrider · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2010, 08:54:07 AM »

hello friend,
that is really, really cool! i imagine i woulda got the chills playing one of his songs on it. & out of curiosity, how did the guitar sound?
chris

outfidel · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2010, 03:22:43 PM »

Big Bill's 000-28 is in very good condition. The first thing you notice is how light the guitar is compared to a modern guitars.

There's an engraved medallion of Big Bill glued to the headstock -- you can see it in my blurry picture, and you can see it on the "Hey Hey" video. On the inside of the guitar, "Big Bill Broonzy" is stamped two or three times on the center bracing.

The top wood has the usual playing wear, and the backs & sides have the dings & scratches, that you would expect on a guitar that age.

The neck & fretboard seemed in good condition, but the action was a little high -- I'm no expert, but I'm guessing it could use a neck adjustment. They keep it toned down a half to whole step to relieve stress on the neck. The strongs probably need changing too.

Overall, the guitar played & sounded great. It would probably sound even better with an adjustment & new strings tuned up to standard.

Mr.OMuck · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2010, 03:40:06 PM »

That's worth a pilgrimage.

eagle rockin daddy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2010, 04:07:22 AM »

Great story Mike, It would be fun to go there, and play the guitar. I'll try and remember some new strings!

Mike

Richard · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2010, 07:06:27 AM »

Is it for sale or does it just live there?

The suave picture with Grahame Bell is amazing, I have some of his rather Australian 'authentic' jazz band's 78s and from them you you get the impression they all skinned their own kangaroos in the out back!

outfidel · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2010, 03:54:52 PM »

The guitar lives there. Big Bill gave lessons at Old Town School for the last several years of his life. I believe he either or his widow gave the guitar to the school.

Richard · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2010, 01:24:43 PM »

Thanks. nice.

slimchancer · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2010, 05:47:18 AM »

Oh please... that's just too much. Trez cool!!!

Mr.OMuck · « **Reply #17 on:** March 26, 2010, 09:11:00 AM »

I would love to know who his students were and if any of them are adept players of his stuff.

uncle bud · « **Reply #18 on:** March 26, 2010, 09:24:29 PM »

Good point, O'Muck. You hear often enough of this or that student of Rev. Gary Davis, but I can't recall hearing from anyone who took lessons from Broonzy. Looks like he opened the school though:

http://www.oldtownschool.org/history/night.html

outfidel · « **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2010, 12:31:28 PM »

Uncle Bud, thanks for the link -- that was really interesting.

There are some cool photos of Big Bill (& others) at Old Town School recently published in the book Chicago Folk: Images of the Sixties Music Scene

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Author Topic: Playing Big Bill Broonzy's 1946 000-28 (Read 5121 times)