While I cannot recall a time I have not had a few ladder braced parlors and concerts around, I have a special place in my heart for their larger kin. I think if I could I would surround myself with Vega Profundos, Regal Recording King Carson Robinsons, Oscar Schmidt jumbos, and Harmony Sovereigns.
At present I have two - a 1930s Schmidt-made Galiano Jumbo and a ca. 1960 block letter logo Harmony Sovereign.
If you are a geezer, the Sovereign, of course, is an old stand by and often the first "good" guitar we owned. We used to think of them as a poor man's Martin D-18.
The Galiano is a 14 fret, solid peghead guitar. It even has the position marker on the 9th instead of 10th fret. I was, in fact, not even sure it was a Schmidt-made instrument when I first stumbled across it. But it was playable, sounded great and at only a couple of hunded bucks I figured I had nothing to lose. On top of that is just really cool looking.
So I am just curious if anybody else's heart beats a bit faster while their hands start sweating at the sight of a big box ladder braced guitar.
wasn't that guitar on neil harpe's site about, maybe 8 or 9 years ago? That's not a guitar easily forgotten... if it wasn't that specific guitar, it was very similar... 30s era, 14 fret, sssssunburssssst.... oh my.
wasn't that guitar on neil harpe's site about, maybe 8 or 9 years ago? That's not a guitar easily forgotten... if it wasn't that specific guitar, it was very similar... 30s era, 14 fret, sssssunburssssst.... oh my.
No not the same guitar. But I know which one you are talking about as Neil sent out a photo of it when I went to him for help identifying mine. He also sent a pic of the Sovereign version.
oh yes.. I do love 'em. Sweet picture there. I bet it's a joy to play. I am also in the Sovereign club. I also have a ladder-braced Silvertone jumbo which is such a cool looking giant of a guitar! I've been moving it around my shop"s back burner for years now. I got it in bad disrepair, but I hang on to it, patiently awaiting the day I actually have the time to work on a personal project.
Played a Giant assed Kay at Jalopy today , I think it belongs to Pat Conte. Its the one that Scrapper Blackwell is playing on his white t shirt Prestige record, I mean NOT that specific one but the Kay version of a J-200. Funky as hell, unique, interesting sound.
Logged
My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music. Vladimir Nabokov (1899 - 1977)
Those Kay-made jumbos are amazing sounding guitars. I actually like them better than the Harmony Sovereigns. I am still regretting selling off my '53 Silvertone on which I had reset the neck and dumped the bizarre wrap around bridge and flimsy pickguard. But I needed the cash to have another guitar on which I had put off repairs way too long fixed up.
Is this one of them? I don't know, if so, how its attached to the guitar, if the bridge is mounted with the end screws or if its glued. The string threads through the front.
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« Last Edit: October 20, 2013, 11:48:25 AM by harriet »
Here's my ladder-braced Oahu Jumbo. All Mahogany, wide, fat V-neck. Probably originally for Hawaiian play, it was made in a square-necked version as well (Unkie Bud has one of those).
15 5/16" lower bout 1 13/16 nut 25.5" scale
Alex
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« Last Edit: October 27, 2013, 01:47:06 PM by GhostRider »
PP....Rick wouldn't like them. However they're cheaply made all birch ladder braced guitars of equivalent quality to many US made ladder braced guitars you'll find on ebay for a lot more money plus shipping plus customs duty plus 20% VAT. I've got one and it sounds great (for what it is i.e. a very cheap guitar)....you pays yer money...etc.
Thanks Scratch. Will keep an eye open. Last time you made me a suggestion like that I ended up with a kaykraft which I still have. That said I have a Michael messer wooden bodied reso coming soon so I really shouldn't be looking for more guitars!