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Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | And now for something truly special!
I planned this guitar out for almost two years. I knew what I was looking for, but had a hard time figuring out the details. Last fall, the design finally gelled in my head, but had to wait a while to come together for real in new Hartford.
And ladies and gentlemen, it was worth every second of the wait!
Visually, it's a stunner without compare!, But sonically.....MAN, O MAN, O MAN............
People mention that certain guitars have certain tones, but this guitar has a voice, and it absolutely sings! When John Budny first handed it to me I just kept staring at it until he told me to strum it. I gave it a light brush with my thumb and sound just enveloped the space I was in. (Which, by the way, was in a corner of the workshop with plenty of noise al around.)
The sound is as fine and as firm as silk. There is something that's just comfortable about it. Then I noted that the chord was still ringing....and ringing....and ringing. I'm big on sustain, but this guitar just holds its notes forever! But then I noticed something I've never felt before in ANY guitar. Note the word "felt".
I have occasionally felt that "rumble in the belly" having owned a 1537, an 87 Collector's, and other similar guitars known for their low end punch. But this one was different. The whole instrument was vibrating! Lightly touch it anywhere; bowl, top, neck, headstock; and you could distinctly feel the movement. It's like the whole bloody guitar is harmonically balanced!
About this time, John told me that Mike wanted to see me before the guitar left. Mike built my instrument, and I'm given to understand was devoutly hoping I would never pick it up. So we went to his workbench and, among other things, he informed me that he has lost count of how many guitars he has made, but occasionally, a new guitar has....IT. And this guitar has "IT" in spades. Honestly, you could see the pride in his face as he looked it over again.
BUT.....
Enough gushing.
You people want pictures. So let's start with one that will help explain this guitar's exceptional voice.....
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Specs:
Top:
High Grade, Sinker Redwood (Selected specifically for “killer” tap tone.)
Bracing:
Ovation A
Scale Length:
25 1/4"
Fretboard:
Ebony
Fret Inlays:
Pearl
Bridge :
Carved Ebony
Pickup:
Ovation True-Balance pickup w/direct out preamp & preset E.Q.
Nutwidth:
1 3/4"
Machines:
Gold with Solid Ebony Buttons
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Cute! 
What kind of Preamp?
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Posts: 888
Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | Sooo Patch.....how much do you want for it? The top is stunning!!! Wow. Congrats. And I'm glad I was able to assist a little bit in your endevor. |
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Posts: 888
Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | So what does "-X" mean? |
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Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | stellarjim - "So what does "-X" mean?" I think it means it's between a "L" and a "2X" Beautiful guitar Patch
Edited by Nick B. 2012-06-06 10:21 PM
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Posts: 288
Location: Maine | Very Very nice and Very classy looking too.
The looks are quite reminiscent of the Koa Celtic collector model more than an actual FD14 to me, But the physical specs probably better match that of the FUD. Cool
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | stellarjim - 2012-06-06 10:10 PM
So what does "-X" mean?
Thanks Jim for the kind words.
The -X simply means custom. |
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Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | trickard - 2012-06-06 11:13 PM
Very Very nice and Very classy looking too.
The looks are quite reminiscent of the Koa Celtic collector model more than an actual FD14 to me, But the physical specs probably better match that of the FUD. Cool
The original plan was basically a dressed up FUD, but the design obviously evolved a bit. I originally planned on using the SRW for an Elite-style guitar, but when I heard the bell-like tap-tone of that top, the rest suddenly began falling in place. I obviously swiped the rosette idea from the 09C, but that's about it. I also think the walnut binding comliments the top better than tortoise would have.
Still, it's an FD-14 where it counts. Mike made sure of that.  |
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Location: Connersville, Indiana | Wow!!!!!!
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Now that is nice!
Wayne |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Very nice. Now we all see the reasons for your madness. You have some real stunners. How many more do you have in the pipeline? |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | One more....this year anyway. |
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Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | It's truly beautiful, Patch. Love the carved ebony bridge, 1-3/4" nut (!), the slot head, and ... and ... and ...
Congratulations! I want to see a photo of your entire stable!
Willa |
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Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | stellarjim - 2012-06-06 10:08 PM Sooo Patch.....how much do you want for it? The top is stunning!!! Wow. Congrats. And I'm glad I was able to assist a little bit in your endevor. Me too! I agree the binding is perfect, and I love the gold tuners on that headstock! Perfect! What's the spec on the bowl? |
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Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Deep bowl. |
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Posts: 260
Location: Spain | Really lovely guitar. Fair play. |
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Posts: 137
Location: Massachusetts | Glad to hear that it sounds as beautiful as it looks, and that your enjoying everything about it! |
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Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Wow! Nothing else to say but WOW! And congratulations! |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | That is amazing. The neck looks old, was something sacrificed to make that, or is it totally new? |
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Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | It's kinda both TAFKAR. The original repair was to replace a cracked top in an old folklore. The original neck looked OK to me (beat up, but usable), however John told me that once they got into the process, the original neck was deemed "too far gone", so he found a new (I presume old-stock) neck to use. (Honestly, I figure John and Kim must have a secret closet there somewhere that would make Mary Poppins' handbag green with envy!)
Now I personlly love the newer slot-head design, but in this case I think the old-style headstock is absolutely perfect for the aesthetics of this guitar.
BTW, last night I put it in open "D" tuning for some finger-picking. This is the best guitar for that set up EVER!
Edited by Patch 2012-06-08 7:04 AM
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Location: Maine | richard.parker - 2012-06-08 12:48 AM
That is amazing. The neck looks old, was something sacrificed to make that, or is it totally new?
I was going to ask the same thing, and I think the neck looks perfect. That makes at least two FUD's with a classic neck with the new style inlaid rosett . One Cedar one Redwood A very nice custom for sure!
Edited by TJR 2012-06-08 11:52 AM
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Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | Just wow! The most beautiful customs are with you!
Congrats,
Kurt |
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August 2009
Posts: 1137
Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | W O N D E R F U L ! ! ! Congrats, Patch.
For sure, all your customs are extremely wonderful guitars!
Bernie |
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Location: north coast ohio | Congrats Patch. Definitely like the redwood
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Posts: 1388
Location: Paris/France | Congrats Patch !!
This Custom is surely one of the most beautiful ever made.
J  |
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Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Thanks Jerome. I'll send the pictures to you for your site if you like.
BTW, I LOVE that avatar you are using! |
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The factory put something magic in this guitar! There's no other "O" like it!