|
|
Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 108
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming | Is anyone familiar with John Dillon, a guitar builder out of Taos, N.M.? I think I can get one of his July, 1980 creations for an exceptional price. I think he's handmade gits for some pretty famous folks. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | never heard of him |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I think might've seen his ads (one of the little, b&w ones, near the back) in AG Mag.
Other'nat, IknowNada . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I've spent a little time in Taos, he must keep a pretty low profile. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1330
Location: ms | I`ve seen a few people playing Dillon guitars but not sure if its the same maker. I saw them a time are two in acoustic guitar mag. I think they were/are high end guitars. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | john dillon info
this page highlights his music playing and mentions his luthier work. he began suffering from the effects of sawdust, glue, etc. and is not making many, if any, instruments at this time. more in to songwriting these days. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 108
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming | From the way this one is made, I would say this is the same guy.
It's a Florentine cutaway dread. I don't know what the top is but it has darkened beautifully over 28 years. Rosewood sides and back with I think maple binding and on the heel of the neck. It has a few minor laquer cracks (top is smooth and flat and finish is nice otherwise and no dings or dents, overall beautiful. Ebony finger board with extensive inlay. The case is pretty nice and has a black velvet cover for the guitar on the inside. The label says Dillon Hand Built #38 and is signed by John Dillon with a date of July, 1980. My player friend says it sounds like a fine D-28. No electronics. I can get it for under $500. To me this sounds like a real pawn shop treasure, when I think about what one can get for that kind of money. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Day-um man! If it 'resonates' with your heart/ears/eyes and in the shape you describe, pounce!
Quality handmade, US or not, guitars that meet your description and possesses your 'tonal quality' criteria at that price should be a no brainer.
Just my .02 FRN... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 108
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming | Bought it. I'll post a few pics this weekend. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | You better have, or someone would come along and kick you very hard... ;)
Nice grab! Definitely post pics when you can. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | pd ,
I'm really looking forward to see what ya caught!
If it sounds close to a D-28, you should be a happy camper... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 108
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming | My friend/pastor played it tonight. He's a top notch player/collector and owns an Olsen, a Bashkin and a Krobauer among others. He says it plays and sounds very much like the Kronbauer. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Probably got a real good one there. Congrats! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 108
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming | Is it just me, or can nobody get to Member Access to post photos? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | you need to post your pics over on the "OFC2" site. you can get there through my link below if you'd like. just click on "main" for the homepage and sign up if you have not already done so. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | yeah, go over to the new side for that |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 108
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming | Thanks, guys. I'll load up some pics of that new git this evening. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Hey Prairiedog, I just noticed you're in Cheyenne. Ever get up to Hot Springs? I am planning a run down to Cheyenne some time this fall. Maybe we can hook up and strum a few. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 108
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming | Here's a link to some photos. Some are of the Dillon, along with my 1651, W691, and Taylor 510.
prairiedog |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | That looks real nice. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | SWEEET! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 108
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming | In doing more research on this guitar, I found a post on a site that this fellow had made about John Dillon's guitars. I was able to email him and he responded in short order to my questions. I was excited when I got this response . . . as was the wife. All of a sudden she thinks that my pawn shopping, eBaying and guitar collecting is a nice hobby for me.
--|8/18/2008 8:06:10 PM, Webb Kline - musician, songwriter Wrote:|--
Hi Greg, Sounds like you hit the mother load! I know John personally, although we've kind of lost touch since he moved back down to NM, and I moved to Nashville. Most everything he has built is on the North side of $10,000, and worth every penny. I don't think he's building anymore. I know he had some health issues that came from building them, and his arthritis got so bad he had to move back to drier climates.
Hank Jr., and others around town own John's guitars. They're loved by everyone who has ever laid their hands on one. I've never played anything that compares. Beats my Taylors and Martins hands down. I'm sure you'd have no problem getting the price of a new one or better from anyone who knows what it is.
Peace,
Webb |
|
| |
Dillon Handmade Acoustic Guitar
