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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | The way I figure you should be well into it right about now!
Is Dave behaving himself? And how long did it take for him to break out the uke?
Have fun guys.
Take lots of pictures. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | i think the French are more liberal when it comes to taking clothes off. I'm not sure I wanna know...
'Freddie and the French Fries', perhaps? |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Naked Guys and FrenchFry Cooking sounds potentially "dangerous" . . . . |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | New day in France and no reports from Jerome or Witko :eek: |
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March 2004
Posts: 1388
Location: Paris/France | That day was magic for us!!!!
Everybody was nude, running and playing in the garden...
It's very common in France... :D
First, we were so happy and proud to have Dave as "guest star".
He's so kind and so nice!!!(It's 7.00AM and Dave still sleeping)
Because we're French, the day has began with a BBQ with foods and wines.
During the afternoon, there was a lot of sun, music, Ovation guitars and of course a Ukulele...
We have made lots of photos and videos.
Here are the first pics.
I must leave you for now because I have to go to the "boulangerie" to take some "croissants" for Dave's breakfast. ;)
J :)
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | very nice... |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Wow. That is quite a nice gathering of guitars....and people too! |
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Wow! 2 47 RI's!
Looks like a lot of fun. Interesting that Dave was one of the tallest people there...... |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Wow! What a great bunch of guitars!
Oh, look, there are people in the picture too.
It must have been a blast! |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Holy Merde!! |
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February 2005
Posts: 212
Location: France | It was a lot of fun.
Just a perfect day with lots of guitars and nice guys.
Dave came with one uke and went back home with two....
It was very nice to finally meet Dave, he's a very nice person and not doubt a great US ambassador.
Tom |
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February 2005
Posts: 212
Location: France | Oh, btw I almost forgot to say that the 47RI is an amazing guitar, it not only looks beautifull but the sound is amazing.
Tom |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Bonjour everyone! The weekend is sadly over and I do not even know how to START to describe the 2 days experience I have just had. Absolutely wonderful in everyway!
I must first thank my good friend Jerome. His hospitality and kindness and beyond words. Yes he made sure my coffee and croissant was waiting when I awoke. And he paid so much attention to every detail of my visit. I and truely blessed to have him as my friend.
The guitar gathering tool place at the home of Pascal. I arrived as a stranger and left (at 2 am) feeling like part of his family! Pascal, his family and all the friends who were there made me feel so welcome. I was not a stranger in a strange land, I was just another one of the "guys". OK, I was the one who did not speak French. But so what? Language is only one small part of who we are. I was accepted into the home of Pascal and into the arms of so many wonderful people. It would take me many pages to write about all the wonderful foods and drinks (this is France, remember). I left feel good, full, and very very happy for the experience.
I'll post some photos and things when I get back to the US, but let me back up and tell some things about the weekend and hopefully you can sense just a little bit of how much fun it was for me. Early on Saturday morning I drove to Antwerp to get the high speed bullet train to Paris. I allowed plenty of extra time and was at the station about 1 hour early. It was a beautiful sunny morning, so I sat on a bench inside the station and to pass the time I started to play a little bit on my ukulele. My backpack and ukulele case sat in front of me on the floor. After a few minutes a man walked by, reached in his pocket and put a 1 euro coin in my case! He thought I was playing or begging for money! How funny. I knew at this point that this would be a special weekend. I eventually boarded the train and in less than 2 hours I was at Paris Nord station. Waiting for me on the platform was Jerome. It was easy to spot him because he looks just like his phtotos, minus the Adamas that is usually in his hands.
Jerome was happy to see me and immediately I find that his English is nearly perfect. It seemed like we were old friends for many years. None of the awkward moments you usually have when you meet someone new in a strange land. It was like coming to visit my brother. After a short cab ride through crazy crowded streets of Paris we arrived at the apartment of Jerome when we picked up 4 guitar cases and loaded his car for the trip to Pascal. There was some big traffic jams on the highway, but we managed to break free and in about 45 minutes were in the suburbs of Paris and arrived to the home of Pascal. It was easy to locate his house because of the photograph of 47RI hanging on his front gate.
I met many of the guys and also of Pascal and his family. Some of the people you know from this board, Tom and Eduard. Everyone was very friendly and made me feel so welcome. We carried the guitars into Pascal music room where I see 47RI #13 sitting on a stand. What the hell? Pascal has a 47RI ??? YUP. He just got it. We would have TWO 47RI at this party. Oh my goodness ....
We didn't start playing music immediately. The party was gathered in Pascal back yard and lots of small talk, joking, drinking, etc. Everyone went out of their way to speak to me in English which I really appreciated (but was also embarrased that most of us stupid americans never take the time to learn other languages). The grill was going and lots of good BBQ foods and salads started arriving in front of me. Just like a typical american BBQ except instead of salsa we had goose liver and instead of budwieser we had french wines!
After the good BBQ lunch we started bring out the guitars. The collection of guitars (as you saw above in Jeromes photos) was AMAZING. Honestly, this was one of the finest collections I have EVER seen, ANYWARE. Not only were there TWO 47RI (#10, #13), but we had ALL FOUR of the reissues (47RI, U681, Adamas2, Adamas1). I have never personally seen all four in one place at the same time. On top of that we had FD14, Custom Legend, Adamas2, Adamas2 WIDENECK, a couple more Adamas1, a 2005 Collector, etc., etc. This was TRUELY AMAZING. Yes there was one ukulele!
Even MORE impressive than the guitars were the talent of the plays. MAN OH MAN, these guys could PLAY. I don't even know how to describe it. I was truely in awe of their skills. Each time somebody would play I would think "he is the best", and then the next person would be even BETTER. And then they would team up and just BLOW MY MIND. I strummed along a little and played some uke, but basically I was heppy just to sit and be entertained. Pascal gave me his CD that I am listening to right now on my laptop. Truely amazing. Even the electric guitars (nice stratocasters) came out and did some blues jamming. Wonderful stuff.
The highlighgt of my visit was two very special gifts that were prepared for me. You'll have to see pictures to fully appreciate it, but it is clear that even in English-French translation these guys know I am kind of a joker. SOOOO, my first very special gift, presented to me from Jerome is a beautiful plaque and certificate honoring my attendence at this French Ovation Fans gathering. On the placque is mounted a beautiful golden color disk with Ovation rosette. On closer inspection you see that the "disk" is actually a Tupperware lid !!! I almost pee in pants laughing. This will for sure be displayed on the wall of my music room. My second gift was a very special hand made ukulele by Tom (Tom_CA). He built it entirely himself and it is a round back. Very beautiful. The neck is hand carved and personally fretted by Tom (using magic marker). The body consists of (guess what?) a Tupperware bowl! YES, I finally have my Tupperware ukulele. Tom completely engineered the neck/bowl attachment himself. It's a VERY impressive job and he even strung it for me. Merci Tom !!!
So as the sun started to set on a wonderful Saturday I thought the event was almost over. But NO. Out comes a HUGE and MAGNIFICENT meal prepared by all the women. It was AMAZING. And of course more and more wines. I lost track, but after diner there was even more drinks, and some sweet licquers and some very strong stuff that said 46% on it. My memory of the details is starting to run out. I do rememeber at some point there was a drum set involved. Amazing just to wander from one guitar to the next. And these were ALL THE BEST ADAMAS YOU COULD WANT. More jamming and then finally a camp fire in the backyard. Did we really go to the neighbor at midnight and steal wood? I guess so. Marshmellows and more strong drinks. It's becoming a blur. Fortunately Jerome was well fueled on espresso and we made it safely back to his flat at something like 230 am.
I slept like a rock until 10am and awoke to a wonderful breakfast with Jerome followed by some jamming on his great guitars. The 47RI is just stunning. I have now played 5 of them and all I can say is IF you have any chance to buy one of these guitars and if you are blessed with the funds to do it, YOU MUST BUY ONE.
Jerome and I spent the afternoon in beautiful weather seeing some of the sites in Paris. Just a wonderful time on a perfect day. Drinks at a little outdoor cafe. A man playing a romantic accordian music. I mean it was just like in the freaking movies!!!
Sadly I finally had to board the train and leave Paris. And with it I leave behind some wonderful new friends but take with me memories that I shall cherish forever. Thank you again to Jerome, and all the wonderful people I met. To Pascal and his family for their warm hospitality, to Tom for the roundback ukulele, to each and every person that made this such a special experience for me.
Dave |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | AWSOME!!
Thanks for sharing Dave!! I would love to go over and avenge Jeff W. by staying with Scroeder (if Mrs. Schroeder will allow) and attendeing this event next year!! :D |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Wow Dave. It sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing. You'll have to post some pics of your new uke and the plaque. |
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March 2004
Posts: 629
Location: Houston, Texas | Wow, I feel like Bob Eucher in the Miller Lite commercials. |
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Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Wonderful! Now you didn't go and ask for Freedom Fries, did you? |
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October 2005
Posts: 5331
Location: Cicero, NY | My wife and I spent a week in Paris back a few years back and still recall that as one of the most special times in our lives together. And I saw very few guitars at all on that trip much less like the ones I see in the above pics. Talk about an enhancement! I have to say, Dave, your story makes me want to go back today. I am so incredibly jealous. Glad you had the experience and I cannot wait for more pics. |
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October 2005
Posts: 5331
Location: Cicero, NY | BTW, you did tell them that not everyone over here plays a uke, right, Dave?
..Dave....? |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Last meal I had in France was one of the very best I ever had. 14 courses (including the wine courses). Fabulous.
it cost 57,000Francs.... about 10,000 dollars at time. Ouch.
True story.... happened to be about 30 people dining with in the ruins of a 15th century Chateau in Devon under the light of Comet Hale-Bopp... I had no idea that I was being billed for it. |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Ooops, I forgot to mention to my hosts that not all Americans play ukuleles. They DID however have a lot of questions about the coconuts and why we were called the "Fish-Dicks". I'm still sitting here with a grin on my face about the whole event. Just amazing.
Almost lost in the shuffle is our guy Jerome. We always thnk about him and his website (which is an incredible resource of informaton), but he has quietly put together a very nice collection of Adamas. Adamas 1 red, Adamas 2 beige, Adamas 2 black wideneck, and the red 47RI. Man, THAT is quite an assortment of great guitars.
Did I mention how nice the 47RI is ??? I know I did many times. But just when you think you have read all there is, or heard all there is you play the thing again and it's WOW, THIS IS IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEAGUE. Like Moody said, it's the one guitar you would sell all your others to own (and some of us may be doing exactly that).
Dave |
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October 2005
Posts: 5331
Location: Cicero, NY | Why do I get the feeling that telling Dave to go back and correct that little "not all Americans play ukes" faux paux would be met with a huge grin...? |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Dave,
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like you had a really great time. I haven't seen that many Adamas's in one place since I last looked in your photo gallery. :D
P.S. I think I'll pass on the goose livers. :D |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Amazing how a common interest in guitars can bring forth such wonderful friendships.
One day maybe my wife and I will be fortunate to travel and see the group or perhaps some of them might one day wish to see the amazing Colorado Rockies! |
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June 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Chicago 'Burbs | Great journal! Sounds like a blast. I love France... been there three times in three years because I have a HS friend out their who got engaged, married, and became a mom. Any of the FOF heard of Genie Godula?
Anyway... very jealous because I think my France streak has ended for a bit. Also jealous of the guitars... but that's a given. |
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Hey French Guys!!! How's the party going?
