The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #8896   Message #1930878
Posted By: GUEST,Captain Colin
08-Jan-07 - 08:08 PM
Thread Name: Lonnie Donegan
Subject: RE: Lonnie Donegan
Well I'm new to this site but have enjoyed all the Donegan threads. Roger- If you are thiking of the 12 string with the "D" shaped soundhole I believe it was made for him by Stan Francis of Liverpool.He also made some for Pete Seeger. It self destructed, as did Pete's. Lonnie also imported a Gretsch in the 1950s- shipped over by boat and was photographed with it sometimes (I have a picture on an album sleeve) On the Sundown Album he is holding his "spare" Martin 000, rather spoilt by the oversize pickguard and, I think, new bridge. The Abbott guitar surfaced for sale in the Melody Maker in the mid seventies. Lonnie originally sold it to Dickie Bishop. The banjo used later was a mongrel- the neck was Clifford Esseex but I don't know what the pot was. Hope this is of interest to somebody, if so I'll try to add a little more