Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor

Subject: Your 'dream' insturment, $ not a factor
From: wilco
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 05:21 PM

Okay cats. What would be the ONE insturment that you would get, if you had to buy one (and one only), and you had to keep it. Money is no object here. We're just wishing and dreaming!!!! What would it be, and how much would it cost? Right ow, I would get an older upright bass, probably a Kay or Everhart, and it would probably cost about $2500.00.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' insturment, $ not a factor
From: Justa Picker
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 05:23 PM

A 1934 all original, Martin OOO-45...or Wilf Carter's. *g*

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' insturment, $ not a factor
From: Dead Horse
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 05:35 PM

A ginyoowine Cajun accordienne. The ones where you specify what wood, colour, type of buttons, etc.
(Then I'd learn to play it)

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' insturment, $ not a factor
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 05:42 PM

Uh, still a nice dombra.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' insturment, $ not a factor
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 05:43 PM

A Loar F-5 mandolin

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' insturment, $ not a factor
From: Redbeard
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 05:48 PM

A 1920's RCA Theremin with the original speaker (still in perfect condition, of course). I have no idea what it would cost but I'm sure that it would be more than I could afford.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' insturment, $ not a factor
From: CraigS
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 05:49 PM

A pre-war (38-41) rosewood Gibson J200. Don't know what it would cost, but the maple ones from this period start from about $20000, so I'd guess around $35000 at least.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' insturment, $ not a factor
From: CarolC
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 05:54 PM

The one I've already got. A "Super Midget" Italian piano accordion with 120 basses, 41 keys, a 14 1/2" keyboard, and two treble voices (clarinet and musette).

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Cluin
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 06:59 PM

I'd like Grit Laskin to put aside all his projects and make me a guitar, small bodied (concert size, 00), short-scale, Engelmann spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood back & sides. And what the hell, go to town with the inlay work too, something wild and Art Nouveau.

Long as I've got it for Christmas....

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 07:04 PM

The instrument that killed Dubya.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Steve-o
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 07:50 PM

Copycatting Justa (with minor modification)- A 1934 all original, Martin OOO-45...or Peter Rowan's.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 07:52 PM

Love to own a long-neck five string Pete Seeger style banjo with a Vega Tu-ba-phone pot.

A Taylor 12-string would be nice.

Frank

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: X
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 08:03 PM

Earl's banjo.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Cluin
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 08:15 PM

Willie's "Trigger".

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Midchuck
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 08:25 PM

Maybe...have Grit Laskin copy my Collings 000-2H slothead, but with a deep body, and a soft-core porn headstock inlay.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: GUEST,mollywog
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 08:43 PM

I've already got mine (even if it's only about a third paid off...)

Dusty Strings FH32 (that's 32-string folk harp), in big leaf western maple with a curly koa veneer on the soundboard. It's like playing a harp made out of butterscotch French vanilla ice cream. :)

Plus, it was made just for me (lots of extra love and attention from the builders *grin*).

Excuse me, my fingers just started itching, I'll see you later...

M

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Midchuck
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 09:00 PM

Actually, I could probably settle for this.

P.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 09:04 PM

A 5 string acoustic fiddle, made by Sam Compton. Probably around $5,000.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 09:25 PM

The sheer ecstasy of a full sized celtic-tunable "Dusty Strings" top of the line hardwood Hammered Dulcimer, with all the appropriate ornamentation... Ah Yes...... Oh well, ...untill that imaginary day arrives, I'll just have to keep learning "valuable lessons" with my own meager attempts at instrument design... ttr

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 09:30 PM

Midchuck, I could have had a 1972 model of the above for just a bit over $1300. No Brazilian rosewood though.

I still want my Tim Phillips 5-string fiddle. As far as guitars go, I'm afraid I've been influenced by Fielding. I like looking for surprises. There was a nice Larrivee I couldn't afford a couple of weeks ago. I still remember the Running Dog guitar I played last spring. Ah... there will be more guitars, and I may have money someday.

Anybody wanna buy a hammered dulcimer?

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: GUEST, Sandy McLean
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 09:34 PM

An old Hummingbird in mint cond.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: pattyClink
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 09:40 PM

A huge harp made out of gorgeous wood with a great sound. And an army of little fairies to tune it and learn me to play it!

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: GUEST,Ely
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 11:16 PM

It was a 1936 (I think) Martin 0-18 that was for sale at Guitar Center for $1500. I know that's not that much for a good guitar but it seemed astronomical at the time--I was 17 and had just started learning to play. Anyway, it wasn't much bigger than a ukelele but sounded like a cello. I _still_ can't play well enough to deserve it . . .

Realistically, I want a baritone mountain dulcimer with a double bottom, so I can play really loudly in A.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Merritt
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 12:12 AM

I dream small, and have never had GAS (Guitar Aquisition Syndrome). Am happy with the two guitars I have -

~ 1969 Standel (Grand Auditorium 6-string) designed by Sam Koontz for open tunings

~ 2001 000C-15E Martin kept mostly in standard tuning

Hope they both last forever.

- Merritt


"It's all one big note." - F. Zappa

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 01:44 AM

THIS! Just like the one Richard Leo Johnson plays and only $7500.00 US.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 02:02 AM

Since I have failed miserably at learning guitar, I'd like to have a Rick Fielding or Ray Frank accompanist clone, attached to the guitar of his choice.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: alanabit
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 02:58 AM

I think that once you have found an instrument you really like that's the right one. I have played a Fylde Oberon for over twenty years now and I absolutely adore it. If I ever have money again, I might buy another instrument, but I will never covet another instrument more than the one I have now.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: mooman
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 04:20 AM

I'm like CarolC, mollywog, Merritt and Alanabit...I already have my dream instruments (after owning many dozens over the last 40 years!) and aspire now to nothing else:

Chris Eccleshall A.5 "Pearly" mandolin (had this for 21 years now)
Lakewood custom M-18 guitar
Terry Docherty octave mandolin/mandola
Lyon and Healy short-scale tenor banjo
Roland Meinl latin percussion setup

The octave mandolin was the dearest of these but I got this secondhand in mint condition thanks to the goodwill of two Mudcatters.

Of course, if someone were to offer me a nice Gibson A.3 circa 1915 free of charge I would certainly not turn it down...(but would still primarily play the Chris Eccleshall)!

Best regards to all,

moo

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 07:15 AM

Lachenal Edeophone 56 key extended base english system concertina. A Wheatstone Aeola of the same spec would probably be worth more, but they usually weigh more as well.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: songs2play
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 08:10 AM

This One mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 08:18 AM

I'll take THIS and please have it sent to me right away.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 08:30 AM

Oh, c'mon you guys! Use your imagination. It does say money no object. I'd have someone make me a multivoiced concertina with built in auto tune and tempo correction that played the song right no matter what my fingers did.

Might even make me sound good;-)

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:38 AM

I always knew 'Spaw was a sax maniac!
RtS
(I'll have a stainless steel Cajun rubboard please! Or one of the late Beryl Brydon's silver plated washboards, or one of Rick's mahogany hand crafted kazoos!)

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: GUEST,Bellowbelle
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:47 AM

An old, antique (but perfect) reed organ/harmonium (I'd have to check out types and sounds) that had the options of being either large and ornate or small and compact when I wanted to travel....could maybe even convert into a concertina!

I do have an old Mason & Hamlin church organ, very pretty woodwork, that my husband got in part of a barter, but, it needs a lot of work. I took it apart once to look at it, but, haven't gotten to it yet for major work.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: chip a
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 10:47 AM

The old Paramount 5 string that Will Keys plays.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Kim C
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 05:15 PM

An 1830s Martin Stauffer guitar. Elderly was selling reproductions of these awhile back for about $1500.

I'd like a good ol' German-made violin.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 05:19 PM

Im with Sorcha and Jeri.......I would have and will have at some point a 5-string fiddle!

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:25 PM

Perfectly logical that Spaw should be a fan of the saxophone. The difference between the sound of a really nasty case of the farts and the sound of a saxophone is totally indistinguishable to many ears.

I've said it before, but it bears repeating: There is something intrinsically wrong with any instrument that has to have a spit valve to work.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:31 PM

An ebony skin flute.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:43 PM

Bad GUEST, bad....

As fir me, a mid 30's NATIONAL STEEL..... whew........

Bibert

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 05:31 AM

Joe, I'll be your accompanist for....oh let's say...about six fifty an hour. There now, see, it doesn't cost much. Oh, plus the fare out to the West Coast everytime you wanna play. Does the Concorde go out that way?

Rick

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: kendall
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 06:30 AM

The sax sounds like a giant kazoo to me.
I have the instrument you describe. But, if someone was to give me a Santa Cruz, a Collings, a Gallagher or Rick Fieldings new Martin D-45, I wouldn't turn them down.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Big Mick
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 01:12 PM

I am very happy with my stringed instruments, love my Larrivee D-05 more by the day.

I would probably grab about $13,000 to $15,000 and get a fully appointed full set of Uilleann Pipes from Geoff Woolf, Benedict and Kohler, or Seth Gallagher. These are what I grab when I want to relax, but the cat hates me every time I do.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 10:16 AM

I think I might be tempted by an original National Steel but it would have to come with Rick or Frank to teach me to play it!
RtS

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 01:24 PM

Visited a violin shop in London the other day to pisck up some strings. The fiddle started at about £3000. I was looking....and dreaming about.....one that was £10'000......ooo it was lovely!!!

Still would like a 5 string fiddle though!!!

Catstilldreaming!!!

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 01:39 PM

Well money no object huh!!
I'll have an Onde Martineau, a Hurdy Gurdy, and D45 in Koa wood please.
Thank you Santa.
Giok

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 08:55 PM

Well, I'm pretty happy with my S.S. Steward Orchestra Model 2 but I some day I'd at least like to hold, maybe finger a bit, an S.S. Stewart Champion 5-string banjo with 30 gold-plated brackets and hooks, elaborately inlayed ebony fingerboard, and inside the rim that nice mosaic of exotic woods.

Check out the S.S. Stewart Website some time:http://www.mugwumps.com/sss_date.htm

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Marion
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 09:23 PM

I want the fiddle my grandfather and great-grandfather played, which has since fallen into evil hands. I told the sordid story already in this post.

Marion

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Bluesmike
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 10:35 PM

There is aluthier in Sydney Oz named Gerard Gilet who has been makingfine guitars for many years. He watches you play different guitars he has made, takes a good long look at your hands and the style you play. The ONLY guitar I would cheerfully swap m,y old Martin HD28 for is a Gilet made just for me.
www.giiletguitars.com.au


Gerard rebuilt an old 1957 Maton Electro supreme for me many years ago and undercharged me. he recently did a bunch of work on my Martin and same story. I once watched him stick atiny spokeshave on the end of a stick and using a dentists mirror he sculpted the inside of a Martin to get it to sound right. In 30 years I have never played a finer guitar.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Bluesmike
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 10:56 PM

Well If the blue thingy doesn't work you can type it into your browser and it will go there- just remember prices are in Australian dollars which makes them twice as affordable. There are also some good links to guitar technology pages- a little known fact is that Gerard has put up a Phd scholarship for the past few years to support a student studying guitar technology.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Mark Ross
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 03:36 PM

A Del'Arte Stella 12-string copy,like Leadbelly's,
A Long neck 5-string with a Tub-a-phone ring(if you find an extra one Frank, let me know)
A National Triolian square neck.
A Martin mandolin, carved top, round hole
A 5 style Martin parlor guitar.

I don't want much, just these few.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: SharonA
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 04:41 PM

A chromatic hammered dulcimer with a case and a stand... maybe the Dusty Strings D600, detailed here: http://www.dustystrings.com/building/d600.shtml   (at $2275 US, plus $380 US for the case and $99 US for the stand)

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 05:59 PM

Yes, SharonA, That One! Maybe we could we could get a two for one return on our mutual wish... ?^) Cheerio! ttr

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: DancingMom
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 11:03 PM

A lute. (really!) I guess they can still be had. Or made. Anybody seen one lately?

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: hesperis
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 11:32 PM

One only? There's no way.

For general purpose... a high-end yamaha midi-capable piano, several professional soundfont cds, and a good computer. That'd probably be $10k-15k right there.

For personal pleasure in playing... a double (F/Bb) horn and a good gold-plated flute. Around $4000 for both.

But right now, I'd be happy just to have a midi-capable keyboard with touch-sensitive and full-size keys.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: GUEST,mollywog
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 12:20 AM

Sharon and ThomasRhymer-- I'll pass your compliments along to management! *grin* Unless John P happens to be reading this thread, in which case he can do it. He's over there at the gorgeous new building anyway ;) Pbthpbthpbth!!!

I like the D600 but the one in the store is a little bit tall for me (on the Tristander legs), so my depth of field gets messed up when I'm trying to play the darn thing. The damper pedals are fun though. :) I did have fun the other day trying to play "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" on it. Wheee!

If my harp didn't already take up way too much space in my tiny bedroom I might lust after the HDs more...

Molly

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: SharonA
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 09:57 AM

Thomas and Molly: Aw, now, you guys are making me want that dulcimer all the more, and I'm still paying off the used banjo I bought this year! (this model: http://www.goldtone.com/products/details.asp?subarea=openbackbanjos&subarea2=mm-150)

Maybe next year... or, more likely, next decade...

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 04:06 PM

SharonA and Mollywog! Think big!

I didn't know "It" comes with dampers... I am pretty stuck-up about 'em and would put them on a shelf somewhere... just put your smile to the wind, tap your left heal to the mystical beat of bardic nuances, humming softly the tune you love most... and play with all your heart!

So many wishes, so many stars... ttr

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: RangerSteve
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 08:15 PM

A five-string banjo with a National resonator body. I saw one once in NYC, so I know they exist. I also passed up the chance to buy Grandpa Jones' Vega. It was $800.00.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: OBM
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 08:26 PM

If money truly is no object I'll commission as many good luthiers as I can find to make me an OM, then I'll use the nicest one and put the rest on ebay!

Happy Christmas.

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: kendall
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 09:17 PM

So, who got Granpas banjo for 800 bucks?

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 09:32 PM

A chromatic set of Whitlow trumps would be nice but the thing I would dearly love isn't available that I know of:

A wooden noseflute. I knowwhat you're saying, but if you've listened to the tone the cheap plastic ones can get, imagine one made out of cherry or even ebony. I would dearly love to find a wood worker who could make one or a dozen for me....

Happy Christmas yall

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 25 Dec 02 - 04:39 AM

A Stradivarius!

OK, I won't aim so high. I'll settle for an Amati. :-)

Actually, I found my dream fiddle, custom made by Bob Childs of Cambridge, MA three years ago.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Your 'dream' instrument, $ not a factor
From: RangerSteve
Date: 25 Dec 02 - 06:35 AM

Kendall, I don't know. Grandpa's banjo was on a list of instruments for sale by Gruhn (sp?) Guitars in Nashville quite a few years ago. Since Grandpa still had about 20 years of his career left, I assume he had more than one banjo. I possibly have afforded it these days, providing it was up for sale around the time I got my income tax return, but 20 yrs ago $800 was two months pay for me.