Tech: Steve Goodman's Guitars

Subject: Tech: Steve Goodman's Guitars
From: MadDawg
Date: 28 May 07 - 09:14 PM

05/28/2007

I participated in a book signing gathering in Woodstock on 05/24/2007 for the release of Clay Eals' book Facing the Music, the biography of Steve Goodman. I have always been aware of Steve's D-28, now in the possesion of a friend of the late Tom Dundee, his Gibson Hummingbird of the early to mid 60's and a string of 000 and M series Martins and small body Gibsons. In his last years, he played a 12 fret body Django style guitar. Does anyone know anything about this guitar and where one can be purchased?

Thanks, y'all!!!

Norm Siegel

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Subject: RE: Tech: Steve Goodman's Guitars
From: mandotim
Date: 29 May 07 - 04:01 AM

The true Django Guitar was the Selmer Maccaferri, which came in several models. No longer made, but there are lots of copies, ranging from high end luthier built stuff (John le Voi and others) to Korean cheapies. (Gitane etc). The best compromise (I think)is a line of guitars being made in Korea to an exact Selmer specification by an outfit called Manouche Guitars, based in Cheltenham, England. John Vickers, the co-owner, is a Django nut, and he went for a no-compromises approach to the design; so much so that some of the top Django style guitarists have a lot of trouble telling them apart from the real thing (both visually and sonically). Wesite is here . Probably the loudest guitars I've ever heard in my life. No financial interest, they're just great instruments. Also, Fylde make a guitar that looks like a Maccaferri, but is in fact a conventional acoustic guitar; called the Egyptian, I think. Not sure what Steve Goodman played, but my guess would be a Maccaferri or a contemporary copy; no-one was manufacturing this kind of guitar in quantity at that time.
Hope this helps.
Tim

Subject: RE: Tech: Steve Goodman's Guitars
From: GUEST,Paul Edward
Date: 25 Nov 13 - 08:07 PM

I bought a Gurian Model S3M from someone who said he had bought it from Steve Goodman
I bought it in 1987
it is scratched very badly just beyond the pickguard at the lower end of the bridge
It is serial # B1257

Subject: RE: Tech: Steve Goodman's Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 16 - 03:45 PM

Does that Gurian have the slotted headstock and the carved wood bridge?

Subject: RE: Tech: Steve Goodman's Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 16 - 11:07 PM

Steve Burgh, who played bass for David Bromberg, once bought Goodman a 3/4 size Gibson for Steve's birthday, so he could feel like a normal sized guitar player. Goodman was a very small sized man with a big heart.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Tech: Steve Goodman's Guitars
From: GUEST,Jeff Freitag
Date: 25 Jul 22 - 03:37 PM

Steve and my brother Jim were best friends in high school, Maine East, and in college when they skip classes to watch the Cubs at Wrigley. Steve would come to our house when my Grandmother took care of us after our parents deaths. He would play songs for her and she loved it. Not speaking English well she would smile as Steve sand and played for her with his huge smile. At that time he was a big fan of Guild guitars. When my brother got married Steve gave him one of his guitars as a gift. Steve didn’t make the wedding he was in NY getting Chemo treatments. When my brother died we gave Mrs. Goodman the guitar Steve gave him. Steve passed away before Jim but their friendship never died. Mrs. Goodman has passed away but Steve’s brother David probably still has them. Steve and his entire family were some of the kindest people I had the pleasure of knowing. Jeff Freitag

Subject: RE: Tech: Steve Goodman's Guitars
From: gillymor
Date: 25 Jul 22 - 04:49 PM

I remember reading somewhere that Steve played a Saga Maccaferri copy near the end of his career. I saw him play it on TV with Jethro Burns but never saw it live.