Apollo Guitar

Subject: APOLLO GUITAR
From: kendall
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 09:38 PM

Point of information, Nick Apollonio has one of his fine 12 string guitars on E-Bay. Good chance to own one folks!

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 11:20 PM

Nick has a CD for sale on ebay, Ken but I can't find the guitar. Too late? Blue clicky?

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: sc
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 11:46 PM

Apollonio Guitar

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 09:45 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 09:57 PM

Just take a LOOK at the innovations on this model. When they say that these are "the best in the world", that ain't hyperbole.

Rick

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: kendall
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 08:59 AM

I've been known to stretch the truth at times, but, when it comes to Apollo guitars, I don't have to lie.

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 11:38 AM

Kendall, have you played one of his "tailpiece 12s"? Has Gordon. I'm curious.

Rick

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Don Firth
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 12:28 PM

Gorgeous!!! I want it!! I want it!!

But I don't have $4,200. *whimper - sob*

Don Firth

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: kendall
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 02:51 PM

Yes Rick, I have played Gordon's tailpiece 12, and, it is AWESOME!! He tuns his down to "C" and his low "e" number 11 is double wound. When he hits that low "e" it is like the crack of doom. My own 12 is a glued bridge model tuned to "D", and although it is an outstanding instrument, Gordon's is a "Kick Ass" instrument!

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 12:17 AM

The troubles with finely crafted handmade instruments are twofold: I can't see how the maker can afford to set prices so low (in light of the hours of skilled labor) and I can't see how I can afford those exorbitant prices. Oh well...

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: marty D
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 12:22 AM

Well Dick, I used to be pretty amazed at the high prices being asked for quality guitars and banjos, until a certain 14 year old girl PROVED to me how much MORE even medium quality Band Instruments sold for. Ever gone looking for a decent flute? It is to shudder!

marty

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 06:24 AM

So Marty, did you spring the 4 or 5 grand for a Powell or Haynes or did you opt for a nice Gemeinhardt, openhole,low B foot, silver head joint? That's a great compromise piece and a quality flute and goes for what nowadays.......1000-1500? Prices are unbelievable anymore. I remember when that Gemeinhardt sold for 350 and a new Haynes was 1200!

Spaw

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Mark Clark
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 02:22 PM

I see that the number of bids on the guitar is still zero. $4,200 is certainly significant but it doesn't seem out of line for a guitar of that quality.

Our youngest was a bassoonist but rented her instruments. Turned out an acceptable bassoon cost $19,000.

Kendell, Did you get a peek inside Gordon's guitar? Id be interested in the bracing pattern used. I found the Apollo Guitars homepage and the cutaway model pictured there sure looks nice. No information about bracing though.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Mark Clark
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 02:29 PM

Here is a better link to Apollo Guitars. The link above doesn't go the main page of the site.

Reading the pricing information, I begin to see why the guitar on eBay hasn't sold at $4,200.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 02:53 PM

I don't doubt that these guitars sound wonderful, but two of the claims on the site are contentious, to say the least.

Firstly, there is no evidence that kerfed linings "absorb" sound.

Secondly, I am skeptical of the claim that the option to have the inside of your guitar coated with marine varnish is going to improve the tone by "reflecting" the sound. The overwhelming consensus among luthiers is that finish is a necessary evil, and that the less applied, the better the instrument will sound.

That said, I have no doubt that Mr Apollonio builds very fine instruments, and there is no reason why he shouldn't indulge in a little promotional hype if it helps to sell them.

Murray

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: kendall
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 09:58 PM

The proof is in the pudding. Play one, then comment. BTW, Nick tells me that the guitar on e bay is for advertising.

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: kendall
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 10:00 PM

Mark, your link doesn't work for me.

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Mark Clark
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 10:07 PM

Kendall, I just tried it and it worked fine for me. The link goes to http://members.mint.net/memusic/ in case you want to try it another way.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: kendall
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 08:53 AM

Still doesn't work. This started with my e mails, unable to make a link work, now its in the threaDS TOO. I gotta get one of those electric computers.

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 09:03 AM

kendall. I said that I have no doubt that these are wonderful sounding guitars. I am merely taking issue with two of the statements made on the website.

Playing one of his guitars wouldn't prove or disprove the veracity or otherwise of these claims one way or the other.

All luthiers, without exception, have their own private little bees in their bonnet about certain things. If these things work for them, then fine. But I just don't like to see personal opinion presented as established fact.

Murray

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: kendall
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 09:08 AM

Gottcha Murray, I hate that meself! Now, what are opinions based on?

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 09:27 AM

Opinions (in luthierie as in the rest of life) , are based on observation, and analysis of these observations.

The problem with formulating opinions about individual components in a guitar is that no luthier would ever have the time to conduct the extensive research which would be necessary to transform a personal opinion into a provable fact, so all opinions uttered by luthiers no matter how eminent, should be treated as personal opinions, nothing more.

In the case of solid versus kerfed linings which I mentioned above, I would have no problem with Mr Apollonio saying that he preferred solid linings because he felt that to his ears they made for a better sounding guitar. Maybe for him they do. Many luthiers would agree. Many wouldn't.

But you can't just state baldly that "kerfed linings absorb sound". That is simply not true, and might give the impression to potential guitar buyers reading it that a guitar with kerfed linings is somehow not going to fulfil its potential.

Murray

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 01:38 PM

Murray, I think that acoustically the effect would be from the increased surface area of the kerfing itself. The only thing I can think of would be say, lining your sturdio with cardboard versus lining it with cardboard egg cartons. I know that may not be the best example, but I think you can see the principle involved.

As to whether that would affect the sound in any significant way.........I wouldn't put much in it one way or the other. You're dealing with a handmade guitar and if it were possible to build two exactly alike except for the kerfing (impossible), then you could hear for yourself. I kinda' doubt that even if it were possible you could hear any real difference.....maybe, maybe not.

A hard surface does reflect sound waves better thn a soft one, but you do have a bit of a tradeoff with the extra finish. If you didn't coat the soundboard and only the back and sides, then perhaps you might have a positive tradeoff......again, hard to tell.

I think the obvious great ideas are the tunable bridge saddle that he has made work which would benefit the overall sound of any Twelve and the solidly affixed bridge which brings max resonance to and through the top. That stuff is great! Note too, that this Twelve has a 12 fret neck and the double adjusting neck would be almost a necessity in terms of relief and "no-buzz" fretting with a capo. That's all some simply great stuff and well done to boot......hard to beat a great idea that's well executed.

I would say that too that one reason this Twelve reportedly performs so well "out-of-the-box" is because of the Redwood soundboard. Redwood ages and matures a bit, but it's very wide open from the gitgo and you will get very little difference in sound over the years. Spruce does need to vibrate and age to get the best performance so I doubt that an Engleman top would sound quite as good and definitely not as "booming" when new. If you pick up a spruce top 12 and it sounds monstrous when new, it will be a killer in a few years. Redwood will sound about the same new as it does in 20 years, and it's life expectancy is a bit shorter than spruce from a sound standpoint. It is also a bit...and I emphasize a BIT.....more prone to cracking. Again the bridge and neck innovations will help to negate that problem.

Spaw

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 02:34 PM

Spaw, the more I think about it, the more I think it could bs possible that a solid lining MIGHT resonate better than a kerfed lining, simply because it has a kind of integrity of its own. I mean, if you lifted a length of solid lining and tapped it, you would hear a tap tone of SOME description. If you lifted a kerfed length and tapped it you would hear zilch. But does this transfer into increased resonance when it is all glued up? I kinda doubt it but, who knows?

Your point about sound reflection is viable, but which way does it jump? Does the increased area of the kerfing reflect better than the smooth unbrokenness (?) of the solid? Hard to say. If solid linings really were superior to kerfed linings, I would have thought that the great Spanish classical makers would have used them instead of using "tentellones" which is kerfed lining carried to the extreme.

As far as finishing the inside is concerned, this one has been bounced around for years and I really wish that someone would do a definitive test on it. This is one theory which could be proved one way or t'other.

I agree with the individually compensated saddles on the twelve string, this shows above all else that Mr Apollonio is a true craftsman. There is no reason why ALL twelve string makers shouldn't follow his example.(Except that it's too much work !)

Murray

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 04:32 PM

Interesting discussion guys, keep it up.

Only two instruments have absolutely amazed me in the last 10 years. Both with their sheer unexpected volume. One was a Nick Appolonio 12 string and the other was an Alan Beardsell 6 string. The sound just seemed to "jump" out of both of them. These two instruments were SO much louder than anything I'd heard before or since, I'd be curious if the builders' share any construction techniques.

Now it ain't all gravy...'cause both these guitars sounded very ordinary when people with no sublety or dynamics played them. Actually they both sounded a bit "mushy" when strummed hard with crappy chord positions. One of the best things about Taylors, Martins, Larivees, etc. is they can make a rudimentary player sound 'better' than they might, and a good player sound really good.

I played an original Macaferri once, that ONLY sounded good in a "Django" style. For fingerpicking and Bluegrassy stuff it was awful....echoey, funny overtones etc.

Studio guitarists like Glen Campbell, Howard Roberts, Tommy Tedesco and George Barnes, through the sixties and seventies who played 12 strings almost always used small Gibson B-25s which were so thin and tinny when played live you'd wonder why anyone bought them at all. When miked in the studio, they were clear as a bell, with every note standing out.

I know this, if I had the money I'd buy the Apollo in a heartbeat. The Beardsell as well (I'd have to get used to it's weird shape though.)

Rick

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 04:41 PM

From:Rick Fielding

Date: 14-Aug-01 - 06:57 PM

I've been lucky enough to own some pretty fine guitars in my day, from a couple of pre-war Martin D-18s through an absolutely gorgeous custom inlayed 1972 Larrivee, assorted Gibsons, Epiphones, Guilds, and a much lesser pedigreed Japanese Lowden/Flambeau that blew the socks of anything it came near for 15 years. I've also been fortunate enough to be a long time friend of Grit laskin who's instruments often go straight from the shop into museums...or into the hands of the very best players in the world......

.....but I gotta say, that after sitting across a radio microphone for thirteen years, interviwing, listening to, and picking with literally hundreds of guests, one make of guitar has stood out from the rest.

Had a chance to confirm this again on Monday, when my guest was super-celtic-picker Ken Brown.

OH THOSE OSKAR GRAFS!

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 06:19 PM

For sheer workmanship, tone and expressiveness in the hands of a virtuoso like Ken or Jason Fowler, the Graffs still come out on top in my book. For power and volume....Apollonio, and Beardsell.

Why the "GUEST" moniker GUEST?

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: kendall
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 02:03 PM

He doesn't have to "hype" for anyone who has ever played one of his guitars.

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: EBarnacle
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 09:30 AM

As one who bought an Appolonio 12 from Nick 16 years ago, it has always been a great instrument wwith a strong rich sound. The only problems with it were due to a slight buzz on the fingerboard that Nick corrected for us.

As to the cost, it is a matter of not paying for middlemen. The relationship with the luthier is what it is all about.

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: maeve
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 12:52 PM

I know I love my 6 string Apollonio bought from Nick years ago when I couldn't afford it. I knew I'd be farther away from affording it the longer I waited because already they were rising in value and sound quality. I see I was correct! ;)

I'm enjoying the discussion of sound theory in guitars, gents.

maeve in Maine

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: maeve
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 01:39 PM

" I'm enjoying the discussion of sound theory in guitars, gents." which I just noticed sprang from a post from a few years ago. Oh, well!

maeve

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: number 6
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 02:08 PM

It is interesting maeve ... I couldn't help but notice Rick Fielding's comment on the Gibson J25 in regards to recording .. I hahve heard a good laminate guitar with a solid top is preferred in some cases for recording than a solid body.

biLL

Subject: RE: APOLLO GUITAR
From: maeve
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 02:57 PM

Hmmm. I wonder why that might be. I've heard the same, but can't remember where or how good the source might have been

On a similar note, my fiddle sounds much better to me with mute than without. The tone is harsh to my ear on its own. I know I need to play it much more; I've had to store it for a long while.

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 08:31 PM

I'm refreshing this 2 and a half year old thread because I just got one of these sweet babies. I think it's the same basic model as Maeve's. Nick was at Jed Marum's house concert at Mary's (S. Portland, ME) and I got to play Maeve's a bit, John MacKenzie's (wasn't quite his then) and look at Kendall's 12-string and remember Rick playing 'Walk Right In' on it at a Getaway, and I played this one.

I wasn't looking for a guitar, but when they feel so right they almost play themselves and you don't want to put them down, I WAS looking. Then Nick told me the price and I absolutely could not believe it. (Mar in the finish--who gives a rat's ass!?) So I said I would like to buy it.

He needed it for a couple gigs, but I met him and his lovely family in Freeport for Chinese food and came home with my prize. Mahogany back and sides, red cedar table, rosewood fretboard, and it's light. He makes them with floating saddles (no slot in the bridge) so you can adjust them for different gauge strings. It has a truss rod, plus it has a screw in the heel to adjust for humidity related tension. It also has the cute little brass ringed malachite button inlay in the peghead--a signature, I believe.

It has a sweet, true, balanced tone, and I LOVE this guitar!

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 08:38 PM

I've got one - the first of this particular line. I can't imagine a better sounding or playing guitar.

Dan

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: maeve
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 09:32 PM

Jeri- I'm SO happy you're happy with your new guitar!

Congratulations!

maeve

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: michaelr
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 10:48 PM

Why can't I find Nick's website?

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 11:13 PM

I don't think he has one. (I could be wrong.)

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: maeve
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 06:03 AM

You can see some of his instruments here

He's on Facebook

Gordon Bok's words regarding Apollonio 12-strings (Nick's address is out of date as listed. I'll find out how he wants to be contacted these days and post it to this thread.)

Listing in the Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars

And finally, from this site:
Nick Apollonio and Kristin Tescher
"Scots/Irish/Breton/galician songs & tunes on cittern, harp and fiddle
Nick and Kristin play a unique combination of 10 string cittern and Celtic double harp, as well as fiddle, mandolin , and 12 string guitar for a rich combination of songs and tunes from their native Maine as well as from Scotland, Ireland, Nova Scotia, and Galicia in Spain. They have recorded on over 20 CD's , as a duo and with other musicians. Nick is the maker of the instruments having started more than 46 years ago and counts as his customers Judy Collins, Noel Paul Stookey, Gordon Bok, and about 800 others less well known. Kristin has played across North American and in 1983 shared a concert bill with Andy Irvine at Galway University."

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: kendall
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 06:28 AM

Nick built for me a 12 string guitar back in 1975. He named it after my Uncle Curt, the liar/storyteller.
It is mahogany back and sides with a Redwood top. When he handed it to me he said, "There it is, I don't know if it will hold together or not." The tuning keys are the heaviest part of it, but it has held up very well over the years.
In my not so humble opinion, Nick builds some of the best instruments you will find, anywhere.

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: Midchuck
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 06:36 AM

I think Kendall's 12 is very likely the best 12-string I've ever played.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: maeve
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 06:44 AM

That doesn't surprise me in the least, Peter.

maeve

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 07:03 AM

Yup; I'll second that Peter.
My new Apollonio 6 string is a joy to play, and I love the sweet smell of cedar that wafts from the sound hole. An added and unexpected bonus.
Well done Nick, another triumph.

John

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 08:41 AM

Anyone notice that I once called Kendall "Ken" and lived to tell the tale?
While all you guys were fooling around with guitars, I was chatting with Nick's son. Another impressive Apollo creation. LOL a very bright and pleasant young man.
Have to admit - after listening to all those guitars and fiddles, I looked at my Martin and thought it was time I picked it up again.

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: maeve
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 08:51 AM

High time, Sinsull. Let that Martin sing!

Apollonio the Younger is delightful, and has been so since he was a small baby. His mother (and Nick's wife) Kristin Tescher is the other reason he's such a bright and interesting person. She can harp a cougar down from the mountain, charm a curmudgeon into laughter, and sing like the proverbial angel. She's an excellent harpist and guitarist in her own right, and plays Apollonio-made instruments.

m

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: maeve
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 09:08 AM

To contact Nick Apollonio regarding his instruments, use the following email address- suitable disguised to obscure it from unfriendly software:

guittern at gmail dot com Translate dot and at into symbols, remove spaces. If you have any trouble send me a PM.

maeve

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 04:50 PM

One of Nick's 12 strings is on E-bay now. Or you can contact him directly for a very reasonable price on a new one.

Dan

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 05:32 PM

One of Nick's 12 strings is on E-bay now. ...

I wish you hadn't provided that link. I was just enjoying having the money build up again in my "gig fund." And I'm running out of room here...

Peter.

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 05:33 PM

What's even better is to buy directly. He's ridiculously reasonable.

Dan

Subject: RE: Apollo Guitar
From: maeve
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 09:45 PM

Here's one of Nick Apollonio's 10 string cittern/ mandocello beauties, too: 10 string cittern/ mandocello


The prize may be the next link, listed by the maker himself; a new "Octave mandolin Irish bouzouki, innovative new bell model." Auction found here: Octave mandolin Irish bouzouki