JP Cormier Playing Lakewood

Subject: JP Cormier Playing Lakewood
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 07:32 PM

JP Cormier was at the Highland Guitar session in Judique, Cape Breton this afternoon. He was playing a top-end "M" series Lakewood. He claims that it is the best guitar that he has ever owned. He said that all of his other guitars are gathering dust. There was a display there of several different model Lakewoods and he was pushing the line, but they were sure beautiful. As far as the sound goes it was hard to judge, because JP could make strings on a mop handle sound good. I didn't try any because they are beyond my pocket change or talent level.
In any case it was a great session. For any who may not have heard of JP or heard him play , he is argueably the best alive, and most of thoese who would argue that statement have never heard him play.
A friend of mine, Ciffie Carter, also now plays a Lakewood. Like JP, Ciffie can make anything sound good, including my old BC Rich. My dream is still for a J-200 Gibson, but I will settle for a good Norman.
             Sandy

Subject: RE: JP Cormier Playing Lakewood
From: mooman
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 04:52 AM

I also play a custom M-series Lakewood and (as 'Spaw would say) am the resident Mudcat Lakewood nerd (see the instrument reviews thread)!

Glad to see they're gaining the recognition they deserve from players of the stature of JP!

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: JP Cormier Playing Lakewood
From: Songsmith
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 10:10 AM

JP is simply a must see and I agree anyone who argues has never seen him live.

Subject: RE: JP Cormier Playing Lakewood
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 01:24 PM

Interesting, Sandy.

You were probably at his gig during the Celtic Colours Festival a few years back when he kept cussing at his brand new custom built Santa Cruz. It looked spectacular, abalone everywhere, but he didn't like it much. Didn't harm his playing any, though ...

I find it puzzling that he would plump for a German factory guitar, however, when there are so many outstanding Canadian luthiers (like Oscar Graf and Mario Proulx) who could build him a custom guitar which would be tailored to his every whim. Maybe the Santa Cruz
experience soured him ?

That said, the Lakewood is a fine guitar. I owned a very nice maple Lakewood D10 until I landed on it from a height of five steps after skidding off the porch one wintry Massachusetts evening. I still have the remains in the case, can't bring myself to throw it away ...

Subject: RE: JP Cormier Playing Lakewood
From: mooman
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 04:20 PM

Dear Murray,

"Factory" guitar is a true but slightly misleading term with Lakewoods as the whole team comprises a maximum of about 12 luthiers (several of them taken on in the last year to cope with demand).

I am lucky in that mine is a 94 Lakewood made and signed by Martin Seeliger himself (who doesn't make many guitars now that they have a team). But you are right as well...I think even I could rob a bank for a Manzer! (but I would still have at least a three year wait!)

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: JP Cormier Playing Lakewood
From: GUEST,Sandy (lost cookie)
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 09:35 AM

My understanding was that the one he was playing was custom built but I may have been mistaken. One of the guitars on display was his also but I am unsure which one it was, possibly a dreadnaught.

Subject: RE: JP Cormier Playing Lakewood
From: GUEST,Sandy
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 09:39 AM

Yeh Murray,
       I remember him running down that fancy guitar.

Subject: RE: JP Cormier Playing Lakewood
From: mooman
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 09:53 AM

Yes...they do have a custom shop.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: JP Cormier Playing Lakewood
From: GUEST,Sandy (lost cookie)
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 07:35 PM

I have seen JP perform live on several occasions but at this session I was sitting about 10 feet in front of him as he played. We don't use the elevated stage but only a low platform . On the fast stuff I could never follow his fingers when he was on stage. Up close I still can't.
JP will play at Stanfest again this year.
               Sandy

The following was pasted from JP's website:
Jun 13
        Highland Guitar Society
Judique, Cape Breton

Highland Guitar Society's twice-monthly Sunday afternoon jam

J.P. Cormier special guest

2:00 - 5:00pm

Judique Community Centre
Route 19
Inverness County

$3.00 individuals
$8.00 families

Meet Glenn Gotell, exclusive Atlantic Canadian dealer for Lakewood Guitars (Germany). Glenn will have a variety of Lakewoods on display at the Centre.

www.arichat.com/ggmusic
www.lakewood.de