Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Does Carlo Greco still make instruments?
Carlo Greco
- Thread starter Darryl Hattenhauer
- Start date
Carlo still has a small lutherie in New York City.
Graham
Venerated Member
Somebody here has been to his shop, it might have been Jahn.
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
It looks like he's probably still very active. Has anybody ever seen one of his guitars for sale?
Darryl Hattenhauer said:
Yes, there was one for sale last fall. The seller was from New York, the guitar was built for him by Greco. Unfortunately that guitar and a D-55 that he sold hd abeen kept in a New York apartment for a few too many winters, finish on both was fairly seriously checked. I came in 2nd in the bidding, the winner told me about the guitar, which, other than the finish problems sounded truly wonderful.
West R Lee
Venerated Member
That would have been me on the D55. Finish wasn't checked, but the guitar had some fairly minor cracks, several of them. Cal, I was thinking that was you that bought the Greco. If I recall, it was a member here that bought the Greco. The Greco did have some serious checking. Seller kept them near a heater in his apartment.West
That's the one -- I forgot that you got the D-55, and now that you mention it i think the buyer may have also been an LTG member. In hindsight, I think I'd still like it with the checking, could have sent it to Carlo to get fixed up.
Cypress Knee
Member
[img:0]http://www.baltimorerunning.com/Jim's%20Home%20Page/Music/Guitar%20Pics/The%20Gr2.jpg[/img] That was me. The checking is evident in this photo. Gary Flowers advised me against doing anything to re-finish the guitar unless I wanted to spend an extra couple thousand dollars on an instrument that only needed a dash of cosmetics.
CK
CK
West R Lee
Venerated Member
CK,
How could I have forgotten? How is she doin?
West
How could I have forgotten? How is she doin?
West
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Wine Press,
I agree that you shouldn't refinish it. To me, an oldie but a goodie like that looks better than even a new one, and a refin costs you a lot of $ yet lowers the re-sale price.
Anybody have a guess what it costs to have Carlo Greco build a modest guitar? I couldn't afford a fancy one.
I agree that you shouldn't refinish it. To me, an oldie but a goodie like that looks better than even a new one, and a refin costs you a lot of $ yet lowers the re-sale price.
Anybody have a guess what it costs to have Carlo Greco build a modest guitar? I couldn't afford a fancy one.
My town had it's annual art & music festival a couple weeks back, and there was a pretty smokin jazz band featured at one point. The leader was playing a bodacious blonde hollowbody with an extremely fancy headstock and a gold tailpiece that I'd never seen before. Looked a lot like a D'Angelico, but not exactly. Between sets he walked by where I was sitting with my kids and I asked him what kind of guitar he was playing: "Carlo Greco," he replied. "It's custom made."
I was ignorant.
"Looks kind of like a D'Angelico" I said.
"Actually, have you heard of Guild Artist Awards? It has more in common with them. Carlo Greco designed all the Guild archtops."
I really need to get a copy of Hans' book...
The guy could flat out play, too.
I was ignorant.
"Looks kind of like a D'Angelico" I said.
"Actually, have you heard of Guild Artist Awards? It has more in common with them. Carlo Greco designed all the Guild archtops."
I really need to get a copy of Hans' book...
The guy could flat out play, too.
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
ebay,
Do you know the guy's name or band's name so I could track him down?
Hatted Frau
Do you know the guy's name or band's name so I could track him down?
Hatted Frau
Darryl, I believe his name is Lee Waterman, band is Jazz Caliente. Kind of a bop/latin thing. Great musicians. You can find him here:
http://leewatermanproductions.com/
And, the handle is Northbayj, not ebay! But you can just call me John. Keep us posted on the Greco quest.
http://leewatermanproductions.com/
And, the handle is Northbayj, not ebay! But you can just call me John. Keep us posted on the Greco quest.
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
John,
Thanks. I'm going to contact him.
Thanks. I'm going to contact him.
West R Lee
Venerated Member
That's one fine looking guitar there CK. Can you rate the tone compared to say a D55?
West
West
Carlo is very much still making axes. In fact, he says he gets a constant flow of folks from Japan wanting one-offs of "The Paul Simon Guitar" hehe. But he had a tobacco burst acoustic jumbo (F-50 to the max with Braz to boot!) that some guy backed out for a few visits ago - you might want to check if he still has it if that's your thing so you don't have to wait in line!
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Thanks Jahn. Does he have a website? Is the F50 recent? Wouldn't he be prohibitively expensive? Do you have any info on his prices?
Bah, the place he works out of does have a website somewhere, but here's all the info you need -
Alex Musical Instruments Inc
165 W 48th St
New York NY 10036-1523
United States
Phone:2127657738
Just ask for Carlo!
And that uber F50 type might already be gone since he finished it and I chatted with him about it in April I think. I can't remember if it was low 3k or low 4k - bad memory, eh?
Alex Musical Instruments Inc
165 W 48th St
New York NY 10036-1523
United States
Phone:2127657738
Just ask for Carlo!
And that uber F50 type might already be gone since he finished it and I chatted with him about it in April I think. I can't remember if it was low 3k or low 4k - bad memory, eh?
coastie99
Enlightened Member
I'm reminded of Ing. Fabio Taglioni whenever I see Carlo Greco mentioned.
Taglioni didn't build guitars; he's the "father" of the modern Ducati.
Well, perhaps the "grand-father" actually.
I salute them both.
Taglioni didn't build guitars; he's the "father" of the modern Ducati.
Well, perhaps the "grand-father" actually.
I salute them both.