txbumper57
Enlightened Member
As many of you know I posted the link to this guitar for everyone in the Ebay/Craigslist section of the forum. I figured I would have no interest in it and would love to see it go to someone here at LTG. After inspecting the photos and conversing with the original owner for a period of a week I knew I couldn’t let this one get away or I would regret it for the rest of time. I can honestly say that I have never been speechless over a guitar until I opened the case of this one yesterday. I have seen and played some beautiful instruments but this is on another level by itself. I can say that this is the first guitar I have owned that was built by C.W. Fleming and it is as much a Masterpiece to look at as it is to hear it and play. Honestly I was almost afraid to touch it or play it. I could see this in a Museum somewhere as a example of fine art. After working most of my life with my hands and taking extreme pride in the things I have built and signed my name to I can honestly appreciate the phenomenal level of craftsmanship it took to create such an Amazing guitar.
The attention to detail is Amazing. First off it has a Beautiful silked spruce top that that I believe to be Engelmann. If anyone like Ralf or Hans knows different please feel free to let me know. Of course the back and sides are some of the most Beautiful Brazilian Rosewood I have ever seen. The grain of the book matched sides is some of the tightest I have ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on with wonderful figuring to it. Almost looks like someone combed the top of a fresh Cappuccino with a fine toothed comb. The figuring on the book matched back is absolutely Stunning. This is some of the highest grade Brazilian I have ever gazed upon. The figuring resembles a waterfall of beautiful reds and browns with black accents.
Separating the Beautiful woods is the most elegantly applied red tortoise transparent binding. The Guitar is fully bound in the tortoise shell from top to back as well as all the way up the neck and continuing unbroken encasing the complete Classic Guild shaped Headstock which has the mother of pearl classic “G” shield logo. The Rosette is also simple yet elegant with a Tortoise inner ring, Double bound tortoise middle ring and finally another tortoise outer ring. The transparent red Tortoise shell binding makes the guitar to appear to be wrapped in rubies and topaz when the light dances across the guitar.
The Ebony Fretboard is of such a quality that you can not visually see any discernible grain to the wood itself. It feels as smooth as Glass to the finger’s touch. The bridge is of the same quality. The tuners are beautiful with the ebony wood accented tuning pegs and more preise than any I have played. It takes almost a full half turn to tune up or down one notch on a Boss tuner. The Nitro Cellulose finish has set in and begun to show some of the grain of the wood itself. There is not a ding, rub, dent, finish scratch, or finish check on the guitar anywhere. I purchased it from the original owner and it is in as new condition. This guitar has an understated elegance to it. The thing I think I love the most is that if you were looking at the guitar from 10 feet away you would say, wow, that is a nice guitar. Once you get up close to it all of the subtle accents and craftsmanship really start to show up. Upon closer inspection you will find yourself wondering how one can put that many hours at such a high level of craftsmanship and materials into one beautiful instrument.
On to the tone aspect, Imagine a Grand Piano meeting a 100 year old hand made pipe organ in a Church and then combine them into a guitar with a symphony accompaniment. This thing has overtones that go on for days! You can strum one chord and actually hear it ring for 15-20 seconds. You can feel the same chord for another 10 seconds after the tone is no longer audible. When comparing it to my D55 50[SUP]th[/SUP] Anniversary Brazilian dread it is much lighter in build. The tone is also more on the Full spectrum side which I did not think was possible. It strums extremely well and the finger picking tones are thick, rich and lush. With Thanksgiving this week I will try to find the time to get a soundclip for everyone. I am in the process of rearranging the Music room so I can more easily access my digital piano and other instrument to streamline my recording process.
Happy Thanksgiving to all and I am truly blessed to be able to play this guitar. I hope everyone has as wonderful a week as I have! Now for your viewing pleasures! On to the photos!
The attention to detail is Amazing. First off it has a Beautiful silked spruce top that that I believe to be Engelmann. If anyone like Ralf or Hans knows different please feel free to let me know. Of course the back and sides are some of the most Beautiful Brazilian Rosewood I have ever seen. The grain of the book matched sides is some of the tightest I have ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on with wonderful figuring to it. Almost looks like someone combed the top of a fresh Cappuccino with a fine toothed comb. The figuring on the book matched back is absolutely Stunning. This is some of the highest grade Brazilian I have ever gazed upon. The figuring resembles a waterfall of beautiful reds and browns with black accents.
Separating the Beautiful woods is the most elegantly applied red tortoise transparent binding. The Guitar is fully bound in the tortoise shell from top to back as well as all the way up the neck and continuing unbroken encasing the complete Classic Guild shaped Headstock which has the mother of pearl classic “G” shield logo. The Rosette is also simple yet elegant with a Tortoise inner ring, Double bound tortoise middle ring and finally another tortoise outer ring. The transparent red Tortoise shell binding makes the guitar to appear to be wrapped in rubies and topaz when the light dances across the guitar.
The Ebony Fretboard is of such a quality that you can not visually see any discernible grain to the wood itself. It feels as smooth as Glass to the finger’s touch. The bridge is of the same quality. The tuners are beautiful with the ebony wood accented tuning pegs and more preise than any I have played. It takes almost a full half turn to tune up or down one notch on a Boss tuner. The Nitro Cellulose finish has set in and begun to show some of the grain of the wood itself. There is not a ding, rub, dent, finish scratch, or finish check on the guitar anywhere. I purchased it from the original owner and it is in as new condition. This guitar has an understated elegance to it. The thing I think I love the most is that if you were looking at the guitar from 10 feet away you would say, wow, that is a nice guitar. Once you get up close to it all of the subtle accents and craftsmanship really start to show up. Upon closer inspection you will find yourself wondering how one can put that many hours at such a high level of craftsmanship and materials into one beautiful instrument.
On to the tone aspect, Imagine a Grand Piano meeting a 100 year old hand made pipe organ in a Church and then combine them into a guitar with a symphony accompaniment. This thing has overtones that go on for days! You can strum one chord and actually hear it ring for 15-20 seconds. You can feel the same chord for another 10 seconds after the tone is no longer audible. When comparing it to my D55 50[SUP]th[/SUP] Anniversary Brazilian dread it is much lighter in build. The tone is also more on the Full spectrum side which I did not think was possible. It strums extremely well and the finger picking tones are thick, rich and lush. With Thanksgiving this week I will try to find the time to get a soundclip for everyone. I am in the process of rearranging the Music room so I can more easily access my digital piano and other instrument to streamline my recording process.
Happy Thanksgiving to all and I am truly blessed to be able to play this guitar. I hope everyone has as wonderful a week as I have! Now for your viewing pleasures! On to the photos!
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