Very nice video and a great story about how he got the guitar (and what he paid!). He gets choked up in it which choked me up a little.
George Gruhns favorite guitar
- Thread starter 7GuildsandanSG
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When we had an LTG meetup in Nashville back when George had his old store in Downtown Nashville, @ladytexan talked him into allowing us upstairs, where all the good stuff is. After trotting out a bunch of rarities from his time at Guild, he showed us the "Loar Wall"
All were in outstanding condition, most notably the L5s, that were near mint. I can only wonder at the aggregate value of those instruments. And then there was the wall of prewar Martins!
very cool. If I had the scratch, I’d buy one too. If I could just play a Loyd Loar L-5 for a few minutes, I’d die a happy man.
davismanLV
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This like when Don and I took a trip to New York. We got into the city and people kept trying to get us to go here and there, and we did and had a good time. Then I told the hotel people (The Essex House) that we were going to Staten Island..... why? why would you go there? you'll be sorry... etc., etc. So we got directions and took the ferry to Staten Island and saw the Lady of Liberty on our way... then we caught a cab to Mandolin Brothers!! Dorked around there for a while, and then Stan Jay came up and said, "You're not from around here, are you?" Of course, no we weren't. So then he took us upstairs to the "good" stuff. What a nice man and I was just floored at the Martins, DeAngelico's and all the AMAZING guitars he had there. So yeah... I get it. Gutars are amazing and hospitality is a good thing. 
Stan was a real gentleman Tom, and would let you play anything in the store. Had an encyclopedic knowledge of boutique builders, too. He and his store are sorely missed around here.This like when Don and I took a trip to New York. We got into the city and people kept trying to get us to go here and there, and we did and had a good time. Then I told the hotel people (The Essex House) that we were going to Staten Island..... why? why would you go there? you'll be sorry... etc., etc. So we got directions and took the ferry to Staten Island and saw the Lady of Liberty on our way... then we caught a cab to Mandolin Brothers!! Dorked around there for a while, and then Stan Jay came up and said, "You're not from around here, are you?" Of course, no we weren't. So then he took us upstairs to the "good" stuff. What a nice man and I was just floored at the Martins, DeAngelico's and all the AMAZING guitars he had there. So yeah... I get it. Gutars are amazing and hospitality is a good thing.
If you really want to see a D'Angelico/D'Aquisto collection, Rudy's on Broome Street in SoHo is the place, and they were made just a couple of blocks away on Kenmare street. Here's a photo I took when @Bill Ashton and I were there in 2011.
Stan was a real gentleman Tom, and would let you play anything in the store. Had an encyclopedic knowledge of boutique builders, too. He and his store are sorely missed around here.
If you really want to see a D'Angelico/D'Aquisto collection, Rudy's on Broome Street in SoHo is the place, and they were made just a couple of blocks away on Kenmare street. Here's a photo I took when @Bill Ashton and I were there in 2011.
In the right side, behind the guitars - who is that guitarist sticking his tongue out?
walrus
Looks almost like Les Paul, but wrong guitar, I think.
krysh
Guildarist in the mod squad
We have been there 2011 together, Sandy.Stan was a real gentleman Tom, and would let you play anything in the store. Had an encyclopedic knowledge of boutique builders, too. He and his store are sorely missed around here.
If you really want to see a D'Angelico/D'Aquisto collection, Rudy's on Broome Street in SoHo is the place, and they were made just a couple of blocks away on Kenmare street. Here's a photo I took when @Bill Ashton and I were there in 2011.
Yes, I believe we were, but I know I took this photo when I was there with Bill, if my memory isn't failing me!
Westerly Wood
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well, I think the tone of that is pretty small. I don't get it.
but I have yet to be intrigued by these type of guitars.
The best part for me is the Loar signature. for Gruhn, that has to be really significant, the collector and vintage officionado he is. cool stuff. I know this video has been posted here before, but I always watch it all the way thru.
but I have yet to be intrigued by these type of guitars.
The best part for me is the Loar signature. for Gruhn, that has to be really significant, the collector and vintage officionado he is. cool stuff. I know this video has been posted here before, but I always watch it all the way thru.
AcornHouse
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Looks like Les Paul to me. Remember, he played many a guitar before the LP. He made his name as a young performer on an L5 IIRC.
He doesn't look all that young in the photo, but it would be silly to assume that all he owned were Les Pauls. Looks like a high end archtop of some sort.
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Rhubarb Red was his country name in the beginning.
AcornHouse
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It could also be an in house photo when he was visiting the store and was trying out an archtop (or that was what they gave him to pose with).
SFIV1967
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GGJaguar
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Yes! I was oogling over an expensive Gibson archtop there (don't recall the model). I was moving all around it and pointing out various things to my buddy and Stan said "Go ahead and play it" and I was like "No, no. I cannot afford to buy it right now". He said "That's okay. Play it". Super nice guy.
Ralf'd again! LOLThere were other similar pictures of him, in that case with the right guitar.
Ralf
SFIV1967
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Not at all, you already said it looks like him! Looks like he liked that pose.
Ralf