Happy Birthday America
Wishing Everyone a Happy Forth of July
Iconic John Lennon’s Guitar Found
Amazing story. John Lennon’s 1962 Gibson Acoustic/Electric J-160e guitar, which went missing for 50 years and was found in a junk shop, is up for auction.
Both George Harrison and John Lennon purchased identical Gibson J-160e guitars and they featured on every Beatle album. Sometime Harrison and Lennon had swapped the guitars, possibly by accident. The one George had is still in the Harrison Estate, but John’s was thought to have been stolen over 50 years ago.
Well now it has been found and verified authentic. It may fetch record numbers in a planned Julien auction.
The guitar’s authenticity was verified by Andy Babiuk, who has written about musical equipment used by the Beatles, by matching the guitar’s serial number, wood grain and scratches to photographs and videos of Lennon playing the instrument. Read more here and here.
Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase 2014
I attended the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase for the forth year in a row this weekend. The annual event presents the finest handmade acoustic guitars and stringed musical instruments from some of the finest builders around the world. As always I had a fantastic day not one seeing jaw dropping guitars and stringed instruments. Best part is listening to some great performers playing the guitars exhibited from the show floor.
Paul Asbell Playing an amazing archtop from Mirabella Guitars
This was the sixth year for the Woodstock, New York event which is a mecca for musicians with many well known local players and Grammy winners. The crowd was large and the busiest I have seen on Saturday. So it appears this show is attracting more and more guitar lovers.
In Memoriam for Stan Jay of Mandolin Brothers
Stanley Jay
Stan Jay has apparently passed away. Sad day.
Stan was an icon in vintage guitar and stringed instruments for over 40 years. He will be greatly missed. I have known Stan since he first opened Mandolin Brothers and I wish his family and loved ones the best. Stan was the most knowledgable person I have ever met for vintage instruments and was also a great picker himself. Mandolin Brothers has been the premiere “dream shop” for many of us.
http://www.silive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/10/future_of_mandolin_brothers_fa.html
http://www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_001669.shtml
http://www.silive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/10/stan_jay_owner_of_beloved_mand.html