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Post by michaelwatts on Aug 26, 2018 10:57:07 GMT
Hello everybody,
Following on from my post on the very first Sobell guitar here is an interview with the man himself. Well, I say interview, it's more of a filmed chat between two friends catching up. There are no corporate soundbites, buzzwords or hype. Make a nice tea or coffee and join us. Oh and you'll hear some sublime guitars including the D model and the new Steinbeck. Headphones or good speakers are advised. But you knew that anyway!
MDW x
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Welshruss
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Posts: 477
My main instrument is: Turnstone, Wandering Boy & Santa Cruz
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Post by Welshruss on Aug 26, 2018 11:49:32 GMT
Thanks again Michael. Ever since I’ve played the Sobell archtop in 2000 I’ve wanted my own Sobell guitar. I’m lucky to own two Michael Bashkins but I love to own a guitar from the UK despite not living there anymore. Of the guitars in the video was there a favourite? If I had the cash the New World or Steinbeck would interest me.
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Post by Amit on Aug 26, 2018 11:50:12 GMT
Lovely stuff, cheers!
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on Aug 26, 2018 15:22:22 GMT
Well that was excellent Michael. I just lay on the bed with the rain against the window, tablet on my lap, headphones on as instructed with a nice hot coffee and I was transported to a wonderful world of acoustic guitar, a world I might say in which my brain spends the majority of it's awake hours. Stefan came across as a lovely, very thoughtful and intelligent man. I wonder, may I ask what he thought of your Kostal MDW michaelwatts ? Regards Phil
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Post by bellyshere on Aug 26, 2018 17:35:16 GMT
What amazing instruments he makes. I want one before i shuffle off.
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Post by michaelwatts on Aug 27, 2018 7:22:38 GMT
Thanks again Michael. Ever since I’ve played the Sobell archtop in 2000 I’ve wanted my own Sobell guitar. I’m lucky to own two Michael Bashkins but I love to own a guitar from the UK despite not living there anymore. Of the guitars in the video was there a favourite? If I had the cash the New World or Steinbeck would interest me. Hello Russ! thanks for watching, it means a lot to me. You know I'm a fan of Mike Bashkin too! Out of the guitars I played that day (which to be honest were all career quality instruments) the one that has haunted me is the D model - the bass is utterly luscious but it's actually the trebles that I still have ringing in my ears... just amazing.
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Post by michaelwatts on Aug 27, 2018 7:23:05 GMT
You're very welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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Post by michaelwatts on Aug 27, 2018 7:28:00 GMT
Well that was excellent Michael. I just lay on the bed with the rain against the window, tablet on my lap, headphones on as instructed with a nice hot coffee and I was transported to a wonderful world of acoustic guitar, a world I might say in which my brain spends the majority of it's awake hours. Stefan came across as a lovely, very thoughtful and intelligent man. I wonder, may I ask what he thought of your Kostal MDW michaelwatts ? Regards Phil Good man Phil, following instructions to the letter. I like it! Stefan is indeed a lovely, very thoughtful and intelligent man and a joy to spend time with. I won't speak for him when it comes to the MDW but he liked it while admitting it wasn't a sound he strives to create. He did say straight away that it sounded just like a Somogyi (not inaccurate) but with extra clarity. In a subsequent conversation he asked if I considered it to be a steely guitar (one of the topics we covered). It is and it isn't... without wishing to be evasive! The MDW in maple was designed to give me a "pizzicato cello" kind of sound. This approach takes practice with the right hand and a steely guitar is the best way to get there. On first strum the MDW has been described as "bright" and "sizzley" which I suppose is fair but that's not the aspect of my playing that the guitar is being pressed into service to highlight. If you see what I mean MDW
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Post by michaelwatts on Aug 27, 2018 11:13:05 GMT
What amazing instruments he makes. I want one before i shuffle off. Yes he does! I think I do too...
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Post by Vinny on Aug 27, 2018 12:06:54 GMT
Thank you, I really enjoyed that. Stefan seems like a very down to earth guy as well as an amazing luthier. Nice to see your own humility in an earlier post about Pierre Bensusan and Eric Roche, but most guitarists only aspire to your and their standards, me amongst them. Incidentally, Eric’s book, The Acoustic Guitar Bible is the best instructional book I’ve ever seen. Thanks again, Vinny.
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Post by grayn on Aug 27, 2018 17:27:44 GMT
Another lovely video. All of the guitars sounded excellent, in different ways. I didn't know Stefan had started with Citterns because my first thought on hearing his number 1, was it had the sound of early music.
Thanks so much for sharing.
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Post by michaelwatts on Aug 28, 2018 11:00:38 GMT
Thank you, I really enjoyed that. Stefan seems like a very down to earth guy as well as an amazing luthier. Nice to see your own humility in an earlier post about Pierre Bensusan and Eric Roche, but most guitarists only aspire to your and their standards, me amongst them. Incidentally, Eric’s book, The Acoustic Guitar Bible is the best instructional book I’ve ever seen. Thanks again, Vinny. Thanks Vinny, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Stefan is a legend and it’s always good to spend time with him
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Post by michaelwatts on Aug 28, 2018 11:01:36 GMT
Another lovely video. All of the guitars sounded excellent, in different ways. I didn't know Stefan had started with Citterns because my first thought on hearing his number 1, was it had the sound of early music. Thanks so much for sharing. Thanks for watching Grayn! I think you’re right about that early music sound on the first archtop. Obviously hints have evolved since then but the steel and power is still very much there.
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Post by ianlp59 on Aug 29, 2018 16:21:03 GMT
Excellent video Michael, I really enjoyed watching it. Stefan is a really lovely human being and always great to talk to, as well as being a phenomenal and truly innovative luthier - world class...
Cheers, Ian
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Post by michaelwatts on Aug 29, 2018 16:47:06 GMT
Excellent video Michael, I really enjoyed watching it. Stefan is a really lovely human being and always great to talk to, as well as being a phenomenal and truly innovative luthier - world class... Cheers, Ian Thank you for watching Ian, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I know your collection includes one of the finest Sobell guitars I have heard...
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