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Post by skyetripper on Apr 6, 2020 13:43:19 GMT
I was going to write a big long diatribe about how I came to order a Sobell guitar, how I really enjoyed meeting Stefan and how I got play an enviable selection of Sobell's before I placed an order, but to be honest all I need to say is that I've bought one and it's fabulous on every level. Just need to learn to play well enough to do it justice now... Sorry - I don't have any photo hosting sites so I've just added some disoriented photos below. If anyone knows how I can add them at a better size, I'll give it a try..
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Post by Vinny on Apr 6, 2020 13:46:51 GMT
Only SLIGHTLY envious. Enjoy.
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on Apr 6, 2020 14:20:35 GMT
Looks stunning........
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Post by grayn on Apr 6, 2020 16:25:34 GMT
I'd liked to have heard the diatribe. Good ol' Stef, he knows how to knockout a decent guitar alright. Big congrats.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Apr 6, 2020 22:06:05 GMT
Congrats on that - always love to hear Sobells being played! (hint....)
Keith
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Post by dreadnought28 on Apr 6, 2020 23:14:55 GMT
S? Thats the narrower Steinbeck? Same as Martin Simpson?
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Post by skyetripper on Apr 7, 2020 9:57:58 GMT
S? Thats the narrower Steinbeck? Same as Martin Simpson? That's the one. Although I'm a long way short of Martin Simpson.....!!
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Post by jackorion on Apr 7, 2020 10:24:12 GMT
looks stunning!
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Post by skyetripper on Apr 7, 2020 12:39:45 GMT
I'd liked to have heard the diatribe. I should explain that I mean diatribe in the archaic sense of the word - a prolonged discourse..... Nothing scandalous or inflammatory here! But since you asked; Basically I'm taking early retirement and I'd decided to buy a 'luthier' built guitar as a retirement present to myself. I planned to buy something secondhand and I've always been fascinated by Stefan's guitars, mainly because of their reputation and to some extent because he builds less than 10 miles away from where I now live. Naturally there aren't many Sobell's up for sale at any one time so I'd started looking at quite a few different other makes of guitars as well. I was making plans to travel around various guitar shops to try a few different types out, but every time I thought abut it I kept focusing on a Sobell as being the guitar I wanted. Anyway, my wife, being the pragmatic type that she is, told me to stop faffing about and rather than chase around the country looking at secondhand guitars, why not give Stefan a ring and go and see him. Even after all these years I don't really rate myself as an acoustic player, but I do still find guitars as mesmerising now as I did when I first started playing 40 years ago, so who was I to argue?? I went to see Stefan in November and he had two guitars available for me to try - a Steinbeck and a Verona. To cut a long story short, I found Stefan a fascinating and most agreeable individual who tolerated my playing well. Despite originally planning to spend maybe half an hour playing the guitars, I ended up spending the best part of 5 hours, mostly chatting... The guitars were fabulous, as expected - the Steinbeck sounded massive and marvellous but I didn't really gel with it, probably just due to the set up. The Verona felt amazing and sounded far 'bigger' than you would imagine, but it wasn't really for me. End result was that I came away slightly undecided, despite enjoying my time with Stefan enormously. Anyway, I was talking about my visit to a local guitar shop owner (Brian at The Guitar Shop, Newcastle - my favourite guitar shop of all time...) and he mentioned that a chap called Maurice Condie had 'quite a few Sobell's' so why not give him a ring for a chat... Shy bairns get nowt, as they say in my home town of Sunderland, so I spoke to Maurice and went to visit him and his amazing collection. I can only say that Maurice is a very generous individual who let me play all 7 (yes 7..!!) of his Sobell's, and also looked at my playing style to come up with what he thought would best suit me. After my slight trepidation of playing the Steinbeck and Verona at Stefan's workshop, I was probably more relaxed playing Maurice's collection and I really started to understand what I wanted - all of Maurice's guitars were great to play and one or three stood out and gave me a better idea about neck profiles and body styles. (Maurice's Maple bodied 12 fret dreadnought really won me over and I wanted to take that home - but he wouldn't let me... ) End result of all this (I told you it was a long winded..) was that I placed my order with Stefan late November. I decided on the Steinbeck S with African Blackwood back and sides, figured Sitka top and a slightly wider than normal neck with a comfortable 'C' profile. (my first guitar was a classical so maybe my hands still remember that wider C shaped neck). Stefan provided me with regular updates and photo's from the build and contacted me early March to say the guitar was ready. I don't know if Coronavirus played it's part in getting the guitar completed a little sooner than I expected, but either way I was fortunate enough to be able to collect before the lock down began in earnest. Having said that, we were very sensible and maintained a good distance and I didn't spend too much time playing the guitar. (Stefan has since stopped visitors and is adhering closely to distancing guidance, as I am for different reasons). Despite not spending much time playing during collection, I knew as soon as I picked the guitar up I'd made the right decision. It really is a beautiful thing in a very understated manner and the finish is sublime. The 'new guitar' smell is intoxicating and the guitar feels 'right' even before playing a note. Despite what I had read about Sobell's before I'd tried them, I've actually found all the ones I have played to be very responsive (I generally play with a very light touch) and my Steinbeck S is a perfect example of that. It can be played softly and still produce clear, very rounded notes, or you can play it with some attack and it sounds like no other guitar I've ever played.... Now I have it home, it's settling in even better and I am thoroughly enjoying how varied it can be. The sound has a real 'presence' and goads me on to play more and try new things. I can safely say I've never been so keen to pick a guitar up and just play chords and notes since my very first guitar. Its amazing what can be achieved with a wooden box and some wire.... Thank you Stefan! PS - as for getting a sound clip, I'll see what I can do but while I have a DAW and Cubase, I don't have a microphone at the moment, so bear with me
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Post by jonnymosco on Apr 7, 2020 13:18:29 GMT
Great to hear your story - I had a similar experience with my Steinbeck; Stefan is a true gent and visionary luthier, always stretching the boundaries. Mine was one of the first (number three I think), so, well played in now and so inspirational to play. It would be good to compare it with your S. Have fun with it.
Jonny
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Post by dobro on Apr 7, 2020 13:40:08 GMT
Great story. Thanks for posting!
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Post by grayn on Apr 7, 2020 14:03:15 GMT
Much better, thanks
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Post by skyetripper on Apr 7, 2020 15:05:40 GMT
Much better, thanks At your service sir!
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Post by skyetripper on Apr 7, 2020 15:11:09 GMT
Great to hear your story - I had a similar experience with my Steinbeck; Stefan is a true gent and visionary luthier, always stretching the boundaries. Mine was one of the first (number three I think), so, well played in now and so inspirational to play. It would be good to compare it with your S. Have fun with it. Jonny Hi Jonny - I couldn't agree more about Stefan and it was actually reading your experience and watching your videos linked from Stefan's site that convinced me to go for a Steinbeck / S. If you're ever up this way, (after things get back to normal) feel free to drop me a line. Kettle is always on..
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brianr2
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Post by brianr2 on Apr 7, 2020 15:20:42 GMT
Wonderful story with a perfect denouement. Thanks for posting.
Brian
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