juliant
C.O.G.
Posts: 323
My main instrument is: Lowden L23
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Post by juliant on Jul 18, 2021 10:10:17 GMT
It isn't widely known that Brynn Hiscox built guitars before he started making cases, and then stopped the luthiery to concentrate on the cases.
I played one of his in the early 80s and was blown away by the sound and workmanship, but at that point wasn't able to afford it. I told myself I'd have one someday, and have been lucky enough to come across two - a six-string in Denmark Street, and an acoustic bass from an advert in a paper copy of Exchange and Mart (remember that?).
I'd love to know if anyone else has one, because I've never come across another owner, and I'm sure he made more than two ;-)
(I'll post some pictures once I figure out how to do it!)
julian
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Post by jonnymosco on Jul 18, 2021 12:43:30 GMT
Is yours a stripey bowl back?
Jonny
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juliant
C.O.G.
Posts: 323
My main instrument is: Lowden L23
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Post by juliant on Jul 18, 2021 21:27:42 GMT
Yes, both with stripy bowl backs... Attachments:
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Post by otis1960 on Jul 18, 2021 21:54:36 GMT
Can’t help thinking that Wilbur Ovation (the GRP magnate) stole an idea from somewhere
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Post by grayn on Jul 19, 2021 5:19:59 GMT
The bass looks cool, the guitar looks dreadful. Congrats on such rarities.
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Post by lavaman on Jul 19, 2021 7:09:07 GMT
Never knew Hiscox used to make guitars. The 'mandolin' bowl backs look fab. Love to hear a soundclip soon.
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juliant
C.O.G.
Posts: 323
My main instrument is: Lowden L23
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Post by juliant on Jul 19, 2021 20:06:04 GMT
A bit of history and a few more details...
I saw a review of a 12-string version in the old "International Musician" in the early 80s which was *very* positive, and I thought I'd love to play one. I contacted Brynn with a few questions, and it turned out that he was passing close by soon after to deliver a new instrument to a customer. So he dropped in for a cuppa and I got a chance to play a new 6-string. It was magic!
Unfortunately, I'd just taken delivery of my first serious guitar, a Lowden, and so couldn't think about another expensive instrument. I'd always thought about them, though, and kept being reminded every time I saw a Hiscox case.
Fast forward to the early 00s, and flicking through a print copy of Exchange and Mart I saw an ad for an acoustic bass by Hiscox. I managed to drop in to see the lady selling it on my way back from Manchester to London, and bought it on the spot. The 6-string I spotted in the window of Hanks in Denmark St a few years later, so that was that.
Details: both of these date from the early 80s, and "wooden Ovation" is completely correct as far as the shape is concerned. The construction owes a bit to lutes and bowl-back mandolins, with the strips of wood reinforced with glued tape inside. The top bracing seems fairly normal, but what isn't is the "keel" (for want of a better word) that joins the end of the neck and the tail block, presumably to help manage the tension. I'll see if I can get some meaningful pictures.
The 6-string has huge resonance and a wonderful bass. The neck is a bit thicker than I'd like, but the action'sfine and it plays well. It's been fitted with some sort of piezo pickup in the past, but I'm going to get a K&K fitted soon (and get the blooming knobs removed from the side) so I hope to get some sound clips when that's done.
The bass is interesting - it is only one of two that Hiscox made, and this one was made for Dave Peacock of Chas & Dave. It's huge - 7 1/2" deep - and has a string bass-like tone, although that could partly be due to the fact that it still has the same strings that it had when I bought it ;-) It's got an undersaddle piezo, but I don't tend to play it live, partly because I can't get a case for it, but mainly because it's the biggest feedback monster ever.
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