UK National Drum Fair – Custom and Vintage Drum Show

July 23, 2013

| Author: Vintage & Rare

VintageandRare visited the 2012 edition of the UK National Drum Fair to bring you news of exciting products coming out of the custom and vintage drum world.

We shot a few videos featuring drum builders Nick Hopkin and Jalapeño Drums and vintage drum pusher Mark Jeffs of Rusty Drums UK. We have a jam session vid with Sticky Wicket and Garry Allcock, as well as a photo slideshow from the expo. Watch it all below.

Nick Hopkin showing us some us his current stock:

Mark Jeffs of Rusty Drums UK presenting his inventory of vintage drums

Jalapeno Custom Drums

Sticky Wicket & Garry Allcock jamming

Photo slideshow from UK National Drum Fair 2013

The National Drum Fair was founded by a group of drummers for the purpose of organizing and promoting an event at which drums, accessories, equipment, and drumming skills and techniques could be displayed, traded and promoted.

This annual event is organized, promoted and managed by drummers for drummers to provide an opportunity for the display, promotion, trading of drums, associated products/items and drumming skills to be available to the drummers and potential drummers of the UK and beyond. It is a non-profit organization and seeks to be self-funding.

 

Blogs

July 22, 2013

| Author: Vintage & Rare

At VintageandRare.com, we have been searching the net for other great vintage instrument sites that you could find useful.

Here are some of our online friends in the world of vintage and custom-built instruments:

 

Fuzz Box Girl
– For Gear Demos, Reviews and all things music related, visit Fuzzboxgirl.com. This blog can be highly recommended!

 

Guitar Boomer
– Tips and tricks for aging wannabe rockers who need to make up for lost time. Visit Guitarboomer.com.

 

Guitariste.com
– One of the biggest French music forums.

 

Guitar Tone Overload

 

Mando Island
– Blog about the mandolin, guitar and other plucked instruments.

 

Latest Music News

 

Pelota de Playa Records
– Reviews for free audio plugins, software and resources for the home studio. Visit Pelotadeplayarecords.blogspot.com.

 

Rare Star Guitars

 

Stratoblogster Guitar Blog
– Guitar Culture, Expensive Stratocasters and the Women & Children Who Play Them Better than YOU! Visit Stratoblogster Guitar Blog.

 

The Garage
– “Where we keep beats, riffs and stuff”. A great blog for music and instrument enthusiasts. Visit The Garage.

 

The Planet of Sound
– Annie from Hamburg, living in England, has been compiling “The Planet of Sound” as a personal blog for about three years now. She posts mainly rock but also alternative, Indie and bands that do know how to play their instruments. It’s an eclectic mix of music and photos put together with a bit of care and love, left-field but not necessarily mainstream either. She just basically posts the music she likes and listens to herself and hopes that other people might appreciate it too.

 

Thumbrella – Words to A Void
– A great blog about music, guitars, blues, coffee, and more. Blogger Gary also produces and hosts The Blues Show on Bishop FM in the United Kingdom. Interested in guitars, visit Gary’s blog, Thumbrella.

 

This Day In Rock
– This Day in Rock is a Rock History timeline dedicated to musicians and fans of Rock in all its forms. With an ‘On this day’ format that shows historic events of 50′s, 60′s, 70′s, Elvis, Beatles, Doors, Hendrix… You name it… We’ll try and write about it from historic events. Visit www.thisdayinrock.com.

 

 

VintageandRare.com – Sell instruments online!

Artists

| Author: Vintage & Rare

At VintageandRare.com, we have been searching the net for other great vintage instrument sites that you could find useful.

Here are some of our online friends in the world of vintage and custom-built instruments:

 

Bands:

Catamenia

 

Covered Grass
– Covered Grass was founded by banjo player Volker Fisher in 2006 in the area of Cologne/Germany. The musical roots of most band members does not lie in bluegrass – they’re mostly coming from jazz & pop. So the band performs with an untypical sound and attitude that is intentionally open to other styles and influences and therefore also for a wider audience. Covered Grass is:
Corina Aurin: vocals, mandolin
Ralph Bonfanti: guitar
Joon Laukamp: mandolin, fiddle, vocals
Carsten Manz: bass, vocals
Volker Fisher: banjo, dobro, vocals

 

Enrichment
– A band from Berlin with its unique sound. Three guys with their instruments, their songs and attitudes. ENRICHMENT is wooden, handmade, native, plain, simple, groovy, forcing. ENRICHMENT is pure rock.

 

Floorian
– A seductively spellbinding band exploring the realms of psychedelia, space rock and experimentalism. Visit their website – Floorian.com.

 

Hunter

 

Karl Stahl
– A Band from Wuppertal in Germany we plays cover songs from Aerosmith to ZZ Top in 100% power quality.

 

Klezmer Group Shtetl Band Amsterdam

 

Load Band
– Dutch Female Fronted Rockband

 

Limited Edition

 

Step Echo
– Step Echo is a Canadian rock group formed in Niagara Falls, Canada. It consists of four members, Joel Degonia hailing from the great state of Missouri and is the vocal assault you will not forget. The explosive sound of Brian Hamilton on drums, Aki Maris on bass and Les Izmore on guitar the bands sound is summed up with the likes of Nickelback, Theory of a Deadman, Three Days Grace and a hint of Alice in Chains. Step Echo has teamed up with producer Cory Mc Fayden to debut their new CD Jagged. With their video to launch their first single Just As Messed As You, Step Echo has put a lot of hard work and sleepless nights to make it what it is today. They have no plans on stopping as this is just the passage in the grand scheme of things. Watch out!!! Visit Step Echo.

 

Sweet Hollywaiians

 

The Alex Yellowlees Band
– Django Reinhart and Stephane Grappelli inspired gypsy jazz music from Scotland’s finest jazz violinist Alex Yellowlees & his electric violin sound.

 

The Fabulous Shadows
– The UK and Europe’s number one tribute show band. The Fabulous Shadows takes you back to the swinging sixties to a place of love, music and dancing! Visit The Fabulous Shadows.

 

The Wolfmen
– Marco Pirroni and Chris Constantinou formed The Wolfmen in 2005. Marco (guitars) enjoyed extraordinary success with ADAM & THE ANTS and later worked with Sinead O’Connor. Chris (bass, lead vocals) previously led JACKIEONASSID and has worked with Adam Ant, Annabella Lwin(Bow-Wow-Wow) and Sinead O’Connor also. Alongside their own work, the band is known for some surprising collaborations with artists ranging from Lou Reed to DALER MEHNDI, the biggest selling artist Indian in music history. They’ve also covered Screaming Jay Hawkins’ “I Put A Spell On You” with PRIMAL SCREAM for an ALEXANDER MCQUEEN catwalk show and co-written a few tracks on Sinead O’Connor’s new album. Visit The Wolfmen.

 

Three Quarter Stone
– ’Refined garage rock; the energy and balls of AC/DC, crisp and present vocals of Mick Jaggar, with todays big pop/rock production and socially relevant themes.’ Visit this great band’s website, and listen to their music. Go to threequarterstone.com.

 

Wedding Function Band

 

Marijke & Michiel Wiesenekker Mandolin & Guitar

 

 


Musicians:

Andreas David

 

Alan Horvath
-Alan shares all his passions in life on his web site, including cool tutorials about performing and playing guitar, autoharp and dulcimers, with tons of helpful web links for artists.

 

Alan James
– The Alan James Project is a well oiled, smooth, energetic, professional machine that you will enjoy watching, listening, laughing and dancing to at any event.

 

Conductor John Georgiadis
– The personal website of UK based international conductor John Georgiadis.

 

David Kampmann

 

David van Ooijen
– David van Ooijen – player of lutes, historical guitars and shamisen

 

Dirk Steinsträter
– Professional bass player from Düsseldorf, Germany

 

Djamel Laroussi

 

Downtown Freddy Brown

 

Enrico Galetta

 

Frankdoris.com
– Frank Doris is a public relations and marketing communication professional specializing in consumer and pro audio/video, music and technology. He also plays guitar with the Long Island-based band Grand Folk Railroad. Visit Frankdoris.com.

 

Gary Rue Music
– Music, lyrics, and life stories from the heart. Guitarist, singer and songwriter Gary Rue. Visit his website – Gary Rue Music.

 

Guitartest

 

Kiko Gonzalez
– Noel “Kiko” Gonzalez is a New York City bass guitarist with over 30 years experience in the industry. Visit his website – www.kikogonzalez.com

 

Little Toby Walker
– Toby Walker is an award winning fingerstyle guitarist specializing in acoustic roots music whose music has been recognized worldwide. Walker also maintains an active touring and teaching schedule, performing in both the United States, the U.K. and Europe.

 

Marks Guitars
– Home of the left-handed guitar enthusiast. Visit Marksguitars.com.

 

Mark Gerber

 

Mike James Jazz
– A great website by lifelong drummer Mike James. His website offers a free, downloadable PDF copy of his book ”Drumming For Life™”, various material on music theory, arranging and composing, vintage drum articles and gallery, and a page with 22 previously-unheard live concert recordings of Buddy Rich, all annotated. There is also a podcast, featuring interviews with Cathy Rich (Buddy Rich’s daughter), Bev Getz (Stan Getz’s daughter) and Donny Osborne Jr. (Buddy Rich protege and Mel Torme’s drummer for 25 years). Visit Mike James Jazz.

 

Nick Bowley
– Nick is a 24 year old London based guitarist & composer with roots in instrumental guitar, jazz, blues & melodic rock. Composing ‘Jupiter’ in 2003 for Young Guitarist of the Year and ‘Fifteen Below Zero’ for The Riffathon in 2005; Nick performed in the finals of both competitions – the later one being judged by both Brian May and Jimmy Page! Nick was a long-time member of NYRO – during which time he performed live with many guests, including such luminaries as Paul Gilbert and Scott Henderson. As well as being an avid rock-guitarist Nick has also successfully player-managed a big band and fronted his own Jazz Quartet.
In 2009 recording sessions began for ‘As One’; as the culmination of Nick’s compositions to date it contains fifty minutes of intense instrumental rock. Featuring UK drummer extraordinaire Pete Riley and with Phil Hilborne’s amazing production; it’s well worth a listen.

 

Patsy Monteleone

 

Pete Noon
– Peter Noon has been playing music in the New York, Nothern Virginia, and Maryland areas for over 40 years. His guitar playing style is built on a combination of Rock, Jazz, Blues and Funk influences. Pete is currently recording songs for a new album. Visit Pete Noon’s website.

 

Pierre Bensusan
– Voted ‘best world music guitarist’ by the readers of Guitar Player magazine, and described as a ‘true genius’ by Melody Maker amongst others, Pierre Bensusan has been one of the leading composers and innovators of DADGAD guitar music for the past 35 years, taking his unique and beautiful music to all corners of the world. Please visit PierreBensusan.com for all the latest tour information, dadgad tabs, sheet music, CDs, videos and more.

 

Ry Cooder
– All about Ry Cooder, his instruments and Slide-gear in general.

 

Steev Cris
– Musician-Guitarist Steev Cris finds inspiration in Blues, Rock, Ethnic and Classical music as well as Jazz. As he continues to explore the sonority of his instruments, he leaves his unique compositions along the way. A student of tradition as well as innovation, he cites Pat Metheny, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Miles Davis, Jim Hall and Ry Cooder among his influences.
SC’s music is for imaginative ears, his compositions reflect his background..influences of jazz, world music and Blues seamlessy weave their way through the pieces without overpowering the listener. Jazz-Rock? World Fusion? Eclectic Electric? Zen Blues? regardless of a niche, everyone does agree that the man serves up a delicious blend of great music.

 

Tim Robinson Guitar
– The site is mainly dedicated to my love of the guitar style of Django Reinhardt and the entire genre he created, now called Gypsy Jazz or Jazz Manouche.

 

Tim Spohn
– Tim Spohn is a session- and livemusician based in Hamburg/Germany. He has recorded and toured as guitarist with a number of european acts and is lately also getting involved in the production side of things.

 

The Southern Jazz Guitar Society
– The Southern Jazz Guitar Society was formed in the south of the UK several years ago with the objective of fostering the art and craft of jazz guitar. It currently has about 30 members and meets once a month near Southampton, England. These meetings enable members to share information and ideas about playing jazz on the guitar, particpate in workshops and, of course, play together. Once every 3 months a professional jazz guitarist is invited to perform a concert, either solo, or in a duo or trio context, The SJGS also maintains a library of jazz education media and publishes a bi-monthly newsletter. Visit The Southern Jazz Guitar Society.

 

The Zemaitis Guitar Owners Club

 

Yiannis Guitar

 

 

VintageandRare.com – Sell instruments online!

Become a Guest Blogger

| Author: Vintage & Rare

Vintage & Rare is looking for new guest bloggers to write on our blog.

Right now we are in the process of improving our blog, because we would like people to get excited about it.

There is where you come in. Your blog post can be about anything that you feel passionate about: stories, opinions, experiences, critique etc. It`s totally up to you.

Criteria:
Keep in mind that we want the blog post to fulfill the following criteria:
Must be relevant to Vintage and Rare readers
Must be 100% unique and may not be published elsewhere on the Web
Must be proofread and reviewed for misspellings
Must be at least 500 words
Must be in English
Must contain only links that are very relevant to the topic

Inquiries:
For any questions or comments, please contact Nicolai Schneekloth at nicolai@vintageandrare.com

All the best.
The Vintage & Rare Team

Testimonials

July 11, 2013

| Author: Vintage & Rare

1. Claudio Pagelli, Pagelli Guitars (Switzerland)

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“Nicolai Schneekloth’s vintage and rare is simply the best. I’m sure that if you google the words
“professional, serious, effective, great people, worth the money”, it will show “vintage and rare”!

 

2. Drum Station Maintal (Germany)

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“We think it is very good to be represented on Vintage & Rare, because a lot of end-user can find our products here. Moreover every month I get an email with a digest of what traffic has reach our V&R page and our products. I think that there are more inquiries reaching our homepage. As we believe V&R viewers found our instruments there. And also the contact with Vintage & Rare, especially with Nicolai, is very kind”!

 

3. Jim’s Guitars (US)

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“His work has brought our industry another dimension of trade with an international customer base”.

 

4. Harri Koski, Mad Professor Amplification Ltd. (Finland)

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“Nicolai has one of the best customer services in the business. I highly recommend him as a business partner”.

 

5. Juha, Ruokangas Guitars (Finland)

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“Nicolai has done tremendous job with the Vintage & Rare, engaging internet in a unique way to support musical instrument business. He’s a great guy to work with and genuinely listens and reacts to his clients needs. Keep up the great work, Nico!”

 

6. Dan Yablonka, Yablonka Guitars (US)

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“Nicolai Sheenkloth is a marvelous new addition to my business and has even become a friend in the brief but meaningful time that I have known him and been involved with his service. I signed up with Vintage and Rare and have been treated like a King! He went way out of his way to make sure his service was successful. Nico would be an addition to anyone’s team!!”

 

7. Craig Brody, Guitarbroker (US)

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“Out of all the gear sites out there, V&R has definetely brought in a lot of attention and action for my shop! Thank you for the business – you are doing a great job”.

 

8. Benoit Debroize, Vintage Guitars (France)

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“After about a month we had created my account on V&R, I received an email from Japan. It concerned a Mosrite made Dobro called the avalon C60 acoustic electric. The man was a Mosrite collector from Tokyo and he knew just everything about the Mosrite period of the Dobro brand in the late 60′s.

We had a very nice exchange of informations, pictures and details about those rare instruments. There is almost no document about that period and it was very interesting to dig a bit deeper in the History of Mosrite made Dobros. After a few days he was sure, and I was too, that this particular model was the one he had been searching for years. He paid via paypal. I shipped. That was an extremely nice transaction.
I love this job”.

 

9. Julien, Fluxson Musik (France)

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“We had several contacts with your site, we just sold the lower Fender Jazz Bass Deluxe V, – Your website is really very good, continue like that. THANK YOU THANK YOU.”
Julien – Fluxson Music, France

 

10. Detlef Alder, GuitarPoint (Germany)

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“Vintage&Rare is the perfect network/communication platform for guitar lovers and builders all over the world. It is very easy to use, and the handling and upload of instruments is very fast and reliable. Vintage&Rare has helped us finding a lot of new customers and contacts from all over the world, …We don´t know any better site of this kind, ..thanks”!

 

11. Benoit, Vintage Guitars France (France)

“Just a small message to let you know I’ve sold the first guitar thanks to your website. The Mosrite Dobro Avalon is going to… Japan!! Thanks a lot, Ben”.

 

12. André Jensen

“I am really glad I found your page. I have been using Google to look for cool music instruments, and then I stumpled over your website. Now it’s much more easy to find the most beautiful instruments! Thank you. I strongly recommend Vintage & Rare, if you’re looking for the worlds most finest instruments and gear!”

 

13. Nikolaj Davidsen

“As a bassplayer and generel gearhead I really enjoy this perfect overview of cool instruments from dealers and luthiers from all over the world. Thumbs up!”

 

14. Thomas Qvist

“Ta´lige og slå et smut herind. Den mest tjekkede guitarside ever!! Vintage&Cool!”

 

15. Palle Schultz

“This is the shizzle for musicians who craves for the best! Vintage and Rare – I like 🙂 ”

 

16. Laura Clapp Davidson

“Vintage and Rare’s knowledge and selection of fine instruments is truly unmatched. If you’re looking for the best, you’ve found it!”

 

17. Morten Gorm

“Awesome site! Great overview of exclusive instruments. Dont think this exists anywhere else in Europe…”

 

18. Thomas Qvist

“…and to my friends outside DK; this is THE place to check out guitar stuff.”

 

19. Mattias Hundebøll

“What a fantastic concept.. Just the site I’ve been looking for on the internet for years! Can’t recommend this enough to my fellow guitar-lovers!”

 

20. Henrik Berger

“Vintageandrare is the place to go if you are looking for great instruments,;) I really recommend this website, player or collector, its a great site. Thumbs up;). Kind regards Henrik”

 

21. Graham Smith, Norway

“The site is really pro! Lots to see and read and some great instruments. Liked it a lot.”

 

22. Alan Craig

“I’ve always liked that site! Thanks for doing it”.

 

23. John Wennergren (who just bought a white Yamaha from V&R Showroom)

“Today I got the guitar… It’s a beauty! Thank you very much for everything and good luck with everything and good luck with Vintage&Rare.”
Here is the link to the guitar John bought on V&R 🙂

Mika Vandborg: On His Guitars & Gear

June 21, 2013

| Author: Vintage & Rare

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Photographer: Palle Schultz

Mika Vandborg is a Danish Guitarist. He has released 3 solo albums “Under The Sun”, “2010” & “Wall Of Books”. He changed his solo project to “Future Garage Sale Item” in 2006 and released the record “Future Garage Sale Item” in 2007. Mika also plays guitar in Love Shop and has recorded the last two records “Frelsens Hær” and “Skandinavisk Lyst”. Mika Vandborg & Søren Andersen have together started the projetct “Guitar Event” in March 2013. He has been a steady member of Gnags since 1999 and plays both on the records and live. Mika has worked with Dicte since 2004, also here both on the records and live. Mika is also a part of the project Dicte/Hempler. Furthermore, he has played live on records and tours with many different artists and bands.

Could you please tell us a bit about how you got into playing music in the first place? Do you remember any specific moment that sparked your interest in music and when was that?

I started playing the guitar because I heard Jimi Hendrix on the radio when I was 9 years old. I called my dad and said: “What’s that” and he goes: “Oh it’s Jimi” and pulls out a record full of naked women called “Electric Ladyland” that changed my life, and I decided that I wanted to play guitar for a living.

Could you explain to us why you initially got into the genre you’re currently playing? What musicians and bands inspired you the most over the years.

Again, it all started with Jimi and then came all the blues legends, especially B.B. King and Muddy Waters (Electric Mud). Eric Clapton and Ocean Boulevard was the soundtrack to my childhood. Along with Bob Dylan, The Band, Stones, J.J. Cale, The Doors. I guess that music shaped who I am. Over the years I have had different periods with AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, Bryan Adams, and also old school funk like Sly & The Family Stones and George Clinton.

Can you tell us about the gear you’re using, and why? What is your main guitars, amps and effects?

Vox AC 30 TB is my all time favorite amp, but I also play Marshall JMP45 and Fender Super Reverb Amp. Vox is a crazy amp, it can solve any gig and fits right in where there’s space in the music – I love it. Marshall… Well, what can I say, for rock music it’s just perfect.The Fender Super Reverb amp is very clean and cuts like a knife.

Main guitars:

Telecaster with Bigsby 1968 or 69 don’t remember. Maybe the guitar that I play most gigs with. Like the Vox it’s an instrument with personality and big “work range”.

Stratocaster 1957 – Amazing guitar. So crystal clear and full of overtones. A dream come true guitar.

Les Paul 1968 and 1974. Full body but not heavy, because they both got pick-ups from 330 gibson from the late 60’is

Gibson SG 1968, aggressive piece of wood, full of tone and at the same time blues.

Effects:

Hughes & Kettner “Tube Factor” is my all time favorit drive stomp box.

Crybaby and T-rex Gull Wah.

Fuzz – there’s a lot but I seem to come back and use Roger Mayer.

Does the gear you play live differ from the gear you’re using in the studio?

No, it’s the same. I got 3-4 different set-ups from big 16 loops T-rex system to old school “boards”. They are big, bigger and biggest…

In the video we did with you some time ago, you brought an amazing 1957 Fender Stratocaster – Could you eloborate a bit on the thoughts behind aquiring this guitar – any particular reason why you went for an original 1957 Strat?

I’ve always been dreaming of a real 57 Stratocaster, maybe because of Clapton. I remember trying a 57 at a gig, and I was like “this is the f…… best guitar I ever tried”. It’s the sound of the maple neck and the old wood + pick-ups that works so good together, the craftmanship is brilliant.

If people ask why the guitar is so expensive, I say: “Well it’s the Stradivarius of guitars. A Stradivarius violin costs about 4-5 million Dollars, so do you still think it’s expensive for the king of all guitars”?

Do you feel that new instruments lack anything compared to old instruments – how do you see this?

Well, I’m a sucker for old thing and history!!! But besides that, it’s like the vintage instrument gains personallity over the years. I tried many new guitars that was killers, but I would always choose a vintage. There’s a lot of talk about the wood and the years they have been stored, maybe it’s got something to do with it.

Are there any special guitars, brands or a models, that fit your specific sound or genre better than others, and if so, why?

I’m a traditional kind of guy so the big brands like Fender and Gibson fit me well, they sound like I wanna sound!

How important do you find the gear to be, in relation to the sound you’ re trying to produce?

It’s very important that the gear I use is the stuff I prefer, so I can make the sounds I dream of. But when that is said, I also find it funny when I end up playing on stuff I normally wouldn’t choose, because it makes me work differently, and have to compensate, which can be very musical and maybe open a door to something new.

Any new piece of gear in your arsenal of musical sound tools that you would like to give a thumbs up and why?

TC Electronic “Hall Of Fame”. That’s a GOOD reverb, I have to say.

Can you please tell us about your collaboration with Guitar Events – What is it about?

Yes!!! Guitar Events is a project I have with Soren Andersen (Gleen Hughes…). It’s a band that is founded around …surprise… Electric Guitars, and lots of it.

I released 3 solo albums. The latest is called “Wall Of Books” and came out february 2013. It’s a more quiet record with a lot of slide guitar. My earlier records are “2010” and “Under The Sun”. On those records I have a lot of guest stars like Justin Hawkins (The Darkness), Mads Langer, Ida Corr, Allan Vegenfeldt and a line up of Danish top players.

Any famous last words?

Buy the guitar you dream of, you only live once (as far as I know). Well, and please check out some of my music.

If you would like to know more about Mika Vandborg, please go to:

Mika Vandborg’s Website: www.mikavandborg.dk

Mika Vandborg on itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/dk/artist/mika-vandborg/id200324703

Guitar Event: www.guitarevent.dk

Loveshop: https://itunes.apple.com/dk/album/skandinavisk-lyst/id567752524

Dicte: https://itunes.apple.com/dk/album/dicte-the-sugarbones/id317955671

How to Clean a Rosewood Fingerboard on Your Guitar – A Pro Tutorial

June 20, 2013

| Author: Vintage & Rare

Many of our Vintage & Rare friends have over the years asked us how we would recommend cleaning rosewood fingerboards on guitars. Now we bring a tutorial video featuring our friend and partner Pierre Boserup Dubré who is an excellent Danish luthier and the man behind Dubré Guitars. Here Pierre shows us a professional way of cleaning a rosewood fingerboard on guitars.

The music in the video is delivered by Danish musician Elsk Livet. Check it out!

Also, check out Dubré Guitars on Vintage & Rare to see his impressive creations. In the video below, you can see a demonstration of one of his guitars, the Harmony Model T-Style.

All the best,

The Vintage & Rare Team

Hey.What’s Wrong With My Wood!? The Search For My Les Paul By Dan Yablonka

June 17, 2013

| Author: Vintage & Rare

Hi all ….. I hope the crazy world we live in these days is treating you well!!

This particular installment regards a topic that changed mid stream. I started out to write about Les Paul’s and the history behind them but it has been done so well by guys like Robbie Lawrence and Vic DaPra and as I ventured into it I realized where I was going was more of a combination of a personal journey to buy a guitar for myself and after 39 years of buying. selling, collecting and some writing as well as 50 years of playing, diving even deeper into what makes a great guitar “tick!

The story starts by my humbling myself and saying that as a smaller dealer than many this economy has hit me below the belt as hard as anyone . Guys haven’t thought about expensive gear as much since their houses went “south.” BUT … housing is going North again and I am seeing the signs!

So in order to keep the doors open at a few slow moments I too, had to thin out the herd. I had about 14 or 15 guitars. Most of the axes I  sold hurt a little but I usually had a plan. I sold my 56 Strat but I have a 64 for example. I sold 1 of 4 Weissenborns BUT the one guitar that had none similar was my 50s gold top Les Paul that I had to sell. Don’t get me wrong …. no pity parties  here. I still have my 1961 ES335TD Dot Neck … but as I sold off about 4 or 5 guitars I promised myself i’d set aside a little to buy a Les Paul… ok … maybe a reissue or similar. It was  on that quest that my digging went deeper and I wound up finding the perfect scenario for me and a ton of reaffirmation of why we love vintage guitars and/or that quality of manufacturing and materials.

I want to start by saying that the guitar companies of today are really good companies and you get a good bang for the buck and this is by no means a criticism or comparison. They have been subjected to environmental laws like the Lacey act and in many cases it is Apples and Oranges to  compare and not by their hands. But there are  many differences with age and different manufacturing between an old one and a new one  or people wouldn’t be paying 2k for a newer used Les Paul Standard and $350,000.00 for a 1958-60 really flamey standard. That is of course the most inflated and extreme example on the most iconic of guitars. But a 1995 Strat can be had for 9-$1200 usd and guys pay 15-40k for a 50s or 60s pre cbs one. As we all know those numbers are adjusted to the current market. They were 20-75k prior to 2008.

So … as I went looking for a Les Paul I had some time on my hands to find  what exactly was available to me for not too much $Jing (money). I liked some of the reissues I played and I played a lot of them. Also in my range were some 70s possibilities or maybe a late 60s in player condition. But most that I played and saw were newer guitars. There was just an “oomph”  in the body that I was used to with my gold top that I wasn’t finding. That little extra that make an old guitar 110% that we pay exponentially for just wasn’t there for me.

At that point I started researching because it also dawned on me that I know a few builders and one of them is the absolute best restoration place I have had the pleasure of dealing with. Their finish work is outrageous! Because of the nature of building me a Les Paul and also that they are not at all in that business but restoration they shall remain nameless. So as I studied further I found that everything I had been spouting out of theory regarding solid bodies for years was even more true than I knew!

I found out that there is a large sonic difference between Honduras mahogany and other woods (yes .. even other mahogany) being used today. It  wound up being AS significant as Brazilian is to an old acoustic Martin when compared to Indian rosewood!

The same holds true for the finish. Nitrocellulose allows for the wood to breathe better and age too! Much more so than the polyurethane ever could. Hide Glue is a MAJOR factor. The environmental laws today  allow (in the U.S.A.) the use if “titebond” otherwise known as Elmer’s yellow or wood glue but up until recently would no longer permit hide glue (It is being re-introduced and allowed again on some parts of the guitar). The problem is wood glue dries as a plastic  so you now have a layer of plastic between your neck and body, and your Mahogany body and maple top diminishing the sound transference. On a really well made hide glue guitar you get more of that ax working as one entity because all sections are connected as well as possible. You knock on the headstock and the body starts vibrating uncontrollably  …. ok now we’re just getting into guitar porn!

Even something one would think as small as a Brazilian fingerboard can change the sound. The warmth of the board can be discerned.. Now again … these are restrictions put on the new manufacturers and it is not their doing. Think about the sonic difference between a maple and rosewood board Strat! Ok … one form of rosewood to another is possibly not as notable but when you’re evaluating what makes an old iconic machine work so well .. no stone should be left unturned! Slightly warmer tone is one result that the board contributes to.

So … being lucky and patient enough … it took 6 years to convince my friends to build me one. Now I am not suggesting that everyone do this because there really aren’t that many great guys out there and to many, a newer Gibson fills all of their needs. BUT I am suggesting that there is a  large difference to the discerning ear or studio musician and the reasons we buy the old ones are because of the way they sound and play. What I was able to find was that the materials were absolutely critical as well. I personally play player’s pieces as I still work as a musician (which explains why I have always kept a smaller business … split paths). My 64 Strat is a refin … my 61 ES335 that I mentioned is beat to death, but the old wood and time and workmanship taken are irreplaceable to me. I “beat the system” on this Les Paul, but great time and effort went into producing just a handful of guitars achieving results that were the best of both worlds.

So what I wound up with is a guitar that is only a year old but made out of country so it has Honduras Mahogany body and neck/head, Hide Glue which forms to the wood and bonds it, Nitro Finish and a Brazilian Rosewood Board and it honks like a real one! Though I wound up with a new guitar. It was built to old specs and old materials and the result was that body alive as one could hope for and the closest thing I have ever played to an original burst  (’59 Les Paul) and as good or better guitar than the 50s gold top  I parted with.

My point I am making is not that we should all go out and design a guitar to fit old specs. That was my process since I was trying an experiment to see how much the actual woods and workmanship of yesteryear  mattered though it was a pivotal part of why I got a great guitar. My point however IS … there is a reason we buy old guitars and the reasons are many but the result is mostly the same. Like Hugh Hefner always said … “it’s in the wood!”

WE LOVE the way the old ones play and sound. I think the vintage market is on it’s way back and my excitement is renewed.

So …. if you’re a serious player and want to maximize the experience … even if they are “player’s pieces” with strays from originality to save you a ton of Euros …  instead of buying 5 newer guitars to do what one can, try a vintage guitar. It’s easy. Go to your favorite dealer on Vintage and Rare and get your hands on 3 or 50!!!  You’ll be hooked and you’ll be hooked to this site for life because it is now your Mistress!!! You already know WHERE to get them!! https://www.vintageandrare.com/ where you can find my site as Dan Yablonka Guitars aka “Axes Of E-Ville”

Until we gig again!! Happy Happy. Dan Yablonka

Visit Dan´s shop on Vintage & Rare here

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V&R Proudly Presents Bass Gear Ltd (UK)

June 13, 2013

| Author: Vintage & Rare

We have had the pleasure of meeting our friend and partner Phil Nixon who is the owner the shop Bass Gear Ltd based in Twyford, in the outskirts of London. As the shop name suggests, it is exclusively dedicated to dealing with bass guitars and other bass gear.

At Vintage & Rare we are very happy to work with Bass Gear since their philosophy harmonize very well with ours. In the spirit of Vintage & Rare, Bass Gear focuses on bass guitars that are generally hard to find. This typically involves low volume production brands as well as iconic vintage basses. Bass Gear does not stock just anyting, but only what fits within this philosophy. Visit Bass Gear on Vintage & Rare to view a selection of world class basses for sale.

In the short video clips below you can watch Phil present himself, his shop and not least some  incredibly fine basses. Enjoy!



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Vintage Guitars For Sale Spain

June 12, 2013

| Author: Vintage & Rare

At Vintage & Rare we have assembled the finest vintage and rare guitar dealers from Spain. We have carefully selected which dealers to include in our network and we specialize in representing only the best vintage guitar dealers. If you are on the hunt for a rare Fender Stratocaster, a Gibson Les Paul or any other vintage guitar, Vintage & Rare is the place to look. Browse our website to find a variety of collectible vintage Guitars for sale in Spain. Among the top Spanish vintage guitar dealers are the following:

Al’s Music Factory

Dorian Vintage Guitars

EGM Guitar Shop

Guitar Hiro

Tex Mex Guitars

Tube Sound