Message Board Archive: Thread Number 76

Has anyone tried the K&S flattops? If so, I'd be curious what your
impressions are. They sound very interesting. There is one called the
"Blind Lemon" and another called the "Charlie Patton."

Check out the description on their web page:
http://www.california.com/~kands/silber/silber.htm

I wrote Marc Silber (the S of K&S) and here's what he told me:

"
The Blind lemon Guitar is a small parlor model made of
Engelmann Spruce top, with Cocobola body and it measures 13.5" at the
widest  part. (like Martin's size "0") and has 12-fret to the body as do
all our guitars.  There are only a  few of these in our inventory and
they have to be "set-up" as far as action, strings, tuned, etc. They
sell for $ 1200.00 and occassionally we have a "demo" which would sell
for a bit less.  These are handmade, have a graphite bar to reinforce
the neck, and are surprisingly powerful for the size.
     Our 15.0" wide guitar is called out Charley Patton model and it is
made of Engelmann Spruce with Palo Escrito(a Mexican Rosewood which
looks like Brazilian Rosewood) and these come with and without cutaway.
Regular models cost $ 1250 and with the Cutaway they cost $ 1400.00. I
have come to prefer the Cutaway 15.0" model as both models seem to sound
about the same.  The neck width is 1 3/4" across the nut. The finish is
Nitrocellulose Lacquer. We have a number of these Patton Models in
inventory at this time.  There are hard shell cases available for each
ranging from $ 90-$135 per.
     I have palyed this older type of Roots Music for many, many years
now and have designed these guitars to have that sna;;y ringing sound
usually featured by the musicians.  I also seem to prefer this sound in
general especially as it gets a little age into it.  The neck shape is
always a personal matter and we make these by hand and so each neck is a
bit different in touch and in actual shape.
"

AND

"
The neck width at the nut on our
Blind Lemon Model is 1 7/8", and the scale is 24.75".  Yes we have one
or two "demos" in various states of surface scratches, etc.  These
usually sell for about $1000-1100.
     We guarantee our guitars for one year and these have a graphite bar
in the neck for reinforcement.  These guitars have been here for a while
and so have likely acclimated to the weather changes that normally
occur, and show no problems there.
"

Brian

Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1998 09:03:26 -0500 (EST)
From: Owner-HyperNews@ComCAT.COM (Tom)
Subject: K n S guitars
Message Number: 76.1

I haven't played a K&S guitar, nor have I even heard of them for that
matter, but if you want a "vintage" sound you might consider seeking out
a Gibson L-O or L-OO from the late 20's through the 30's. They can be
purchased for 500-1200, depending upon condition. Twelve frets were
pretty standard until about 30 or 31. These guitars usually have nice
necks, are very light weight, and have a nice, warm, woody sound. The
Kalamazoo version, made by Gibson, but less expensive, can be found for
even less money.

Also from that time period are O or OO Martins, which sell for twice as
much as the Gibsons, but if you're going to spend 1500 for a new guitar,
a few more hundred will buy you a vintage Martin. I've owned a variety
of Martins over the years, both new and vintage, and have never had to
sell one for less than I'd paid. The Martins have a very high quality
sound, but I prefer the Gibson L-OO for country blues and ragtime.

If you scan the vintage guitar web pages, you'll see a variety of other
"parlor" guitars that can be purchased below the price of a new guitar.
If you live near a large metro area, you can check out any number of
vintage guitar shops and play all of the above until you find what fits
your taste.

I'm not trying to knock new guitars here, because some of the best
acoustic guitars ever made are being produced right now. But if your
decision is based upon getting "the sound" for the money, some of the
less expensive vintage guitars are worth a look.

Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 22:00:05 -0400 (EDT)
From: hclewman@mindspring.com (Harry Lewman)
Subject: Feedback: I have a K & S Guitar
Message Number: 76.2

Marc Silber really understands country blues. He is as knowledgable as
anyone can be on the subject.

He and I are both passionate about twelve-string guitars and how they
should be made in order to reproduce the old sound.

I have a picture of the two guitars I have purchased from him at
http://www.hlmusic.com/harrys.htm

I plan to post other twelve string guitar pics there, starting with a
builder named Bown, from England.

My new (1992) K&S is the Charley Patton model. It was the first he made,
and being a prototype had some oddities. I put a simple shadow
transducer in it and match it to a Fishman "belt strap' pre-amp. It
sounds as good as anything I have ever heard.

I highly recommend his work.