skipclone 1 Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Hey There- As some of you may know, I`ve made several `guitar safari` trips to Mactan Island in the Philippines. Colonialism is never a good thing but if the Spainish had to leave something behind, I suppose guitar making is about as good as one could hope for-especially so considering the prices compared to Spain itself. Anyway this time I decided to document the journey, hope you find it diverting. Here`s the main showroom at Allegre Guitars, they are on the upscale end of things, with lots of imported woods and such: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/skipclone1/img-119142916001.jpg The opposite wall. Most of these guitars are in the U.S.$200-500 range. Some are a bit more. Bargaining is the order of the day in all cases: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/skipclone1/img-119142827001.jpg Lilang`s, a short walk up the street: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/skipclone1/img-119142955001.jpg And some of their guitars-didn`t get to ask about the materials here, no one was around at the time: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/skipclone1/img-119142350001.jpg A piece of Camagong hardwood. This is usually used for advanced level Kali/Arnis fighting sticks but I was surprised to see quite a few guitars made with it, especially the `roundback` style. Sadly this wood has joined the long list of `red data` (endangered) tropical hardwoods, to the point where some fighting sticks are being falsely sold as Camagong: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/skipclone1/img-119142409001.jpg Another shop-didn`t visit this one, it looked kinda quiet; http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/skipclone1/img-119141705001.jpg One of the smaller independent builders. The guitar he`s holding is made from jackfruit wood-one of a select group of woods (including cherry) where it`s literally possible to play tastefully-jackfruit also happens to be really delicious: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/skipclone1/img-119142855001.jpg More of this gentleman`s handiwork: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/skipclone1/img-119142841001.jpg So what did I end up with? here are some shots of my new companion, from Susing`s next door to Lilang`s. Spruce top, solid mahogany all around, ebony fretboard. I like what Susing`s does with inlay, the pictures probably don`t do it justice. Fret dressing is a tad rough and the setup needs a bit of tweaking but it`s very playable. The price? after I inisted on my price and the sales guy said `It`s difficult today because our company president is here.` I said, `Hi, nice to meet you`-and repeated the same price to him. So, almost exactly $200. The only thing I don`t like about it-at all-is the tortoiseshell pickguard. Those really belong on tortoises, I may see about having it replaced with something else. They do nice things with mother of pearl: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/skipclone1/img-119142423001.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/skipclone1/img-119142459001.jpg Same old surprises, brand new cliches- Skipsounds on Soundclick: www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandid=602491 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stamplicker Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 very very MagicStomp Soundbites Soundclick Rambles Haunted Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Cool post, great story and pics; nice guitar you got! Are you sure that the pickguard's genuine tortoise-shell? It's just that the fake ts-look plastic material is so common (and is easier and cheaper to get than the real thing), and in the pic it looks like that... Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipclone 1 Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 Not 100% sure but it`s distressingly common in this part of the planet. I tried to post a closer pic but the image wouldn`t show for some reason. Anyway the fake stuff is usually more opaque and has a yellowy cast, this stuff is almost clear. Same old surprises, brand new cliches- Skipsounds on Soundclick: www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandid=602491 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gifthorse Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Wow, nice pics and story Skip. That guitar looks very nice. For $200, it looks great! You know, if you ever come back to Taipei there is a builder here that I mentioned that has some nice looking/playing/sounding acoustics. They are priced competitively but nothing in his store was below $600 USD. http://flagshipmile.dmusic.com/ http://www.myspace.com/gifthorse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipclone 1 Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 Well I`m overdue for a visit but my travel schedule is pretty full for the near future. If I can swing it by all means, hook me up- for $600 I saw and played a thinline roundback-all wood of course-in SM Dept. store, it had a stunning mother of pearl inlay on the back. I should have gotten a picture. Same old surprises, brand new cliches- Skipsounds on Soundclick: www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandid=602491 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Cool! Thanks for sharing. "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrell Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 KILLER POST! I'm yelling and I don't know why... Bruce - post some pics of hot girls in Taiwan with guitars!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrell Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Just hand them yours and snap a quicky so it's on topic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 KILLER POST! I'm yelling and I don't know why... Bruce - post some pics of hot girls in Taiwan with guitars!!! Just hand them yours and snap a quicky so it's on topic... Yes, Yess, and Thrice-Yesss!!! And have them singing songs about their phone-numbers. In braille. Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gifthorse Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 KILLER POST! I'm yelling and I don't know why... Bruce - post some pics of hot girls in Taiwan with guitars!!! Just hand them yours and snap a quicky so it's on topic... Yes, Yess, and Thrice-Yesss!!! And have them singing songs about their phone-numbers. In braille. Guys there are so many hot chix here it is sick. I have a gf granted, but whenever I am on the bus I notice all the 'talent'. I can't help it being a man. I will say there are more chix with nice bums and good skin than you can shake a stick at, and on top of that the proportions of chix to men is weirdo absurd. I will do my best to post some pics. My gf is cool, or I wouldn't be with her. I will mention what you guys want. I am sure she will laugh, but play a role in the pic taking. http://flagshipmile.dmusic.com/ http://www.myspace.com/gifthorse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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