I went out to buy strings and came home with a guitar.
I picked up a D'angelico Premier Tammany. It's one of the last gen models with ornamental headstock and aged imperial tuning keys.
It's like the trip home changed the action from how it felt in the store. Slightly higher action but it may be the fact that it was sweltering hot and humid, my car as no air conditioning.
None the less I find the tone amazing as well as the playability. Spruce top, Sapele back and sides mahogany neck, antique satin finish. She rings pretty warm midrangey and loud for a 14 inch spruce top. I find the neck to be a nicer fit than some of my electrics.
I've yet to try the Fishman Sonitone
After seeing someone playing a jazz standard on one of these I've been working my Freddie Green magic through the real book for the last 6 hours straight. My voice gave out after the first three. Prior to that I spent three hours rekindling my flame with 60's folk rock.
So yeah 9 hours of straight playing.
A funny thing happened on the way to the circus.
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- KVRAF
- 7819 posts since 20 Jan, 2008
Dell Vostro i9 64GB Ram Windows 11 Pro, Cubase, Bitwig, Mixcraft Guitar Pod Go, Linntrument Nektar P1, Novation Launchpad
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 7819 posts since 20 Jan, 2008
You are right.
Generally I don't. I've had this misconception that any guitar I own should be amplified. I've gotten so wimped out with thin small necks and lighter gauge strings after having a series of bad luck playing that I never really wanted one and would choose either Jazz boxes or nylon string ae to save my sanity and fingers after spending too many years with my hands in hot soapy water. I also am not a fan of overtly bright brittle sounds such as Martins and Taylors.
But then it happened. I picked up the Tammany and started playing Melissa by the Allman Brothers and I remembered all of it though I hadn't played it since '84. And then I started playing Sister Golden Hair by America, Followed by Old Man by Neil Young. I was amazed. When I got it home I started playing songs that I hadn't played since the 70's and 80's House on Pooh Corner, Helplessly Hoping song after song. I prolly played that thing for 9 hours straight after getting it home. This morning I'm comping Favorite Things from the Sound of music and more.
It's time for a change. A guitar that I don't have to turn on or plug in for casual strumming or fingerpicking. This is a beautifully warm with a slight mid bump tone that I can get behind.
Now if I could only sing. Way too many years of smoking way to much has left permanent damage to the point of being fully out of breath after a few songs. Even quitting hasn't brought it back.
Generally I don't. I've had this misconception that any guitar I own should be amplified. I've gotten so wimped out with thin small necks and lighter gauge strings after having a series of bad luck playing that I never really wanted one and would choose either Jazz boxes or nylon string ae to save my sanity and fingers after spending too many years with my hands in hot soapy water. I also am not a fan of overtly bright brittle sounds such as Martins and Taylors.
But then it happened. I picked up the Tammany and started playing Melissa by the Allman Brothers and I remembered all of it though I hadn't played it since '84. And then I started playing Sister Golden Hair by America, Followed by Old Man by Neil Young. I was amazed. When I got it home I started playing songs that I hadn't played since the 70's and 80's House on Pooh Corner, Helplessly Hoping song after song. I prolly played that thing for 9 hours straight after getting it home. This morning I'm comping Favorite Things from the Sound of music and more.
It's time for a change. A guitar that I don't have to turn on or plug in for casual strumming or fingerpicking. This is a beautifully warm with a slight mid bump tone that I can get behind.
Now if I could only sing. Way too many years of smoking way to much has left permanent damage to the point of being fully out of breath after a few songs. Even quitting hasn't brought it back.
Dell Vostro i9 64GB Ram Windows 11 Pro, Cubase, Bitwig, Mixcraft Guitar Pod Go, Linntrument Nektar P1, Novation Launchpad
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- KVRAF
- 7094 posts since 22 Jan, 2005 from Sweden
hmmmm...Martin as brittle bright?tapper mike wrote: Tue Jul 15, 2025 6:32 pm ... I also am not a fan of overtly bright brittle sounds such as Martins and Taylors....
Taylor has a certain shimmer of harmonics that I like as a character too, like on my 614ce, but the wooden tone of a Martin as brittle bright, that beats me.
Martin is everything else, but that....must have been a long time since playing one....