Hi. I'm Greg from the glorious Inner West of Sydney, Australia.
Apart from running my architectural practice, Karmatecture, and having the usual family commitments, I have a range of diverse interests that help me to occupy my time. These include music (instruments, vinyl, live music), cars, antiques, architecture, watches (horology), mineralogy, books, art, designer furniture, fitness, fashion etc.
As many collectors and enthusiasts will tell you, the optimum number of items in the collection is N (the number you currently have) PLUS ONE. Therefore the name.
My current mission is to embrace all of the inner knowledge that i have in all of these areas and explore them more deeply, by searching, learning and adding plus one.
The amber tone Is a beautiful guitar. Whilst it was a bit ‘tight’, I have persisted playing it and it is just starting to open up. Went through a stage of missing my 80’s Takamine which I sold (didn’t think I needed two almost identical guitars-what a fool I was)
I'd believe it. doesn't even reach my hips. When motoring journalist talk about 'road feel' and 'responsiveness" they really should use this cars dynamics as a benchmark of comparison. Light, delicate, precise-and maybe just a bit terrifying with the giant Mum SUV's who can't see you
Thank-yes, others have said so too. Didn't really think about it too much-Friday night, new guitar, cocktails and a bit of Matt Finish playing on the turntable.
*The pickguard is the only thing on that guitar that is fancy. It's quite plain. When you spend a lot of money, the guitar should show this. This is the equivalent of a rich person driving a 2000s VW Beetle.* 😑 *The sound of a high-end Martin can be matched for 1/2 the price in any brand other than Gibson, Taylor, Larrivee, or other hoity toity manufacturers. Oh!! And being a skillful guitarist, as well.*
Years ago I was buying a digital camera. Could have had the Panasonic Lumix for $250 less than the near identical Leica. I bought the Leica, and was glad that I did. Sometimes you just want the real deal. As for being a skilful guitarist, this guitar has made me want to be a better guitarist, and rewards input and practice.
I did an a3 tdi two weeks ago, i had to take out the entire thermostat housing. I didn't want to take out a lot of things, because i wanted to do it quickly, but that thing was a pain in the ass, it was below the intake manifold, it had a watercooled intercooler integrated, so it covered the thermostat housing like a tunnel. The oil cooler and filter housing was in the way too. And the hoses, some of them weren't easy to remove.
Thanks Chuck, it has a few small dings on it now, and lots of wear on the pick guard. I find learning a new piece on the Strat first works well, then the martin rewards greater accuracy
This was built in 1964, therefore its a 1964 car. This was built in South Australia by Chrysler, and it is very similar apart from suspension setups (a bit higher clearance on the Aussie cars as our country roads were terrible). We also has Ford local manufacture, and General Motors which was GMH, or just plain Holden.
She is a delight. What your is your CM? I have a couple of Mercedes and a Porsche at the moment. The 94 SL500 is a beast, truly a fabulous machine. My 78 280CE has been a bit neglected ut there is a fantastic car not too far below its current cruddy surface. As for the Porsche, a 77 924, its a toss of the coin as to whether I keep it.
They do get better, but I didn't have the budget for a vintage D-28. This guitar was a rarity at the time as every decent guitar was in demand during the covid lockdown period. Recently changed the strings to elixirs and I think its even better.
Yes, still in trouble from my son for selling it. We had six cars at the time, and I live in the inner city. Down to three at the moment-MX5, SL500 & 924, but looking to add another couple as the Mazda might also be sold.
Wow! And what a good feeling when finally getting a new high end guitar,and yes the smell of the wood! I bought a new Gibson Songwriter sunburst three years ago and what a guitar. The sound is heavenly and the sustain is almost infinate! Like your Strat by the way.I have a penchant for white on a Strat myself!
That’s a beautiful guitar too. I played one of those last year. There is the Silent Siren Telecaster-amazing looking guitar. My Strat is a heavily modified Squier, it’s been reliccd by Dave Clark who builds them in Sydney. My next is a way off, but my last one was a crappy laminate nylon Cort guitar-cost me nothing, it’s totally fantastic. Plus I’m not worried about leaving it out of its case.
i have a 65 valiant 100 with the 225 slant 6 i just bought as my first car, definitely not as nice as yours. kind of a shitbox tbh. i find the subtle changes of the your Australian one compared to my american one interesting. also just curious, what motor do you have in yours.
Same slant 6 as yours. These were sold as a good value proposition-less expensive than a similar Ford or Holden (GM). They had a long life on our roads as they were large, reliable and reasonably comfortable family cars.
What a beautiful AP5, congrats on buying it. Try using Purple Polish on all your chrome and trim, I've been using it for years and it is the best product I've found for chrome. I own a 64 AP5 Regal Safari Wagon and an AP6 Wayfarer Ute, love my Valiants.
keep it coming .. people have no idea what its like moving machinery ..and when its in the Air off the Ground...it can be Hairy.. the guy in the car needs good info where he is ..meaning front and back .. by the foot too the inch
@@dancingtrout6719 yes, I was glad to leave it in his capable hands. The Lotus has its own challenges as it requires you to do some strange leg origami work to get in, then the pedal box area is tiny and contained. Can't even drive it with shoes on. Apart from the difficulty of getting in, this car goes like a scaled cat, or at least it seems like it when you are so close top the ground. The noise of the engine behind your head also invades the cabin. Lots of fun.
Chassis number confirms its a '64. But maybe they were just running down on stock of old parts and there is a transition. In my experience with old cars there is the history of what should be, and the history of what actually happened.
@@plusone4726 Could be late '63 assembly as that was the only change from '63 to Feb '65. Mine had the RHD wipers but LHD indicator switch as it was a push button auto. It's gets tricky when calendar years and car model years don't coincide. My current car is a '98 Cadillac but it was first registered and on the road in '97.
Maybe. Another theory was they got a cheaper price for the black and white badges. Chapman was all about cheapness first, lightness second. This car has electric windows-a luxury for the time. But it was mainly due to it being cheaper than engineering a custom window winder for the fibreglass doors and lighter than a possible winding mechanism.
I do love that Volvo though- 144? The coupe is beautiful but the estate is next level. First saw one of these in white when I was quite young, 6/7ish, and it roared past. Can still remember the smile on the drivers face.
Mine took almost a year to find and deliver--from the same period as your experience--but oh, was it worth the wait. I was so stoked that I even left the box standing in my home office for about a month (to appreciate the lovely Martin insignia).
It certainly makes demands of your playing. I find my classical guitar and my Strat are infinitely easier to play. But when you get it right it is superb
Thanks Charlie, the guitar is super comfortable on the neck, the radius on the finger board is much more playable than on my nylon guitar. Satin finish is a nice touch to the neck-I had a similar neck on my Takamine. Out of the box the action was a touch high making playing down the neck really difficult. Tuning is amazing as I rarely have to retune the guitar, and I am still playing the original martin strings it was shipped with. Going to replace them eventually with a lighter slinkier string as I don't have the skills to bend these strings and even hammering on doesn't work. But when I am sitting in my lounge room strumming away I am rewarded by the rich resonance of the instrument. I think my next guitar will be a mahogany acoustic, slotted headstock, maybe a smaller guitar as I love the richness of the mahogany-so distinct from the brightness of the rosewood/spruce combo.
So true Anthony. Most people on the roads respect the gentler pace of these old barges, some people don’t get it. I’m out driving my SL500 (R129) today. It’s a bit chilly but I have the roof down and I’m in no rush to get anywhere soon Enjoy your ride today
Very cool going for a ride in your AP5. Lots of memories for me as I had an AP5 in New Zealand in 1980. ...wish I still had it...sold it for $1.500.00 about 1982.
They sure handle amazingly well. Mine was apparently all sorted out by the previous owner and I have had to rectify a lot of his work. Runs like a train now-fast, lots of pickup, reliable starting and even stays a reasonable temperature. Mine is a 'federal' with the slightly larger Renault engine-is this what you have?
@@taylorjs2534 hi there, the car came fitted with a Weber 45 DCOE carburettor. It was difficult to start before we rebuilt it. The jets inside were a jumble of random sizes, all rebut now and feels like an extra 15bhp
Congrats! I am original owner of ‘77 HD28. Curious, if you have a chance share the final setup numbers of action on high E and Low E at 12th fret. 🤓🤟🥳. I suspect mine is high and would like to know what a new Martin gets set at. Cheers from SoCal...
Hi SoCal, um, no idea what the action numbers are, I don't have a gauge. I would like to lower the action a touch as it gets a bit high further down the neck and is in no danger of buzzing. Still using the original strings as well and they are only now starting to loosen up a bit, but I have some elixirs in the case awaiting that day. Maybe if I went back to when I bought this I may have bought the Cole Clark Silky Oak (such a beautiful instrument for close to a third of the price of the Martin) and a great nylon as well. But I still love it.
Beautiful! Congratulations 🎉 I got one about the same time as you got yours. Everything is the same except I got the special, VTS with braces not scalloped. We should compare them one day. I’d love to hear yours
Hui 808, I was lucky to get met hands on this one and was already struggling with my beginner status to justify the standard let alone higher spec. How much do you love the sustain on yours??
I love mine. I got a 2nd hand one from Japan - actually has Englemann top which is great, though the Sitka has a very special sweetness that niether Englemann or the adirondack tops can match. What a great buy.
