Guitar players are so different than gamers. Gamers can play multiplayer games perfectly on their own. As a musician You can't indefinitely play on your own at home. You need to meet people and play outside. Playing music is a performance. Gaming is not.
Here is some information on your dad's guitar.... have seen many people asking about this brand while I have read much that is erroneous or plain wrong although a number of people have managed to get to the bottom of this enigma, it has not been publicised. Basically, the music dealer Beare & Son Ltd of London, with a branch in Toronto for many years, is an old-established instrument dealer-now over 150 years old and still going strong. Back in the 1930s this company was a big Gibson dealer in London and Toronto- it is featured in Paul Fox's book "The Other Brands of Gibson". Like many retailers of that era- Selmer in London, which created the "Columbian" brand for US imports, Beare & Son Ltd or B & S L as it says on the badge created "The Michigan" as its own US import brand. There was a huge guitar boom in the UK in the 1930s and banjos were being tossed aside to be replaced by guitars- and American guitars had that extra appeal- that's where the music was coming from. In the 1930s from what I can deduce, these guitars were made in Chicago- Regal, Harmony and Kay. A little oval badge was nailed on the headstock and a sticky badge that was the same was also inside. The badge also stated "SOLE AGENTS" and "MADE IN USA." Now, a number of people have connected this brand with Beare & Son Ltd but plenty of people, it seems think that because it was The Michigan then there must be a Gibson connection. This is not the case- obviously, Michigan was the home of Gibson and the choice of that state as a brand name was redolent Big Time with a certain well-known instrument maker! Beare & Son retailed Gibson brands in the UK and Canada but unlike Francis,Day & Hunter with its FDH Special, did not sell Gibson instruments under its own brand- or so it seems. I have seen a Harmony archtop from the late 1930s with a carved plastic headstock veneer that features the company's trade mark of the "cat and fiddle" a very impressive headstock, for sure and the cat & fiddle is still the company's logo. If you want to see him, there's a Beare & Son Gibson catalogue from 1936 that can be found via Google and he's on most pages with a big rendition towards the back. World War Two stopped this business and after the dust cleared and the pound sterling had sunk, guitar imports from the USA were a distant memory and the firm imported guitars from Europe- mostly the Eastern Bloc. The badge was the same but the MADE IN USA had gone. Quite often, The Michigan branded guitars from the 1930s show up on ebay, and the sellers do not know what they have. Most of these guitars are clearly exactly the same as the Regal, Kay and Harmony originals but the name throws people. Attributing guitars to Gibson is not unusual when you do not know its origin and with a brand like The Michigan it is assumed that the guitars were made in that state- so, they are from Gibson. Now, if Beare & Son Ltd had called the brand The Illinois, this would not happen- or less often!Anyway, I hope this clears up matters and helps people to ascertain the true maker of these guitars and the odd mandolin, as well. To conclude, I have a date stamped Harmony H1265 Valencia sold as a Michigan- it's not a Gibson- it's a Harmony guitar, and no matter how hard I try, I
@@andertons I played this lick, ironically, in another guitar shop and I heard someone said "Captain!!!". I replied with "I said what?". This story is true, but for 10 bonus points, do you know the reference?
This channel is so much more interesting with Captain and Pete leading the charge. The Captain has always been very relatable, and now his playing has come a long way. Pete has that pure child like joy that just makes him so enjoyable to watch. Both seem like really cool dudes.
Surprisingly I own a B.S.L. guitar that I got from my grandfather. From what I was able to find out the company is Beare and Son LTD, they're still in existence today. I believe they sold in London UK and Toronto Canada (where my grandfather got his) and are German built guitars during the 50s and early 60s. I guess as an addendum I should add they did exist before the 50s and 60s. My understanding is they were basically a Commonwealth version of Kay guitars.
"I walked into my shop, saw my guitar, realised that "I want that guitar", and then realised I already owned it, and the entire contents of the shop and the shop itself, but I bought it anyway"; this is an Escher-esque story.
In the early '80's I took a semester of guitar in High School. I bought myself an inexpensive Harmony western for the class from the local music store. The store owner was also the music teacher for our high school, so I got even more of a deal since it was for his guitar class. It was nice enough, and everyone said it sounded really good considering its price. But there was one kid in this class using his dad's Martin. Wow. Night and day. Even the teacher/store owner said it was the nicest sounding one he'd ever played, and he owned a pretty nice Martin as well. I'm not really an acoustic fan, but your story reminded me (35 years later) that if I was ever to buy quality acoustic, it would have to be a Martin.
When he says, he’s an advocate for your always good enough. So basically if you can sfford expesnive and want it get it. Doesn’t matter how good or bad you are. That is the sort of attitude you want from someone! Top dude lee!
2 years later, but I have to say that I really enjoyed this solo setup you have here. Very watchable. if you ever need an idea for a video, just do more of this. By yourself, talking to camera. Lovely.
Hey Cap I was overwhelmed with your personal guitar history when you got to your D-35. I owned for 40 odd years a 1972 D-35 and had it refurbished by Martin after traveling and gigging with it for many years. It was in pretty rough shape when I sent it to Martin and they had it for almost a year. When it returned it was incredible. A full neck reset and repair of cracks in the ebony were just the beginning of what they did and it was all for free. They also returned it with a new case which wasn’t charged for or requested. What a company. Anyhow I had to sell mine a few years ago and I have regretted it ever since and seeing yours somehow made me feel better like one had found a good home. Cherish it dude and don’t sell it even if you need the money.
I watched both videos of your collection Lee and I speak for many that it puts a smile on our faces with the fun and informative videos Andertons makes. I agree, the most valuable guitars are the ones most sentimental to each of us. Keep up the great work all of you. Stay safe. Peace.
Wouldn't want steel strings on that old Michigan if it hasn't got a truss rod. Lovely unpretentious collection. That Martin sounds just incredible!!!! I can feel its power through my headphones.
Captain, I believe what you said was “do you have a story about an acoustic guitar?” I was a teenager in the early 70s and started to learn guitar. Back in those days guitars were not set up when you pulled them down off the wall and I really didn’t understand the importance of set up or actually how simple it really is (basic physics). So in those days finding a guitar I liked had little to do with looks and it was all about playability and staying in tune. In those days everyone loved Martins but the $600 price tag for a new D35 was significant for many of us. At the time my acoustic style was evolving with capos (sometimes two). Every Martin I saw in a shop that I put a capo on was no longer in tune and adding a second cut capo was not an option either. In 1995 I was visiting one of my favorite guitar shops and they have this new thing, an acoustic room (a big deal back then). I was not familiar with this guitar company but there were about 15 Taylors on the wall. As was my style I played them all and was really drawn to a certain dreadnought. Given the list price of $2800 (American) I didn’t even bother to mention it to my wife. But while I was there I noticed the Taylor magazine called wood & steel so I took one home. The cover story was called “a walk through the woods” and I learned much about various tonewoods used in Taylor guitars. It turned out that the dreadnought I had been playing was a fall Limited edition with Brazilian rosewood back and sides and Engleman Spruce top. Well, what a lesson in tone woods that was for me. Well I decided to buy that guitar but my wife decided I would need to sell equipment to find the money. So after I sold my 90s Clapton Strat, a 70s P bass and my amp and pedalboard, I brought it home. That’s when I learned at least with acoustic guitars to just play as many as I could and the best ones would always get my attention, they essentially chose me. And I still find that which ever Taylor I play, adding a capo does not require a re-tune. I really believe the quality that Taylor brought to the acoustic guitar market completely change the industry, forcing other companies to do better set ups on guitars offered for sale. And ironically enough, this Brazilian 810 sounds less like a Taylor and more like a Martin…
I've just this moment finished watching the video. Lee, thankyou. Thankyou for the stories behind all the guitars. I totally agree with you on the acoustic, it has to be a Martin. I'm in the market for an acoustic at present and I always have the martin sound in my head when I try one, I cant afford a martin at present, but I listen for what's closest. Once again Lee, thankyou.
335 indeed, that nitro finish is spectacular! Thanks for keeping me entertained! Really great seeing someone model the correct behavior during these crazy times!!! Top notch! PS super glue the nut if it’s cut to deep, as seen on The Guitologist.
My acoustic that is "The One" is a 2000 Martin D12 (12 string dreadnought). Picked it up when my dad took me to Norman's at age 13. Both he and Norm decided I'd bonded with the guitar and couldn't be separated from it, so it was my Christmas present for that year. The space above the sound hole is scratched to hell, I got a little chip in the headstock, and the binding has shrunk off and needs gluing, but that is still the absolute best sounding acoustic guitar of all time. Both warm and bright and sounds absolutely huge.
Man this is outstanding...you gave me lesson of humbleness! Thank you for that. You are getting better and better on the guitar since the beginning of andertons channel. Once again thanks for all.
That dark purple ("black") 70s Strat is quite possibly the most beautiful guitar I've ever seen. Hearing it was all a weird chemical reaction ("accident") only makes it better.
I totally get what he means when he says that sometimes something you don't really dig will sneak up on you and then you realize that you like it. For me its rosewood boards and big head stocks on a strat, I used to really dislike both but they've really grown on me lately.
Ahoy Skipper ! Another good presentation ! The Michigan ? My first guitar of which I have two black & white photos only taken 1967... It was (is ?) a JAZZ Hollow Body with One Neck Pick-Up... Two f's in the style of Hofner... or Gretsch... Left it with a good friend and never obtained it back during world travels... He died (RIP) and took the Guitar... or secret... or both, to the grave with him ! and 'Skipper'... Looking through the window from 'outside' the house (diff focus) ... If I had to rush into a burning house for one of your guitars, then I would grab the Martin... Great Tone... Irreplaceable ! Oh ! and Second comment.. I have been "Joined-at-the-hip" to my 1972 ESTON 'Made in Italy' by EKO for the Australian market... We are now both 'Vintage' together !! Which of the seven guitars of mine would I burn my fingers for ??????? The Lot !!!!!!! 🤠...
Great playing and tone on the 335 at the start of this! The guitarist from Floral plays a Daisy Rock Les Paul and he plays some awesome, super technical stuff on it. Definitely underrated guitars!
Do a blind speed dating where rob, the captain and Pete all get given the same guitars at different times and have 10 seconds to play a guitar then get swapped to the next one and have to decide which one they like the most Do a guitar olympics. Different rounds like fastest guitar string change or quickest pedal and amp dialling in, quickest pedal board build
Lee, for restringing the bigsby, hook the ball end on, put tension on the string and clamp it down with a capo while stringing the tuners. Learned this after putting a bigsby on my firebird.
Oh man, another hour of the Captain’s Guitars. I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s guitar habit is so bad that I have guitars that I forget I even own.
i love my 5120! it was donated to me by an amazing human being that upgraded it with a set of GFS Surf 90 pickups and some good locking tuners. the locking tuners definitely make string changes easier with the Bigsby, but i also have a little tip/tricks for anyone struggling with Bigsby restringing: magnets. i just take the smallest strongish magnet i can find from the ol' fridge, slip the ball end over the Bigsby string post, and cap it with the magnet. i actually thought of the idea when restringing a banjo and mandolin with loop end strings in one sitting for a friend. after about the 6th frustrating mandolin string i had the magnet idea, and it makes life so much easier! 💚
Johnny Resin Great idea! You can buy small super strong magnets on eBay very reasonably! I use a magnet to cover the trem hole on my Strat when I remove the trem arm to stop the tension spring falling out! Works a treat!
Oh the joy of year of birth guitars. Bought a red 1977 Yamaha SF-700 last year for exactly the same reason. To be honest, chances are fairly high it's a 1978 (serial numbers are not 1000% certain in those years) but that's an excuse I'll only use when I spot another 1977 guitar I lust for.
Lee, that '79 is your best sounding strat. It's so fat and squishy.. sounds huge. Even better than your sunburst custom shop. At least on this recording.
Came for the blue/black strat and you damn well know it! I do love that Grey Emperor too though! One of my strats has to have something in the nut to stop the low E from buzzing that I just can't seem to fix with the truss so every time I change strings I put a little piece of stem from some good weed in the nut and no more buzz, been doing it for years!
I did too for a few years but I couldn’t afford the ones I wanted from Gibson, even used. Then I started looking at Eastman and bought a T386. Lusting over. Seriously good guitar with mostly the same construction. Nitro finish, hand made, etc. They have a maple neck with ebony board is different, and the nut is a little wider. Come with nice pickups as well. I swapped mine for a set of Duncan Antiquities though. For around $1,000 they are a great option. Hard case included as well.
I recognize that the Martin Dreadnaught (and its sound) represents one of the classic acoustic guitars, however, there are fair number of others whose appearance and tone are of equal renounce and quality. The Gibson ‘Nick Lucas’ comes to mind readily as does Django’s Selmer. In the end though, your tour of you guitars is a breath of fresh air, open, honest and entertaining. Thank you much for you graceful contribution to quarantine palliatives. My ‘gotta have that’ moment brought me my Gibson L130, a short-lived run of genius grand concert instruments. If you ever get a chance to play one, take it. Whenever I take it out in the world, it draws attention.
Hi lee In my humble opinion, I think your right on the button with the 3 guitar choice. In some cases It can take a lifetime to acquire your dream guitar. I’m lucky I have my 3 Gibson SG Standard 2003 Fender telecaster 2019 And a absolutely beautiful epiphone DR 500 MCE Masrebuilt And there is not enough time to give these the time they all deserve.!! Love the vids Lee. Muz
Info about the Michigan... the dealer was Beare & Son Ltd, a London and Toronto-based Gibson dealer. The Michigan is a guitar which is virtually the same as many Harmony and Kay guitars keep the time. The one you have is likely from the 1930s.
Daisy Rocks sold great at the store I used to work at. I didn't find they were too gender specific -- sold a lot more of them to guys because they enjoyed how light and easily playable they were for stage or live-playing guitar. It was a nice blast from the past to see the Captain has one!
Recently had experience with my 1st acoustic (1996 Simon & Patrick SP6) recently picked it up from my parents where it was stored after probably 15 years of not being used, to find the neck was pulling away, bridge lifting and needed complete refretting and decided it was too sentimental to leave in its state, so I got it refretted and repaired and can honestly say it's like when I first got it and has become my most played guitar again. I'm a sucker for buying guitars for milestones in my life....
