I’ve always been happy with the tone of this instrument… Over the years I’ve made upgrades to the electronics, but never touched the pickups. I had no idea what I was missing. Essentially, the guitar always sounded great when on full volume but no matter what I did I always had a muddled tone when I rolled back the volume, even after upgrading all the control pots and capacitors.

So enter the new pickups and wow… clearer tone all around and super punchy when volume rolled back. The pick ups are not too loud but rather very smooth tones truer to a vintage quality. Really happy with this upgrade!
cheers
MW

Moollon pickups for my favorite Les Paul

It might be best classical guitar I’ve ever played. I’m so thankful to Jim Holler who made it happen.  Not only a great builder, the way Jim does business is an example that others can learn from. I could not be more satisfied.

The instrument is only a week old and already is as loud as any mature instrument I’ve played which is uncommon for a spruce top. The trebles and inner voices are equally loud as the bass strings. Playing melodic passages are clear and effortless…

In addition to the tonal quality, the instrument’s ergonomic build that Jim has designed over the years allows the player to have a better posture while playing. From a frontal view the guitar looks very traditional but if you look from a profile view the instrument looks more like a Picasso painting… nothing symmetrical… Enjoy the photos.

M

I made the time this morning to return the Ramirez classical I borrowed last week from Rick Kelly Custom Guitars. Rick has been working out of the same shop for about 25 or 30 years. In the front of  the store it looks like a regular guitar shop with guitars of all makes and accessories including some amps etc… But walk in the back of the shop and it’s another scene that is far less common. Over the years Rick has built me a Tele and a Strat which are really special instruments. He’s building me a Les Paul in the coming months… I asked him to make it for me this past August after I saw one he built as you can see in the pic below…. He has orders a year in advance… so my guitar as of now is still a big block of wood… Pine wood taken from a rafter of a house built over 150 years ago on Bowery St. It’s Appalachian pine and well aged as you might guess. Rick builds guitars for lots of folks. Bob Dylan, Bill Frisell, GE Smith, Lou Reed to name a few.. Marcus Wolf! Yep, just saying’. Enjoy the photos!

M

In Jim’s own words…

The bass bouts of the wedge guitar narrow to a thinner depth than those of a standard classical guitar, providing better ergonomics for the right arm. The Wedge design integrates the patented bent top feature and the player response second sound hole .
To maintain the ideal internal air volume, the treble bouts are wider than normal. In addition to improving shoulder and arm comfort, this design presents the strings and fretboard at a reduced angle, allowing the right hand to maintain a more neutral position.
The Wedge design also creates more string clearance while maintaining conventional string spacing. Fretboard visibility is improved, as is left-hand attack, thanks to a more neutral starting position. By  reducing the physical stresses of lengthy playing sessions, the Wedge should enhance relaxation, reduce discomfort, and allow the player to focus better on his or her playing.

Big Thanks to Michael and the rest of the Engl team!
MW

Gigmaster 15 Combo

MW

Dragon Skin Acoustic Strings w/ K3 coating

K3 Coating for DR strings

DR drop down tuning strings

This new second location in the heart of SOHO (461 Broome) is built with an artistic mindset and obvious love for the instrument… All I can say is WOW. The owner Rudy Pensa was there and showed me many great instruments including his own Pensa Custom. Beautiful instrument!

The store is set up is aesthetically beautiful. I just wanted to hang out there all day… Guitars range from vintage D’Aquisto and D’Angelico archtops, to Gibsons of all kinds, to Froggie Bottom acoustics, AM Guitars, Pensa. It’s a good place to get lost in love for players and collectors!

I’ll be back Rudy! Get ready for the WOLF!!

Orchard House 1st Ave & 58th St South East Corner, NYC

Saturday, October 9, 8 pm

This night is the first playing of songs from Saugerties 2, to be titled “Full Moon Saugerties”, JK and the B’s new album of original songs just recorded on September 21-24 in Saugerties, New York. We all had a great time recording it. I sang a few tracks as well as played guitar along with Joel Kaminer, Marc Ribler, Larry Cohen and Rich Mercurio.

Please join us to hear the new music. For more info see http://www.joelkaminer.com

Admission is free but we’ll be “passing the hat” at this event and at the request of Joel, all proceeds from the evening will be donated to Orchard House Cafe to help the cafe continue to host a variety of wonderful events.

On the Southeast Corner of 58th Street & First Avenue. Come visit!

Marcus