07-02-2009 -
Our Hippner Torres #573
Spruce/Brazilian is sold
07-01-2009 -
Pete Barthell #142 is sold as of today.
06-29-2009 - Cruising thru updates to my site, it should
look a lot better.
06-20-2009 - Working thru my site, I have to say, I don't
like a lot of it. Way too much information, scrolling,
blah blah blah....keyriste, it gets worse as I look at it.
- So...I changed
the top, cleaning up links, spacing, logo, the way things are
presented.
- I'm trying to
cut the wordiness down. This is difficult.
- I guess it's an
on-going nightmare, but I'll figure a way. I swears it
:-)
06-19-2009 - Busy with business and updates, I've not had
a chance to update this page. Web design issues have been
taking my time as well as on-going repairs and lessons.
I'm finishing up a restoration job on an Argentinian Cabral
Classical Guitar. This is a guitar where fairly large pieces of
wood were literally missing from the top, scratched and banged
up, the poor baby needed help. She looks pretty darned
good now :-)
- You'll notice
changes to the web design, but this is not really what's been
going on. There's a complete revamp in the background that
is not yet on line. Still in testing, I'm stream-lining
the site in a big way, incorporating java script for directory
navigation, CSS for simpler back end modifications, where
guitars and services will be our highlight areas. A new
color scheme, less wordiness, easier navigation, and
well...simply a better way to visit Savage Classical Guitar on
the web. My thanks to Dan Bouza for the web help and to
Steve Schram for the help with our new logo.
06-10-2009
- Mail Order is off line.
You'll need to contact me if you wish to snail mail an order.
06-09-2009
- The Sarabande from
Bach's Violin Partita I is now completed. I've
updated the jpeg on the dedicated page. Bear in mind
this book will also contain a full Urtext
version.
06-08-2009
- The
Allemande from Bach's Violin Partita I is completed.
I've updated a jpeg on the dedicated page. The
Sarabande is next and I can release
the book.
06-06-2009
- Pete Barthell
has sent me #142 - a Spruce and East Indian Rosewood
monster of a classical. Man, this guy knows how build.
06-04-2009
- A special day for my house as it is my youngest
daughter's birthday. SamSam (also known as BamBam) is my
baby. I love her way too much :-)
-
Pete Barthell has sent me a new
guitar. Can't wait to see it. The man is a
superb builder of guitars, one of the best workmanship guys out
there. The guitars aren't too bad either LOL.
05-30-2009
- I'm releasing a TAB
version of Richard F. Sayage Solo Works Volume I
- I'm also
releasing Bach's Violin Partita I in B Minor BWV 1002 for solo
classical guitar, in its complete form, including URTEXT
05-27-2009
- New guitars will be here soon...1 from Pete Barthell -
a new Kenny Hill Master Series - and a new Ken Whisler
05-20-2009
- The Barthell #139
Classical is sold to fine young gentleman player from Long
Island.
05-17-2009
- Updated photos for the
'93 Ioannou Classical Guitar
05-16-2009
- Updated photos for the
new '37 Hauser
from Kenny Hill and the
Avalon A32J (barely used)
Classical Jazz. Nice guitars.
- The
Guitar Page
is just about done. A bit cleaner to navigate, I'm
getting a little happier with it.
05-15-2009
- Updated photos for the
1975 Haselbacher #38
and the
Hauser' 37 from Kenny Hill. Wow for both guitars!
05-11-2009
-
Revamping the Guitar Page -
making it a bit easier to navigate, smoother, etc...it was getting out
of hand.
05-11-2009
-
Updated Hi-Res Photos for the
2 Kenny Hill
Signatures and the Ruck.
05-10-2009
-
Kenny Hill Signature #2834 Cedar Double Top is in and
Whooooooo, she's pretty sweet. Hauser '37 model is next
up. Sweet again.
05-09-2009
-
Send more rain, please. We really really like it.
Really really....ACK....more setup jobs and a finish job on a
few nice guitars today. Maybe some more photography.
Then an on-line lesson on how to not kill yourself over Sun
Deprivation. Hmmm, I may have coined a new term? :-)
05-07-2009
-
Slow day doing little jobs, setups, photos, and waiting for
guitars to be delivered. Waiting on a
Signature from Kenny
Hill.
05-05-2009
-
4 Estudio
Guitars from Kenny Hill
will be here next week. 3 Cedar 650mm and 1 Spruce
628mm.
04-29-2009
-
A Kenny Hill Hauser '37 and a Cedar Signature
will be here next week.
04-28-2009
-
The Kenny Hill New
World Guitar Estudios and Player Series are in....these
are beautiful guitars for the money. They come with
Kenny's Custom Hard Shell Case. Very
impressive....the 628mm Estudio Cedar model sold the same day.
04-25-2009
- Kenny Hill
Signature #2885 is in and Kenny is right...she's
incredible. Beautiful White Spruce, exquisite workmanship
and a piercing sound and ease of playability to satisfy the most
discriminating player.
04-20-2009
- In a bid to move inventory to make room for the new, I've
lowered prices on all
Avalon Guitars and
Hippner Guitars.
04-19-2009
- I'm bringing in a whole batch of Kenny
Hill Guitars including some from his Player Series as well
as his Estudio Series.
- I'm also
bringing in a Reyes
Flamenco from Kenny Hill Master Series
- I also have a
Kenny Hill Spruce Signature coming
which is a supposed to be an absolute knockout
- Another
Kenny Hill Cedar Signature model
will be sent to me within 2 weeks. Can't wait...
04-17-2009
- Updated our customer
feedback page with a couple of nice notes. It's the
best making people happy.
- I actually
worked on manuscripts today regarding Celtic work, Well Tempered
1B (Preludes & Fugues 9-16) which are all engraved and have been
for over 2 years, they just need fingerings and markings, as
well as Sor work. Back to work on cabinetry. Just
have to finish some doors, hang them and then get to those
desktops. Oh yeah, then electric, lights, moldings,
picture framing and hanging, and who the heck knows what
else....christ, kill me now.
04-16-2009
- Happy Post Tax Day! Yikes.! Uploaded a new PDF
exercise to my
Lesson Page.
This one focuses on RH speed development using i-m and m-a
alternations.
04-13-2009
- A new Signature
Guitar from Kenny Hill is coming in to the studio in the
next 2 weeks as the
KH
Signature #2864 was sold so fast I didn't have time to
photograph or record it.
04-11-2009
- The Ruck
and the
Signature are in from Kenny Hill. They were worth
the wait. The Signature is one of the finest, loudest and
sweetest sounding guitars I've ever heard. So much so that
it took all of 1 day to sell. The Ruck is no slouch by any
means. Loud and sweet, both guitars are amazingly easy to
play. Kenny continues to impress on every level.
04-08-2009
- Entering the final stages of guitar cabinetry builds for the
studio. Once I finish this up, I'll get to the tops and
mouldings and I'll be done. New guitars will be here
tomorrow. Can't wait.
04-05-2009
- Vacation time is over and I'm back to work. Cabinets
and hardware are installed. Just have to get to the
countertops. Next is the guitar cabinet.
- A new
Kenny Hill Signature is en route as
well as a Kenny Hill Master Series Ruck Model. I
hope to hear from Ken Whisler on his latest finish.
03-31-2009
- I did some work on Sor's Opus
35 regarding engraving and editing. I might
have this teacher - student publication out some time this year.
Just cruising along with it. I'm doing this because the
many editions I've seen are awful, working on the original or
facsimile, which by Sor's editor, was a terrible job. Hard
to read, with mistakes, offset print in the score, etc.
This edition will be a welcome improvement.
03-27-2009
- The Hippner 570 was sold to
a nice gent from Connecticut.
03-26-2009
- Going back to some old work, I'll be working on PARTS for the
Bach Violin Concertos as well as the
Bach Sinfonia for Duet while
I'm away on vacation. hmmmm....some vacation, huh?
:-) The Guitar part for the Violin Concertos is
already available.
03-25-2009
- After a year straight of hard work, I needs some time
off. I will be out of the studio for a week starting
Saturday. All orders will be satisfied upon my return
April 3.
- BTW, a new
Whisler is in finishing....I'll look forward to that as well as
a new Rodriguez from Kenny Hill in the next 2 weeks or so.
03-21-2009
- Both Kenny Hill's went out the door on Sunday.
The Hauser
and the
Rodriguez were sold to two nice gents from Long Island.
More are on the way.
03-20-2009
- Building for the studio continues as the guitar cabinet
panels are completely ripped and labeled. Spraying and
finish spray will start on Monday. I may go with granite
tops for the desk area...still deciding.
03-17-2009
- Not too much going on in the business side of things.
As I've mentioned, I'm taking a bit of a slow down period to
work on construction for the studio area. All pedestals
are built for the desk area, which is 5 foot x 11.5 foot L
shaped desktop. There are 5 pedestals built and that
should do it. While I was in the ripping and building
stage, I decided to start the guitar cabinets. This will
be a series of 3 and 4 foot boxes all 4 feet long, with 16" deep
shelving to accommodate guitars and cases in a horizontal
fashion. The total cabinetry will be 8 feet high by 12
feet long, with an approximate depth of 18". There will be
drawer and shelf capacity, as well as humidification spacing
throughout the entirety of this massive wall unit.
- I do this
in between the 20 or so lessons a week, the guitar showings,
repairs and other myriad sales issues day to day. It's all
tough to work around, but I'm having a ball with every bit of
it.
- I should
mention that all the
Kenny Hill Guitars are spectacular. I've locked in 4
more including another Hauser and Rodriguez, as well as a Ruck
and a Fleta model. Can't wait to see them. They will
come in sporadically over the next 4 months.
- I should also
mention that I hope to see another
Whisler guitar in
the next month or 2! I hope...Ken is a fantastic builder
and I think it scary (in a good way) that he is getting better.
03-13-2009
- The latest Whisler Classical should be here in a few.
I'll post pics as soon as possible. The studio is still a
wreck, but I might manage it and some recording.
- The guitar came
in today and was sold within 15 minutes. Didn't even have
time to take pictures. Client was here testing other
guitars out with a mind to buy. He saw this one played it,
and bought it on the spot. Sweet. Ken is making some
fine guitars...no doubt about it.
03-12-2009
- All basic work is done in the studio area. Now
I'm in the middle of ripping woods for cabinet and table top
construction. It'll be a process, but nice when done.
I thought maybe to take pictures of before and after and some
progress pictures. I'll post to a special page if I do so.
03-08-2009
- A new Whisler Classical is
coming in the next week.
03-07-2009
- The
Kenny Hill Rodriguez #2801 is in and she's a beauty.
02-28-2009
- A Kenny Hill Rodriguez is
coming to the shop in the next 3 days.
02-26-2009
- A Kenny Hill '37 Hauser
is in the shop. She's gorgeous! That's
all I have to say :-)
02-25-2009
- Few updates since I decided to rip my studio area apart
and start again. I'm in the middle of tape, spackle and
now painting the entire area. Next up is cabinet
construction for guitars and workspace....lot of work.
02-19-2009
- Sound file is up for the
Barthell Classical Guitar
#138. Excerpt taken from Bach's Violin Partita 1
Double III
02-17-2009
- It's official as we have become Authorized Dealers of
Kenny Hill
Guitars for the Long Island region. Our first offering
from the Hill Guitar company will be a
Hauser '37 Model from their
Master Series.
02-16-2009
- Looks like the Whisler #25
is sold. Spent time with a John Price for compensation
issues, intonation and general setup...nice guitar.
02-12-2009
- Regardless of my ailments within my joints, I'm
managing to play a bit and get a decent result. Don't get
me wrong, I ain't happy, but at least something decent is coming
out of the recordings. I just uploaded a sound file for
the Barthell #139
- A Day in November
by Leo Brouwer.
02-11-2009
- The Hippner Original #567
is sold to a nice gent from Westchester.
- I'm sitting down
to record now that repair work is done for the day. I'll
post the various pieces for the guitars as I go. I'm
focusing on Sor - Tarrega - and even a bit of Brouwer
- Sound files are
up for the Hippner #566
and the Whisler
#25 - tired now after trouble with the recording setup,
never mind the pain in my arms and elbows.
It ate up 2 hours of my time. Suffice to say I'm angry at
the delay when I'm all ready to go...I'll record more tomorrow.
My plan is to at least record the 2
Barthell guitars.
02-10-2009
- Photos and updated page for the
Ken Whisler #25
are on the site.
02-09-2009
- I took off a few days to teach my girls to ski...they did
great. Unfortunately, I came back with some problems
unrelated to skiing. My left eye has closed up with a
serious infection, making it impossible for me to concentrate
and/or pretty much do anything constructive.
- I did spend the
time in PA scoring Fernando Sor's Opus 35
and updating various pages. A new project for me in
between writing original music and the Celtic book I've been
promising.
- In addition,
I've brought more equipment on line including peg winders,
tuners, strings, guitar stands, and a few other things.
- I am also trying
like all get out to do some recording. By last count, I
have 13 recordings of various guitars to attend to in the next
few days. Time to get to work...no time to be ill
:-)
02-05-2009
- Ken Whisler #25
is here and she is a beauty. I'll get the photos up as
soon as possible. I played her for a spell and she is a
warm earthy monster with singing trebles and sustained basses.
02-03-2009
- Photos are up for the
Barthell #139...sweet sweet guitar.
- More
accessories
are being added...pages should be updated.
02-02-2009
- A new Whisler is on the way.
Should be here by Thursday. Can't wait to see this honey
bunny.
02-01-2009
- The John Peter
Barthell #139 is on the site. Have to get the
photos into the web.
01-27-2009
- A new Barthell came
in...have to photograph and catalog, etc...I'll get to that
later on tonight or tomorrow.
- More
accessories are in, which
mean that pages have to be created and updated. Work work
work....
- I should have a
brand new Whisler in the studio within the next 2 weeks and then
maybe another? Sweet...Ken's great.
01-24-2009
- Updated our
Accessories Page
with Strings
and Guitar Cases.
01-23-2009
- Fine-tuning further pages, wording, spacing, formats,
etc. I'm hoping that it is all representing well and that
you like the changes.
01-21-2009
- Finished up some more business issues including
printing. Finalized deals with
Guardian Cases and
D'Addario Strings.
- Our
Accessories Page will
be coming on line and will be filled out as I strike more
dealership agreements with various vendors.
01-18-2009
- Have actually done some more research and work towards
the Celtic Guitar publication. Whooo...
01-16-2009
- More business, lessons and web site...it is getting
more difficult to sit and record, and or write any music.
I needs help. :-)
01-15-2009
- Being unhappy with many of the photographs from last
week, I spent the time today re-shooting the
Avalon guitars as
well as all the
Hippner Torres
models. All pages are updated with the latest thumbnails
and Hi-definition photos.
- Re-shot the
Barthell #138...much better :-)
- Going to try to
get to at least one of a dozen recordings
that need to be done in the next few days. I'll probably
focus on Sor
etudes, knocking off two birds with one stroke, as I've
been promising students recordings of some of our lesson
material. btw, the snow is kind of cool out there today.
01-13-2009
- Spent the day with lessons and repairs to a few
guitars, since the web site refit is just about done...maybe a
few tweaks here and there, but I'm pretty much done. It
feels much better to me. I might actually get back
to music!
- Finished a
bridge repair to a 12 string Charvel
acoustic and then strung her up properly. It's
amazing what people will do to mess up a good instrument.
- I also
setup an old Takamine 6 string acoustic
including a neck set, polished frets, shaped a relieved saddle,
cleaned up the net, bridge pin holes, cleaned and oiled the
fret-board, with fret dressing. I took some pictures of
some finish damage and the way she cleaned up. The baby
plays and sounds sweet as a result of all this attention.
I'll post the pics in the next day or so.
01-12-2009
- Another John
Peter Barthell guitar is on the way. Spent the past
few days dealing with business and financial matters, as well as
updates to many of our music pages. I'll be continuing
that today, while I try to get some recording in and maybe a new
photo shoot for some of the pictures I'm not too happy with from
last week.
01-08-2009
- I spent today printing, as well as updating the web
site, including the Mail Order page.
All new photographs are up, including those for the new John
Peter Barthell classical that just came in....problem is,
I'm not too happy with the latest photo shoot. I'll be
doing it again...like I have nothing else to do....anyways,
numerous improvements to the site, a new retailer in Rome, Italy
came on board, more guitars coming, and I have to start building
some internal workspace, shelving, displays, you name it.
I don't really know where to find the time, but I'll figure it.
Probably by not sleeping, but I'll figure it.
01-07-2009
- Turns out I have a huge photo day with my guitars.
At least a dozen photo shoots need to happen today, getting all
the guitar pages up to speed. All of the old photos have
to go...they're awful. Like I have nothing else to do!
:-)
01-06-2009
- A guitar just came in from John
Peter Barthell in Washington State. Man, is this baby
nice! I'll be working on photographing and cataloguing her
today, as well as other business issues pertaining to guitars
and sheet music.
01-05-2009
- In preparation for wide-spread distribution of our
publications, I'm altering a few issues regarding our covers and
internal fonts, which basically goes to house style. This
will take me a few days. The Bach Violin Sonatas &
Partitas has already been finished. Looks good, too!
:-) Business arrangements are being made to change
bindings in the next few weeks, as well as covers and internal
pages. Prices will be increasing as a result. This
will happen in the next 2 months or so.
- Printing done by
my own manufacturing facility will be unchanged, as will our
internal prices for those books.
01-03-2009
- More tweaks and updates to numerous pages throughout
the site. It's definitely getting there. Working on
some of the front pages as well as the several sheet music pages
behind our Catalog Page.
01-02-2009
- Updated numerous pages including our
Guitar Page, this page, and many
of the guitar listings. New Photos are up for our 3 latest
additions as well as updates to the Jack Spira Acoustic and the
Hippner 163. I spent a good portion of today measuring and
cataloguing numerous guitars and posting updated and correct
information for many of the instruments.
- I created pages
for the 2 new Hippner Originals that I brought in -
Hippner #566 and
Hippner #567
- I also updated
the Steven Howlett #3
that was just listed.
01-01-2009
- Doing Photo Shoots today on the new guitars and
re-shooting some of the older ones too. Whooo....Happy New
Year!
- Photos are
updated for the Jack Spira
Acoustic (monster) and the
Hippner #163 - The other
3 new guitars are photographed...just waiting on cataloguing and
creating individual pages for them.
