NGD - The Javamagic John Cipollina Tribute SG

John, sadly I am on the generic Dollar tree crayons these days--- (spending to much on gear for the FANCY snacks)-- lol

Sounds like slipping into an old favorite pari of sneakers on that SG --
WE NEED A SOUND CLIP!!!!!!!
:2Thumbs:
 
Hackmaster said:
Amazing tribute to a world class player.
I loved Quicksilver. Still hear some every now & then on XM.
All that inlay work must have taken months. Fantastic job.
Beautiful gift.
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I vaguely remember that he wasn’t working at the time, and it took a solid month of working on the inlays every day for long hours. When I visited him in Ireland, he hadn’t been there for a while since he was working in England for a spell. On the kitchen counter we’re many of the templates he made for inlays and pickguard material, as well as a lot of scrap. It wasn’t easy going from what he told me.
 
RVA said:
You know, with your praise of Java and compliments to me, most would not know what AMAZING guitars you have built! I could only wish to get close to your skill level one day. Post some pics some time.
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Thanks Ray. After I have the house back in order after the floor sanding and refinishing, I hope to get back to work on my workshop. The cellar renovations were preempted by me traveling for work all the time. Now that I’m home every day, my list of stuff to do keeps growing from SWMBO. I can’t really do anything until all the sawdust and other crap is cleaned, and everything back in place.

As soon as I have functional work benches and access to all my tools, I plan of finishing the ‘58 Explorer, ‘58 “Lonnie Mack” style Flying V, and ‘68 Thunderbird bass builds that are in various degrees of being dropped from what I was doing. Right now, I’m thankful to actually get to play a bit more often.
 
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SG John said:
I guess that I should do a NGD thread for this.

Back in 2008, Java started building a John Cipollina tribute SG. Since he wasn't trying to replicate the electronics and some of the other expensive modifications Cipollina had done to his guitar, it was considered a "tribute" guitar, and not an exact copy. I was probably Brian's biggest fan-boy during the building process as he was posting progress at ETSG. Since we actually developed a pretty good friendship over the years, I actually had the opportunity to spend some time at his house in Ennis, Ireland, and play many of the guitars and amps he had built. The guy is a master craftsman. He also holds a degree in architectural restoration for period correct restoration of architecture between 1500 and 1800's.

A few times I had mentioned that I would love to be able to make him a non-insulting offer for the SG, as it is such a beautiful guitar. As we were discussing my impending trip to England, he asked me about the possibilities of returning with a guitar. I didn't give it much thought as he had told me a few times about a distant relative who lives on Cape Cod who had been bugging him to build a guitar for him. Java said he would just sell him one of his Teles to get him off of his back. That's what I thought I would be bringing back. When we met last Sunday at Foyles Book Store near Denmark Street in London, he had a Gibson case with him. After we went to a cafe and ordered some coffee, he finally asked if I was to see what I was taking home with me. He had quite the smile on his face when I saw the Cipollina SG sitting inside the case. I was shocked! I think shocked might be an understatement, as I was in a trance for several days, as I could not believe it. Java said it was time to give the guitar a "good home" as it is need of work from living in the damp environment of south west Ireland.

So, now that a week has gone by, and I've played it every day, I think it's settling into my brain that it is actually really now my guitar.

The neck is a three piece neck made from reclaimed mahogany that Java grabbed along the way at some work site. The body is Sapele (African Mahogany) and has an ebony fingerboard. The pickups are low output Fralin humbuckers (around 7-8 ohms), has RS pots and caps, Grover Imperial Tuners, and a Bigsby B-5. Basically, the best of everything. The craftsmanship in this guitar is amazing. Other than play it, I have not tried to take it apart and inspect it. It's perfect as is, and I'll leave it alone for now.

A couple of nights ago, I played it through my 50 watt master volume Marshall JMP. The sounds were luscious. with the guitar volume on 6, you could get really clean tones by playing with a light touch. Attack with a bit more aggressive picking, and it had a nice crunch to it. Start rolling up the volume, and guitar just snarls at you. I can see me playing this guitar a lot, as it should be played.

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DAYUM, I remember seeing that guitar years ago at ETSG!!!
 
eSGEe said:
Im still in shock ----------and a little "tickled" to see that beastie on THIS SIDE of the pond...... ;)
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I honestly thought Brew, or someone else over there would have eventually ended up with it. Especially since the exchange rate is never in the favor of our play money.

He does know that I do love my acid rock, especially stuff from San Francisco in the sixties, and SGs.
 
eSGEe said:
John, sadly I am on the generic Dollar tree crayons these days--- (spending to much on gear for the FANCY snacks)-- lol

Sounds like slipping into an old favorite pari of sneakers on that SG --
WE NEED A SOUND CLIP!!!!!!!
:2Thumbs:
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Sorry, no sound clips for now. I did play it through my 100 watt JMP last night. I thought it might be a bit too trebly, but up against a Rick bass plugged into an Acoustic 360/300 rig and a loud drummer it sounded great. It cut through the mix very nicely.

649DD72D-6F9A-46EB-9D70-E01078A8780A.jpeg
 
OK, lets try this again. I've been trying to figure out how to get the video I took on my phone, and into the computer. My computer doesn't like my iphone, so it's not a bunch of fun. Anyway, here just goofing off for a minute with the guitar, and a very tame amp setting.

Enjoy for now. I'll try to get something up again soon.


 
SG John said:
OK, lets try this again. I've been trying to figure out how to get the video I took on my phone, and into the computer. My computer doesn't like my iphone, so it's not a bunch of fun. Anyway, here just goofing off for a minute with the guitar, and a very tame amp setting.

Enjoy for now. I'll try to get something up again soon.


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Hell yeah, John. I bet this is the first time this special guitar has been documented on video. Damn thing sounds like an SG... :unsure:
 
eSGEe said:
John I have looked at several close up pics -- (of the original) and of Javas work --
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

does that thing FEEL as good as it looks?--Im sure it sounds like angels on high-- and THors Hammer on the boil
---im still in awe-- I was in AWE when Java posted it sooo many moons ago on ETSG ----I think floored was a better description.

Dude you hit the SG lottery ---
SHort of Zappas "Roxy"
Claptons FOOL
or ANgus black SG.......
(Dickey Betts -- or that Trucks guy)

that thing is "it"

I mean -- damn man
:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:


Im going to go sit in the corner and rock back and forth eating crayons now..........
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That guitar has quite a pedigree to be certain!!!!

Adrian,

Before you eat the rest of your crayons, might I remind you that YOU have a really nice Gibson SG some koo koo in California sent you????

:)
 
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