Wonderful Small Body Guitars - With "THE DEVIL IS IN IT" Author JOHN STUBBINGS
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- čas přidán 9. 10. 2021
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In this video I talk with British author John Stubbings who wrote The Devil Is In It - one of the most beautiful books about the acoustic guitar that I have ever seen. John and I share a love of handmade small-body guitars and I hope you will enjoy our chat where we look at John's accidental collection of beautiful instruments!
Thank you, to each and every one of you for watching my videos. It means a great deal to me.
Until next time, stay tuned!
Michael
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This video was inspired by a lot of things from the new Billie Eilish James Bond theme to Rick Beato and his list of the top 5 most viral music videos and songs of this week. I'm not a massive fan of Justin Beiber, Pewdiepie or ninja and I think Logan and Jake Paul are a disgrace but there you go...
#acousticguitar #thedevilisinit
I hope you’ll enjoy this chat about small-body guitars and more!
Oh saya suka sekali tema nya tentang gitar, menambah pengetahuan saya tentang gitar.👍😃. Tuhan Yesus Memberkati Kalian Berdua sehat selalu & always happy..!.🙏🙏😇🤩😍🥰
Hi Michael🙏😃, would you like to check this out *_Alip Bata Channel on CZcams Guitarist fingerstyle, he is from Indonesia._*
I can guarantte, this is bloody mindblowing !.🤩🤩
You have to watch this as a guitar mania & this is *"The Angel Is In It"*🥰😍Sorry Just Kidding🙏🙏😇😇🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this, it really was a pleasure both visually and aurally.
Thanks uploader.
Halo sir you have to check out a guitar fingerstyle player from indonesia..his use a not good guitar for his play but he have more Talent,,please give your opinion about that...his channel name is Alip_Ba_Ta.. Guitaris of Queen Bryan May Has Upload his Video on Ofiicial fanpages f queen
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Please sir,..you must chek out guitarist fingerstyle from Indonesia his channel name on you tube is Alip_Ba_ta,...please reaction..his talent...I'm sure you'll be happy,. ..thank you ❤️❤️
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Halo uncle can you have Indonesiian finger style gitaris he is name Alip ba ta unique and incredible guitaris.
Hallo! please give your opinion about that...his channel name is Alip_Ba_Ta.. Guitaris of Queen Bryan May Has Upload his Video on Ofiicial fanpages f queen
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My uncle..please check this channel he is name channel alip_ba_ta he is fingerstyle guitar akustik from indonesia i hope you will be react this finger...thank you my uncle.
Again, another beautiful video about Acoustics Guitars, thanks
You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching!
Fascinating interview, some great music and first class editing. Thank you both.
Thank you very much for watching!
That is the biggest point... that smaller guitars are much more immediate in the output, especially when played lightly.
Absolutely right!
Beautifullly done video Michael.
Thank you very much Bruce, that really means a lot to me!
Very enjoyable video Michael. 30 minutes watching nicely spent
Thank you for watching Robin, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Well, that was fun. How great to see John's Dave King Parlour in color! I'm another big fan of smaller guitars, size 0 and 1, in particular. Thanks for sharing this chat, Michael.
Thank you so much Marc! Lovely to hear from you my friend!
Nice to hear Dave King had a mention. Dave is a great guy and has worked on two of my martins, currently waiting to take a third to him for a full set up. Great video and very impressed with John's guitars
Lovely insightful interview Michael. You are making it super fun to be a Guitar Geek. Thanks John for sharing your story. I think I "need" your book!
Thank you so much Jeff - that’s what we’re all here for! Hit John up and grab one of the few remaining copies, it’s special stuff!
Jumpin.... very timely video indeed.
Hi guys, you may feel a bit of anxious by now. Your channel is now being swarmed by Alipers(fan of Alip Ba Ta)
We are seeking your kind opinion on a phenomenon acoustic guitarist by the name of Alip Ba Ta. We love the way you talk about guitar, therefore, maybe you can make a twist a bit to react to his covers and originals and the guitar that he uses.
Tqvm in advance for your kind consideration. God bless. 🙏🏻😍
I find it rude to “swarm” someone’s channel just to promote another channel. You “swarmers” are going about it the wrong way, and in turn, not helping the other channel.
Great discussion! I bought my first serious steel string in 1978 when I moved from live work with my band to studio work. I was chasing the sound on Rickie Lee Jones' 'Chuck E's In Love'. I spoke to a luthier friend in NZ (Peter Madill, still working) but couldn't afford to commission him and out of the blue he said 'here you can have this, it's as good as any of my stuff, give me hundred bucks"! It was an S. Yairi (made in Nagoya) 'Parlour' - about the same size as that '84 Martin - and still my go to recording guitar (along with a 1992 Taylor Jumbo when I need the boomy sound).
Nice! Those Yairi’s can surprise you!
My favorite part of your videos are the small and random little humor shots that get thrown in.
I can't remember how I found your channel, but I find myself binge watching it quite often.
Thank you very much Lane, I am very happy you enjoy the videos, please do watch them on a loop from all devices in your home. It all helps!
Great video. I've learned a lot and now I'm inspired to go ahead and start the process of getting my first custom built OM guitar. I've always wanted a Santa Cruz.
Thank you for watching Ricardo! Richard Hoover and his team make beautiful instruments and in fact the SCGC workshop has been the training ground for some of the world’s finest luthiers!
A very likeable and knowledgeable gentleman. No question, a good small guitar takes you places its larger brethren can't.
Great interview Michael!
Thank you so much for watching Paul! John is a real fountain of knowledge and good vibes
All my high-end standard-size instruments stay asleep in their cases while I pick up my cheap little Martin LX1 4 or 5 times a day. It's no beauty but makes playing effortless.
That guitar by Dave sat in his workshop unfinished for years. The execution of the Lacote tuner housing is jaw dropping as is all of Dave's work.
Can be great to see your reaction about Alip ba ta fingerstyle chanel..the amazing art of akustic guitar..👍
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Really enjoyed the video guys - inspiring! I love the 12 fret, slotted headstock small bodied guitars - 4 to date and all with their own personalities. I was really captured by John’s journey of discovery - fascinating. And the book is a genuine handcrafted piece of artwork. The smaller bodied guitars are my preference for comfort and playability. It’s interesting - from my own observation - a considerable number of acoustic guitar players, approaching their mid 50’s, are moving over to the smaller bodied guitar - 12 or 14 fret with the shorter scale length. The title of the book really does hit the mark - the devil is indeed in it😊👍🎶
Thank you so much Kevin!
I can’t disagree with any of that and I doubt John would either!
All the best my friend
Continued. I have been playing since I was a teenager and now I am 60 it feels like the 000 is all over my lap and I can not hit the strings accurately .I am no way a professional but I am a long way from a beginner. I have had some very good guitars over the years and enjoyed them well. If everyone wants a almost new slot head it's here. Good to get that off my chest! Even if it did take too replys to do it .
Placed an order with Orpharion Press a few days ago and received a lovely email from John about his personally signing each copy and inquiring if I’d like a note to go along with it. It had been on my list for a while, but your interview sold me. I cannot wait to dive in! Thank you Michael!
Thanks for watching John and I’m delighted you’ve managed to grab a copy before they’re all gone!
Really enjoyed this Michael. A couple of years ago I was fortunate enough to find a Stefan Sobell parlour (one of only 2 made) in a guitar shop in Toronto. The most gorgeous instrument with old growth Brazilian backs and side and German spruce top. It was originally left handed and had been converted to right handed and was therefore a reasonable price for a Sobell. A gem of a find IMHO!
Hi John, thanks for watching! That’s a very rare guitar indeed, what a great find! I think the smallest Sobell I’ve played was a 000 12-fret which was gorgeous!
Wonderful video Michael. John is a treasure.
My first guitar purchased in 1961 was a 1939 Martin 00-17 with one of the last 1 3/4 ( adult sized) nuts.
I paid the Princely sum of $4 USD for it, yes $4. Got ripped of though, sadly no case.
After many, many, many guitars I am still fond of the 00.. currently a 2015 Martin 00-18V with dramatically figured "bees-wing" backs and side and a perfectly quartered, highly silked Sitka top.. the perfect combination. I also have a 1929 Stromberg-Voisinet decalcomania top , 12 fret parlor sized guitar. Fantastic.
Of all the guitars in John's collection, my favorite would be the Santa Cruz..not just because I lived there but because of the extraordinary workmanship by Richard Hoover and Team. Let us not forget that the Santa Cruz "H" guitar was developed because of Paul Hostetter, a friend and superb luthier. RIP 2019.
Incidentally I attended college in Monterey Calif in the 60s... Joan Baez often played her 0-45 guitar in the "quad" this prior to and during her early entrance into the big time.
Thanks from So Oregon USA
Finally somebody put a voice to the mythological Dave King parlor! Thanks Michael and thanks John!
Thank you so much Gianfranco! Yes, it’s a special guitar!
Like most players I grew up on dreads, but my eyes were opened to the world of smaller bodied guitars when I took possession of a parlour built by the wonderful Peggy White from Canada about four years ago. It’s an incredible recording guitar is it gives the microphone truly what it needs and nothing else. Very inspiring for writing and gigging to. As another commentor said a small bodied guitar takes you somewhere that a larger bodied guitar cannot, and of course The opposite applies too. :-)
Very cool! Thanks for watching Lucas - I have a lot of time for Peggy and I’m glad to hear you’ve given one of her guitars a good home
Awesome Michael! Her guitars have a beautiful aesthetic, and the sound is just to die for.. i’m a player up here in Canada, so I actually have a couple of her guitars. The most recent one really took things to the next level. It’s a 2022 premier, which is her larger body guitar, with a wedge design. One of the most comfortable and Beautiful sounding acoustics I’ve laid my hands on personally plus tuning stability and intonation is out of this world.
@@LucasHaneman Peggy makes some pretty inspiring guitars.
A coda. After watching this I contacted my friend @Phil Tanswell who told me I'd better get on with it as they were going fast. I contacted John, who is a lovely bloke and got number 500/500 as a Christmas present. It took me over a year to read as I was treasuring each moment (I finished it last week). It's a real work of art. Thanks so much for putting me onto it.
That is a very good coda indeed Robert! Thank you so much for sharing and I am very glad you were able to get a copy. Wonderful
A good watch that is Michael.
Thank you very much Phil!
I’ve never felt comfortable with a dreadnought, I feel like I have to really attack them to get what I want from them. Give me a super responsive small body any day of the week. What a wonderful collection of guitars.
It seems like you got the best sound out of the Kostal. Perhaps it’s the familiarity? Great video Michael!
Thank you Gilbert! It’s perfectly possible that Jason’s work suits me better than just about any guitar!
As an old armchair picker with small hands, I play ONLY small guitars, which tend to be type-cast as "TRAVEL" guitars! Finding just the right instrument is not easy.
Love that 1955 Martin 0-18. I was lucky to have a 1970 cross my path nearly a decade ago. It was in relatively rough condition when I got it, but I spent $1,250 with Martin for factory repairs. Needless to say, it returned in perfect condition and really shines when played with a light touch. I'd love to hear you play that '55 a little more.✌️
0-18s are wonderful guitars, in fact I have a real soft spot for small body mahogany Martins! Enjoy your guitar in good health and thank you for watching!
those are amazing tuning gears
Aren’t they gorgeous? Thanks for watching Rafael!
I loved the book - especially the story of the ten year wait for the guitar!!!
It’s a beautiful read isn’t it!
@@MichaelWatts Fantastic and the just the paper and handmade feel is amazing!
Not a description of the many Gibson L1s I have played.... but Gibson were super inconsistent regarding quality, design and bracing. All of em blew my socks off. And as for RJ - not sure he had an L1 but sure is a photo shoot any of us would have liked to be have been on.
Well I suppose I need a 1956. About the last of last August or first of last September, I bought a CEO 7,a 00 Adirondack over mahogany, and I love it.
...it is probably my last guitar, and this was a joy to watch.
Years ago I owned quite a few old pre war and 40s/50s Martins. Dreadnaught’s 000,00 & 0. My favorite was a tiny 1930 C.F.Martin 2-17. I don’t own a Martin these days. I Love the Small Guitars 12 fret & 14. Great Video 👍
Thank you so much! I love smaller guitars too!
I may have to read his book! My journey toward my first truly remarkable handmade instrument has been beautiful, agonizing, and dynamic. It’s really more of a journey toward discovering who I am as a player rather than finding a certain instrument.
That is very true! It’s amazing how much you can learn about yourself as a musician during the process of an instrument’s creation!
Please reaction a fingerstyle from Indonesia Alip bata in channel Alip_ba_ta...🙏🙏
Thank's and good job👍👍
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I have to get that book! What a charming and and knowledgeable bloke. Very interesting to hear John say he doesn’t need a loud guitar. There are plenty of 00s which are incredibly loud. I probably said before I have a John Mcquarrie 00-75 which is incredibly loud. Likewise, Joan Baez coaxes a huge sound out of what I think is an 0-45, and it isn't the mic, her oldest live fottage shows this. I’m not sure about this suggestion that a smaller soundboard moves faster than a bigger one. It’s just one factor - others would include wood choice and top stiffness & thickness, bracing. So a Maccaferri, almost any unamplifed jazz box and almost any flamenco guitar all move like lightning. On the topic of the rounded slots and headstocks, I kind of like that the formers were worn and didn’t get replaced. It’s part of the history. Accordingly, collectors shouldn’t be concerned. As an aside, this vid seems almost like a history of Bob Dylan's most iconic guitar choices (leaving aside the dreads, the famous SJ200) - the Nick Lucas, the 00s - his first proper guitar was a 00, as was the guitar used for Blood On the Tracks, the Newport 0-45 (borrowed from Baez!) which sounds like a cannon in his hands.
John is all those things and more, he is a very talented young man and I don’t doubt he will go far!
Actually the Dylan connection had occurred to me (hence the footage I sneaked in towards the end) but you’re right about Joan too.
All things being equal that has been my experience of smaller soundboards but yes, there are so many variables at play!
I don’t think I’ve ever played a John McQuarrie guitar but now I really want to!
@@MichaelWatts He markets as Northwood guitars, and I believe is a one man band, maybe with an apprentice or so. He's made about 800! I got mine 2nd hand through the post from North American Guitar in the days when they had a showroom in the UK, and was amazed by the instrument, the price and the quality of service. Using it now more or less exclusively to work through Allen Mathews's classical guitar course.
This is a wonderful interview. I will try to get my hands on the book for sure. I have always noticed the British guitar players’ desire to own an American guitar, especially Martin. I am trying to understand how and why this desire started and my best guess is that, if I recall correctly, for a good while after WWII, it was difficult for the Brits to import guitars from America, at a time the steel string guitar was gaining popularity. But again, this is just a guess on my part and I welcome any feedback from people who really know the subject :-)
Thank you for watching! Post WW2 there was a trade embargo which meant Martin, Gibson and then Fender guitars were very rarely seen in the U.K.!
I have an O-18, 1957, year of my birth. Everyone who tries it cannot believe just how good it is. Very beat up though, lots of wear, and no original case. But do I care? Absolutely not! John has some beautiful instruments there....
The 0-18 is a wonderful thing, especially with some patina on them!
That 42 martin sounds so good.
Talking about guitar, I got input of knowledge about guitar history and production from your channel …thanks
There is a fingerstyle player from Indonesia who uses classical guitar and he plays very good fingerstyle
For 3 years on youtube he has 5,21 M subscribers and 372,032,999 views
If you are concerned, please look at Alip Ba Ta's channel
Hope you stay healthy and successful
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very long your channel in youtube.....how are you Mr... btw.... ever to see a fingerstyle guitar on youtube from Indonesia? please check the link..... Alip_ba_ta..... bravo
Yes I’ve been making videos for a while! Thanks for watching!
@@MichaelWatts thnks 4 choice....the. another channel???
Loved the video and drooled over those guitars. Have a Martin single 0 and double 0 myself, so am partial to small guitars. But also love my dreadnought!
What I also loved was learning about the book - but its cost 😳 Are there any 'normal' copies for sale anywhere?
Thank you so much for watching, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I’m afraid handmade books, rather like handmade guitars, do not come cheap!
@@MichaelWatts Thanks - I wasn’t aware it was hand-made and that being the case, makes sense. Would be great to eventually have a mass-produced version for greater reach. Maybe one day, who knows?
Love your playing, videos and reading your articles/reviews in The Guitar Magazine - keep it up!
@@ricjoorg Thank you so much! Look out for my review of the new Gibsons replete with Player Port coming in hot very soon. Spoiler alert - despite it being a slightly discombobulating experience I did really like them!
Will do, for sure! Odd that they make it out as if they created the sound port in the first place 🤔 But great to see American-made Gibsons at reasonable prices. Discombobulating indeed!
@@ricjoorg Well they certainly created a soundport but the original design is very different to what they just released. They’re actually very nice guitars for not a huge amount of money. I’d definitely recommend them to someone in the market!
Do you prefer 'steel' or silk & steel to bring out the warmth of small bodied guitars? I have an Eastman P-10 which I consider "enchanted" and am happily using Martin Retros 12-54.
I personally use Elixir PB 12-53 on pretty much everything
Any idea on what the silver wrapped strings are on the 0-18? Seems like a couple of these close up shots look like monel or the silver wrapped silked la Bella sets.
Could be silk and steel… I’m not sure
Amazing interview! I want the book but it appears to be totally sold out?
Thank you very much Nate! Yes, I know the book has been very popular - check with John himself about finding a copy, I don't know if he has completely sold out
As a 00 owner, I’m in 00 heaven!
Good! I’m glad to hear it!
I’m one of those who are playing a dreadnought by default.
I’m trying to get into finger-style, what type of small bodied guitar would you recommend for beginners?
Hello James! Thanks for watching! Look, there’s nothing intrinsically “wrong” with playing fingerstyle on a Dreadnought but some players find some instruments more immediately suited. I like 12-fret instruments for fingerstyle and find 00s like John’s Kostal guitar (and my MDW signature model) give me the response and sonic spectrum I’m looking for. That said, there is no substitute for personal experience and what suits me may not suit you etc
Persons with small hands should realize, most parlors are 12-fret models and have uncomfortably thick necks and wide fingerboards.
Thanks for sharing! Who does everyone trust for setups (US west coast)? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
That's quite a big area there John! Where are you based?
Yes, a big range as I'm finding the lead times for the best people are months away.. I live in Vegas so I find ways to get out haha!
I'd love for you to do a piece on the maintenance and adjustment process of living with a fine instrument. I have had the sadness of receiving a guitar in a worst state than before from "tech-hacks"..
@@Crenom Argh! Yeah that’s awful! The thing is, with humidity and temperature differences around the world being so different what works for me in the U.K. might not work for you in Nevada etc there are some really good techs out there that specialise in luthier-made guitars, I’d be tempted to point you towards Frank Ford and his team at Griffon Strings in Palo Alto
Cheers! By the by, Vetiver is some of the most amazing sounding acoustic guitar on tape thanks for the effort!
When are we going to get a re-print of The Devil Is In It?
Good question! I will ask John
Please reaction a fingerstyle from Indonesia 🇮🇩
in channel #Alip_Ba_Ta 🙏
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Maybe I missed it but what is that small guitar that sits in Michael's lap almost the whole time? Maybe a Terz?
Ah! We will be looking at that too!
Given how you’ve played, introduced and made a living out of high end guitars. Have you ever been tempted to go on one of the building slots to have a go yourself? Is there already a Michael Watts built guitar that’s not seen the light of day?
This is a genuine question and not a joke as you’ve been around the process and workshops?
Ha! Yes, I have been asked this many times. Having seen what goes into the creation of the guitars I love I know that I would be utterly awful at it. Anyone who dedicates their time to guitar making has my respect and admiration.
Did I miss it? The guitar you are holding at the beginning of the interview? What is it? It looks like a Martin, 12 fret, solid headstock with 45 appointments - but can't see it totally and I can't find in it being shown or discussed in the interview. I count 5 guitars (Martin 00-42, Martin 0-18, Dale Fairbanks F-10, Dave King Parlor and Jason Kostal 00. But the guitar you have in your lap for most of the video does not get identified or discussed - are you just teasing?
Ah! Finally! You spotted it Bob - yes, total teasing and I’ll release that bit of the video soon! Well played sir
@@MichaelWatts That looks like a really sweet guitar, I look forward to the next episode.
Viv a vis the intriguing title "THE DEVIL IS IN IT", I assume you're referring to that whole Robert Johnson mythos of his deal with the devil to become the greatest guitar player; by selling his soul to Satan at the crossroads at midnight. Now it's pretty much agreed upon these days that Johnson was just borrowing the Gibson for that photo shoot, and that he actually owned and recorded with a Kalamazoo (by Gibson) which was a modest instrument much more in his price range. So, why no mention of the Kalamazoo of the 1930s? They are phenomenal instruments for the most part, especially if you can find one in good condition today.
Next question, I'm wondering why he didn't include the excellent Waterloo line (of parlor guitars) from Collings in Austin, Texas? All their offerings were inspired by small bodied guitars of the Great Depression, coincidentally including the Kalamazoos. It is said that Bill Collings had a 1930s Kalamazoo sitting prominently on his desk for about a decade before they finally introduced the Waterloo line in the mid teens, and that he had taken it apart and re-braced it, and studied it every which way to sunday before finalizing his Waterloo designs. And it can be seen that the Waterloos became somewhat of a phenomenon to the extent that all sorts of artists were touring and recording with them, and to this day it is almost impossible to get your hands on one, being a handful available on Reverb at any given time. The outstanding models (for me) are the ones based upon the ladder braced slot-head Stella single 0 of the 1920s, (models WL-S), and the Gibson made Kel Kroydon of 1930, (models WL-K).
They would have made interesting inclusions to John's book; I wonder how he overlooked the ubiquitous Kalamazoo, and if maybe he just wasn't aware of the Waterloo?
Actually no, although the Robert Johnson piece is a great story, this is something else. Check out the book if you can find a copy!
Please react to guitaris fingerstyle solo from indonesia,,👉channel name is Alip Ba Ta
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What a piss off , it says there’s 250 comments, or something like that. How come I can only read 25 or so and can’t download anymore ? CZcams’s gone downhill IMO
Thanks for watching Ben! I think a lot of the comments on this particular video are from Indonesian fans asking me to do a reaction video to their local hero
cex guitar Alip ba ta, cheap guitar but the price is millions, please comment on Chanel Alip ba ta
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Celine! Friend of mine had a disasterous experience with her...
Oh really? I don’t know her but I’ve only heard positive things
@@MichaelWatts Perhaps a one off then. It was with her for a long time (years) for a bridge replacement until he went in person to insist on collecting it. I have the guitar in question now and restored it myself. A late 30s harmony Vogue. I will refrain from public comment about what was done to it, but it was mind boggling!
Please chek finggersteel alip ba ta from indonesia
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React to fingerstyle guitar "Alip Ba Ta"
Check Alip Ba-Ta finger style from indonesia.
Why do they always put the devil in it
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