Mojo revisited

Mojo revisited

We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus luthier
guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest guitar?

Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
Johnson ever played..... I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is an
8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular subscribers, it
has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for fear of
embarrassing the donor.

Tony D

Re: Mojo revisited


"Tony Done" <tonydone@bigpond,com > wrote in message
news:k%nXj.1652$IK1.1294@news-server.bigpond,net .au...
> We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus
> luthier guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest guitar?
>
> Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
> scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
> Johnson ever played..... I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is an
> 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular subscribers, it
> has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for fear of
> embarrassing the donor.
>
> Tony D


Oops, wrong group. Try again.

Still, the question is valid...

Tony D

Re: Mojo revisited

Tony Done <tonydone@bigpond,com > wrote:
> We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus
> luthier guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest
> guitar?
>
> Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security
> number scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar
> Robert Johnson ever played..... I still sometimes use it for gigs.
> Second is an 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our
> regular subscribers, it has a great sound and history, which I won't
> recount for fear of embarrassing the donor.
>
> Tony D

I've got a few relatively old ones...1965 Ric 450, which I bought new.
The only mojo with that one is the modest amount I added in my teenaged
adventures. Also a 1966 Gretsch Tennessean, which I bought in the late
'70s, and a 1968 Gibson SG, which I got a few years ago in a trade with
my son for my '76 Gibson LP, but in all cases the history prior to my
ownership is unknown.

I guess I'm not all that big on mojo. I tend to choose a guitar for a
particular job based on the sound alone, feel is secondary, past history
is way down on the list.

Re: Mojo revisited


"Tony Done" <tonydone@bigpond,com > wrote in message
news:k%nXj.1652$IK1.1294@news-server.bigpond,net .au...
> We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus
> luthier guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest guitar?
>
> Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
> scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
> Johnson ever played..... I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is an
> 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular subscribers, it
> has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for fear of
> embarrassing the donor.
>
> Tony D
>
>
Go ahead and tell the lap steel story. We wont tell.

in order of Mojoestestness

OMI Dobro (the first two are a tie for mojo)
Lap Steel Supro
Fender Deluxe Strat
Custom 22 PRS

Re: Mojo revisited


"jthread" <jethread@att,net > wrote in message
news:I8oXj.345835$cQ1.99337@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att,net ...
>
> "Tony Done" <tonydone@bigpond,com > wrote in message
> news:k%nXj.1652$IK1.1294@news-server.bigpond,net .au...
>> We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus
>> luthier guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest
>> guitar?
>>
>> Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
>> scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
>> Johnson ever played..... I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is an
>> 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular subscribers,
>> it has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for fear of
>> embarrassing the donor.
>>
>> Tony D
>>
>>
> Go ahead and tell the lap steel story. We wont tell.
>
> in order of Mojoestestness
>
> OMI Dobro (the first two are a tie for mojo)
> Lap Steel Supro
> Fender Deluxe Strat
> Custom 22 PRS

OK, still not mentioning names. The previous owner is in his 70s and a
regular subscriber to the acoustic ng. The lap steel was made more than 30
years ago by his best and lifelong friend (with whom I had also
corresponded), who died a year or two back. Said friend had a fully equipped
workshop, including a milling machine, and the whole thing is built to a
fully professional standard. He made everything himself except the tuners,
electronics and knobs, even the coil and tempered steel horseshoe magnets.
It has to be heard to be believed. He gave it to me because he no longer
played it, and knew of my interest in lap steels. I feel deeply privileged
that he should give this memento of his friend to me, and I don't think you
get any mojoer than that

Tony D

Re: Mojo revisited


"Tony Done" <tonydone@bigpond,com > wrote in message
news:7%oXj.1666$IK1.579@news-server.bigpond,net .au...
>
> "jthread" <jethread@att,net > wrote in message
> news:I8oXj.345835$cQ1.99337@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att,net ...
>>
>> "Tony Done" <tonydone@bigpond,com > wrote in message
>> news:k%nXj.1652$IK1.1294@news-server.bigpond,net .au...
>>> We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus
>>> luthier guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest
>>> guitar?
>>>
>>> Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
>>> scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
>>> Johnson ever played..... I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is
>>> an 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular
>>> subscribers, it has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for
>>> fear of embarrassing the donor.
>>>
>>> Tony D
>>>
>>>
>> Go ahead and tell the lap steel story. We wont tell.
>>
>> in order of Mojoestestness
>>
>> OMI Dobro (the first two are a tie for mojo)
>> Lap Steel Supro
>> Fender Deluxe Strat
>> Custom 22 PRS
>
> OK, still not mentioning names. The previous owner is in his 70s and a
> regular subscriber to the acoustic ng. The lap steel was made more than 30
> years ago by his best and lifelong friend (with whom I had also
> corresponded), who died a year or two back. Said friend had a fully
> equipped workshop, including a milling machine, and the whole thing is
> built to a fully professional standard. He made everything himself except
> the tuners, electronics and knobs, even the coil and tempered steel
> horseshoe magnets. It has to be heard to be believed. He gave it to me
> because he no longer played it, and knew of my interest in lap steels. I
> feel deeply privileged that he should give this memento of his friend to
> me, and I don't think you get any mojoer than that
>
> Tony D
>
>
I hope you don't mean...

Anyway, it's in good hands now. :-)

Re: Mojo revisited

On May 16, 6:36 pm, "Tony Done" <tonyd...@bigpond,com > wrote:
> We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus luthier
> guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest guitar?
>
> Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
> scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
> Johnson ever played..... I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is an
> 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular subscribers, it
> has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for fear of
> embarrassing the donor.
>
> Tony D


I don't have any really old/vintage gear, but my 1991 LP Custom sure
does have a great feel to it that makes me want to play it... a lot.
Even my 2000-whatever-year 57 Strat has a great vibe to it. Neither
guitar has much of a pedigree, but damn they sure feel good.

Re: Mojo revisited

On May 16, 5:46 pm, RichCI <ric...@gmail,com > wrote:
> On May 16, 6:36 pm, "Tony Done" <tonyd...@bigpond,com > wrote:
>
> > We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus luthier
> > guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest guitar?
>
> > Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
> > scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
> > Johnson ever played.....  I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is an
> > 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular subscribers, it
> > has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for fear of
> > embarrassing the donor.
>
> > Tony D
>
> I don't have any really old/vintage gear, but my 1991 LP Custom sure
> does have a great feel to it that makes me want to play it... a lot.
> Even my 2000-whatever-year 57 Strat has a great vibe to it.  Neither
> guitar has much of a pedigree, but damn they sure feel good.

1)My Indian Sitar bought in HaightAsberry SanFransisco in the early
70's
2) Hagstrom 8 string ( 196?) bought in SanFransicos in the early 70's
3) Rickenbacker 4001 Bass bought new 197? - played the hell out of it.
4) 2004 MIA Strat - I add the mojo myself..

Mojo amps 197? Hi-watt 400 bass amp
1978 JMP Marshall - Ed S.

Re: Mojo revisited

Tony Done wrote:
> We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus luthier
> guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest guitar?
>
> Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
> scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
> Johnson ever played..... I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is an
> 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular subscribers, it
> has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for fear of
> embarrassing the donor.
>
> Tony D
>
>

My '94 mint condition black and gold Gibson EDS-1275 double
neck...mainly because I can't find a picture of another one, let alone
find anyone that's even seen another one.

#2 is my '78 Black Beauty - because it was my first guitar. And still
my favorite.

...and I guess #3 would be my very fine '79 Explorer that still has the
factory strings on it. Nearing 30, and still sounding solid. If DAT
ain't mojo, I don't need mojo...

--
- Rufus

Re: Mojo revisited

On May 16, 10:33 pm, Rufus <n...@home,com > wrote:
> Tony Done wrote:
> > We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus luthier
> > guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest guitar?
>
> > Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
> > scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
> > Johnson ever played.....  I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is an
> > 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular subscribers, it
> > has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for fear of
> > embarrassing the donor.
>
> > Tony D
>
> My '94 mint condition black and gold Gibson EDS-1275 double
> neck...mainly because I can't find a picture of another one, let alone
> find anyone that's even seen another one.
>
> #2 is my '78 Black Beauty - because it was my first guitar.  And still
> my favorite.
>
> ...and I guess #3 would be my very fine '79 Explorer that still has the
> factory strings on it.  Nearing 30, and still sounding solid.  If DAT
> ain't mojo, I don't need mojo...
>
> --
>       - Rufus
Very nice favorites .. ed s

Re: Mojo revisited

> Tony Done <tonydone@bigpond,com > wrote:

> We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus luthier
> guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest guitar?
>
> Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
> scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
> Johnson ever played..... I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is an
> 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular subscribers, it
> has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for fear of
> embarrassing the donor.
>
> Tony D
>
>


Personally a guitar doesn't have the right mojo until my own hands
play it. After that - then any guitar I have played has the right mojo.
Which means any guitar I enjoy and continue to play has the right mojo.
Doesn't matter whether its a mass market guitar or some custom shop one off.
I don't really need some long Antique Road Show story about the history
of the guitar - it either plays good or not. All the 'mojo' won't change that.

So all my guitars I play have the mojo or I wouldn't keep 'em around.
If you want good mojo - then send me your guitars and I'll play
them for a bit and then they'll have the good mojo in them .

It all starts with you playing the guitar to either add to or unlock
what's in there. It's just a piece of wood until then.
Sometimes when you get guitars that have been well taken care and
used by a pro level player - then they are already tweaked and set up nice
and all set to go. That's just good setup and tweaks - mojo is something different.
I'm sure (for example) there are nearly unplayable pre CBS Fenders out there
with warped necks, terrible action and electronics that no longer work properly -
but I see these still spoken of as "having mojo.." say what ?
Mojo unfortunately has just become another marketing term for many out there
and its real meaning (whatever it was.. like juju) has diminished into
ad slogan jargon. New and IMPROVED! It's got Moxie and Mojo!

ah well.

Re: Mojo revisited

Squier wrote:
>
> New and IMPROVED! It's got Moxie and Mojo!

It's Mojoriffic! Mojotastic and Mojo-R-Volous! Get it NOW! But wait!
there's MORE! Have your credit card handy! Callers in the next 10
minutes will a receive a *FREE!!* MojoMan T-Shirt, and for all you Mojo
ladies out there, we've got Mojo Bangles with matching Ear Rings! You
get it *ALL*!!! Call now, operators are standing by!

Some company in NJ, Ohio or FL. :-) 'Murka.

Re: Mojo revisited


"Positronic Vibe" <antiSociopathU@nospam.org> wrote in message
news:zYydnYjRZrnk7rLVnZ2dnUVZ qPinZ2d@giganews,com ...
> Squier wrote:
> >
>> New and IMPROVED! It's got Moxie and Mojo!
>
> It's Mojoriffic! Mojotastic and Mojo-R-Volous! Get it NOW! But wait!
> there's MORE! Have your credit card handy! Callers in the next 10 minutes
> will a receive a *FREE!!* MojoMan T-Shirt, and for all you Mojo
> ladies out there, we've got Mojo Bangles with matching Ear Rings! You
> get it *ALL*!!! Call now, operators are standing by!
>
> Some company in NJ, Ohio or FL. :-) 'Murka.

Do you take meds? You may want to get them adjusted.

Re: Mojo revisited

On May 17, 5:20 pm, Squier <squ...@strats,net > wrote:
> > Tony Done <tonyd...@bigpond,com > wrote:
> > We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus luthier
> > guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest guitar?
>
> > Mine is a 1936 Gibson L-00 with what looks like a social security number
> > scratched on the headstock. It might have been the last guitar Robert
> > Johnson ever played..... I still sometimes use it for gigs. Second is an
> > 8-string electric lap steel given me by one of our regular subscribers, it
> > has a great sound and history, which I won't recount for fear of
> > embarrassing the donor.
>
> > Tony D
>
> Personally a guitar doesn't have the right mojo until my own hands
> play it. After that - then any guitar I have played has the right mojo.
> Which means any guitar I enjoy and continue to play has the right mojo.
> Doesn't matter whether its a mass market guitar or some custom shop one off.
> I don't really need some long Antique Road Show story about the history
> of the guitar - it either plays good or not. All the 'mojo' won't change that.
>


That's pretty much my feeling as well, Squier. Sure, there's
certainly an allure for old, vintage guitars but I view them as a
luxury for someone with either deep pockets or happened to hold on to
a guitar they bought a long time ago before it became valuable.

To get all philosophical-like, perhaps it's necessary to try and
define what "mojo" is or means and I'm sure everyone has varying ideas
as to the definition. To me, a good guitar is a good guitar no matter
how old it is or who played it in the past but perhaps in the vast
world of quality guitars that we enjoy, maybe it takes more than just
a guitar being good for someone to consider it to have mojo.

> ah well.

Ditto. ;)

Re: Mojo revisited

On May 16, 6:36 pm, "Tony Done" <tonyd...@bigpond,com > wrote:
> We just had a discussion about the relative merits of factory versus luthier
> guitars. I'm a sucker for mojo myself. What's your mojoest guitar?


Hmmm... definitely this 'un:
1941 Epiphone Zephyr Archtop: I found it in White Plains, NY, when I
was traveling for work.

-dave-----:::
www .myspace,com /geetardave