Shelly Park

Al Watsky · January 2015

The one year rule is a good one.
No stringed instrument is complete till it has been strung and played for a year. It then needs to be set up and readjusted according to the players individual needs ,at that point in most cases it will be stable.
Buying an instrument that is at least a year old is the best way to insure that there are no underlying difficulties. Over thin tops, loose braces, improper neck angles , warped fingerboards etc.
Usually large factories have a better track record for putting out solid product. As we say in the business," a guitar that doesn't come back to the factory is a good guitar." Not to say it sounds great, just that it ain't broke !
Its always best to play the guitar you will buy.

Buco · January 2015

I meant to say that I never saw SP guitar without the initials on the headstock, plus the neck from the ebay guitar looks pretty wide to me and she's known for modern, narrower necks.
But then I found this image searching google:
http://www.myjazzhome.com/00shelly.shtml

Actually looking at the wood pattern on the back it could very well be the same guitar.

Why not reach out to Shelley with a question about this particular instrument?

Scoredog · January 2015

Charles Meadows wrote: »

Hey Scoredog is this the one you bought? Wow this sounds great.

It is, I believe that is Adrian playing the guitar sometime before I bought it. It's interesting to listen to that clip, sometimes you listen to a clip of someone playing your guitar and you can't believe it is the same guitar. Listening to Adrian here I can tell it is exactly that guitar.

So had an interesting experience today related to this subject. Went to a luthier/repairman's place today whom I just met. He had built his own GJ guitar just for the fun of it. He pulls out a "Gitane" then I see it's it is actually a Cigano which is of course a lower level Gitane. Paid 100 bucks for it (list 599), shaved the neck to his liking. Said "try it", of course it played great as that is what he does to guitars, but also sounded pretty darn good too. Bass was a little woofy but that was a slight complaint. Made me realize that as my technique has improved the guitar was only a small part of the equation. I walked away realizing I could easily gig on that guitar, a bit eye opening and sobering at the same time.

pickitjohn · January 2015

Corona, California, United States is where it is Listed from.
I've been successful asking sellers if it would be OK to come by and check it out in person.
Anyone out that way may see about stoping by.
I've seen listings end without selling thru ebay quite possible to save some money dealing direct and actually playing the Guitar at the same time.

Good Luck, Hope someone gets a great deal

@Scoredog nice guitar and lovely playing as usual from @adrian

:peace:

MattHenry · January 2015

If I was in your situation based in Cleveland I would do two things: 1) road trip east to Chicago to visit Caravan Guitars and 2) head west Django In June. A flight to visit Michael in Seattle would be awesome too.

jmm · January 2015

I think the comments Dennis made were very well put. There are certainly variations from one guitar to the next but a good builder is able to express a certain general sound for a particular design. I have over 100 guitars one of which is a Shelley Park Monmatre (the Favino style). I had her make it for me a number or years back maybe 6 or 7 now. I have always loved playing it. I had her use Engleman spruce for the top, rosewood sides and back, and ebony for the fretboard and all the other little pieces. I like the contrast of the ebony against the whiter Engleman spruce. I has a voice like a cannon, intonates across the neck beautifully, and has continued to "play in" over the years.

nicksansone · January 2015

I have only good things to say about Shelley, who is certainly one of the nicest and most helpful people I've met. She completely stands behind her product and is very thorough and open in communication. My preference is for her Montmartre model ( Favino style), which are really great, loud and easy to play, I've played a d hole maple back and sides and really liked that one too. It's really all about taste at a certain point, but she makes a fine instrument.

rimm · January 2015

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rimm · January 2015

I've got to say that that tone is really not appealing to me, boxy, strange ringing throughout. Could be set up, brand new strings etc. looks lovely, But not for me sonically.