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Author
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Topic: Greven guitars - owners/opinions?
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spock
Member
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posted 02-27-2004 07:39 PM
  
I would appreciate some reviews from those who own or have owned a Greven guitar, particularly the smaller OM and similarly sized models for fingerpicking. Also, what is a decent price for a used Greven (non-Brazilian)in excellent condition? Thanks, Tim |
rforman15
Member
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posted 02-27-2004 08:30 PM
Don't own one but had the pleasure of having a maple Greven F in my house for a week one time. Great Guitar. General consensus is they are great guitars and a decent value as well. |
LittleBrother
Member
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posted 02-27-2004 10:24 PM
I've played his NL Nick Lucas 13fret. Also several Prarie States including a baritone and a cocobolo. One lacewood 000 and one braz OM. He captures the vintage prewar tone, richness and volume that I think only a van load of luthiers in can. He has single handed built around 1500 guitars. I have met John and Celia and many many Greven guitars and owners. I have never bought one but I can assure you they are dream guitars if there ever were any. I think he's an American treasure and I hope more people come to realize this in the future. He is humble and is the real deal. It appears that Johns latest guitars are the best he has ever made and he is in his prime. Never will be a better time to consider a Greven. imo. I could talk about him all night. I am a believer. He is the Chet Atkins of luthiers. D. [This message has been edited by LittleBrother (edited 02-28-2004).] |
Yellowbelly
Member
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posted 02-27-2004 10:50 PM
John makes great sounding guitars and he is a fine talent. He is innovative and has a knack for capturing the vintage Martin sound. His prices are also very reasonable. And he seems to be a very genuinely nice guy.That having been said, he has a bit of a reputation for sloppy work. I have seen a few examples of this personally. I have also spoken also spoken to a few luthiers who have had his guitars in hand. Privately, their observation is that he has a tendency to rush. His guitars may look wonderful in a digital photo online, but close up, there are sometime signs that quality control isn't his forte. |
pakhan
Member
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posted 02-28-2004 12:41 AM
quote:
Originally posted by spock:
I would appreciate some reviews from those who own or have owned a Greven guitar, particularly the smaller OM and similarly sized models for fingerpicking. Also, what is a decent price for a used Greven (non-Brazilian)in excellent condition? Thanks, Tim
Hi Tim, I won't reply to your first question; I'm a Greven representative so will be biased. For a used Greven, you're looking at around 20% off list depending on condition, woods, body size and ornamentation. It also depends on what part of the world you're in. In Japan, John's stuff tends to go at 10-15% offline used in excellent condition. In the States, it tends to be 20-25%, although they aren't that common. Warmest regards,
Terence www.goodacoustics.com www.goodacoustics.co.uk
[This message has been edited by pakhan (edited 02-28-2004).]
[This message has been edited by pakhan (edited 02-28-2004).] |
LittleBrother
Member
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posted 02-28-2004 04:56 AM
Yellowbelly,That's too bad. I wish you had seen some of his latest work. It's getting pretty amazing.  |
Cosmic Wonder
Member
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posted 02-28-2004 07:57 AM
I have seen two or three Grevens up close in the last year. From what I could see, they appeared to have about the same build quality as my Collings. They cost considerably less than a new Collings, however. If you like that fundamental dry tone (I do) he would be a good choice imop.
Mike |
Cosmic Wonder
Member
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posted 02-28-2004 08:09 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Yellowbelly:
That having been said, he has a bit of a reputation for sloppy work. ...His guitars may look wonderful in a digital photo online, but close up, there are sometime signs that quality control isn't his forte.
I really dislike it when an anonamous poster slanders someone like Greven. This is a guy who has spent his life building great guitars, not something anyone would do if they were worried about retiring with a healthy 401k plan. For the record, his shaded sunburst and lacewood look better in person than in a digital photo. I don't know John, never met him, I don't sell guitars, I don't have a Greven or have one on order. I just think the people who have given there lives to theis art should get a little respect.
Mike
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Sweet Tyrone
Member
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posted 02-28-2004 08:22 AM
The few Grevens I've seen have been beautifully finished, I wouldn't say Collings fit and finish, but very nice. |
rforman15
Member
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posted 02-28-2004 08:43 AM
Sloppy was not my experience w/Greven, but I have experienced sloppy, and I think it does sometimes take courage to come out and tell the truth. When you do this, however, and agreed make yourself known. Sometimes accusations are thrown out there just for the sake of vendetta or whatever, sometimes the accusations are on target. |
kingofdogs1950
Member
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posted 02-28-2004 11:28 AM
I have only played one Greven - an OM12 in lacewood (the same guitar LittleBrother mentioned.) It was sent to me to try out after I spoke with John about purchasing one of his guitars. Beautiful sound and construction. I liked it well enough that I ordered a guitar that is due next month.
Spock - You might talk to John about the OM12 loaner - I believe he does sell his loaners from time to time. My guitar will be an FX/lacewood set up for fingerstyle playing - I'll be glad to post a review after it arrrives.
Mr. Greven is a class act, IMO.
Happy Tunes,
Mark Robinson |
LittleBrother
Member
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posted 02-28-2004 11:35 AM
Many builders wont refinish or take an instrument back, replace tops, necks, parts, refret or whatever it takes to make you happy if they feel you are wrong. Greven is not that way. If you are not happy he will act at the drop of a hat. I dont think YellowBelly was slandering and we have to value his opinion but I hope he can try some of John's latest works which are amazing. The problem is that are we talking about jewelry boxes or guitars ? Also if you ask a luthier about another one I am sure you are not going to get an unbiased answer. I don't ask Ford if Chevys are good. I've seen too many luthiers pick each other apart. But if Yellow says he has seen flaws in person I have to take his word for it. This would not stop me in a heartbeat from buying a Greven. I am just trying to decide which one I want the most. Maybe end of year I will order a Prarie State. |
jeffreyem
Member
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posted 02-28-2004 12:37 PM
I've had one on order for about 5 months should be done around June. I found one last week it will be here on Tuesday. I'll let you know about the fit & finish.Jeff |
WmMichael
Member
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posted 02-28-2004 02:51 PM
Yellowbelly if I'm not mistaked you've bought 3 custom guitars from different builders and returned them all for one reason or another.Was a Greven one of them? What's up with these problems? |
Peter Hackman
Member
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posted 02-29-2004 09:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by LittleBrother:
van load of luthiers in can. He has single handed built around 1500 guitars. I have met John and Celia and many many Greven guitars and owners. I have never bought one but I can a
[This message has been edited by LittleBrother (edited 02-28-2004).]
John is known to be a very
efficient builder, but I question the figure 1500. My Grevens were delivered
in Nov. 92 and Oct. 93; their numbers are
in the 800's and about 35 units apart. He has not alwasy been a solo builder.
In the late 70's, and early
80's when he was working in
Nashville, Indiana, he had an assistant,
Ron Volbrecht (who still has a shop
in Nashville, IN, I believe). My F is a hybrid beast, a crunchy strummer
in low positions, a beautiful solo
instrument up the neck with a very liquid treble and transparent sound.
However, I believe
I prefer the balance and character of my
Collings SJ. On Tuesdays and Fridays. The DX
is truly original; most guitars I've
played seem to fall in a category,
but this axe creates its own.
I also own a Greven dread, built in
80 or 81, probably with the aid of Volbrecht.
It's different in character from all dreads
I've played, slightly more shallow and
differently braced. It's good, but, someone
told me, if you want to sell it, better hide
the F.
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