Author Topic: Skylark ascending (Read 262 times)

dnburgess · « **on:** June 01, 2004, 07:11:48 PM »

Hollis - my Skylark has a wine burst finish.

My old SG has a kind of deep claret finish - probably started life as cherry. Great action and very light.

The Skylark is kind of like an old SG on steroids. - excellent

I keep looking at Alembic basses and it sure gets me to thinking about how nice they must be and maybe I should get one and......etc. - how about a baritone guitar?

When are you taking delivery on your Skylark? Its coming over with the nightbass and Sean's custom Rogue. So, hopefully, within a few weeks.

bob · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2004, 10:19:25 PM »

Not to hijack this thread either, but you did carry things over... so, how extensive is the refurb on your SG?

I've got a '63 (egad, over forty years now!), and though I can't imagine ever going back to regular guitar, I don't expect to ever part with it.

It still plays and sounds like a dream - not to say an Alembic wouldn't be better - but the original translucent cherry is quite a bit darker in places, and there are tons of tiny cracks in the finish. Much of the chrome has also worn off - mine has the filled in/engraved tailpiece, which is now just plain dull and polishing doesn't help.

I've always suspected (superstitious might be a better term) that the finish has something to do with the tone, and have been reluctant to mess with it, but from time to time I think about getting it restored, assuming I could find someone truly capable (and a bit closer to home, of course). Any thoughts?

(Message edited by bob on June 01, 2004)

dnburgess · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2004, 12:02:40 AM »

Bob, the refurb is fixing a few things:

1. I bought the guitar in '74. Being a dum teenager, I believed my mates (who probably knew even less than me) who said I had to have the latest machine heads, etc - so I'm reversing a few stupid improvements. Fortunately I never got around to installing DiMarzio PUPs - more through lack of money than lack of stupidity.

2. I lent it to my guitar teacher at the time who kindly returned it with a really badly repaired belt buck gouge in the back - so I'm finally having that properly restored.

3. I had it on a guitar stand for a while that left a big mark in the finish on the back of the neck - something to do with the finshes that Gibson used to use. I notice some guitar stands are advertised with instructions not to use them with Gibson guitars.

So its a minimal refurb - i.e. only fixing or restoring the bits that need it.

hollis · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2004, 02:18:03 PM »

Hi David,

The thought of a baritone Further is indeed one that I am considering, although, I'll have to put my hands on an Alembic baritone prior to making that long a leap....

The wineburst sure looks nice in pictures. Mine is a vintage wineburst, and I can tell you it is the most beautiful finish I have ever seen. The top, back, neck, and back of headstock are all burst. Unreal.

When I set my burst flame maple 10 top PRS next to the Skylark, the PRS pales by comparison. It really looks like a faded example of what bursts should be. And to think, I was drawn to the PRS's beauty when I bought it in the early 90's.

My Skylark's neck is 25.50 scale. The 24th fret is easily accessible. After some time of adjusting the action ever lower, I have finally raised it just slightly and (I think) I've finally found the optimum height for my style of play. (subject to change at any given moment)

Now that you mention the cherry wood, I think my friend's SG has the same finish as yours. That's a very nice guitar. I have an old Les Paul that doesn't get out much these days, it's neck is very close to the SG's......very silky.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoy your new Skylark when it gets to you.

In case I haven't made it clear: I LOVE MINE!

Enjoy

dnburgess · « **Reply #4 on:** June 02, 2004, 02:26:57 PM »

How would you characterise the sound? The instrument looks so pretty, I'm kind of expecting a very clean jazzy sound.

hollis · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2004, 02:52:48 PM »

The sound is extremely clean. Very crisp highs, very transparent. The lows are all Alembic. Big, round, beautiful.

It sounds unlike any guitar I've ever played, although the sound is very familiar. Also, it is very adjustable. I'm down to itty bitty adjustments now. When I first got it, I twisted the knobs like every other guitar.... I've grown to learn the how subtle the changes are. Take your time. It has wonderfully full, rich jazz tones, yet it also screams balls to the wall rock and roll! At first, I thought it was almost too clean, it was my own understanding of the adjustments that wasn't clear. I was a little too heavy handed at first. My touch has softened considerably. The guitar has been teaching me...

dnburgess · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2004, 03:20:24 PM »

I've just been reminded that my Skylark is Amberburst - I ordered it a while back and had forgotten.