Martin Gross: Strap

Submitted by mobuzz on 9/11/2012

Where Purchased: Direct from Martin's internet site.

Overall Comments

Terrific guy to work with...very accomodating. Splendid craftmanship and just what I asked for. And, it won't move on you unless you lift it off your back.

mobuzz

Overall Rating: 10

Martin Gross: Capo

Submitted by mobuzz on 9/11/2012

Where Purchased:

Overall Comments

Overall Rating: 10

HARLOW: Jumbo Cherry

Submitted by mobuzz on 5/27/2012

Where Purchased: Individual

Year Purchased: 2011
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

Used mostly acoustic, occasionally condenser mic'd. Set-up loud, bright treble and growling bass. Harmonics are bright and sustain is long.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

I find I am the fourth owner of the guitar. When I got it the tone was good. I didn't take it out of the house for almost a year and when I did other players said they weren't hearing me well. So I sent it to the builder Frank Harlow to check it out. When I got it back, the shipper had broken the nut off intransit. After Frank and I hassled with the insurer, I got it back to Frank who replaced the nut and sent it back. Wow! Talk about a cannon. Now I have to ease up some to keep from being overbearing. Frank was terrific through the ordeal.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Being the fourth owner one would expect some handling marks. There is one tiny spot on the headstock. Nothing else. It has split diamond fret markers from the 3rd to and including the 22nd. Workmanship is excellent. Frank does all his own work.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

The tuners are easy to operate and even pressure req'd. There is no wear on the finish. When I go to play 3 days per week, I don't take a back-up even tho I have one.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Frank is tops to deal with. He said he tried 4 spiders and cones before he got the right sound and volume.

Customer Service: 10

Components

I'm not a luthier, so I don't know parts except Frank says the cone is a Quarterman.

Components Rating: not rated

Overall Comments

There are some good people building resonator guitars. I can't imagine anyone being better than Frank.

Overall Rating: 10