|
John
Renbourn
John Renbourn, prior to
joining Pentangle, who had a significant influence on early Led Zeppilin, had
had an illustrious solo career on the British folk scene. In 1967 he teamed up
with Bert Jansch for the well acclaimed album of Duets entitled simply, "Bert
and John," His playing and composing
is renowned for its skilful meshing of jazz, ragtime, blues and folk as well as
medieval music from Elizabethan composers such John Dowland.
Both
since and during his time with Pentangle, John has recorded many successful solo
albums, including collaboration with players such as Stefan Grossman and Duck
Baker.
Today John tours regularly
in many countries and is still renowned as one of the foundation stones of the
modern British folk scene. His
guitar - Davies OM - type 28 Rio
John
has used many instruments over the years from both companies and makers alike
but since the early 1980s he has almost exclusively used OM type guitars. His
Davies OM is voiced very much for his deft finger style technique. It has a lightly
braced Engleman spruce soundboard that was selected for its high strength
to weight ratio. He uses phosphor bronze strings (gauges 12, 15, 20, 28, 40, 52)
that are relatively light on the bass side. Careful tailoring of the Engleman
spruce with special attention given to a finely scalloped bracing has enabled
Alvin to open out the lower end to produce a warm, free resonant bass. The treble
response is powerful with a shimmering harmonic content. The
back and sides are old stock Brazilian or Rio Rosewood chosen for its rich
dark response with enhanced upper harmonics. (Separating this sonically from other
rosewoods.) The neck is a
slim C shape made from reclaimed Brazilian mahogany. The
fret board and pyramidal bridge are made from the finest Sri Lankan ebony.
Other features are to standard Davies
specification and include: - Fittings
in fossil mammoth ivory for its excellent tonal qualities.
Grained ivoroid
binding.
Waverley tuners.
French polish finish.
The action:
John has his action set very low (3/64" on the treble
and 1/16" on the bass side at the twelfth fret) to aid
percussive use of the fret board when played with vigour.
<<
Back | Top >> | 
