Check out the great article on this classic 1932 Martin D-28 written by our esteemed founder and co-owner Jim Baggett for the latest issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine…nice!
We had a great time at the store last Saturday when co-owner Jim Baggett hosted our first ‘Appraisal Day’. It was a lot of fun, very informative and folks brought in some great instruments for Jim to check out. Thanks to our own Brian S. for the photos:
Very cool vintage Gibson Mando
Unique Gibson Style O in a sunburst finish!
Late '60s Telecaster...very, very cool!
Bring your musical instruments - or just yourself - for a fun (and free) day of informal verbal appraisals/evaluations and informative historical info on instruments this Saturday, November 7, from 10am to 2pm. Our co-owner, Jim Baggett, a regular contributor to the great PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, will be giving free verbal instrument appraisals. Whether you’ve got an instrument or not, it will be an entertaining and instructional time as Jim talks about what makes an instrument ‘vintage’ rather than just ‘old’. He’ll have a few unique instruments on hand as well to show.
We won’t be offering written appraisals on this day, but arrangements can be made for another time. (Note: Due to Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no ‘last Sat.’ Elbow Room workshop in Nov. - this is it!)
Join us for October’s Free Elbow Room Workshop on Saturday, October 31 at 9 am for Mandolin Basics for Beginners and Those That Think They Aren’t led by the great Scott Tichenor, the man behind the wonderful www.mandolincafe.com website. Stay on the right track by avoiding some common traps that often snag beginning mandolin players and hinder your playing, but also trip up more seasoned musicians. Includes a question and answer session too. Totally free.
Also, coming up on Saturday, November 7th from 10am - 2pm, it’s Appraisal Day with owner Jim Baggett. Trash or treasure? Bring your musical instruments - or just yourself - for a fun day of informal verbal appraisals/evaluations and informative historical info on instruments. Jim is a regular contributor to PBS’s Antiques Roadshow, and co-owner of Mass St. Music. We will NOT be offering written appraisals on this day, but arrangements can be made for another time. (Note: Due to Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no ‘last Sat.’ Elbow Room workshop in Nov. - this is it!) This a free event.
Our good friend “Consignment Guy” brought some instruments in yesterday and this ‘36-’37-ish National Duolian caught my eye. It also caught the eye of the boss, Jim Baggett, who snapped it up before it hit the sales floor. Here’s a couple pics and what he has to say about his new toy.
Well loved Duolian
“This is a really cool guitar with a chunky, very straight neck - 14 fret neck, rolled F holes. The paint is worn and chipped all over, but it’s not dented. Has ‘the’ look, and even better the sound. Very lively and responsive to the right hand with a much better dynamic range than most. I just keep it by my desk and play it. It’s just one of those guitars that’s eager to please. I’ve played it for two days and realized that I haven’t touched the tuners. Really fun!” - Jim Baggett
The other consignment goodies including a lefty Les Paul Custom and a Gibson L-48 will be posted on www.massstreetmusic.com site later today.
Mass Street Music owner, Jim Baggett, is pictured along with several other Martin experts, in the last issue Martin’s Sounding Board magazine. Jim was invited to meet last May with several other Martin scholars to discuss the earliest Martins - those from 1833 to about 1867. In addition to a great meeting of the minds, Martin provided access to many guitars, including several from before 1867, as well as full access to the Museum. Jim (pictured on the far right) said, “I got to see some very cool guitars and am looking forward to the next summit.” This issue is not available online, but you can pick up a copy at the store here, or at any Martin dealer. 
Versatile and virtuoso guitarist Beppe Gambetta stopped by Mass Street today. When I asked him if he was playing in the area, he said no. He said “I came to have Jim (Baggett, the owner) set up my Rockbridge guitar. He’s a master.”
Here Beppe shows off his newly set up guitar, along with his infamous red shoes in one shot. Beppe’s off to St. Louis to play then Indiana and Iowa and parts beyond. Don’t miss him if you get the chance to see him play.
Beppe and his Rockbridge
Beppe and those red shoes
Beppe and the boss